We have developed a reputation within our firm as trusted advocates in our local community, helping manage our clients' wealth with a high degree of integrity and honesty. A leading team within RBC Wealth Management, we hold a number of industry designations, licenses, and degrees, and have recently been named to several industry "top" lists, including Barron's magazine and the Financial Times.
Managing Director - Financial Advisor, Senior Consulting Group
Aaron has been addressing the wealth management needs of families and individuals for over twenty-five years. Since joining RBC Wealth Management in 2001, he has become a top-ranking wealth advisor within the firm, with a reputation for knowledgeable client service built on trust and genuine interest in the well-being of his clients.
Having obtained his Accredited Wealth Management (AWM) designation in 2004, Aaron specializes in developing and implementing unique wealth management plans for high net-worth clients and their families. He believes in the power of collaboration, and frequently works with attorneys and tax advisors to provide his clients with suitable wealth management solutions.
Aaron’s extensive knowledge and expertise have time and again garnered recognition, both within RBC Wealth Management and the greater financial services industry. He has been a member of the RBC Wealth Management Chairman’s Council since 2009, and has received recognition as a Top Advisor by Barron’s Magazine; he was named a Top 1,200 Advisor in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Financial Times honored Aaron as a Top 400 Advisor in 2018 and 2020, and he was named to the Forbes/SHOOK Best-In-State Wealth Advisor list in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Aaron lives in Independence with his wife, Ali, two sons, Brodie and Ellis, and his Labradoodles, Shone and Sammy. He enjoys an active and healthful lifestyle through his frequent involvement in sports activities with his sons as well as by regularly participating in weight training and Pilates. In his free time, Aaron enjoys traveling, cooking on his Big Green Egg, and spending time with friends and family.
Associate Vice President, Senior Financial Associate
Brandon has been working alongside his brother Aaron, serving Big Water Group's families for over 10 years. He earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2013. Brandon works with clients to help them achieve their life goals by creating tailored wealth management plans that include in-depth net worth assessments, retirement income analyses, and insurance reviews. He plays an integral role in the research, analysis, and maintenance of the team's managed investment portfolios.
Brandon is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was an All-American wrestler for the Wolverines. He lives in Medina with his wife, Holly, daughters Emelia and Gabrielle, and their silky-wirehair dachshund, Maisy. In his free time, Brandon volunteers as a wrestling coach and serves on the board of the University of Michigan Club of the Twin Cities. He also enjoys cooking on his Big Green Egg, spending time with his family and following high school and collegiate sports.
Senior Managing Director - Branch Director
Tom is a 28-year veteran of the financial services industry, having spent the last 16 with RBC in a number of advising and management roles. Most recently, he was the Complex Director of the Minneapolis Complex. A lifelong Minnesotan, Tom is a graduate of the U of M’s College of Liberal Arts and School of Law; he passed the bar in 1990. Tom and his wife Jenny live in Orono. They have three grown children and a Labrador retriever. Now that his youth sports coaching career has completed, Tom enjoys hiking, traveling, and playing bad golf.
Senior Financial Associate
Allison began her career with RBC Wealth Management in 2010 as an associate in Alternative Investment Operations. She has been a member of Big Water Group since 2011. As the team's relationship manager, Allison is primarily responsible for scheduling meetings and maintaining the team's client service standards. She also manages larger projects such as coordinating appreciation events and seminars, and heading marketing campaigns. Allison earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2016. The multi-year CFP®program entails in-depth courses, training, and comprehensive examinations in all areas of financial planning including investments, taxes, insurance, estate, and retirement planning. Allison is originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she graduated from the university with a degree in music performance. Allison lives in Plymouth with her husband, Brett and sons, Everett & Owen. When not in the office, Allison enjoys singing, playing the piano, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
Investment Associate
Kristi began working at RBC Wealth Management in 2015. Prior to joining Big Water Group in 2016, she held various positions at the Minnetonka and Minneapolis branches. Kristi performs many of the team's operational and administrative functions including servicing clients, processing account forms and paperwork, maintaining account records, and preparing client correspondence. Kristi has passed the Series 7 and Series 66 exams, as well as RBC's Associate Planning Professional (APP) designation. Kristi graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in international studies and marketing. Her love of travel has taken her around the world, including a semester spent studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria, however the North Shore of Lake Superior remains one of her favorite vacation destinations. An Orono native, Kristi now lives in St. Louis Park with her husband, Mike, black cat, Smokey and rescue dog, Scout. She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, and exploring the local restaurant and brewery scene.
Senior Client Associate
Client Associate
Liz began her career at RBC in 2019 in the Investment Advisor Operations area and later transitioned to the Minneapolis Complex Operations team. She has been a member of Big Water Group since 2021 and performs many of the team's operational functions which include servicing clients, processing account forms and paperwork, maintaining account records, and preparing client correspondence. Liz has passed her SIE & Series 63 exams.
Liz is originally from Stillwater, MN but now lives in Mound with her rescue boxer-lab, Bogey. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing Education. Liz was also a student-athlete on the Women’s Swim and Dive team, followed by student coaching. Liz also enjoys being outdoors, hiking, rollerblading, and spending time at the cabin with her family, friends, and dogs.
We are proud to take our name from the English translation of the Mdewakanton Lakota name for Minnetonka, the lake which our office overlooks: "Big Water." This distinguished landmark inspires our wealth management practice in many ways. Lake Minnetonka has played an instrumental role in the development of its surrounding communities by providing an abundance of resources, a source of enjoyment, and a sense of security to thousands of families over numerous generations. Similarly, we work to ensure that our guidance enriches our clients' lives by granting them the financial resources to grow and sustain themselves, enjoy a lifestyle of their choosing, and provide them with security and protection in an ever-changing world.
