Drew Gerling, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, FIC, RICP® has been a wealth advisor with Thrivent since 2000, based in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. He started at Thrivent just after graduating from Luther College in Decorah, IA with a business management degree. During his career he has grown to specialize in intergenerational wealth transfer strategies, retirement income and tax reduction planning. He has a staff of three other advisors and office professionals in his practice. He can happily state that most of his clients become his friends, which he feels makes him better at listening to their goals and addressing them through his work.

Gerling has earned numerous industry designations during his career including the Certified Financial Planner® designation (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). In addition to his many industry designations, he has also earned a master’s in financial services (MSFS) from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Gerling is also a Million Dollar Round Table Top of the Table member.

Away from the office, Gerling has been married to Louisa since 2009. Together they have two children, Jack and Emmy. Louisa is a kindergarten teacher in a local school district.

Gerling also holds an FAA Commercial Pilot’s license, is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and a firefighter for the community where he has his office.

Gerling’s volunteer work includes his local chapter of Duck’s Unlimited as well as being a Command Pilot for Angel Flight Central where he will fly around the upper mid-west to transport non-critical medical patients to care facilities. Gerling is also the only scuba diving instructor in the world to have certified a wheelchair bound, ventilator dependent scuba student with muscular dystrophy. This story was featured on NBC’s Today Show.