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Our Team

How We Work

How We Work

Our reasons for becoming financial professionals are deeply personal. We repeatedly saw many friends and family struggling to find the help they needed to map out their financial future. We are confident that with our understanding of personal finance, coupled with our training as financial professionals, we can help people better prepare for the future. After years in the business, we have developed a reputation for educating individuals in an easy-to-understand manner so they can grasp personal finance and use those concepts to pursue their financial objectives. We feel a commitment to our community.

Our team approach adds perspective to all we do and provides increased benefits to our clients.

Meet Our Team

Brian Sedlachek

Founder and Owner

(218) 824-1431

brian@centralchoicefinancial.com

Born and raised in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Brian has a unique understanding of the priorities and needs of his clients. It is his straight-forward transparency and accessibility that has earned his reputation as a trusted financial advisor with his client.

Brian grew up on his parent’s dairy farm south of Brainerd and graduated from Brainerd High School. The cows are gone from the family farm, but Brian’s dad is still there, a well-known fixture in the local community.

Brian graduated from the University of MN-Duluth with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering before returning to the Brainerd area to work at Parker Hannifin in Deerwood. He enjoyed his work at Parker Hannifin but left in 2006 to take on the challenge of entrepreneurship by founding Central Choice Financial (originally called Navigator Financial Group).

Brian is licensed in Security Series 6 and 63, Series 65 Investment Advisory, and Series 7 General Securities. Brian is also licensed in Life and Health Insurance. He is strongly committed to the value of family life and supporting the local community.

Brian has been married to his wife, Julie, since 1996. Together they are raising three daughters, Olivia, Madelyn, and Isabella. He has been active in the Brainerd Jaycees for many years. He participated in numerous community projects during that time and was the Chair of the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza in 2008.

Jim Tousignant

Retired

We are proud to announce Jim 3.0 is officially here!!  Jim stepped into retirement as of August 1st, 2024.  Jim is native to Minnesota and has been a Brainerd area resident for over 30 years, however, moving forward travel and lots of time on the water fishing will be where you can find him.
We want to thank Jim for his active participation in the local business community be it the Brainerd Lakes Chamber or BNI (Business Networking International) to name a few.  He became well-known as a trusted advisor but also commonly as a friend you could count on.  
Jim and his wife Linda have three children, Heidi, Josh, and Matthew. Spending more time with family, creating in the garden and enjoying time with friends are also top on his list as he steps into retirement.  
To all his clients Jim wanted to express a big THANK YOU! 
"You are a big part of what made my career fulfilling and purposeful. I am grateful for you and also for the great team I was able to partner with at Central Choice Financial.
If you have any questions moving forward, know you are in great hands with the Central Choice Financial Team."
Happy Retirement Jim!  

Daniel K Uebel Sr

Registered Representative

(218) 824-1431

dkuebel@Centralchoicefinancial.com

Dan specializes in building long-term relationships with his clients by assisting with their specific needs and helping them realize the full potential of their financial plans. Dan takes great pride in client retention.

Dan was born and raised in Maryland. He has over 27 years of experience in the financial industry, with a focus on customer service and an ethical practice. In his previous roles, Dan started working for Money Management Advisory in 1992 licensed in Series 6 and 63 securities. Looking to broaden his experience and client base, he found a better opportunity with C.G. Menk & Associates in 1997. In 2010, Dan moved to Minnesota and remained working remotely for C.G. Menk & Associates until joining Central Choice Financial in 2016.

Dan has extensive experience in working with 401(k) plans. He loves sitting down with each participant to listen to their needs. He has a unique ability to combine this personal information with extensive research to determine the mutual funds that will best suit each individual. He wants to ensure his clients get the best possible benefit from their investment.

Dan and his wife Lanna reside in the Brainerd area. The two of them have six children and ten grandchildren. Dan loves the outdoors, which includes working in his vegetable garden and watching or feeding his feathered friends. His weekends are usually spent enjoying time with family and friends.

Atesha J. Barnes Nelson

Financial Advisor/Chief Operations Officer

(218) 824-1431

(218) 822-3811

atesha@centralchoicefinancial.com

Atesha enjoys connecting with her clients to truly understand their unique situations and ensure that she is helping make the best decisions for their health and wealth. She oversees advisory services and firm operations and brings prior entrepreneurial experience as the founder of a retail business established in 1995.

Atesha was born and raised in Northern California and moved to Minnesota in 1992. She has been in the financial industry since 2008 and the insurance industry since 2015. Atesha began her financial journey with Edward Jones in 2008, then she worked with Prudential. She began working with Central Choice Financial in 2015. Entering the financial industry during the global financial crisis helped shape her understanding of the rise and fall of the market and prepared her for difficult situations.

Atesha is a Behavioral Financial Advisor™ and holds securities licenses, Series 66, Investment Adviser Representative, and Series 7, General Securities. Atesha is also licensed in Life and Health insurance. She is committed to providing her clients with the best service and listening to their needs and desires.

Atesha and her husband Joel live in the Brainerd area with their two dogs, Willow and Lenny. She enjoys sewing, taking trips to California to visit with family, and going on cruises to new destinations with her cousins.

Amy Dailey

Tax Specialist/Business Support

218-824-1431

218-822-3811

Amy@centralchoicefinancial.com

Amy brings more than 15 years of tax experience to the financial planning profession. Through her work helping individuals and families navigate tax planning and preparation, she developed a passion for helping clients understand the bigger picture of their financial lives. She believes that the best financial decisions are made when tax strategies and long-term planning work together, making her transition into financial planning a natural next step.

In addition to her role in financial planning, Amy continues to serve clients as a Tax Specialist during tax season, providing a unique perspective that bridges tax planning and wealth management. Amy enjoys helping clients gain confidence in their financial future through thoughtful planning and personalized guidance.

Fun Fact: When she's not working with clients, Amy enjoys spending time with her three dogs, planning travel adventures, and visiting her three adult children whenever possible. She is also a proud Mimi to her grandson, Lincoln. Amy is currently looking forward to a trip to Greece with her youngest child this fall.

Reilley Pratt

Medicare/Health Insurance Agent

218-824-1431

218-822-3811

reilley@centralchoicefinancial.com

Reilley joined the team in 2020 and has enjoyed growing both personally and professionally while helping clients navigate important insurance and retirement decisions.

Over the years, she has gained extensive knowledge in Medicare, health insurance, employee benefits, and retirement planning. She is passionate about educating clients, simplifying complex topics, and helping individuals and families find solutions that fit their unique needs.

Reilley believes that building strong relationships and providing exceptional service are the foundation of what we do. Whether she is helping someone understand their Medicare options, reviewing health coverage, or assisting with retirement planning, her goal is to make the process clear, comfortable, and stress-free.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, and making the most of life in Minnesota. She is proud to be part of the Central Choice Financial team and looks forward to helping clients make confident decisions for their future.

Tami Teague

Office Assistant

218-824-1431

218-822-3811

tami@centralchoicefinancial.com

As a Director of First Impressions, Tami is dedicated to ensuring every client feels welcomed, valued, and supported from their very first interaction with our office. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, customer service, and administration, she brings professionalism, compassion, and strong organizational skills to her role.

Tami is known for her exceptional customer care and ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues. She is passionate about helping others and strives to make every interaction meaningful and memorable, whether assisting with client needs, coordinating appointments, or providing ongoing support.

Outside of the office, Tami enjoys spending time with family and giving back to the community. As an active member of the Brainerd American Legion and the Brainerd Elks Lodge, she volunteers at numerous events throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area, with a special passion for supporting local youth and veterans. She also has a lifelong love of music and enjoys sharing her talents as a vocalist in the community and at her church.  Her dedication to service and helping others is evident in both her professional and personal life.


Dave Ross

Medicare/Health Insurance Agent

701-232-4779

701-232-2122

dave@centralchoicefinancial.com

Shelly Lindsey

Processing Specialist

218-824-1431

218-822-3811

shelly@centralchoicefinancial.com

Shelly brings a natural ability to connect with others, paired with a genuine devotion to family values and community connection. Raised in a small Nebraska town, she developed a deep appreciation for meaningful relationships—something she carries into her work each day.

Shelly is licensed in life and health insurance and holds Series 6 and 63 licenses. With over a decade of experience supporting financial advisors, she takes pride in assisting clients throughout their financial journey and values the opportunity to support them behind the scenes as they pursue what matters most to them.

Shelly has been married to her husband, Ryan, since 1999, and together they have four children. Outside the office, she enjoys camping, exploring the outdoors, and taking motorcycle rides—especially when shared with family and friends.