23 North Star advisors named to Forbes 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list
MINNEAPOLIS—July 9, 2026—North Star Resource Group announced today that 23 advisors have been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list. The recognition represents more than 10% of the firm’s advisor force nationwide and includes honorees across Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Colorado, North Carolina, Missouri and Virginia.
- Darby Affeldt, DVM, RICP®, CPFA®, ABFP® – No. 42 in Colorado
- Bobby Ebert, CFP®, AIF®, CLU®, CLTC®, CEPA® – No. 55 in Minnesota
- Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC® – No. 11 in Minnesota
- Thomas Haunty, CFP®, RHU®, REBC®, ChFC®, AIF® – No. 32 in Wisconsin
- Brian Hensen, CFP®, ChFC® – No. 37 in Wisconsin
- James Jaderborg, CLU®, ChFC® – No. 26 in Maryland
- Damon Lichtenberger, CPFA®, CLTC® – No. 25 in North Carolina
- Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA® – No. 13 in the nation and No. 3 in North Texas
- Mark Miller, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, WMCP® – No. 66 in North Texas
- Craig Molldrem, CLTC®, RICP®, AIF®, CAP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP® – No. 10 in North Texas
- William Montag, CFP® – No. 15 in Iowa
- Michelle Muthiani, CSLP® – No. 60 in Minnesota
- Jim Quandt, CFP®, AIF®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC® – No. 54 in Minnesota
- Jack Ryan, RICP® – No. 35 in Missouri
- Anthony Schau, CFP® – No. 20 in Iowa
- Wes Sharp – No. 61 in Minnesota
- Joey Snyder, WMCP® – No. 30 in Virginia
- Kristin Strom, AIF® – No. 65 in Minnesota
- John Tidwell, CSLP® – No. 62 in Minnesota
- Brett Vander Bloemen – No. 19 in Minnesota
- John Williams, CFP®, CFS – No. 48 in Minnesota
- Matt Wilson, CFP®, ChFC®, CSLP® – No. 58 in North Texas
- Jon Ylinen – No. 29 in Wisconsin
This annual ranking spotlights the leading financial professionals across the nation who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to helping clients pursue their financial goals.
“We couldn’t be prouder of these advisors and their inclusion on the Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list,” said North Star CEO Ed Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®. “They represent an elite group of advisors who are wholeheartedly committed to changing the lives of their clients forever, and we greatly appreciate the care and expertise they bring to every client and their commitment to bettering North Star.”
North Star more than doubled its number of honorees from the previous year, with 23 advisors recognized, including 12 first-time qualifiers, one nationally ranked advisor and six advisors who placed among the top 20 in their respective state or regional rankings.
In Minnesota, where North Star is headquartered, nine advisors made the list. Marshall Gifford led the Minnesota honorees, earning his fourth appearance on the list with a No. 11 ranking. Gifford has also been recognized multiple times on Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list.
Wes Sharp and John Williams also returned to the list, while six advisors earned recognition for the first time in 2026: Bobby Ebert, Michelle Muthiani, Jim Quandt, Kristin Strom, John Tidwell and Brett Vander Bloemen.
In the North Texas region, North Star had four financial advisors make the list. North Star Senior Vice President Shaun McDuffee ranked No. 3 in North Texas and was also named No. 13 nationally on the Top Financial Security Professionals list. McDuffee has made an appearance on 11 Forbes lists since 2021.
Craig Molldrem is another multi-year qualifier, moving to the No. 10 position in North Texas after being listed No. 16 in 2025. First-time qualifiers in North Texas include Mark Miller and Matt Wilson.
Three advisors from North Star’s Madison, Wisconsin, office were recognized on the list. Jon Ylinen received the No. 29 spot, marking his fourth time appearing on this list, and Thomas Haunty ranked No. 32 in his second year on this list.
Also in Wisconsin, Brian Hensen was a first-time qualifier after also earning first-time recognition on Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list earlier this year.
In Iowa, North Star had two advisors make the list, both of whom are first-time qualifiers. William Montag secured the No. 15 ranking in the state, and Anthony Schau made the list at the No. 20 spot. Both advisors are members of North Star’s Medical Division, serving physicians and other healthcare professionals since the 1990s.
Damon Lichtenberger ranked No. 25 in North Carolina after also earning recognition in 2023 and 2025. In Maryland, James Jaderborg earned the No. 26 ranking after appearing on the list in 2025. Darby Affeldt, who first earned recognition in 2025, ranked No. 42 in Colorado. In Missouri, Jack Ryan ranked No. 35 as a first-time qualifier. Rounding out North Star’s honorees, Joey Snyder ranked No. 30 in Virginia, improving from No. 32 in 2025.
The Forbes ranking was determined based on a comparison of business practices based on both qualitative and quantitative elements in a survey conducted by SHOOK Research. Qualitative elements that SHOOK analyzed included production/premiums, death benefits, assets under management, client-related trends and data. Additionally, they also analyzed quantitative elements such as meetings with professionals, use of their team and team dynamics, level of community involvement, credentials and years of service.
To learn more about the Top Financial Security Professionals list or to view the rankings on a national and state level, please visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-financial-security-professionals.
About Forbes and SHOOK Research
Forbes and SHOOK Research partner annually to recognize top-performing financial professionals through rankings that evaluate business practices, client service and industry experience. SHOOK Research does not receive compensation in exchange for rankings.
About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 200 full-time advisors and over 218 employees. In a network of 43 offices in over 17 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses.* To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.
*Data as of 12/2025
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ian Rich at 612.617.6076 or email him at ian.rich@northstarfinancial.com.
Investment Advisor Representatives offering advisory services through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Registered Branch Phone No. 612-617-6000 | 2701 University Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414
Forbes America’s Top Financial Security Professionals, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on last year’s data. The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of financial service professionals (FSPs) based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data is weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as best practices, business models, recent business activity, among others. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. The algorithm measures thousands of FSPs against one another. The listing is prepared by SHOOKTM Research and is based primarily on commissions and premiums generated from insurance products and other criteria relative to years of experience, credentials, client retention and servicing, business model, community involvement, financial professional and peer interviews, and compliance background. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.