As a member of our employee benefits team, Chloe works closely with businesses to analyze, design, and administer comprehensive employee benefits programs.

Chloe brings with her extensive experience in client service and insurance administration, and she uses these skills to support business clients with the communication, training, and ongoing assistance needed to implement a successful employee benefits program.

Since joining North Star in 2016, Max has been using his expansive knowledge and commitment as a disability expert to provide counsel to our associates. Today, he is available to speak with clients about their disability insurance needs and options.

Serving individuals nationwide, Max is committed to ensuring each client has a customized protection strategy for their specific needs.

Austin is the Director of Tax Services at North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis, where he provides tax advice to North Star advisors in their mission to attract and retain clients.

Prior to joining North Star in 2023, he was a tax manager for private client services at BDO LLP. He managed between five and 10 tax associates and senior associates while servicing pass-through entities, REITs, trusts, and high-net-worth individuals who had a high degree of tax complexity. He also advised individual and trust clients on year-end tax planning while clearly communicating the results of projections and discussing potential tax strategies.

Before BDO, Austin served as a Senior Tax Associate at Deloitte Tax LLP. In this capacity, he served high-net-worth individuals across athletics, real estate development, retail, and manufacturing industries. He also researched, planned, and performed accounting method changes, entity restructuring, and liquidations as part of his role here.

After growing up in Cook, MN, Austin graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN. He has also completed the CPA certification exam from the State of Minnesota Board of Accountancy. In his free time, he enjoys muskie fishing, spending time outdoors, and attending Minnesota Twins baseball games. His family also runs Vermillion Dam Lodge, a resort in northeastern Minnesota, which he still visits to this day.

As Senior Vice President, Chase oversees the operations of Business Owner Solutions, Distribution Planning, and North Star’s insurance brokerage operations, which include Property and Casualty Insurance, Disability Insurance, Medicare/Individual Health, and Employee Benefits.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire with a degree in business administration and finance, Brakke joined North Star in 2008.

As a trained former financial advisor, Chase understands how to integrate complex strategies into overall financial goals. In his current role, much of his time is spent working directly with advisors and their clients and connecting them with North Star’s supporting team of specialists to serve clients holistically.

Chase is heavily involved in his community and has seen firsthand how financial literacy and preparedness can positively impact others. He serves as a board member for BestPrep, an organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4-12 through professional mentorship opportunities. Each year, Chase volunteers over 100 hours with the organization as an eMentor, classroom speaker, and student essay judge.

For his volunteer work in furthering financial literacy, Chase was recognized as a Notable Leader in Finance honoree by Twin Cities Business in 2021 and was named an honorable mention for the Volunteer of the Year award from Invest In Others in 2024.

Chase lives in Stillwater, Minn., with his wife, Jenn, and two children. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis, along with spending time with family, especially at his lake cabin.

Steven has spent 31 years supporting advisors and clients through effective investing solutions, and he joined North Star in 2021 as a consultant in our investments division. Steven assists clients in portfolio construction, investment strategies, wealth management case design, economic trends, and retirement distribution ideas.

Matt is a disability insurance specialist working out of our Minneapolis headquarters. Using his professional background with North Star, he supports the Disability Insurance department as they provide excellent insurance solutions to clients nationwide.

Matt began his career with North Star as an intern in 2019, where he learned the basics of the financial advising career path. Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2020 with a degree in business marketing and a minor in management, he pivoted to his current role at North Star. Here, he helps the Disability Insurance department provide comprehensive disability insurance solutions while training others on how these solutions can contribute to a financial plan.

Matt grew up in Bloomington, MN, as the son of North Star President and Chief Financial Officer, David Vasos, CFP®. Matt continues to live in Bloomington today, alongside his wife, Carly, and golden retriever. In his free time, he loves playing golf, watching Minnesota sports teams, brewery hopping, and finding new places to explore with his dog. He also maintains close ties to his alma mater and is an avid fan of the Golden Gophers sports teams.