Morgan Planning Group is dedicated to providing exceptional assistance and advice to each and every client. We pride ourselves on establishing personal, long-term relationships and being a trusted source for all our clients’ insurance and benefit needs.
What it all boils down to is commitment. We’re here for the long haul, nurturing relationships, and using all of our talents, experience and resources to provide the coverage our clients need, and the peace of mind they crave.
To learn how we put our dedication into action, contact us.
No field is more future-focused than insurance but at Morgan Planning Group, history counts for a lot. Three generations of family ownership and operation have given us a deep understanding of our clients’ experiences growing their own businesses. Just as important, we have a long, unbroken history of listening to the people we serve and always – always – acting in their best interest.
Our firm was founded in 1984 by Gary Morgan, himself the son of an insurance agent. When he first put up his shingle, we were a group of one. More than 30 years later, we’re a bit larger, day-to-day operations are now led by Gary’s son, Scott, and we provide a wider range of services to a growing family of clients, including businesses of all sizes, as well as professional practice organizations, individuals and families. They turn to Morgan Planning Group not only for insurance strategies, but also for financial and investment planning to help achieve their goals for retirement, college funding, estate planning and more. Most important, however, is what hasn’t changed: our focus on making our clients’ lives a little bit easier, and a whole lot more secure.
Our client relationships can be measured not only in years, but decades. Here’s what you can expect from us.
Honesty, integrity and transparency are the bedrock of our practice. We don’t ask for your trust – we do everything we can to earn it.
With more than three decades of experience serving individuals and groups, we know our industry, and can access a universe of cost-effective solutions on your behalf.
We don’t disappear after the “sale.” We’re always accessible and available, and are proactive about helping you stay on course through changing circumstances and new opportunities.
“The most important thing I offer my clients is the combination of up-to-date knowledge and high-touch service. Clients trust me for my experience and can count on me to have their back.”
As president of Morgan Planning Group, Scott Morgan continues a legacy established by his father, Gary. “He set out to create a business that would be distinguished by the service we provide and the relationships we form,” says Scott. “One measure of our success in that regard is our high client – and for that matter, staff – retention rate.
“I believe very strongly in investing in people. That means giving our staff the opportunity to gain new knowledge, take on new responsibilities, and grow in their careers. And it means going above and beyond for our clients – finding the solutions they need, providing authoritative answers to their questions, and responding in a way that lets them know they’re a priority for us.”
For Scott, family ownership is a key difference between Morgan Planning Group and other firms. “The fact is, for large, publicly held companies and investor-owned enterprises, the customer is not their top priority; it’s shareholders. But here, I’m the shareholder. My name is on the door. And the company that I run is 100% client-focused.”
Scott learned the ropes of his father’s business early – starting with basic filing as a child, and continuing with part-time work during high school and college. Since 2007 he has been employed at Morgan Planning Group full-time, doing everything from developing employee benefit packages to auditing billing and establishing complex group plans. He has been president of the company since 2013.
Scott attended the University of Minnesota and is licensed for Accident & Health, Life in Minnesota and numerous other states. He lives in Northfield with his wife, Sarah; kids Axel and Brynn, and dog Rosie. Outside of the office, Scott enjoys traveling, cooking, biking, golf, and volunteering with the American Red Cross as a Board Member and Disaster Action Team member.
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“Reputation is everything. Without it, you have no credibility, and before long you’ll have no customers. But doing right by people isn’t just my job as a Partner at Morgan Planning Group – it’s my responsibility as a person.”
A 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, and part of the Morgan Planning Group team for over 20 years, John Byers brings a breadth of knowledge and an impressive record of achievement to our clients. He has chaired the Compliance, Long Term Care, and Disability Income Insurance Committees for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance. He has also distinguished himself as a Disability Master and member of the MassMutual Leaders Club and Blue Chip Counsel. In addition, John has conducted workshops nationally on a wide range of topics.
“I have worked with a broad cross-section of the insurance industry over my career, but never have I come across a more capable group of people than we have at Morgan Planning Group,” says John. “The combination of industry expertise and personal commitment to our clients is unique. It owes in part to the fact that we are a privately-owned business whose leadership is directly involved in day-to-day affairs. Beyond that, we have a culture that simply won’t settle for ‘good enough.’ Too much is riding on the work we do for us to take our jobs for granted.”
A native of Orono, Minnesota, John completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, attended the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago, and has completed his Life Underwriters Training. He has been married to his wife Gina since 1987, and together they have two children. He is a past board member of the Minnesota Blades Hockey Program and served as head coach of Wayzata Youth Hockey. He has also chaired several Ducks Unlimited chapters as well as the Hobey Baker College Hockey Awards. A lover of the outdoors, John enjoys sharing time with his family at their lake home in Crane Lake, Minnesota.
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“My goal for clients is simple: to help them pursue their financial goals so that they can live their lives by design, not by default.”
A Certified Financial Planner™ and business consultant who draws on more than a decade of experience advising both individuals and businesses, Mark Booth ensures that the critical aspects of his clients’ financial lives align to advance their objectives.
Mark is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he earned a BA in Business Administration. He is also currently finishing up his Masters in Business Taxation at the Carlson School of Management. A resident of New Market, Minnesota, with his wife Lindsey, kids Mckenna and Annie, and dog Leroy. He is active in the Lakeville Rotary Club and belongs to the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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“The most important thing I offer our clients is my knowledge on how to ‘pull it all together’ – to research and recommend the best solutions to meet their unique needs in a constantly shifting market, to communicate critical information clearly and comprehensively, and to give the support necessary to advance and secure their interests.”
Drawing on more than 20 years of life/health insurance experience, Jim Erickson specializes in sales and account management, with a particular focus on group plans and life insurance. In this capacity, he stays in close contact with Morgan Planning Group clients, analyzing their needs to establish appropriate products and services.
“Our industry has evolved dramatically,” says Jim, “but what hasn’t changed is the nature of Morgan Planning Group. Gary Morgan built his company to be the ultimate solution finder for our clients – to explore every avenue to meet their needs. He believed that doing the right thing for our clients is also the right thing for our business.
“The wisdom of the Morgan Planning Group’s approach has been borne out by time. In the over 12 years I have been here, I don’t think we’ve ever had a client who came back to us and said ‘You steered me wrong.’”
Jim earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He is licensed for Accident & Health, Life in the state of Minnesota, and is also certified in Long Term Care (CLTC). Outside of the office, he enjoys biking, training dogs and working on classic cars. He’s also a member of Pheasants Forever & Ducks Unlimited.
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“Meeting my clients’ needs requires a specific set of abilities, including detail orientation and strong research skills. They’re two sides of the same coin, because expertise is both the knowledge you have, and the ability to zero in on the facts you need.”
As Morgan Planning Group’s Office Manager and resident expert on COBRA, Theresa works with our clients’ former employees to ensure that all their questions are answered and that premium payments are accurately made. Her extensive background in problem resolution and customer service also makes her the go-to person for a variety of daily challenges and questions.
“I may be unusual in this regard, but I really like the fact that insurance rules, laws and policies are always evolving, because change keeps me challenged. We have a tremendous team at Morgan Planning Group, and we take pride in our collective expertise,” says Theresa.
Something else the team shares: a genuine concern for clients. “People entrust their wellbeing to us, and we strive to be worthy of their confidence,” Theresa explains. “Being committed and responsive to the people we serve lays a groundwork for strong, longstanding relationships, and we have many of them.”
Theresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, and she enjoys travel, camping, hiking, and making greeting cards for special occasions.
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“I’m a puzzle solver. Often I’ll be presented with a large amount of unorganized data with no clear path to get what we need from the information. The fun part of my job is figuring out how to organize it in a way that turns confusion into clarity.”
As Morgan Planning Group’s in-house Data Analyst and resident tech guru, Brandon Lanning handles most of our data management, ensuring that the many live censuses and databases we rely on are up-to-date and functioning property. “There’s no end of opportunities to innovate,” he says. “With the constant evolution of technology and the rules and regulations that govern our industry, fresh challenges abound.”
Brandon joined Morgan Planning Group in 2013 and quickly demonstrated his skills not just in data management, but in handling the myriad miscellaneous technical issues that arise. Adding to this effectiveness: Brandon is licensed for Accident & Health, Life in the state of Minnesota. “In my position, it helps to understand technology in general and the insurance industry in particular,” he says. Combining those skill sets, Brandon has been able to streamline data management dramatically by automating processes that, in the near past, were performed manually.
In addition to his technological pursuits, Brandon enjoys watching movies and reading when he’s not in the office. He currently lives in Minneapolis.
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“I work closely with Medicare populations – people who sometimes feel overwhelmed by the complexity of insurance rules. Often, all they require is a skilled explainer, so I do everything in my power not just to give them the information they need, but to ensure they’re confident in their understanding of it.”
Linda Presler is an account specialist who came to Morgan Planning Group with over 30 years of experience administering retirees’ health insurance for the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund. There she amassed vast knowledge of health insurance, in particular Medicare and Medicare supplements, while cultivating the skills that make her our “Explainer In Chief” for those populations.
“Working at Morgan Planning Group has been a gratifying experience for me,” says Linda. “All of us here share a commitment to giving our clients our absolute best. That can involve a significant time commitment when dealing with over-65 Medicare populations, but never once have I been asked to spend less time assisting the individuals I serve. And that makes all the difference for them.”
Linda joined Morgan Planning Group in September of 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, gardening, volunteering, and spending time with her grandchildren.
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“Empathy and caring are essential to succeeding in my position. Clients come to us with important concerns, and my first job is to let them know that I understand their needs and will really go to bat for them. Then, applying the business know-how and appropriate sense of urgency to get the job done is of paramount importance.”
In addition to being licensed for Accident & Health, Life in the state of Minnesota, Faye Sorensen brings broad business knowledge and experience to her role in the day-to-day administration of our client groups and individuals.
“I’ve spent a career in business, including a decade in Europe managing a team of sales and marketing professionals for a company with offices across the globe. Working with diverse populations was great preparation for the work I do today because it cultivated a mindset that looks at each client as an individual and enables me to see each issue from a variety of perspectives.”
That’s critical, says Faye, because “this is not a one-size-fits-all business. People have unique needs that require unique solutions. But one thing is true for all our clients: they have a lot riding on what we do for them, so it’s important that we get it right.” In addition to drawing on past business experience, Faye spends considerable time staying on top of changing rules and regulations that govern benefits administration, and taking advantage of professional development opportunities.
Faye works primarily with our largest clients, assisting with enrollments, terminations, COBRA administration, claims issues and everything in between, while also providing support across Morgan Planning Group’s other individual and group practices. One of the things she likes best is the opportunity to help clients remain in compliance with the complex requirements regarding employee benefits, and to educate and increase their knowledge as well.
Faye received her bachelor’s degree from Luther College and earned an MBA from the London Business School. She lives in Woodbury with her husband, Andrew, and golden doodle, Violet. Two children, one still in college, complete the empty nesters’ clan. Outside of the office, Faye enjoys reading, music, yoga and a wide range of outdoor pursuits, including golf, skiing, ice skating, biking, hiking and mountain climbing.
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“When a client calls me with a problem, it feels good to solve it. That’s because I haven’t just met a need, I’ve helped put them in a position where they can do their best work.”
As an enrollment specialist at Morgan Planning, Kyle not only sets up coverage for our customers, he ensures that changes, terminations and other transitions are handled seamlessly, with no disruption to the individual or employer. Knowledge, resourcefulness and an ability to pivot are essential to what he does, and on these counts Kyle is aided by a team as responsive as he is. “We’re all on the same page,” he says, “and that enables us to address our clients’ issues efficiently.”
Kyle earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creating Writing and English at Hamline University, and an MFA in Creative Writing through the Bennington Writing Seminars. Prior to that, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps. An avid reader, Kyle also enjoys long-distance running and fly fishing along the Root River in southern Minnesota.
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“Many companies develop systems to limit the amount of time they spend with clients. But at Morgan Planning, cultivating personal relationships is at the very heart of our business.”
Clients rely on our Enrollment Specialists to understand their unique needs and provide the guidance and clarity they need in an ever-changing business environment. Rebecca’s commitment to getting to know the people she serves makes her a powerful asset on all these fronts.
“Whether handling enrollments, terminations, COBRA issues, or simply answering questions about the various plans we offer, my job is to make things as easy as possible for our clients,” says Rebecca. “I want them to know they’re in good hands, and the size and culture of Morgan Planning enable me to give them that confidence.”
A native of Steven’s Point, Wisconsin and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing. Outside of the office, she enjoys hiking, boating, and spending time with her family. She’s also an adept remodeler – most recently helping to rebuild an 1800’s farmhouse.
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“First and foremost in my position, you have to be a good listener and understand what a client actually wants and needs.”
Brian joined Morgan Planning Group in 2020, but he had a long history with the firm as a former client. “I worked with an insurance carrier and Morgan Planning Group included our products in their portfolio. I knew this was an organization whose values aligned with mine. So when the opportunity arose, I seized it. I wanted to work with people who always strive to do the right thing, and who view client relationships as a true long-term partnership.”
As Vice President of Sales, Brian not only focuses on generating new business, but on quarterbacking existing client relationships to maximize the value we bring to each client. “It’s my job to truly understand their business so that I can offer the expertise, ideas, and products our customers need to advance their objectives,” explains Brian. “When it comes to insurance, I take on the heavy lifting for them, so that they’re free to focus on the business itself.”
A graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, Brian has lived in the Twin Cities for most of his career. Still he remains a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan. When not cheering on his favorite teams, he loves spending time with his family at their lake home in Darwin, Minnesota. “Whether it’s riding the jet ski or relaxing on the pontoon boat,” says Brian, “we love the cabin life.”
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“I provide peace of mind. Health insurance is a complex system that can be overwhelming to the non-specialist, and I get tremendous satisfaction from helping to educate our clients about their options and smoothing the way to secure the coverage they need.”
Greg brings deep and specialized skills to his position as enrollment specialist. Prior to joining Morgan Planning Group, he worked in a variety of positions for Medica Insurance, starting in the Medicare system, becoming a team lead in government programs, and then mastering the details of compliance. “Medicare has strict guidelines and regulations, and I did a lot of investigation to ensure our clients got the coverage they needed and weren’t overcharged.” Today Greg employs the same communication, organizational, and investigative skills to help Morgan Planning Group’s Medicare clients navigate the complexities and ever-evolving rules and regulations surrounding their coverage.
A Minneapolis resident since 2017, Greg is a native of Queens, New York. “I moved to the Twin Cities because my wife is from here and I fell in love with the place,” he says. An avid cyclist who accesses the cities’ network of bike paths from his home near Theodore Wirth Parkway, Greg also enjoys kayaking, watching sports, going out, and trying new restaurants.
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“It’s gratifying to be part of a team that serves people like they’re serving family – making sure our clients are treated fairly, their issues get resolved, and they have the best information to make important decisions.”
Kristin has nearly 10 years of experience in the insurance and benefits world, where she began her career, and to which she is happy to return. After returning to school to pursue graduate studies, she spent nearly 30 years in social services working with individuals in therapeutic and social work capacities. Kristin achieves insurance solutions for her clients by exercising a variety of skills, including critical thinking and listening, attention to detail, needs assessment, problem-solving acumen, and the ability to connect and collaborate with clients and professionals.
A graduate of Lawrence University, Kristin received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling & Psychological Services and an advanced graduate certificate of study in Child Pathology: Assessment and Intervention from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Graduate Programs.
Outside the office, Kristin enjoys travel, camping, gardening, and cooking, as well as spending time with friends, family, her husband, and their two English springer spaniels.
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“Going above and beyond for clients is what this position all about. I’m here to help.”
Few people at Morgan Planning Group interact with a wider range of clients and insurance partners than Cathy does – answering questions, chasing down documents, helping clients navigate the insurance landscape, and much more. “I have a weekly tally that I maintain, and there’s always something written on it for every single client,” says Cathy.
Some matters are easily addressed, while others require the patience and perseverance of a true customer advocate. “Probably the most gratifying part of my job is when I’m able to go to bat for a client on an issue that’s been frustrating them. It feels good to say, ‘We got THAT resolved. On to the next one!’”
A native of Maine who moved to Minnesota as a child and now lives in Milaca just outside the Twin Cities, Cathy has worked both in office environments and in health care settings as a nursing assistant. When she’s not working, she loves to fish, read, and spend time outside with her husband, Greg, and their two dogs.
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