Michael Traxler grew up in Le Center, MN where he helped with the family farm. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Economics. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Minnesota at the Carlson School of Management. His MBA concentration is Business Finance.

Upon graduating, Mike worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Donaldson Company, Inc., a global filtration manufacturer. After this, he pivoted his career more toward financial analysis, investing, stocks, bonds and financial planning. 

In August 2000, he joined Edward Jones and established a very successful office in New Prague, MN. In 2005, he launched Michael Traxler Wealth Management, LLC (MTWM) and joined an independent financial services company where he provided financial planning and investment advice. Then in 2017, he registered his company with the State of Minnesota as a Registered Investment Advisor, and then again with the SEC in 2021. MTWM is now a 100% fee-based financial planning and investment management company.

Mike has worked with hundreds of investors and their families and has refined a unique set of financial skills. He has developed a distinct method of fee-only, low-cost diversified investment management, financial planning, and client service that the company uses successfully to this day.

Mike is married to his wife Colleen of 27 years and they live near New Prague, MN. They have 3 grown children and are active in their Christian faith. They have been members of the New Prague Area Catholic Community since 1996.

Ernie Pepel grew up in Lonsdale, MN and enjoyed spending time helping his dad work on cars and riding around on just about anything motorized. He graduated from New Prague High School and went on to study and complete a training program in IT networking and PC repair at Sanford-Brown College in Mendota Heights.

Ernie couldn’t resist his affection for cars and started a career as an automotive technician. While working as an automotive tech for 20 years, he developed a passion for stocks and investing as he started building retirement and education plans for his family. His interest in investing, along with an affinity for helping people, ultimately lead him to a career in financial advice. He received a certification for Financial Educational Instructor from the National Financial Educators Council in 2019. After a time as a client of Mike’s and then also working part time for him in 2019, he passed his series 65 exam in March of 2020 and became a licensed Investment Advisor Representative for Michael Traxler Wealth Management, LLC.

Ernie is now a full-time advisor in conjunction with Mike Traxler and he also supports the day to day operations at Michael Traxler Wealth Management. Ernie and his wife, Sara, have lived in New Prague for the last 17 years. In 2015, they were blessed with the birth of their twins who keep them very busy. Sara works as a nurse at the Mayo hospital in New Prague. They have been active members of the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Veseli since 2007.

Ted Hefty grew up in Mound, MN where he spent much of his time fishing and boating on Lake Minnetonka.  He earned his BS degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from SMSU in Marshall, MN.  While going to school, Ted worked full-time at Walmart where he would spend the next 13 years learning the retail business.  To challenge himself further, Ted made the move to Seagate Technology as a unit manager at their Bloomington factory.  Ted has always had an interest in the financial markets and has spent time with his uncle Steve, an avid investor.  He came to Michael Traxler Wealth Management in May 2022 and helps in operations, IT, administration and in April 2023, Ted became a licensed Investment Advisor Representative. In his free time, Ted loves to spend time with his two young boys and also enjoys the outdoors.  

Colleen grew up in the Twin Cities area and married Michael Traxler in 1995. She earned a BA degree in Public Relations and Business from Mankato State University in 1997. She worked at Queen of Peace Hospital in public relations until she focused her attention on raising their three children. In her passion to be a lifelong learner, Colleen returned to college and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mankato State University in 2006. She then enjoyed a 15-year career as a teacher in the New Prague School District. When their youngest child graduated, she decided it was time for a change and joined her husband Mike in the promotion and growth of Michael Traxler Wealth Management, LLC.  At MTWM, Colleen is Chief Compliance Officer, as well as focused on traditional and digital maketing, event planning and client communication support.