Our Team

Cathy is an original in every sense of the word. She was the first team member to join Mike Sipe when he founded AIS Planning in 1999. She is one of only a few Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analysts (AIFA^®) in Minnesota. She completed the requirements to become a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) in 2004 and a Certified Financial Planner, CFP^® in 2005.

In addition to serving as a primary advisor for many household relationships, Cathy leads our retirement plan division, expanding our reach to companies and plan participants in central Minnesota and beyond. Her expertise and passion for implementing qualified plans that serve business owners and their teams is unmatched. It's rare to find someone who can recite tax code and build rapport with people in the way that Cathy can. She's a technical guru, a plan design ninja, and as transparent and honest as they come.

Inside the office, her strengths in operations, executing initiatives, and process development have helped to create the foundation for company growth. Her limitless energy and enthusiasm are the lifeblood of our office (although we do sometimes fantasize about locking her in her office until we’ve had our first cup of coffee).

When she’s not working hard, she’s playing hard—boating, hiking, four-wheeling, traveling and “getting dirty” in the outdoors. She and her husband Darren are parents to David (entrepreneur), Amber (chemist/Peace Corps volunteer), and Brittany (teacher/songwriter/actress).

After graduating from Virginia Tech's financial planning program, Chris conducted a nationwide search for a firm that seemed like the best fit for him to learn and grow in financial planning. Chris was an excellent fit for AIS Planning and in December 2019, he decided to leave Portsmouth, Virginia, to make St. Cloud, Minnesota, his new home and dedicate his talents toward serving our clients.

In 2022 Chris became a Certified Financial Planner. CFP® professionals are required to meet the Board's very high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics.

Chris thrives on using his analytical mind and relentless quest for knowledge to deliver a thoughtful approach to serving our team and clients every day.  Chris supports Cathy and Jason with household client relationships and facilitates the advancement of our wealth management disciplines through his work on our investment committee.

In his free time, Chris enjoys living out his experience as an Eagle Scout in the outdoors, dreaming of owning another cat someday, making gains at Planet Fitness, and/or testing and concocting new recipes in the kitchen.

Sydney joined AIS Planning in February 2022 to pursue her passion for connecting with people and seeking ways to make a positive impact through our unique approach to financial planning.  Prior to AIS Planning, she spent seven years in financial services in client service and support roles. This experience inspired her not only to seek an advisor role for herself, but to carefully determine that she was looking for a company that approached clients with more than a "one size fits all" sales model. Sydney brings her natural energy and genuine charm to every interaction while demonstrating a sincere desire to learn, grow, and build lasting relationships.

As associate advisor for the household planning and wealth management division, Sydney supports Jason and Cathy during client meetings and seeks opportunities to help clients achieve their financial goals. 

Sydney grew up on a family farm in west central Minnesota then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Communication Studies.  She now lives with her husband Karle on a hobby farm in Foley, where she has a love-hate relationship with their 20+ chickens and expanding line-up of animals.  She enjoys any opportunity to travel and explore the outdoors with friends and family.

Tami joined AIS Planning in January 2022, and immediately used her experience to add value by identifying and implementing efficiencies in processes and client service. Driven by her innate sense of responsibility, and “can do” attitude, she provides dependable support to our personal planning and wealth management division. Tami doesn't see obstacles, she finds ways to serve, to support, to execute and to go above and beyond for the good of the team and our clients.

You will likely hear from Tami whenever there are operational needs associated with our efforts to serve clients.

When not excelling at AIS Planning, Tami enjoys serving within her church, reading, knitting, and spending time camping and hiking with her husband Nathan, daughters Makayla and Josie, and their two miniature schnauzers, Winston and Emmy.

Janet joined AIS Planning in 2017 after more than 40 years of experience in wealth management and private banking.  She is usually the first person to arrive in the office each day, and is the first voice to greet you when calling or coming in for a meeting. She's a natural at making connections and getting to know clients with her contagious and outgoing personality.

Janet orchestrates the daily flow of almost everything at AIS Planning as she is the “keeper of the calendar” for scheduling appointments and keeping the team organized. 

This self-proclaimed "mom of the office", hasn't spent a day of her life living within the confines of a set of job duties. Janet does whatever is needed with a positive attitude and smile on her face and the goal of helping another person - colleague, client, friend or family.

Janet has been married to Chuck for over 40 years and together they have raised three boys, Aaron, Joshua and Joe, with a growing supply of beautiful grandchildren to keep them young.  Janet enjoys the outdoors and spends her free time on the lake, canoeing, fishing and floating on the water, usually with a glass of wine nearby.