May 28, 2019

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Anthony Pizer, a financial associate at Thrivent Financial.

Name: Anthony Pizer

Age: 39

Hometown: Waterloo, Wis.

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

My wife, Jessica, grew up here, and when we were deciding where to put down roots and begin our family, Sioux Falls made the most sense for us. We had lived in several different communities across the Midwest in our 20s. In 2010, Jessica accepted a position at Sanford Health, and I was able to transfer to Sioux Falls with the company I was working with at that time.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls continues to grow and develop, which has provided us with many opportunities we would not have had elsewhere. I value the culture of generosity and community service in Sioux Falls. Family keeps us here as well. Not only do we have Jessica’s family nearby, but now that we have two young children, we are finding it to be a great place to raise them.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love helping individuals and families achieve a path to financial independence. The opportunity to form relationships over a lifetime and the impact of making strategic financial decisions is very rewarding.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I have been passionate about financial planning since taking a consumer math class at Luther College. After class one day at the age of 21, I walked down to a local bank and opened a Roth IRA. After college, I worked in a few different jobs until finding a company in Thrivent Financial that I can believe in and am proud to represent.

Describe Thrivent in three words.

Integrity. Generosity. Faith.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

When we first moved to Sioux Falls, I began volunteering with the LSS School-Based Mentoring Program. At the time, I was paired with a first-grader. He is now in high school, and we still continue to meet on a weekly basis.  I love to support causes in our community that are essential to its long-term success, especially in the areas of health, education and children’s well-being.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Since we moved here, many of the businesses I wanted to come to Sioux Falls have arrived. However, I would love to see a community leadership program in Sioux Falls similar to Leadership Sioux Falls but for retirees who want to remain engaged in community impact following retirement. I believe this group has an incredible collection of networks, resources and experience that could be more fully utilized with a formal program that seeks to develop and connect them.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself continuing to build my financial planning practice as well as continue to find ways to engage in the Sioux Falls community.