Investment Philosophy and Process

We work with our clients to create personalized investment strategies that help meet their specific needs. We will assist our clients in building comprehensive financial, retirement and estate plan strategies in preparation for both the certainties and uncertainties of life.

The cornerstone of our investment philosophy is preservation of capital while seeking to achieve returns that are commensurate with each client’s level of risk tolerance. Our philosophy is centered on an understanding of the long-term goals of our clients. This requires a focus based on investing over years – not weeks or months. We do not seek to take a high degree of risk in order to obtain the highest possible returns. We will consistently strive to observe a high level of professional and ethical standards.
In order for our clients to reach their financial goals, we believe we need to:
  • Understand each client's unique situation and particular goals;
  • Create a unique investment strategy to match each client's risk parameters;
  • Allocate investments among quality managers, various asset classes and specific management styles; and
  • Review and re-balance client portfolios on a consistent basis
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Our process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Our approach is holistic and encompasses all the elements of your financial life. We will work closely with you to create a tailored strategy to get you there.
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    1: Discovery
    We take the time to fully understand each client's unique situations and particular goals. We consider all of your needs, wants, and desires when constructing your financial plan. To do this, we work to understand your entire financial picture and what is most important to you.
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    2: Implementation
    Using our risk management framework to assess current assets and risk exposures, we will begin to construct a financial plan which encompasses every important detail of your life. Then, with your approval, we begin to implement the plan.
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    3: Diversification
    We allocate your investments among quality managers across specific management styles, in a various amount of asset classes. These investments are made within the personalized investment framework we design with you.
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    4: Review and Re-balance
    Finally, we meet regularly to ensure your plan remains current and to review your progress towards achieving your goals.

Financial Planning

We work with you to complete our unique one-page financial summary worksheet. This document enables our entire team of advisors to understand your financial picture and make appropriate recommendations.
Goals Planning System (GPS)
Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley’s own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm’s intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is “On Track” to achieving their financial goals.
LifeView Financial Goal Analysis
Leveraging our LifeView Goal Analysis tool, we can work with you to create a personalized financial plan. Over time, we will adapt it to changing circumstances, helping you achieve your goals and protect what is meaningful to you.
Portfolio Risk Platform (Aladdin)
Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's state-of-the-art Aladdin risk engine. It provides you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios. This helpful tool can assist you in making educated investment decisions with increased confidence.

Investor Resources

Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients. We have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research.
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    GIC Weekly Research Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
    Click Here for the "GIC Weekly"
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    On The Markets Research Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Click Here for the "On The Markets"

Modern Wealth Tools

    WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

    Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

      Equity Solutions

      Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

      • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
      • Liquidity Events
      • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

      Learn more
      Retirement

      For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

      • Defined Contribution Consulting
      • Solutions-Oriented Plans
      • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

      Learn more
      Deferred Compensation

      Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

      Services include:

      • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
      • Portfolio Construction
      • Wealth Management Services
      Learn more
      Executive Services

      Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

      • Equity Compensation Services
      • Equity Award Analysis
      • Specialized Solutions
      Learn more
      Saving and Giving

      Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

      • College Savings
      • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
      • Charitable Giving
      Learn more
      Financial Wellness

      We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

      • Financial Education
      • Digital Tools
      • Financial Guidance

      Learn more

    Location

    5122 Cascade Road SE 1st
    Fl
    Grand Rapids, MI 49546
    US
    Direct:
    (616) 974-8913(616) 974-8913
    Toll-Free:
    (888) 769-9142(888) 769-9142
    Fax:
    (616) 974-8950(616) 974-8950

    Meet The Cascade Group

    About Greg Bootsma

    Greg Bootsma is a Financial Advisor with the Cascade Group and has over 35 years of industry experience. He also holds the titles of Alternative Investments Director and Portfolio Management Director and received the designation of CFP® in 1998. His focus is on helping clients understand the important issues surrounding their lives through financial planning. Spending the time with clients to understand their whole financial picture, and finding the solutions allows his clients to build confidence towards achieving their goals. Greg and his team work to provide top-quality service through a unique perspective across a multitude of experience all working on their clients’ behalf.

    Greg holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Grand Valley State University. Outside of the office Greg has a loving family with his wife Julie, four kids and five wonderful grandchildren. Over the years Greg and his wife have actively been involved in several local non-profit religious and educational institution boards. In his free time Greg enjoys golfing, skiing, and most importantly spending quality time with his family.
    Securities Agent: MT, SC, NJ, MO, KS, CT, AL, NC, FL, AK, TN, NY, IN, IA, GA, AZ, NV, NM, NE, HI, MI, IL, CO, CA, WA, VA, PA, OH, MD, TX, MN, WI, MA, LA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1265030

    About Rob Flermoen

    Rob is a seasoned financial advisor with the Cascade Group, serving since 2006. His passion lies in helping clients build robust financial plans and offering guidance throughout life's various stages. Understanding the emotional aspects of both finances and life, he emphasizes the power of teamwork during challenging times. Rob's client-centered approach entails gaining deep insights into their financial aspirations and forging strong, trusted relationships. Alongside a dedicated team, he delivers top-notch service, drawing from a wealth of experience to cater uniquely to each client's needs.
    Securities Agent: KS, TN, NE, MN, CT, NJ, MO, WV, WA, FL, NC, AK, WI, GA, MA, DC, AL, UT, MD, IL, HI, CO, SC, NM, MT, LA, OH, CA, VA, PA, MI, IA, AZ, TX, NY, NV, IN, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1261809

    About Dave Vanwingerden

    As a Financial Advisor since 1997, Dave offers a blend of professional investment advice and personal service. He assists the team’s clients in developing clear investment objectives and goals and works with them to establish an investment portfolio consistent with those goals. Dave focuses on portfolio management and retirement planning. Dave earned his Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College. He serves on a number of non-profit boards and is involved in various church activities.
    Securities Agent: AK, NJ, KS, VA, NV, MO, WA, PA, OH, CA, LA, IN, IA, CO, AZ, CT, IL, TN, MI, GA, AL, NY, NM, NC, MT, MN, MA, HI, WI, TX, NE, MD, FL, SC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1252972

    About Drew Hendriksen

    As a Financial Advisor Drew’s focus is on his client’s goals through the creation of a financial plan. Drew strives to provide clients with a truly holistic and quality financial plan that considers all the complexities of his clients’ needs, wants, and goals. This allows Drew to create an execute a customizable plan with his clients so they can live the life they want to live. Drew became an advisor due to his passion of building relationship and working in the best interest of others. Within the Cascade Group, Drew assists in offering a unique perspective, personal expertise and providing support to others to truly offer a collaborative and holistic experience to his clients.

    Drew graduated from Calvin College with a degree in Business Finance and Spanish and has his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. Outside of the office Drew is a board member of two different organizational non-profits. In his free time, Drew enjoys running, golfing, hiking and being involved at his local church and community.
    Securities Agent: OR, CT, KS, VA, NY, MO, LA, IA, CA, NE, WA, UT, MA, SC, PA, TX, NJ, MN, IL, GA, DC, AZ, AL, WV, TN, MT, MI, IN, HI, AK, NV, NC, CO, OH, MD, FL, WI, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    NMLS#: 1819604

    About Abe House

    Abe House is a Financial Advisor with the Cascade Group, and has been with the team since 2022. He focuses in providing each client with a detailed financial plan to help encompass their whole financial picture to use as a roadmap through life, while identifying specific goals and objectives along the way. Abe graduated from Cornerstone University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Outside of work, Abe enjoys spending time at the lake, golfing, and quality time with family.
    Securities Agent: AK, TX, FL, KS, NM, IA, WV, NY, NE, MD, LA, IL, HI, AR, WA, OR, NC, MN, IN, CT, CA, OH, NV, MT, MI, UT, TN, NJ, GA, VA, MA, DC, CO, WI, SC, PA, MO, AZ, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    NMLS#: 2527476

    About Beth Berlin

    Beth started her career in Chicago at Dean Witter and received her Series 7 license in 1993. During that time, she also received a Master’s Degree in International Business from DePaul University. Beth has a well-rounded knowledge of our business and has worked in several different facets of our industry. She is using her prior industry experience to help our team develop strategies related to the standardization of our client experience and business development. Beth spends much of her summer on the golf course and enjoys family dinner with her husband and two daughters.

    About Jessica Tiefenbach

    Jessica has worked with the team since 2008, received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Calvin College and holds her Series 7 license. She is passionate about ensuring that all clients have an exceptional service experience. She leverages her organizational and problem-solving skills to provide that exceptional client service each day. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, gardening and floral arranging, and is involved in a variety of church activities.

    About Suleyma Argueta-Corbera

    Suleyma has been with the team since 2022, but worked in operations for Morgan Stanley for 7 years prior to that. Her experience has helped us behind-the-scenes, keeping our team organized and running efficiently. In her free time, Suleyma enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her son.

    About Libby Pethick

    Libby joined the team in September of 2024, she graduated from Northwood University with a degree in Business Management and is currently studying to become a registered Client Service Associate. She previously worked at Starbucks for almost 5 years as a supervisor where she learned the ins and outs of customer service. Libby is a positive hard worker that enjoys having good conversations with clients and coworkers while still getting the job done! In her free time, she enjoys pickleball, reading, golf, and spending time with her family.

    About Grace Wilson

    Grace joined the team in 2025 and is a Client Service Associate. Grace joined Morgan Stanley after graduating from Ohio Northern University with a degree in Business Management. During her time in school Grace was a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team and held two nonprofit internships where she learned how to meet the needs of clients and guests for both organizations. Outside of work, Grace enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her family and friends.
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    Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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    Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

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