Jeffery W. Bird, J.D., CLU

Partner

CA Insurance License #0B63196

Jeff Grew up on a farm in a large family in Marcus, Iowa. He attended the University of South Dakota where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After working as an accountant for Iowa Public Service Co. for two years, he went back to school and earned his master’s degree in business administration, as well as a law degree from the University of South Dakota.  

Mr. Bird worked as a tax attorney for several years at Arthur Andersen, and as an Advanced Underwriter with Minnesota Mutual. There, his responsibilities included consulting on all types of life insurance transactions, as well as developing life insurance products. In 1989, Jeff joined The Brehm Group (now MBW Group).

In addition to his primary work at MBW, Jeff also helped trust companies audit life insurance policies and establish due diligence procedures for trustees. He has authorized and overseen life insurance product studies for over twenty years, and is widely considered a trusted source of insurance information and productive placements.

Outside of the office, he has been a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation, The Gospel Association of India and the Total Victory Christian Center.  He was also instrumental in the establishment of Hope Academy, a private inner-city, faith-based school for low income and minority children. Most recently, Jeff has started the Hope Farm School, a residential farm school for inner city boys, focusing of faith and life formation.

Beyond his work at non-profit organizations, he has coached youth sports for the past 30 years, taught Sunday school and lead a men's weekly Bible study group. Jeff and his wife Widdy have raised six children, and reside in Minneapolis. 

David A. Wischmeier, J.D., CLU

Partner

CA  Insurance License #1906294

David has over 25 years of experience as an estate planning attorney (focusing on advanced life insurance planning), insurance company product analyst and a financial planner. As one of the nation’s leading authorities on insurance legislation and estate and tax planning, he is a frequent guest speaker at national and regional insurance meetings. His expert testimony on life settlements was used in passing government legislation to protect consumers from stranger originated life insurance practices. 

Mr. Wischmeier' s career began at Minnesota Life Insurance Company where he served as a product analyst and later Senior Advanced Marketing Counsel. Before working at MBW, he was an estate planning and benefits attorney with Parsinen, Bowman and Levy. In 2000, David joined MBW Group as Advanced Planning Counsel, becoming a partner in 2007.

David attended the College of St. Scholastica where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance and computer information systems. After that, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law, and subsequently became a Chartered Life Underwriter. 

David is active in several community non-profits including serving as a board member of Saint Paul's outreach (SPO) and coaching youth soccer.

Jonathan Horick

Chief Investment Officer

As the Senior Investment Officer, Jon is the author of the investment strategy and heads the investment committee. With over 25 years of a diverse set of institutional investment experiences involving securities analysis for both public and private entities and extensive work in equity financing and fixed income objectives and portfolio construction, Jon brings a differentiated set of experiences to the wealth advisory practice.

 Mr. Horick was V.P. of Investments at Stevens Foster Financial Advisors. Jon has held portfolio manager and analyst positions at several investment managers in New York City and the Twin Cities, including Millennium Partners, Akros Capital, Northland Directions, White Pine Capital, Deephaven Capital Management, Dougherty & Company, and Sit Investment Associates.

Education: University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management (MBA, Finance), Wartburg College (BA, Accounting and Finance), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and previously held the CPA designation.

Affiliated Organizations: Board member and committee advisor – University of Minnesota – Carlson Funds Enterprise Funds, Endowment investment committee member – Wartburg College, Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Minnesota. Board member – Southside Family Nurturing Center

Tamba Johnson

WEALTH MANAGER AND SENIOR MARKETER

Tamba joined MBW Group in 2020, bringing 11 years of experience in the insurance, financial planning, Medicare and Employee benefits. His insurance career began at New York Life as a producing Agent, and he came to MBW after 6 years with Thrivent Financial as a wealth manager.

In his spare time, you will find Tamba on the soccer field. He is the Director of Coaching for Minneapolis United Soccer Club, where he has enjoyed 20 years of success. Tamba is also boys varsity soccer coach at the Blake School since 2014,  winning a state championship in 2018.

Mr. Johnson attended the University of Wisconsin Madison, earning a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Sciences and Law, with a certificate in Criminal Justice. He also played on the Men's soccer team and was drafted by the Minnesota Thunder as their 1st round pick in 2000.

Jeff Taffe

RElationship Manager

CA Insurance License #7034777

Jeff joined MBW Group in 2022 as a Relationship Manager.  His responsibility is to arm professional athletes and the ultra-affluent with resources necessary to make informed decisions as it relates to life insurance and other assets.  Such resources include goals and objectives assessments, in-depth product analysis, proprietary research, development of intellectual capital, and team collaborating.  In his marketing capacity, he travels across the country to provide his clients the white-glove service that MBW Group promises and delivers upon.  Jeff also works alongside the case design team to design and implement appropriate non-variable insurance solutions as well as provide extraordinary service.

As a Minnesota Golden Gopher, Jeff won an NCAA Hockey National Championship in 2002.  After which, Jeff spent 15 years playing professional Hockey in the NHL, KHL and Europe.  Jeff now lives in Minnesota with his wife and two kids.

Nick Sacco

Director of Individual Insurance

Nick’s primary responsibilities include analyzing clients’ planning goals, establishing baseline cases, and preparing complex comparisons with multiple planning overlays. He is also responsible for maintaining extensive product knowledge of all M financial products, and all other retail products. Nick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated cum laude from Hillsdale College. He is completing his law studies at the University of St. Thomas . In his off hours, you can find him spending time with his wife, Ralston, and his friends. Nick also enjoys playing sports and exploring all that Minnesota has to offer!

Brady Kelley

ESTATE AND BUSINESS PLANNING CASE DESIGN ANALYST

Brady’s responsibilities include remaining knowledgeable of life insurance trends and product developments, analyzing new and existing clients’ planning goals, and maintaining strong relationships with insurance carrier representatives. Brady earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College.  In his off hours, you can find him spending time with his friends and family. Brady also enjoys the outdoors and exploring all that the city has to offer.

Elizabeth “Libby” Malone

Client Relations Specialist

As Client Relations Specialist, responsibilities include building relationships with clients and insurance carriers, and overseeing policy updates, changes and reviews. Before joining MBW Group, Libby worked in theater, photography and interior decorating. Libby graduated from North Central University in 2002 with a degree in Music Performance. In her off hours, you can find Libby playing strategy board games, making music, and hanging out with family and friends.

Stephanie Kalpin

NEW BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Stephanie actively manages pending life insurance business and assists in the execution of day-to-day business operations. Before joining MBW Group, Stephanie was working in health care and customer relations, including Addiction Treatment, Pharmacy Technician, and PCA Work. Additionally, she has traveled to S.E. Asia for both study abroad purposes, as well as to teach English. Stephanie graduated in Fall of 2018 with a Bachelors degree majoring in Psychology, and is considering doing a Master’s program in Art Therapy. In her free time, you can find Stephanie participating in a variety of activities such as camping, snowboarding, horseback riding, wheel throwing and board games- usually surrounded by family and friends.