About

About Me

Peter Eckerline is a man dedicated to positively impacting the lives around him. Pete retired from Merrill Lynch after 38 years, attaining titles such as Senior Consultant and Managing Director of the Eckerline Wealth Management Group.

Before retirement, he dedicated himself to his family and work but still found time for philanthropy, volunteering, and fundraising. In retirement, Pete's scope of positive influence has expanded to multiple causes as he dedicates his energy to the non-profit world.

Eckerline Wealth Management Group

The Eckerline Wealth Management Group is a team of highly qualified professionals who are committed to helping their clients achieve their financial goals. Under Pete's leadership, the team developed a proven track record of success in providing world-class wealth management services to individuals and families in the greater Midwest.

During his years of professional service, Pete achieved the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®) designation and was licensed by both the New York Stock Exchange and FINRA. Eckerline was the top-ranked financial advisor for Minnesota by Barron's for over a decade. He was also one of the top advisors at Merrill Lynch out of 15000 and a member of the Pinnacle Club.

Family Life

Peter has been married for over thirty years to his wife Martha and is blessed with three children, now adults. Pete is a dedicated individual to those he loves as well as a philanthropist. He encourages his family to be involved in charitable giving and gives back to his community as much as possible. He believes that each person should take the opportunity to make a difference in their own way.

Last Thanksgiving, Pete and his family put together a memorable concert for their friends to raise funds for Pinky Swear - an organization that assists those affected by children's cancer. The event was not just a beautiful celebration, it also served as a way to show support for the families stricken with this terrible disease. The Eckerlines do something different each year to raise money for charity. The year before last, the Thanksgiving party supported Second Harvest Heartland, one of the largest hunger relief agencies in the US.

Philanthropic Endeavors

In addition to his career, Pete has been involved in many philanthropic endeavors over the years. Some of the groups he has supported or been involved with include

Faith's Lodge - For families grieving the loss of a child, this tranquil oasis offers solace and peace to reflect on their beloved's memory, grant strength in challenging times, and build hope for brighter days ahead.

Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation - A family of funds dedicated to supporting medical research, providing resources for patients and families, and making medical services available to everyone in the community.

Pay it Forward Fund - A non-profit fund that provides essential financial assistance to women diagnosed with breast or any other form of cancer

Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund - A charity dedicated to helping those living with Type 1 diabetes through research, community services, and advocacy.

Wendy's Foundation for Adoption - An organization dedicated to helping kids find permanent homes through foster care adoption.

Orono Youth Hockey Association - Funding and scholarships to make hockey available to any child who wants to skate

The Minnesota Military Family foundation as part of a committee that helped raise over $2 million to create a memorial at the MN State Capital for Military families.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Donating money as lead gifts, to help refurbish Simpson Field.

Supports Orono Cares, the Orono Foundation for Education, raised money to improve and refurbish the Orono Hockey rink and raised approx. $2 million to complete the entire project, all within a year. He was also a board member and later the President of the Orono Youth Hockey Association.

Evans Scholars, Water Mission, At the Turn, Best Christmas Ever, Interfaith Outreach, Venture, St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission, Avenues for Youth, Timber Bay Camp, The Retreat, Hennepin Theater Trust.

Pete’s commitment to giving back goes beyond his financial contributions. He takes time out of his busy schedule to volunteer with local organizations, such as Orono Youth Hockey Association and St Bartholomew Catholic Church. Peter has also been involved in the University of Minnesota’s Leadership committee, to help raise funds for Gopher athletics and facilities. His dedication to helping others has been recognized by those around him, as he was awarded the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Presidents Award.

Leisure and Hobby Activities

Peter is a bit of a renaissance man - he loves playing golf, basketball, and pickelball in his spare time. He's also coached in the Orono community and has been President of the youth hockey association and Wayzata Country Club. In college, he ran track and was a three-time letter winner. Today, he cheers on his son Danny and the Johnnies Men's Hockey Team in Collegeville.

During his downtime, Pete loves spending time outdoors, golfing and fishing. Like many Minnesotans, he takes full advantage of the natural resources and abundant life in the upper Midwest. Pete also loves traveling to new places and meeting new people, but his favorite place is always home in Minnesota. The Twin Cities are home, and nowhere in the world can compete with being close to a loving family and a community where you belong.

Conclusion

Peter is an inspirational figure, and his example of selfless service and commitment to giving back has made him a role model for many in Minnesota and beyond. He embodies the values of hard work and dedication that have brought success to his life and has used those values to help others in need. Pete Eckerline is truly an exemplary person who serves as a shining example of what it means to make a difference in the world.