Chris Verbracken

Director of Technology

Years at Punch:

2

Years of Professional Experience:

14

Chris Verbracken joins our team as Director of Technology. Chris has spent the last decade helping customers transform their business processes through the use of technology. Over the years, Chris has led dozens of successful implementations with customers big and small, and he holds over 20 professional certifications. He looks forward to leveraging his experience to help take the firm to the next level in our use of technology, with the aim of improving both employee and client experiences. Chris will also serve as the firm’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), ensuring our systems and data are secure. He will also work with our Chief Compliance Officer to ensure we are compliant with accountabilities set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Chris has a B.A. and M.A. in Theological Studies. He resides in Ramsey with his wife and three daughters, and in his free time he enjoys watching football (Go Packers!) and playing board games.

Todd Spicer, JD, IACCP®, CAMS, CFE

Chief Compliance Officer

Years at Punch:

3

Years in the Industry:

16

 

Todd joined the Punch team in June 2023 after several years serving as the Chief Compliance Officer for other large local firms. Todd has an extensive legal and regulatory compliance background in the financial services industry. He is a skilled compliance professional with a focus on developing, implementing, and maintaining robust compliance programs. Above all, Todd enjoys collaboratively working with his colleagues to ensure processes and procedures are pragmatic and effectively implemented.

Todd received his BS in Business Management and Administration and a minor in Economics from Bradley University and his JD from Hamline University School of Law. Todd maintains several compliance certifications, including the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional designation, the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist designation, and the Certified Fraud Examiner designation. Todd is an avid sports fan, and when not cheering on his local professional teams, he can likely be found on a field in Mendota Heights coaching or cheering on his four children with his wife or playing at home with his two dogs and two cats.

Matthew Peterson

SalesForce & Client Experience Analyst

Years at Punch:

2

Years in Data and Project Management:

2

 

Matthew joined our team in May 2023 as a Systems Reconciliation Analyst. In this role, he diligently monitored our data across several platforms to ensure effective data management and integrity. In 2025, he transitioned to a new role as a SalesForce and Client Experience Analyst. He now oversees our SalesForce and Black Diamond platforms and focuses on streamlining processes, enhancing data accuracy, and driving performance improvements.

Prior to starting at Punch, Matthew worked for a local golf company in sales and support, and he also worked as an assistant golf professional. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a B.S. in Finance.

Matthew is currently working on a SalesForce Admin Certificate and loves living an active and healthy lifestyle. He frequents the gym and plays soccer multiple times a week. If you can’t find him at the gym or soccer field, chances are he is playing pickleball or golf.

Carrie Jensen

Executive Assistant to Jessica Johnson

Years at Punch:

3

Years of Professional Experience:

28

Carrie Jensen joined Punch & Associates in the fall of 2022. Prior to joining Punch, she enjoyed a 25-year career at Breck school, where she served as a second-grade teacher for 20 years and an administrative assistant for her final five years. Carrie has been enjoying learning about the world of investing and finance since joining the team at Punch.

Carrie graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Minnesota – Duluth, majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Psychology. Later she earned her Master of Arts in Education from Saint Mary’s University.

Carrie grew up in Minneapolis and now lives in Minnetonka with her husband and daughter. In her free time Carrie enjoys paddle boarding, biking, traveling, and spending time together with family, friends, and her beloved kittens. She has returned to the classroom recently, as a student, to learn more about her passion for the study and teaching of yoga.

Linnea Åkesson

Research Analyst

Years at Punch:

4

Years in the Industry:

4

 

Linnea joined Punch & Associates as an Associate Research Analyst on the Investment team after interning the fall of 2020 and summer of 2021.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Accounting. At the University, she participated in the David. S. Kidwell Funds Enterprise as a Fixed Income Analyst specializing in the Consumer Discretionary sector. When Linnea isn’t studying for her CFA® designation exam, she enjoys a good game of squash, visiting her family in Sweden, and yoga.

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Austin Van Bemmel

Senior Client Specialist, Wealth Strategies Group

Years at Punch:

4

Years in the Industry:

12

Austin joined Punch & Associates in March 2022. He was previously the Director of Operations for an independent wealth advisory firm where he assisted with trading, financial planning, and wealth and business operations. Additionally, Austin brings trust experience to the Punch team having previously worked at a trust company. He assists with account opening, maintenance, and money movement. Austin likes to see the full picture for a client so he can best understand how to help in any situation.

Austin graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a double major in Public Accounting and Business Administration. After a couple of years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Austin and his wife made the move to Minnesota and currently reside in Edina with their three daughters. Outside of the office, Austin likes spending time with his family outdoors, fully enjoying Minnesota summers fishing and boating at the cabin in northern Minnesota. You can also find Austin rooting on the Twins and Vikings throughout the season despite their continual disappointment!

Laura Hebzynski

Senior Data Analyst

Years at Punch:

4

Years in Data and Project Management:

11

 

Laura joined Punch & Associates in January 2022 as a Systems Analyst. She has a decade of professional experience in data validation, research, and analysis. She uses her skills to work closely with our Wealth Strategies Group to effectively manage data across several platforms. Laura maintains client and account information, facilitates internal processes to support the Administrative Group, and monitors reconciliation status for all accounts.

Laura graduated with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. In her free time, she enjoys biking, swimming, and coaching.

Anthony Perala, CFA

Senior Research Analyst

Years at Punch:

4

Years in the Industry:

11

 

Anthony knew the right opportunity to pursue his passion for small and microcap equity investing was out there but it required a little patience. After seven years honing his research skills for two different fixed income asset managers, he joined Punch & Associates as a Research Analyst.

Anthony graduated from The College of St. Scholastica with a B.A. in Economics and Villanova University with a M.S. in Finance. He lives in Plymouth with his wife and son. He is very thankful he doesn’t have to juggle chasing around a toddler and studying for the CFA exams, having become a CFA® charterholder in 2018. He enjoys traveling and hiking with his family, reading, and baseball.

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

James Hannack, CFA

Research Analyst

Years at Punch:

4

Years in the Industry:

7

 

James joined Punch & Associates in September 2021 as an Associate Research Analyst. Previously, he worked as an analyst at a publicly traded regional bank where he assessed overall portfolio credit risk.

A Marquette University alumnus, James graduated with a double major in Finance and Accounting. He was a student analyst for Marquette’s Applied Investment Management Program covering the financial services sector. James became a CFA® charterholder in April of 2025. In his newfound free time, he enjoys triathlon training, reading, and anything outdoors.

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Ryan Punch, CFP®

Advisor, Wealth Strategies Group

Years at Punch:

5

Years in the Industry:

9

 

After his graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in both finance and economics, Ryan Punch’s career began at a global financial firm, where he assisted clients in defining and executing their financial goals.

After achieving his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2020, Ryan dedicated himself to supporting the needs of private clients. He joined Punch in January of 2021 as an Associate Advisor, supporting senior leadership in a wide variety of advisory matters. Ryan’s love of puzzles led him to thrive in wealth planning, as he enjoys watching multiple pieces of a financial plan click into place.

In September 2025, Ryan was promoted from Associate Advisor to Advisor, where he now leads client family relationships and mentors Punch’s team of Associate Advisors who are following his path. Ryan’s solid, dedicated work ethic combined with his easy, good-natured style makes him both a client and colleague favorite.

When not working, Ryan loves to tackle DIY home projects, play golf, hang at the lake, and obsess over his favorite Minnesota sports teams.

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