Gaylen J. Harms, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CPFA®

Founding Partner of Fortune Financial

Helping create and preserve wealth since 1983.

Helping business owners, professionals, and families reach their financial goals and objectives.

Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Gaylen J. Harms, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CPFA®

Founding Partner of Fortune Financial

Helping create and preserve wealth since 1983.

About

Gaylen J. Harms, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CPFA®, is a founding partner of Fortune Financial, an independent financial services firm in Minnetonka, Minn.

For over 40 years, Gaylen has provided financial alternatives in helping business owners, professionals, and pre-retirees pursue financial success. He helps clients make high-quality decisions about their financial resources by defining and quantifying their financial goals and providing access to a wide range of financial products and services to help them arrive at their objectives.

The founding partners of Fortune Financial have over 165 combined years of experience in the financial services industry. Gaylen and his co-founders continually strive to make Fortune Financial a trusted wealth management firm for comprehensive financial planning. Fortune Financial is affiliated with North Star Resource Group, which is regularly named one of the largest wealth management firms in the Twin Cities.1

Qualifications

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERpractitioner
  • Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), American College – Bryn Mawr, Pa.
  • Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), American College – Bryn Mawr, Pa.
  • Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC), CTLC Board of Standards – Newton, Mass.
  • Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), National Association of Plan Advisors – Arlington, Va.
  • B.S. in Business, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, Minn.
  • Member, Financial Planning Association
  • Registered Representative of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC
  • FINRA Series 7 and 63 Registered
  • Numerous seminars for professionals and corporations

Personal

  • Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
  • Past Chair, Board of Directors of Walker Methodist Senior Services
  • Past Chair, Board of Directors of the Walker Methodist Senior Services Foundation
  • Eagle Scout

1Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. (2020-2024). Twin Cities Largest Wealth Management Firms

2024 Twin Cities Largest Wealth Management Firm Award presented by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. The Award Winners are selected based on total assets under management. Verification is completed for data reported on assets and the number of professionals. 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 advisor 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.

Services

Business owner solutions

Increase your corporate and personal net worth through expert guidance and solutions tailored to you.

Gaylen walks executives and business owners through managing concentrated positions, stock option exercise and sale, succession planning, estate planning, and business transition strategies.

He also helps coordinate employee benefit programs designed for your needs. His goal is to provide benefits options that your employees value to create lasting employee satisfaction and security to help your business thrive.

Comprehensive financial planning

With long-range financial strategies and your choice of investment and insurance products, you can be on your way to the lifestyle you desire for today and for your future.

Gaylen prioritizes the necessary time to thoroughly understand your financial situation through conversation and specific questions. Then, with a clear picture of your current situation and your desired outcome, he and his team develop specific, achievable goals on the way toward your life and legacy objectives.

Retirement strategies

Retirement planning allows you to identify your specific retirement goals and develop a strategy that gives you confidence in your ability to outlive your money.

As you plan for your future lifestyle, Gaylen will come alongside you with guidance and insight through the asset accumulation phase and into the distribution phase of your life, helping you balance predictable cash flow and legacy.

Risk management

Risk management is a critical component of a sound financial strategy, serving as the foundation of your wealth-building journey.

Gaylen can help you and your family select from a wide range of products to select the life insurance, disability insurance, and other coverage options most aligned to your overall financial strategy.

Tax-efficient investment strategies*

Keep more of your money with a tax-efficient investment strategy. Gaylen will consider your income and assets to develop investing recommendations that make the most of tax-deferred and tax-exempt vehicles for better long-term growth.

Team

Gaylen works with advisors Patrick Olson, CFP®, and Reid Meyer, CFP®, CPFA®, to provide a high-level service to clients and their families.

As members of the Fortune Financial team, Patrick and Reid share a similar financial planning philosophy and approach to Gaylen, and they are each experienced, talented financial professionals leading individuals and business owners on the path toward financial security.

Additionally, Gaylen’s clients can expect exceptional administrative assistance through this client support team and insight into especially complex situations through his insurance and investment specialists.

Support team

Mary Claire Ekstrom
Mary Claire Ekstrom

Executive Service Assistant

Jessica Garcia

Client Manager

Advisor team

Patrick Olson, CFP<sup>®</sup>
Patrick Olson, CFP®

Financial Advisor

Reid Meyer, CFP®, CPFA®
Reid Meyer, CFP®, CPFA®

Financial Advisor

North Star resource team

Carrie Hancock, ChFC®, CLU®
Carrie Hancock, ChFC®, CLU®

Vice President, Financial Planning Resource Center

Chris Sitek, CLTC®, CASL®, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU®, REBC®
Chris Sitek, CLTC®, CASL®, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU®, REBC®

Vice President Life and Long-Term Care

Jeff Landt, CFA, CFP®
Jeff Landt, CFA, CFP®

Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

Jeremiah Wente
Jeremiah Wente

Medicare Specialist

Michael Sejbl
Michael Sejbl

Property and Casualty Consultant

Contact

Connect with Gaylen

    Minneapolis

    2701 University Ave. S.E.
    Minneapolis, MN 55414

    Get directions

    Minnetonka, Minn.

    Fortune Financial
    10261 Yellow Circle Drive
    Minnetonka, MN 55343

    Get directions

    Registered representative of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency LLC), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA Insurance License #OM72497.