Karl Mundt, MBA, CFP®, CPWA®
Financial Advisor
Karl was born in Durham, North Carolina, and grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Karl returned to North Carolina to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied political science with a focus on international political economies. After graduation, Karl pursued opportunities to manage stores for Kinko’s across the country. Kinko’s provided the opportunity to live and work in New Orleans, Louisiana; Knoxville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; Boston, Massachusetts; and ultimately back to Raleigh, North Carolina. Along the way, Karl met his wife, Jennifer, who now works for North Carolina’s Department of Commerce as the assistant secretary of economic development and renewable energy. Together, they have two children: one in high school and one in middle school. They are also members of Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh.
Outside of work and family, Karl is an avid runner and trains for and participates in ultramarathons across the country. These races focus on distances ranging from 30 to 100 miles and take anywhere from 5 to 30 hours to complete. In 2022, Karl achieved a capstone goal of completing the Ultra-Tour-du-Mont-Blanc in Chamonix, France. The race traveled through 3 countries over 105 miles with over 35,000 feet of climbing. Always the goal-oriented planner, Karl enjoys participating in these events as they require discipline, commitment, and preparation for the unexpected. For Karl, being rooted in the long view to optimize performance and maximize potential is an everyday reality that provides him with a unique perspective in advising his clients.
Education has always been an important core value for Karl in the work he does for himself and others. Karl learned firsthand the value of education as his mother worked full-time, took graduate school classes at night, and earned her Ph.D. in education while he was still in grade school. Her hard work ultimately led her to become a dean of nursing at three public universities. Karl left Kinko’s and returned to school to earn an MBA from North Carolina State University in 2004. After beginning his career as a financial planner in 2004, Karl earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2009 and, in 2022, acquired his Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation.
In 2018, Karl joined Commonwealth Financial Network® and started Trail Ridge Financial to provide independent advice to help his clients realize their greatest aspirations.
Brian Chernoff, CFA®
Portfolio Analyst
Brian joined Trail Ridge Financial in February 2022 as a portfolio analyst. Brian was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit until moving to East Lansing to attend Michigan State University. While there, Brian studied economics and political science and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in each.
After graduation, he moved to Denver to pursue a career in investment finance with Charles Schwab as an associate in client services. While there, Brian attended the University of Denver to pursue a master’s degree in finance. After graduation, he began the long and arduous task of completing the requirements of the CFA, finishing it in 2017.
During his 15 years in financial services, Brian has held a number of roles in operations, risk, client services, and portfolio management. He will be a primary point of contact for client trade and money movement requests.
While at Michigan State, Brian met his wife, Melissa, who is now a professor at UNC in the school of psychiatry. They have two daughters: one in elementary school, and another about to start kindergarten. When Brian is not entertaining his daughters, he enjoys golfing.
Catherine McCann
Office Assistant
Catherine joined the Trail Ridge Financial team in May 2019. She graduated from William Peace University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in communications and a concentration in public relations.
Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her husband, Ryan, and their dog, Genevieve.