About

Daniel Berckes, married to Michelle, life-long residents in Minnesota, have five children and four grandchildren. Dan has been self-employed since age 17 when as a crop and livestock farmer he learned the work-ethic, challenges, and rewards of that first vocation. Dan graduated from vocational tech school with an agri-business degree then successfully learned (twice) how not to survive as a farmer.

Interested in finances, Dan joined A. L. Williams and began building a business of like-minded people who believed in educating people to get the right amount of life insurance to properly protect their families in the event of death. Becoming a registered investment representative in his twenties helped Dan learn the good and bad of market-related investments. After nine-year’s work and attaining the Regional Vice Presidents position, Dan left the financial business and began a twelve-year seven-career process which helped him find again his true passion of helping people build financial security.

In 2004, Dan became a Wealth Strategist with a financial business where he learned to think differently. Whole life insurance came to life for Dan after reading, Becoming your own Banker, by Nelson Nash. Hard lessons as a Registered Investment Advisor cemented Dan’s belief in the virtues of properly-structured permanent life insurance. Dan purchased a division of the business he worked for and became president of Freedom Strategy Group in 2010. That year Dan joined Mutual Trust Life as an independent General Agent then in 2012 he contracted with Imeriti Financial Services (now Simplicity Life). Attaining much recognition and awards for personal and agency production, Dan became a board member of the General Agents Advisory Council to serve other agents who were contracted with Mutual Trust Life. In 2018 and 2019 Freedom Strategy Group earned the “Directors’ Achievement Award as the top PPGA in the country with Mutual Trust Life.

Today, Dan serves several hundred families throughout the country as their Wealth Strategist. He has helped these families amass hundreds of millions of tax-sheltered dollars. Together, his clients have their money protected and insured for a billion tax-free dollars. The unique message of “Bringing Freedom to your Life and Money” is delivered by a six-step process called the Freedom Strategy Solution & over 150 videos teaching the Freedom Reserve System.

Dan credits many special people, authors, strategic partners, coaches and mentors for his achievements. Dan’s friend, savior and Lord, Jesus, gets all the credit. Dan encourages all who read this bio to live your Best life now, and to make the very Best decision you can regarding your spiritual eternal life.

Melissa originally joined our team in February of 2019 as our Client Care Specialist at Freedom Strategy Group until August of 2022. She returned in February of 2024, again as the Client Care Specialist.

Melissa is married to her husband Steve for 17 years. They have lived right in Big Lake for the last 13 years. Together they have five children and five grandchildren. In their free time, Melissa and Steve enjoy spending time with family and friends. In the winter months, they enjoy ice fishing and, in the summer, they enjoy spending time on the water.