Our Team:
Charles E. Lucius
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
With a deep passion for knowledge, Charles E. “Chuck” Lucius has earned many degrees and designations, but it was serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force that he found a deeper passion for freedom and the boundless opportunity it affords. Over the course of his career, Chuck has attained the following designations: Series 7, 24, 63, 65 as well as CLU, CHFC, CFP and a Masters in Financial Sciences (MSFS).
In 1975, Chuck began his career in the insurance industry with Prudential Life Insurance Company. He successfully served in the field and in numerous leadership roles to include Estate Planning Specialist, Director of Advanced Marketing, and Director of Fee-Based Financial Planning. Chuck also served as Managing Director overseeing the leading Prudential Agency in Minnesota earning Prudential's highest honors as the recipient of The President's Citation.
In 2001, Chuck began his tenure as President and Principal of Personalized Brokerage Services, LLC / USAllianz Securities. Under his leadership, the organization grew to become an industry leader from a group of 15 professionals to a team of over 150 professionals and 200 + Registered Representatives. Annual premium soared under his leadership, and a wealth management business model was created which included fixed annuities, securities, long-term care and life insurance divisions as well as a top-tier practice management program. He earned a reputation for operational excellence.
Currently, Chuck is founder and CEO of Gradient Financial Group, LLC. His organizations provide a cutting edge platform which emphasizes his passion for maintaining independence within the financial services industry. Chuck serves on numerous insurance company leadership councils.
Chuck resides in North Oaks, Minnesota with his wife Tami and enjoys spending time with his children, Megan, Brian, Nate, Chaz and Cruz. He enjoys spending family time at his second home on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota. He also enjoys personal aviation and furthering his industry knowledge.
Wayne Schmidt, CFA®, MBA
President & Chief Investment Officer
In October 2008, Wayne Schmidt joined Gradient Investments, LLC and serves as Chief Investment Officer. With 26 years of investment experience, Wayne brings decades of institutional experience and in-depth knowledge of the private client market to Gradient Investments, and offers a global investment management perspective.
Wayne is an invaluable and direct resource for affiliated investment advisors and their clients. He provides vast wisdom, knowledge, experience and tools to help investment advisors grow their practice, while also growing clients’ assets.
In a nationwide search that included acquisition considerations, AXA Investment Managers, a subsidiary of the European insurance giant AXA Group, handpicked Wayne to build their U.S investment grade fixed income capabilities and to lead a seasoned portfolio team located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
During his tenure at AXA Investment Managers, Wayne served as senior portfolio manager for the U.S. Investment Grade Fixed Income Team. As the lead portfolio manager, he managed $9.5 billion of fixed income assets with a variety of mandates ranging from aggregate, corporate and government bond portfolios.
Before joining AXA Investment Managers, Wayne dedicated over 20 years to Minnesota Life and its’ $14 billion investment arm, Advantus Capital Management. As portfolio manager, he managed a variety of high-grade funds as part of Advantus’s $1.8 billion Total Return Product for institutional and retail clients. He also served as the lead portfolio manager of the Advantus Bond Fund and the co-portfolio manager of the Advantus Spectrum Fund.
Wayne earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® and a member of The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and the Twin Cities Society of Security Analysts.
Over the years, Wayne has been quoted on the global economy in numerous nationally and internationally recognized investment publications such as Bloomberg, Pension & Investments, Reuters, The Los Angeles Times, Financial Week (2008 Neal Award Winner), Asia Times, InvestorVillage, Safehaven, SFO, Credit Investment News and RGE Monitor (Nouriel Roubini’s Global EconoMonitorinvestment). He has also provided market insights on Bloomberg radio and television.
Wayne’s love of Minnesota is Gradient Investments’ great fortune, as he declined to relocate with AXA Investment Managers following their strategic decision to consolidate function into the high-yield operation in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Nathan Lucius
Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer
Nathan Lucius serves as the Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Gradient Investments, LLC. He oversees the day-to-day business operations, staff development, marketing and the overall revenue growth of the firm. As Chief Compliance Officer, Nathan oversees the compliance and supervisory responsibilities for Gradient Investments, LLC. In addition, he is responsible for ensuring that all Gradient investments, LLC internal policies, procedures, standards of conduct and ethical principals are adhered to by all associated individuals. He has held various leadership roles within GI which include New Advisor Development, Investment Consultant and Assistant Portfolio Manager.
Nathan boasts a broad knowledge of the financial services industry. His knowledge spans across the insurance and securities spectrum. He has held key roles at State Farm, Morgan Stanley, American Financial Marketing and Registered independent Advisors.
Nathan is dedicated to providing affiliated advisors and their clients with a money management platform that is results oriented, progressive and sustainable long term. He holds his Series 65 and earned his undergraduate degree in business from the University of Colorado.
Adam Netland
Director of Business Development and Senior Asset Manager
Adam Netland serves as Director of Business Development and Senior Asset Manager for Gradient Investments, LLC. Adam provides over a decade of experience in the investment and securities industry. His skill set includes risk management, securities trading, research and due-diligence, and portfolio management. Currently, he assists in portfolio management, and is accountable for trading platform development and educating advisors on the positioning and benefits of Gradient Investments’ portfolios for their unique client needs.
During his tenure, Adam has served as Senior Asset Manager at Wealth Enhancement Group; Equity Trader for Echo Trade, LLC and Carlin Financial Group, LLC; a Margins Specialist and Corporate Actions Analyst for Wells Fargo; and a Re-insurance Analyst for E.W. Blanch. He has written numerous articles and has been a featured guest expert on multiple call-in radio shows discussing current market/economic topics and investment strategies.
Adam earned his bachelor’s degree in financial management from the University of North Dakota. He has attained series 55 and 63 registrations and holds his Series 7 and 66. Adam has completed his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I and is currently a Level II candidate.
Nicole Roby
Account Specialist
Nicole Roby serves as Account Specialist for Gradient Investments, LLC. Nicole provides over a decade of experience in the investment services industry. Her skill set includes supporting Gradient and it’s affiliated advisors with portfolio administration, asset transfers, project management, compliance and client services. Currently, she is accountable for new business processing, account maintenance, customized client reports and portfolio administration.
During her tenure, Nicole served as Assistant Portfolio Manager for Jamerica Financial, Inc. Her duties involved day-to-day portfolio analysis/management and trade execution support. Nicole managed billing of all investment accounts and cash disbursements, prepared in-depth Morningstar analysis and financial reports for prospects and clients, and firm compliance to include ADV amendments, registrations, and filings.
Nicole earned her bachelor of science in business management from the University of Minnesota with a minor in finance from the Carlson School of Management.
Nick Stovall, CPA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Handpicked to serve as chief financial officer for Gradient Financial Group, LLC, Nick Stovall CPA, MBA boasts an extensive background in accounting, finance and investments. With over 20 years of experience, he brings decades of private industry accounting, public accounting, business taxation, IRA taxation, technical taxation, tax law and tax policy knowledge to the organization. Stovall also holds his series 7 and 66 as well as his life and health insurance license. With an in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry and solid understanding of the complex demands of diverse business settings, his experience provides an invaluable perspective on the intricate relationships between tax and business issues.
During his tenure in the private industry sector, Nick served as the chief financial officer for Glenn Corporation and E Energy Adams. He has also consulted in the public sector serving individuals and businesses in the areas of financial and tax planning. Nick was an instructor with National American University, teaching upper division accounting courses and remains a mentor for aspiring accountants in the Twin Cities area.
Nick earned the Masters of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science in Finance where he graduated with distinction. In addition, he attended Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota for the Masters of Business Taxation.
Nick remains active in the accounting industry and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MnCPA) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
