Thomas J. Patnode

Roman Hernandez is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Consumer Science. Roman joined Northwestern Mutual in 1998, and now has over 25 years of financial planning experience working with individuals, families, and small business owners. Roman holds his Life and Health Insurance licenses, and has his Series 6, Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses. As a Wealth Management Advisor and founding partner of Intersect Financial, Roman focuses on assisting clients with their wealth accumulation and distribution strategies. He has vast knowledge and experience in the areas of personal financial planning and investment management. Roman is also a member of the NAIFA (National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors).

With a focus on creating lifelong relationships with his clients, Roman is dedicated to help lead them to financial security today and into the future.

Tom Patnode has more than 25 years of experience as a Wealth Management Advisor and has been with Northwestern Mutual for nearly 20 years. A Founder of Intersect Financial, Tom is the lead advisor for their team’s 401(k) clients.

A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Tom played Division III hockey for the Tommies. He is a member of the Capital Club of Minnesota and the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). He holds his Qualified Plan Financial Consultant designation (QPFC), Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, Life, Accident, Long Term Care and Annuity licenses.

Along with developing financial strategies for families and individuals, Tom works with business owners specializing in comprehensive planning.  Known for his diligence and creative ideas, his expertise with business transitions and leveraging qualified retirement plans is unique. Tom and his team design 401(k) plans for organizations with a focus on effectively recruiting and retaining talent for their workforce.

Blaine Joerger is in his 23^rd year as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Minnesota State University, Mankato and played Division II basketball for the Mavericks. His industry designations include both CLU (Charter Life Underwriter) and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant). Blaine also holds his Series 6, Series 63, Series 7, Long Term Care, Annuity and Life and Health licenses. He specializes in assisting individuals and families with their comprehensive financial planning and has expertise in insurance planning. Blaine’s focus is to assist clients in the achievement of financial security.  Blaine does this by helping clients build successful wealth accumulation strategies as well as wealth distribution strategies.  This is accomplished through insurance planning, investment management, legacy discussions and estate planning.

Emily Whitney is a 2018 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Statistics with a focus on Business Management and Spanish. She also competed on the Gustie’s women’s gymnastics team. 

Emily came to Northwestern Mutual in 2018 and joined the Intersect Financial team in 2021. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and her industry designations include FINRA SIE, Series 7 and Series 63. In addition, Emily holds her Life, Accident, Long Term Care and Annuity licenses. Emily specializes in PX Planning and is well-versed in building financial plans for clients. She services our 401(k) Plans, both at the plan sponsor and participant levels. Emily administers advisory and brokerage trading and oversees internal investment operations. In addition, Emily executes both annuity and investment onboarding and client service.

Tim Anderson is a 2012 graduate of St. Thomas Academy and a 2016 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. While at Gustavus, Tim was a member of the Gustie’s NCAA Division III men’s swim team. Tim has secured his Life, Accident, Health, and Annuity licenses and specializes in insurance and investment service for Intersect Financial.

Tim manages all aspects of our client’s insurance needs, including all onboarding, quotes and client service. He has established himself as an insurance professional and has built strong relationships with our clients. Tim has a knack for technology and has quickly become our team leader in this area.

Jonah Milbrandt graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2021, with a degree in finance. As a student-athlete, he pitched for the Peacocks NCAA Division II baseball team for three seasons. Jonah has been working in the financial services industry for more than three years and has his Series 7 and Series 63 licenses and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Jonah serves as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor for Intersect Financial. He is focused on the set up and management of client 401(k) retirement plans.

Reegan Patnode is a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict with a B.A. in Global Business Leadership and was a founding member and executive board member of the Bennies in Business Club on campus. As an accomplished athlete, she played for the St. Ben’s Women’s hockey team for four years, serving as team captain in her senior year. Reegan holds a Life and Health Insurance license, as well as Series 6, Series 63, and SIE securities licenses. She is also an active member of The Dot, a women’s networking group in the Twin Cities. Now in her fourth year as an Associate Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, she provides clients with well-rounded, strategic financial planning services.

With over two decades of expertise in customer care and client service, Shannon plays an essential role on the Intersect Financial team, where she is dedicated to delivering exceptional support to our valued clients and partners. In addition to providing outstanding service, Shannon manages and optimizes all internal processes, including streamlining communications and workflow, scheduling, and coordination. Passionate about building lasting relationships, she ensures every client experience is both positive and rewarding.

Amy Woog Patnode comes to Northwestern Mutual’s Intersect Financial team with a plethora of experience in marketing and specifically in sports marketing. Amy is a 1991 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College. 

Amy handles all marketing and communications related projects for our team.