Insight-based advice

Team Dec 2022

As a Private Wealth team within the exclusive UBS Private Wealth management division, we always strive to provide quality service, put our clients' needs first and view each client relationship as a long-term commitment. Through a team approach, we work closely with our clients to help create and implement personalized wealth management strategies tailored to pursue their specific financial goals and address their unique circumstances.

Four people meeting in glass office

Pursuing your goals together

Our mission is to provide quality strategies customized to your needs. Our goal is to be your primary source of financial advice. To this end, we concentrate our efforts on developing long-term relationships through a commitment to quality client service.

  • Lou Close

    Louis D. Close

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AK
    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • FL
    • GA
    • HI
    • IA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • KY
    • MA
    • MD
    • ME
    • MI
    • MN
    • MO
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NE
    • NH
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY

    Lou entered the financial services industry in 1992 and offers clients a personalized approach to managing their investment portfolios.  Lou works with clients' attorneys, CPAs and other professional counsel to ensure their full spectrum of personal and financial needs are addressed.  He then prepares customized portfolio and product recommendations to ensure each client's retirement, estate planning and other financial goals become a reality. 

    Lou is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association and has earned membership in the prestigious UBS Chairman's Council.  He holds an economics degree from the University of Minnesota.  Active in the community, Lou currently serves on the Board of Directors for Bolder Options, a youth mentoring organization.  Previously, he has served on the Advisory Board for the University of Minnesota's Athletic Department as well as on board of the One Percent Club.  He has coached a girls travel basketball team in Wayzata, and was a councilmember at his church, Oak Knoll Lutheran.  He and his wife, Jill have three daughters and currently reside in Orono.  California Non-Resident Insurance License #0J24824

    • Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors, 2021The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

      • Private Wealth Advisor
      681 East Lake Street
      Wayzata, MN 55391
    • Chris Watkins

      Chris R. Watkins

      Managing Director

      Financial Advisor

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      • AK
      • AL
      • AR
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • CT
      • DC
      • FL
      • GA
      • HI
      • IA
      • ID
      • IL
      • IN
      • KS
      • KY
      • MA
      • MD
      • ME
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MT
      • NC
      • ND
      • NE
      • NH
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NV
      • NY
      • OH
      • OK
      • OR
      • PA
      • SC
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • WA
      • WI
      • WY

      Chris is one of the lead Financial Advisors of our team located in the Wayzata, Minnesota Office.   Chris has a passion for providing affluent families in-depth advice, helping clients manage generational wealth and providing clients the solutions for challenging problems that ultra-high net worth clients face.   Chris also works with business owners in preparing for a strategic exit planning utilizing the firm’s global resources and works to assist clients with commercial real estate lending. 

      Prior to joining the team, Chris spent several years in Management at UBS and leverages his past management experiences to help our clients access the extensive global resources of UBS. 

      Chris is proud to be involved in a number of local charities serving the needs of children and the underprivileged.  California Non Resident Insurance License #2015469

      • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2022, 2023
        The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
      • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
      • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

        • Private Wealth Advisor
        681 East Lake Street
        Wayzata, MN 55391
      • Andrea Murray

        Andrea Murray

        Executive / Team Assistant

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          Andrea is usually the first voice you hear when you call the Major Close Watkins Wealth Management Group. Since entering the industry in 1996, she has developed a range of skills that help streamline operations for the team and its clients. Her responsibilities include opening and servicing new accounts, answering monthly statement questions and managing all client correspondence, in addition to helping manage account changes and other important client needs. Andrea takes pride in providing clients with the personalized attention and solution-oriented service they deserve. She currently lives in Edina with her husband, Kent and their three children.

                681 East Lake Street
                Wayzata, MN 55391
              • Carson Walker

                Carson Walker

                Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                • AR
                • AZ
                • CA
                • CO
                • CT
                • DC
                • FL
                • GA
                • IA
                • ID
                • IL
                • IN
                • KS
                • KY
                • MA
                • MD
                • MI
                • MN
                • MO
                • MT
                • NC
                • ND
                • NE
                • NJ
                • NY
                • OK
                • OR
                • PA
                • SC
                • SD
                • TX
                • VA
                • WI
                • WY

                Carson joined our team in 2018.  Carson supports the team by servicing high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth clients.  Carson’s focus includes alternative investments, portfolio strategy, allocation implementation, and is the point of contact for next generation clients. 

                Carson is a graduate of University of Wisconsin Platteville, and lives in Lemont, IL with his wife, Jessica, and their son.

                      One North Wacker Drive
                      Suite 3700
                      Chicago, IL 60606
                    • Dustin Neumann

                      Dustin Neumann

                      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                      • AR
                      • AZ
                      • CA
                      • CO
                      • CT
                      • DC
                      • FL
                      • GA
                      • IA
                      • ID
                      • IL
                      • IN
                      • KS
                      • KY
                      • MA
                      • MD
                      • MI
                      • MN
                      • MO
                      • MT
                      • NC
                      • ND
                      • NE
                      • NJ
                      • NY
                      • OK
                      • OR
                      • PA
                      • SC
                      • SD
                      • TX
                      • VA
                      • WI
                      • WY

                      Dustin has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry and worked for Wells Fargo Advisors prior to joining UBS. Serving his current position, he helps assisting clients with their various needs as well as assisting in the financial planning process. In addition, his other roles consist of helping with client meetings as well as functioning as a backup to other team members.

                      A native to Minnesota, Dustin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree at Metro State University. In his free time he enjoys watching and playing sports, especially football and soccer. He can also be found running along various trails in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter months. He also volunteers as a math tutor at the Hubb's Learning Center in St. Paul.

                            80 South 8th Street
                            Suite 2900
                            Minneapolis, MN 55402
                          • Carol Henry

                            Carol Henry

                            Director

                            Team Administrator

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                            • AZ
                            • CA
                            • FL
                            • IA
                            • IL
                            • MN
                            • ND
                            • SD
                            • WI
                            • WY

                            As the Team Business Manager Carol’s primary focus is to help our team deliver the very best we can to each client. She works with our whole team, ensuring our internal practices and processes are aligned with our focus. Carol has been with UBS for over 35 years. Prior to joining our team, Carol was the Market Administrative Officer for the Minnesota Northern Plains Market. She's able to use her past experiences with UBS to ensure each client is serviced at the very highest level. Carol lives in Delano, MN and has 2 grown children.

                                  681 East Lake Street
                                  Wayzata, MN 55391
                                • Molly Padmore

                                  Molly Padmore

                                  Client Associate Senior

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                                  • MN

                                  Molly helps with all things Operational related for our team.  She focuses on managing client information and documentation, efficient execution of client trades, and providing excellent client service. Her skilled navigation of external partners and vendors makes her indispensable and treasured by our clients.

                                  Molly has been in the business for 25 years. Her understanding of internal operations allows the team to provide an unparalleled client experience. Molly earned her B.A. in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul Minnesota. Molly holds series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. Molly has earned the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP) designation.

                                  Molly lives in Bloomington Minnesota with her adult daughter Macayla. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

                                        681 East Lake Street
                                        Wayzata, MN 55391

                                      Private Wealth Management

                                      As a team within the exclusive Private Wealth Management division at UBS, we connect you to the dynamic presence of one of the world‘s leading wealth managers. Private Wealth Advisors serve many of the firm‘s largest relationships, providing extensive reach and the distinct advantage of the firm‘s global perspective, insights and resources.

                                      Focus on liquidity management

                                      A team approach

                                      Wealth, from your point of view

                                      Multigenerational families

                                      Change your community. Change the world.

                                      Executive decisions

                                      Backed by the strength of UBS

                                      A global leader in wealth management

                                      $3.9 trillion

                                      In invested assets globally 
                                      As of 12/31/2022

                                      51 countries

                                      Our global footprint

                                      Global leader

                                      UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

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