MINNEAPOLIS – November 23, 2015 – Associated Financial Group President and CEO Dean Hildebrandt has also been named director of institutional services. His primary focus is leading a team of dedicated and trusted industry experts and cultivating a culture focused on integrity, professionalism, and mission. In this role, Hildebrandt will work with the leadership of the private client and institutional services division to bring the combined resources to the aggregate client base. 

Hildebrandt previously served as CEO of Ahmann & Martin Co. and joined Associated Financial Group when the two firms combined in January 2015. As a financial services professional his specialties include property and casualty insurance, human resources, finance, risk management, professional liability insurance, and strategic planning.

A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Hildebrandt earned his Master of Business Administration degree in finance and his Doctor of Education degree in organizational learning and development. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting and finance from St. Cloud State University.

In the community Hildebrandt serves as treasurer with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, and serves on the board of directors for Opportunity Partners, a large Minneapolis based non-profit focused on bringing services to the developmentally disabled. He also lends his expertise to doctoral students at University of St. Thomas who look to him for guidance on academic research. Hildebrandt’s office is located at 7555 Market Pl., Eden Prairie, Minn.

In addition, Associated announced that Sam Sturgis has been promoted to practice group leader of retirement plan services. In this new role, he will lead a group of dedicated retirement plan consultants who help clients prudently manage their corporate sponsored retirement plans.  The combined retirement plan services group is able to bring both bundled and independent solutions to the marketplace in a highly skilled, solutions-based approach.  Sturgis will be in charge of product and business development across Associated’s Upper-Midwest footprint. 

Sturgis began his career in the financial services industry 15 years ago. He provides ongoing management support to ensure clients are receiving the highest level of service when it comes to implementing their corporate retirement plan strategy. Using his expertise in planning, along with investment analysis and employee educational campaigns, Sturgis helps retirement plan sponsors reduce fiduciary liability and mitigate risk.

Sturgis is a graduate of Colgate University and holds the FINRA Series 6 and Series 63, Certified 401(K) professional, and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designations. His office is located at 12600 Whitewater Dr., Minnetonka, Minn.