Financial planning and beyond

Three generations in the front yard

No matter what your age, or where you are on your planning journey, we can help steer you down the right path toward retirement. We will work with you to build the foundation of your plan. Over time, as life or market circumstances change, we will work with you to adjust your plan where and when needed. When it comes to retirement planning, it's never too early to start.

Couple at the shore

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.

  • James Shafer

    James Shafer

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AK
    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MS
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI
    • WV
    • WY

    James has been at UBS since 2005 and is the senior partner of Shafer Block Wealth Management. He attributes his success to his personal touch, listening skills and experience. He strives to build lasting relationships through learning what his clients are trying to accomplish.

    James leads the team in translating clients’ goals, their definition of risk and their personality into a financial plan that will survive the test of time. We focus on cost, risk and tax efficiency. He also brings a deep knowledge of corporate compensation plans, which has helped clients achieve their goals.

    James is a graduate of the University of Minnesota–Duluth with a degree in finance and economics. In his free time, he is an avid fisherman and golfer. But most importantly, he enjoys spending time with his son Ethan.

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2024, 2025The 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, 2023, 2024, 2025The 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.

    • University of Minnesota–Duluth, Degree in Finance and Economics
    • Senior Portfolio Manager
    • Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant
    681 East Lake Street
    Wayzata, MN 55391
    james.shafer@ubs.com
    James Shafer
    681 East Lake Street,Wayzata,MN,55391
  • Michael Block

    Michael B. Block

    Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AK
    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MS
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • OR
    • PA
    • RI
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY

    Michael works very closely with his clients, their family and advisors to simplify the complexity of cash flow management, tax-efficient investment oversight, estate planning, legacy preservation, and personalized charitable giving strategies. He believes success is not measured by returns on investment, but by results of planning.

    Michael earned a B.S. in political science with an emphasis on international relations and global economics from the University of Minnesota. He holds the Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM designation, having completed an advanced education in comprehensive wealth management.

    In 2011, Michael transitioned his practice to UBS from a family-owned boutique wealth manager in order to gain access to the firm’s vast resources, tools and services for his clients.

    Michael lives in Chanhassen, MN with his wife, Colleen. When not in the office, Michael spends time with family and friends and enjoys boating, fishing, traveling, and volunteering for local community and charitable organizations. He is a car fanatic and an adventurous foodie who can be found trying new foods and local restaurants.

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024, 2025The 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.
    • Forbes Top Next-Gen (Generation) Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in August based on information from a 12 month period ending in March of the award year.

    • University of Minnesota, B.S.
    • Senior Portfolio Manager
    • Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠
    681 East Lake Street
    Wayzata, MN 55391
    michael.b.block@ubs.com
    Michael B. Block
    681 East Lake Street,Wayzata,MN,55391
  • Morgan Cisneros

    Morgan Cisneros

    Team Administrator

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    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • DE
    • FL
    • IA
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MS
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NJ
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY

    Morgan focuses on delivering personalized client service to meet the expectations and goals of each client. She ensures the smooth day-to-day business functions of the team and coordinates client hospitality events. In addition to providing client relationship management, Morgan supports the development of the team business plan and coordinates with branch management on business- and team-related matters.

    Morgan received her B.A. in Public Policy from The University of Chicago. Since joining the industry in 2012, she has earned her Series 6, 63, 65, and 7 securities licenses.

    Morgan and her husband Keigan live in Wisconsin with their children. They enjoy spending time with family and being outdoors.

    • 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.

    • The University of Chicago, BA in Public Policy
      17335 Golf Parkway
      Suite 525
      Brookfield, WI 53045
      morgan.cisneros@ubs.com
      Morgan Cisneros
      17335 Golf Parkway,Brookfield,WI,53045
    • Nathan

      Nathan Trannel, CFP, CEPA

      Authorized Officer

      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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      • AK
      • AL
      • AR
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • DE
      • FL
      • GA
      • IA
      • ID
      • IL
      • IN
      • KS
      • LA
      • MA
      • MD
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MS
      • NC
      • ND
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NY
      • OH
      • OK
      • OR
      • PA
      • RI
      • SC
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • WA
      • WI
      • WY

      Nathan joined the Shafer Block Wealth Management Team after spending three years working for UBS at the US headquarters located in Weehawken, NJ and four and a half years at the Madison, WI branch. He brings over a decade of experience serving clients with their financial goals and is excited to continue learning and growing with the team.

      Nathan focuses on wealth management strategies that include cash management, advisory solutions, legacy planning, business exit planning, equity awards, and portfolio recommendations. He is proficient in delivering in-depth retirement planning to help clients achieve their lifelong goals.

      Nathan graduated with both a Bachelor of Science Personal Finance and Economic degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®™ and CERTIFIED EXIT PLANNING ADVISOR certifications as well as passed the Level 1 CFA exam. Nathan lives in Madison, WI with his wife Meghan and two children Liam and Mila. Outside of work, Nathan enjoys spending time with his family and friends, the outdoors, traveling, kiteboarding, golfing, and playing hockey.

            8020 Excelsior Drive
            Madison, WI 53717
            nathan.trannel@ubs.com
            Nathan Trannel, CFP, CEPA
            8020 Excelsior Drive,Madison,WI,53717
          • Joe

            Joseph Gossett

            Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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            • AL
            • AZ
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • IA
            • ID
            • IL
            • LA
            • MA
            • MD
            • MI
            • MN
            • MO
            • MT
            • NC
            • ND
            • NJ
            • NV
            • NY
            • OH
            • OR
            • PA
            • SC
            • SD
            • TN
            • TX
            • VA
            • WA
            • WI
            • WY

            Joe contributes to the research, design, execution, and upkeep of the team's investment models. He enjoys building relationships with clients and managing investments.

            Joe is a CFA® Charterholder and holds his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in Finance and Real Estate.

            Joe and his wife, Lisa, reside in Peoria, AZ and enjoy camping, biking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

                • Chartered Financial Analyst®
                681 East Lake Street
                Wayzata, MN 55391
                joseph.gossett@ubs.com
                Joseph Gossett
                681 East Lake Street,Wayzata,MN,55391
              • Pam Smith

                Pam Smith

                Senior Client Associate

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                  Pam has worked in the wealth management industry for 24 years and is integral to the team’s delivery of a highly personalized client service experience. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations and organization of each clients’ personalized relationship.

                  Pam enjoys building strong personal relationships with clients to better understand their individual needs and goals. She is always prepared to exceed client expectations.

                        681 East Lake Street
                        Wayzata, MN 55391
                        pam.j.smith@ubs.com
                        Pam Smith
                        681 East Lake Street,Wayzata,MN,55391
                      • Julie Heidenreich

                        Julie Heidenreich

                        Senior Registered Client Associate

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                        • AR
                        • AZ
                        • CA
                        • CO
                        • DE
                        • FL
                        • IA
                        • IL
                        • KS
                        • LA
                        • MA
                        • MD
                        • MI
                        • MN
                        • MO
                        • MT
                        • NC
                        • ND
                        • NJ
                        • OR
                        • PA
                        • SC
                        • SD
                        • TN
                        • TX
                        • VA
                        • WA
                        • WI
                        • WY

                        Julie Heidenreich has worked in the financial services industry since 2001. She started working with Mark Bacigalupo in October 2003 as a Registered Client Associate. She has also been the St. Paul Client Associate Coach for many years, helping train new associates and collaborating with the home office to implement new ideas and improvements.

                        Julie has a cat named Hoot who demands most of her attention,  but in her other spare time she likes to read, paint, entertain friends, or go for walks.

                        Julie she lives in Hudson, WI but is originally from Ottawa, KS. She has raised two daughters with her late husband Al. Mandie and Gina both live nearby and they spend a lot of time doing pedicures, movie nights or hanging out at the Big Sandy Lake cabin with the rest of the family.

                              444 Cedar Street
                              Suite 2200
                              St Paul, MN 55101
                              julie.a.heidenreich@ubs.com
                              Julie Heidenreich
                              444 Cedar Street,St Paul,MN,55101
                            • Jack Hatton

                              Jack Hatton

                              Wealth Strategy Associate

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                              • AK
                              • AL
                              • AR
                              • AZ
                              • CA
                              • CO
                              • DE
                              • FL
                              • GA
                              • IA
                              • IL
                              • IN
                              • KS
                              • LA
                              • MA
                              • MD
                              • MI
                              • MN
                              • MS
                              • MT
                              • NC
                              • ND
                              • NJ
                              • NM
                              • NY
                              • OH
                              • OK
                              • OR
                              • PA
                              • SC
                              • SD
                              • TN
                              • TX
                              • UT
                              • VA
                              • WA
                              • WI
                              • WV
                              • WY

                              Jack serves as a Wealth Strategy Associate with the Shafer Block team, working with clients in a variety of client service capacities. Prior to joining our team, Jack spent two years with the UBS Wealth Advice Center in an advisory role where he focused on helping clients implement investment strategies.

                              Jack came to UBS after graduating from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and was a member of the men’s hockey team. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, he currently resides in Minneapolis, MN. Jack is an avid golfer and very much enjoys staying involved in the game of hockey as well as being a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities Organization.

                                    681 East Lake Street
                                    Wayzata, MN 55391
                                    jack.hatton@ubs.com
                                    Jack Hatton
                                    681 East Lake Street,Wayzata,MN,55391
                                  Three generations in apple orchard

                                  Turn possibilities into a plan

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                                  Empower your investments

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                                  Tariffs, volatility and your portfolio

                                  Are you ready?

                                  In the first 100 days of a second Trump administration, policy uncertainty continues to dominate. Do you have questions about the impact of tariffs, inflation and geopolitical developments on your investment strategy?

                                  We’re here to help you make sense of it all and move forward with confidence. Make sure your portfolio is prepared for ongoing market volatility.

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