Our Team

Donald A. Warner, MSFS, CLU, ChFC Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer Co-founder	Mr. Warner began his financial planning career in 1975 after graduating from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. In 1976, Mr. Warner began his partnership with Mr. Grant Lindaman, which has extended over a quarter century. Mr. Warner specializes in asset management, estate planning, and wealth management. Mr. Warner co-founded New Era Financial Group, Inc. in 1982 and New Era Financial Advisors, Inc. in 1986. Along with Mr. Lindaman, Mr. Warner also co-founded The China Fund, Inc. and the Emerging China Fund L.P. in 1989 and 1992 respectively. Mr. Warner manages both of these funds which were among the first in the nation to offer investors the opportunity to invest in China and Hong Kong. Mr. Warner earned his CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation in 1977 and his ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation in 1983. Subsequently, Mr. Warner earned his MSFS (Masters of Science in Financial Services) degree in 1987 and his MSM (Masters of Science in Management) degree in 1989.
Grant F. Lindaman President	Mr. Lindaman began his financial planning career in 1975, after graduating from Arizona State University.  In 1976 he began his partnership with Mr. Donald Warner, which has continued for nearly three decades. Mr. Lindaman co-founded New Era Financial Group, Inc. in 1982 and New Era Financial Advisors, Inc. in 1986 along with Mr. Warner.  Mr. Lindaman alsoco-founded the China Fund, Inc. and Emerging China Fund L.P. in 1989 and 1992 respectively. Over the last thirty years Grant has gained valuable insights as to what constitutes progress from a financial planning perspective.  While working with high net worth clients from across the country it has become apparent that experienced objective advice can make a significant impact on clients financial path. Today Grant enjoys bringing his 30 years of experience to a long term relationship with his clients. Examining alternatives and communicating the possibilities.
Patrick Houlton	D. Patrick Houlton joined New Era Financial Group, Inc. in1983 and obtained his Series 7 license in 1984. He has been an affiliate of New Era Financial Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor, since its inauguration. By providing investment advice from a financial planning perspective and committed service, he has retained numerous clients for more than 20 years. He is married to Janet Houlton, has 7 children and 5 grandchildren. He is a graduate of St. Norbert College, Dc Pere Wisconsin, has been active in his community as a youth, high school and college coach as well as a board member. He is currently a member of St. John the Baptist and serves on the parish council there.
Benjamin Johnson	Ben has been with New Era Financial Group since 1995. After interviewing with several financial services firms he chose New Era for several reasons. In 1995 being independent was quite rare. "Financial planning" was often simply a product delivery system for firms that specialized in the sales of securities and insurance. New Era was different and unique in its approach. New Era's institutional relationships with firms like Charles Schwab were also important. New Era Financial Advisors, Inc., an affiliated firm, was a registered investment advisor with the SEC which allowed him to do fee based financial planning and investment management for his clients. Ben is married to Michelle and lives in Minnetonka with Grace and Peter. He coaches his kid's soccer teams and is active in the cycling community in Minnesota. He races mountain bikes and road bikes and also hosts a race in the spring and the fall.
Shad Ketcher Two-Year Winner	Shad Ketcher is a hard working, knowledgeable and dedicated financial planner who fully enjoys helping people work toward their significant life goals and makes sound decisions about their money. Shad cares about his clients; and wants them to do well. He works hard to find new and creative strategies to help people work toward their financial goals. He has helped many people to get started on the road to financial independence. He has helped others who have done well to finish well. Shad believes that we all need a trusted advisor to help us to stay the course and remain committed to long term strategic plan. Shad grew up in Central Minnesota and served in the US Army. After his tour of duty he returned to Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in business. He supported himself through college by running his own business. He learned the value of hard work, money, and what it takes to be successful in business. Today Shad runs his own business in affiliation with New Era Financial Group Inc., one of the premier financial planning organizations in the region!  Shad lives and works in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and serves clients and businesses throughout the state of Minnesota. He is married and the father of two daughters and a son. Shad wants his clients to know that he values a relationship of mutual respect and trust. He works hard to make his clients plans work over the long term. These plans often include a worry free and dignified retirement; insuring that your children and grandchildren can have the opportunities you desire; and creating and passing on significant wealth to the people and organizations that you value. You can reach Shad at shad@newerafinancial.com
Gene Larkin	Gene graduated with an economics degree from Columbia University in 1984. After graduating Gene played 10 years with the Minnesota Twins and was a member of their World Series Championship teams of 1987 and 1991. Gene joined New Era Financial in 1994 where he specializes in asset and wealth management.
Geoffrey London	Geoff London has been helping families and individuals make sound long-term financial and investment decisions for over 30 years.  His experience in the investment industry includes his time as investment consultant, portfolio manager, and branch manager.  He enjoys exploring priorities, values, goals, and legacy ambitions with each client.  Topics covered include planning for retirement, education for children and grandchildren, and giving to individuals and organizations. As part of an advisory network that includes attorneys, accountants, portfolio managers, and specialized insurance professionals, Geoff co-ordinates the team of professionals who serve the frequently complex needs of investors.  He has been an associate member of the Twin Cities Association of Investment Analysts (AIMR) since 1988 and he has been affiliated with New Era Financial Group since 1993.
Craig Meuer	Craig Meuer grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota on a quarter horse farm. Growing up Craig worked at his family's deli shop and managed an ice cream delivery business that consisted of 12 bikes and 20 delivery kids. Knowing that running an ice cream business had a finite life span, at the age of 20 he made the move to Minneapolis in order to pursue a career in the financial industry. In 1993 Craig earned his series 7 and 63 FINRA licenses and went to work with RJ Steichen as a stock broker. At RJ Steichen Craig started out specializing in building small cap growth stock portfolios. During this time he also gained experience trading bonds and using option strategies. After working at Steichen for five years, Craig realized his clients needed more diverse options than just aggressive portfolios of small cap growth stocks. Craig needed to be able to assist his clients in developing overall financial plans unique to their lives and long term goals. It was this realization that encouraged him to make the move from a stock brokerage company to a financial planning company that could offer many various financial vehicles for whatever financial objectives his clients needed met. In 1998 his goal was achieved as he became a representative at New Era Financial Group, Inc. Shortly thereafter he earned his life, health and variable insurance license. Over the years at New Era Financial Group he has become knowledgeable in many different areas of financial planning. For example, he has helped calculate how much money people will need saved to put kids through college, how hard assets will have to work to have a worry free retirement, or what is needed to do to reduce estate tax liability. His clients range from those just getting started in the workforce to people experiencing retirement. A typical goal for a young client is the accumulation of their first $100,000, and a typical goal during retirement is how to cultivate and preserve retirement money. Craig particularly likes specializing in income planning for seniors, and his ultimate goal is to create a worry free retirement for all his clients. Craig is currently single and has lived in Richfield since 1993. In his free time he enjoys fellowship at church, hunting with his dogs Abby and Dash, fishing, watching sports, participating in fantasy sports, and grilling outside no matter what season. Craig also cooks for kids at a local crisis nursery many times throughout the year and teaches Tae Kwon Do two to three times per week at the Marsh in Minnetonka. If you are interested in learning more about the different financial options Craig can offer, please don't hesitate in contacting him either at his office (952.473.1116) or on his cell (612.718.0739). Craig is always happy to meet with new and existing clients to discuss their current standing, where they would like to be financially, and the various ways to try achieving goals.
Kari Shermer	Kari Shermer was born and raised in Cook, MN with 3 siblings. She grew up with good, sound, hard working ethics from a young age helping with the family business. Later, while working as a waitress, she learned how to relate to all types of individuals; preparing her for her up and coming career of working with individuals and building strong, long lasting relationships in financial planning. Kari began her financial planning career right after graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato in December of 2006. After 3 years in the corporate financial industry, Kari acquired the knowledge needed to branch into the independent financial world. In September of 2009 Kari passed the Series 7 exam (1st time pass!) and in January of 2010 she met Grant Lindaman and began her career at New Era Financial Group, Inc. Through Kari's acquisition of knowledge, her vision is to become a valuable resource to all of her clients, their friends and family. As an educator, her goal is to educate families on the different types of resources, why individuals use each and what is the best to fit their goals. Kari also specializes in helping educate individuals on the concepts of investing during the accumulation phase (working years) and distribution phase (retirement). Due to her past mentor's love of Estate planning, this has become an area of expertise for Kari as well. Helping families efficiently and effectively pass assets to the next generations.