The Great Northern Team

You Can't Afford an Accident.

Neither can we. That's why every decision we make — every strategy we craft, every recommendation we offer - is grounded in professional rigor and unwavering commitment to your family's financial well-being.

Our Philosophy

More than a century ago, The Great Northern Railway set out from St. Paul with a radical business philosophy: the railroad would only prosper if the communities it served prospered first. That railway eventually connected the East and West coasts, becoming North America's first transcontinental rail system — not despite that philosophy, but because of it.

We named our team after that legacy because it captures something essential about who we are and how we work.

We've grown from a one-person practice to a team of ten wealth management professionals serving clients nationwide. Our reach spans coasts and time zones, but our roots remain firmly planted in the principle that your prosperity is our prosperity. We don't succeed unless you succeed.

"Live Well" isn't a tagline for us — it's the outcome of disciplined, family-centered wealth stewardship. It means security for your loved ones. Freedom to pursue what matters most. Confidence that your wealth is working as intelligently and purposefully as you are.

Our Mission

We align your family's needs with today's best practices for wealth management. We will know you, your family, and current market conditions. Together, we'll craft advanced planning strategies to steward your wealth in the most effective way possible. Using RBC's vast lineup for public and private market investment products, we serve accredited investors, qualified purchasers, and those aspiring to be.

We believe wealth well-used enables your best life — and we will pursue this for you with passion.

Our Team's Recognition

Your success deserves counsel backed by proven expertise and recognized excellence. The Great Northern Team is honored to have earned these prestigious industry accolades:

Alex Rykken

Barron's Top 1500 Financial Advisors - 2026
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors — 2025 and 2026
Forbes Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors — 2022, 2023 and 2024
Financial Planning's Top 40 National Brokers Under 40 - 2025
Financial Planning's Top 40 Regional Brokers Under 40 - 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
AdvisorHub "Advisors to Watch" — 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025

John Conlin

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors — 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025

The Team

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team — 2024, 2025 and 2026

These recognitions reflect our team's dedication to excellence - but they matter most because they validate what our clients already know: Your financial life is in capable hands.

The 2022 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2022. Data as of 6/30/2021. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2022 "Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" award was announced August 2022. Data as of 3/31/2022. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1983 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews to measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.

The 2023 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2023. Data as of 6/30/2022. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2023 "Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" award was announced August 2023. Data as of 3/31/2023. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1984 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews to measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.

The 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams award was announced January 2024. Data as of 3/31/23. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and team, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results.  Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.

The 2024 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2024. Data as of 6/30/2023. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor based on qualitative criteria such as: best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2025 Forbes “Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams” award was announced January 2025. Data as of 3/31/24. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance was not an award criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. For more information:  <a href="http://www.SHOOKresearch.com">www.SHOOKresearch.com</a>.

The 2026 Forbes “Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams” award was announced January 2026. Data as of 3/31/25. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance was not an award criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2026 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2026. Data as of 6/30/2025. The award is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes advisor's best practices, client retention, industry experience, compliance records; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance was not an award criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. For more information go to: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Why The Great Northern Team

Nationwide Reach, Local Roots

We serve clients coast to coast with the institutional backing of RBC Wealth Management and the personal attention of a team that truly knows you.

Multi-Generational Expertise

135 years of combined experience means we've guided families through market cycles, life transitions, and changing economic conditions. We've seen what works — and what doesn't.

Client-First Philosophy

We serve accredited and qualified investors who demand more than products — they demand partners. Your interests lead every conversation, every strategy, every decision.

Passionate About Outcomes

We believe wealth well-used enables your best life. That passion animates everything we do, from sophisticated investment management to customized family wealth planning.

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You Can't Afford an Accident.

Our Team's Recognition

Alex Rykken

John Conlin

Your Wealth

Why The Great Northern Team

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The Great Northern Team

Pleased to serve you in multiple locations

Edina, MN office

North Oaks, MN office

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Midterms, the market, and what matters