Our Team of Wealth Advisors
Everyone who works at 5280 Associates has a variety of unique strengths and life experiences that make them successful in their individual roles. But the thread that unites them all is a shared goal to be your partner, your advocate, your trusted wealth advisors — not your salesperson. Life can be crazy: Surround yourself with people who care.
Chad Aaberg, FIC
Chad learned an invaluable lesson at a young age in a very hard way. “My father died of Leukemia when he was 30 years old, so my mom was left to raise my brother and I—and my father had done no planning.” Chad responded to tragedy by building a life centered around helping others create plans that not only bring security in the event of the worst, but also plans that also build a foundation for a life of prosperity. “Life constantly changes. I’ve seen a number of clients experience different priorities throughout their journey,” he says. “Seeing clients in a position surrounded with unknowns and then being able to bring certainty and clarity, to be there to help them through their life’s journey, brings me great joy.”
As a founding member of 5280 Associates and with a career in the financial services industry dating back to 2003, Chad’s leadership and experience have been instrumental in making 5280 Associates the type of company it is today. “My entire business has been built on relationships,” Chad says. “Simply put, I care. When someone chooses to work with me, I will give them everything I have.” Other 5280 Associates team members agree: “He has driven the 5280 culture of being successful at work and at home with our families,” one said, while another said “Not to mention he is brilliant, and really, really good at financial planning.”
Chad says his life revolves around his son, Kingston, spending time with him, attending his sporting events, and just “being a dad.”
Chad is insurance licensed in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, FL, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WY.
Scott Huelskamp, CFP®
When Scott was in the sixth grade, his dad gave him a book about the stock market. He turned around and bought stock in Qwest, which promptly went bankrupt. Having learned an important lesson about diversification, he went on to become a Senior Wealth Advisor. He now works with clients to create and implement financial plans that help them fulfill their goals: “Seeing someone retire with an income plan that will fund a joyful retirement for the rest of their lives is something pretty special,” he says.
Scott’s coworkers call him a “true leader” and admire his ability to think through problems methodically and his commitment to transparency. He is responsible for guiding 5280’s marketing strategy and monitoring and improving the company’s internal systems and processes. He also played a pivotal role in the company’s shift away from a sales-based business toward a model that provides ongoing service and advice for a predetermined, flat fee. “This helps our advisors become true advocates for our clients,” he says. “People don’t want to be sold a product: They want to know what to do overall in their entire financial life. No plan is the same, and they all are changing all the time”
Scott pursued a career in professional golf before coming to 5280 Associates in 2011. He and his wife, Jenna, have three children, Wyatt, Weston and Lilly. Scott still plays golf and also enjoys skiing, camping, working out, craft beer, and his cheering on the Broncos.
Scott is insurance licensed in the following states: AR, CO, DC, FL, MD, NE, and OR. AR Insurance License #16639386
Nate Chapman, CFP®
Nate's journey into finance began at the age of 17 when he had his first meeting with a stockbroker. This pivotal moment ignited his passion for becoming a financial advisor, driven by a commitment to empower others in making sound financial decisions. Nate pursued this aspiration diligently, earning a finance degree from the College of Business Administration at Kansas State University, before finding his professional home at 5280 Associates.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Nate embodies the essence of being a fiduciary and is passionate about simplifying complex financial decisions. Beyond traditional financial planning, his strength lies in his ability to build genuine connections with people. He believes in making meetings more meaningful by delving deeper than just financial matters, taking the time to understand individuals, their aspirations, and where they envision themselves in the future.
Beyond work, Nate’s cherishes time with his wife, Rachel and raising their son, Crew. When not outside running, you can find Nate and his family on a mountain or river somewhere in Colorado, enjoying all the wonderful activities the state has to offer.
Nate is insurance licensed in the following states: CA, CO, CT, GA, NM, and NV. CA Insurance License #4056232.
Ted Kouba, CFP®, MBA, CAP®
Ted assists all the financial representatives at 5280 Associates, writing and presenting financial plans, doing research, and managing the practice’s advisor investment software. His deep financial background notwithstanding, including more than two decades in accounting, Ted values simplicity—using tools that convey information in a straightforward, understandable way. In addition to simply number crunching, the reports Ted prepares demonstrate to clients the financial state they are currently in, the lifestyle they’d like to enjoy in retirement, and steps they can take to get there.
His coworkers marvel at his approach toward his job (which they describe as “relentless”) and his ability to bring calmness and positivity wherever he is. “There are countless ways to help individuals meet their goals,” he says. “I enjoy finding the best way for each person to do so.”
Ted is married with three children. In addition to standard Colorado outdoor pursuits, Ted also enjoys diving.
Ted is insurance licensed in the following states: CO.
Beth Nickodemus
Beth has made a life filled with such a large cast of people, array of settings, and variety of experiences that her resume reads more like a good novel than a list of jobs: Teaching English in Taiwan, coordinating education and outreach for Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality, running a student exchange program in Idaho, teaching free community yoga classes, leading her church’s youth group and even operating a unique family business on the side — puppeteering.
She draws from those rich life experiences as Senior Officer, Operations finding new and efficient ways to enhance business operations, deliver a white-glove level of service and challenge the status quo.
Beth spends her “wonderful, crazy life” with her husband, Dave, and two teen sons. Together, they hike, go to the beach “as frequently as possible!” and spend Sundays with their church family.
Ann Harbin
Ann keeps several 5280 plates spinning in the air, including heading up our Estate Planning Program, Financial Planning onboarding and billing, as well as managing our HR/Administrative department. She is known in the office for her warmth, strength, and for being a great conversationalist; skills she puts to good use as she interacts with our 5280 clients.
Before joining the team, Ann was the executive assistant to the owner and CEO of a major fashion marketing company in Times Square. She also discovered a passion for personal finance while in New York City after a mentor taught her the value of budgeting. "It's exciting and fun to make your money work the way you want it to," she says. "Setting financial goals, creating a plan to attain those goals, and seeing yourself hit them is an incredible feeling!"
Ann moved to Denver in 2016 to be near her now-husband, David, and soon after put her many talents to use at 5280 Associates. David and Ann are the proud parents of Grace and Caleb. Outside of work, Ann's time is filled to the brim with keeping her kids fed, healthy, clean, and entertained. Occasionally she finds some spare moments to read a book, keep in touch with friends and family across the country, and volunteer at her church. Ann and David love working together to create their family's budget, and dream about creating a lasting financial legacy for their kids, teaching them by example to live with great generosity!
Marnie Griffin
Having worked for wealth management firms in the past, Marnie is happy to be a part of 5280 Associates as Office Manager. You a can be sure that at every office visit and on every phone call, you will be greeted with a warm smile and chuckle from Marnie.
Marnie’s previous roles in retail and administration have provided her with amazing experience in customer service that she clearly has taken with her into her position at 5280. She is a team player who is always looking for a chance to help both our clients and her colleagues.
Marnie is a Colorado native and enjoys music, taking walks, and cooking.
Scott Freas
After 14 years in the oil and gas industry, Scott rekindled his enjoyment for finance after earning his Master’s Degree in Finance from Colorado State University. Having done financial planning early in his career, Scott has a true passion for assisting others in their personal finance journey.
Scott is responsible for meeting the service requests of our clients. Scott’s determined, yet calm demeanor ensures that a white-glove client experience is brought to our clients as these requests are met. His desire to learn and friendly personality make him a great fit in the 5280 Team.
Scott’s life outside of work is certainly eventful with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children, Mason, Gianna, and Jonah. He has fun coaching Mason’s baseball team and enjoys Colorado’s great outdoors. In their free time, the Freas family can be found hiking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding National Parks.
Scott is insurance licensed in the following states: AR, CO, DC, FL, MD, NE, and OR. AR Insurance License #16639386.
Eric Schneider
With a degree in Business Management and a specialization in Accounting, Eric is definitely a “numbers guy.” He originally pursued his passion for finance with a role as a stock broker, but found it challenging as many of his clients did not have guidance with their accounts and Eric was not permitted to give them advice. With a goal in mind to help people, Eric started the track to financial planning.
Eric is responsible for any care needs that our clients may have, from answering questions on existing products to collecting data for financial plans. Eric is patient, easy-going, and hard-working. Our clients can feel assured knowing that any request they bring forward will be met with Eric’s friendly and determined personality on the other end of the line.
Eric enjoys fun competition in his free time. He loves playing sports, cards, boardgames, video games, and chess with his wife, Amy, and their three children, Kyle, Quinn, and Zoe. He loves strategy and overcoming challenges both in the office and in his hobbies!
Eric is insurance licensed in the following states: CO.
Lee Hagler
Lee’s passion for education around personal finance led him straight to an opening in our service department. We are so glad it did! He is now responsible for supporting our service team in client task execution, specifically related to new accounts.
Lee hails from a “military family” and moved 10 times before college! After all those relocations, he always had a dream to live near the mountains and chose his college experience accordingly. Lee is a proud graduate of CU Boulder, with a double major in personal finance and real estate. He loves the Colorado vibe – and fits in perfectly as an avid snowboarder and a general lover of the outdoors. When not outside, you might find him playing a video game or two.
Lee’s experience with meeting new people and encountering new circumstances makes him the perfect person to tackle many different tasks and work with different clients daily. Clients will truly enjoy working with Lee and his calm, kind, enthusiastic, and determined temperament.
Lee is insurance licensed in the following states: CO.
Our Story
The story of 5280 Associates began in 2005 when visionaries, Chad Aaberg and Nate Wangerin took a bold leap and joined forces at Thrivent Financial. Driven by a vision to build a practice that reflected their passion for helping clients achieve financial success, they laid the foundation for the thriving firm that 5280 Associates is today.
Our unwavering commitment to clients and relentless pursuit of excellence have propelled us on a transformative journey. In 2018, we transitioned from Thrivent’s career business channel to establish our independence under the Thrivent Advisor Network RIA. This pivotal move unlocked new possibilities for innovation and growth, giving us the autonomy and flexibility to better service clients with unparalleled dedication.
The success of 5280 Associates is built on the pillars of teamwork, advocacy, and transparency. These principles ensure that every decision we make is in our clients’ best interests, fostering trust and collaboration at every step. Our team of 10 professionals brings a diverse range of skills and a unified approach to financial planning. Together, we inspire confidence in our clients’ financial futures.
Our commitment to excellence remains unwavering. In 2021, we introduced enhancements to our practice, including our Estate Planning Program and a partnership with Helios Quantitative for asset management due diligence. These initiatives reflect our dedication to staying at the forefront of our industry and delivering exceptional value to our clients.
At 5280 Associates, our mission is to unlock your financial potential and empower you to achieve your goals. Join us on this journey towards financial success.
We work best with people who are:
Excited
So maybe you don’t jump for joy over the thought of opening a new account or discussing your finances (or maybe you do). Our team wants you to get excited and feel relieved knowing that we are here to help you support your current lifestyle while building the future you envision.
Coachable
Advice only works when you take action! Our team may challenge you to make some changes to your plan, but the final decision is always up to you. You don’t have to take all of our advice, but it’s important that you don’t do everything on your own. Otherwise, why need a plan?
Relationship-Seeking
When you partner with our team, you get an ongoing relationship with our advisors and staff that lasts. Our advisors care about you and want to see you live the life you have been hoping for.
Engaged & INTERESTED
It is difficult to take action and be engaged in a process that you simply are not interested in. Our team wants you to get involved! Challenge us and ask lots of questions. We encourage you to be skeptical! Our clients care about their financial situation as much as we do, and the rest fits in place.
ANYWHERE
Thanks to advancements in modern technology, we’re able to work with clients around the globe! Whether you’re local to the Denver area or anywhere else in the world, our offered services and dedication to supporting your financial goals is the same.
Ready
If you are ready to do this, then take the first step and schedule a free consultation with us today. Check out our process page for details on how we can help you take control.