Team

Jon Sabes
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Sabes holds a Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School; and Bachelor of Arts degree, Economics Major, from University of Colorado.   Mr. Sabes is responsible for all aspects of business for GWG Advantage, with a specific focus financial structuring, regulatory compliance and corporate finance.   Jon R. Sabes is a financial professional with over twenty years of experience covering law, finance, banking, venture capital, business development, managerial operations, and tax.  In addition to his work with GWG Advantage, Mr. Sabes is also the co-owner and founding member of Opportunity Finance, LLC , a commercial lender providing lines of financing to wholesalers, traders, and distributors of finished goods inventories.  As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sabes has arranged and structured over $750 Million in financing commitments and financed over $4 Billion in assets within the family of companies he oversees.  Mr. Sabes has held several licenses and professional association memberships including Series 7, Series 63, Minnesota State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.  In addition to being an active father of three, Mr. Sabes serves on the boards of several charities and foundations, including Saving Children and Building Families and the Insurance Studies Institute.

John F. Wallin,
President & Chief Marketing Officer

Mr. Wallin holds a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Chicago State University. Mr. Wallin is responsible for all aspects of sales and distribution with a specific focus on developing relationships with National Independent Marketing Organizations, MGA’s, and GA’s, and financial professionals. Mr. Wallin has over 17 years experience in the financial services industry working as a National sales and marketing executive at Kemper, Putnam, BISYS, and Allstate. He also coached ice hockey at the Division I, II, and pro levels. He was a community professor for the IRI group which taught graduate level courses for St Xavier College in Illinois. He has been received as a Lifetime Member of the United Who’s Who for demonstrated leadership and achievement in the financial services industry. Mr. Wallin is the author of five books and is considered one of the best speakers in the financial industry. He is an avid fly fisherman, mountain climber, and landscape artist.

Gregory Stecher
Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Stecher holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Iowa with majors in Finance & Marketing and a minor in Computer Science. He has over 22 years of operations experience in the financial services industry and has been credited with the design and implementation of many corporate data solutions. Mr. Stecher is a registered principal with FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 65 registrations.

Garrett Klein
Regional Sales Manager

Mr. Klein holds a B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, IA with majors in Economics and Psychology. He has 13 years of experience in the financial services industry and has a long history of superior client management from a sales as well as operations background. Mr. Klein is responsible for soliciting and building successful and mutually beneficial relationships between GWG Advantage and its strategic partners.

E. John Koeppen
Director of Marketing

Mr. Koeppen holds a B.A. from St. John’s University as well as a Marketing M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management. He has over 9 years of experience designing and implementing strategic integrated marketing solutions for Fortune 100 companies. Mr. Koeppen manages the branding, marketing, and communications needs for the firm.

Ryan D. Kaplan
Chief Compliance Officer
& Corporate Counsel

Mr. Kaplan is licensed as an attorney in the State of Minnesota and is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is responsible for advising GWG Advantage on all legal matters regarding its business structure, direction and focus as well as maintaining the firm’s compliance with state licensing and regulatory laws. Mr. Kaplan achieved a B.A. degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1999 and received a J.D. from William-Mitchell College of Law in 2005.