Focus on faith and finance

The U.P. Catholic

While Gladstone native, Steve Tackman, may have begun his college career at Michigan State University unsure of which academic track to take, he now finds great purpose in serving Yoopers in his hometown through his financial management firm, as well as Catholics across the Upper Peninsula as chair of the diocesan finance council.

A graduate of Gladstone High School, Tackman attests that he was one of those kids who wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he arrived at university. Tackman eventually chose to enter accounting, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

“I’m a scion of financial professionals,” he explained. “My dad was a CPA and my grandpa was an accountant.” His own genesis as a financial professional was as a CPA. He continued on to graduate school with a focus in finance analysis, and following graduation got his start in the business in Milwaukee, Wis. After three years, Tackman was given the opportunity to come back to the U.P. to work in Escanaba. A year later, he took a leap of faith and opened his own financial advisement practice, Tackman Capital Management LPL, and has been thriving since 1995.

A cradle Catholic, Tackman explained that around the time he was in middle school, his family began worshiping at a Methodist church and his Catholic faith fell to the wayside. His faith was “resurrected,” however, when Tackman returned to the U.P., where he attests, “things began to grow.”

Shortly after his return to the Gladstone area and All Saints Parish in the late ’90s, Tackman was asked to be a member of the parish finance council.

“It was my first real exposure to church finance,” Tackman explained. At that time, he also got involved in parish life, joining the parish choir and lectoring at Mass.

“I’m not one of those ‘born again’ stories,” attests Tackman. “I’m one of those who, just through practicing my faith and giving, grew deeper into my faith.”

“It’s wonderful how it’s happened,” he continued. “I look back and [my faith] has been such an important part of my life. I don’t know where I would be without my faith in Jesus and my trust and practice in the Catholic Church.”

As an investment advisor, Tackman finds great satisfaction in the ability to assist his clients in managing their investments. “I’m so glad I chose this, it’s a wonderful line of work to be in,” he said. “I do the wholistic thing – manage investments, construct and manage risk-appropriate portfolios, and give advice regarding important matters such as estate planning.”

When Tackman was asked by then-Bishop Alexander Sample to serve on the diocesan finance council, Tackman was admittedly shocked. “I get this out of the blue phone call from the bishop, and all I could think was, ‘you want me to serve on the finance council at your privilege?’ It was quite an honor; it was very humbling.”

Tackman also currently serves on the Board of Education for Gladstone Area Public Schools, the Gladstone Economic Development Corporation, and the pension board of the Lay Employees Retirement Plan and Priests Retirement Plan for the Michigan Catholic Conference.

Tackman is grateful for the opportunity to put his skill set to use to assist in the propagation of the faith in the Diocese of Marquette. He shared that there isn’t a time that he makes the drive up from Gladstone to Marquette that he doesn’t think about the importance of his position helping Bishop John Doerfler in his mission for the diocese.

That privilege is shared with other Catholics of the diocese who serve faithfully on the council. Tackman attests that being surrounded by people who also love their parishes and diocese and who also offer their talents for the benefit of the diocese is incredibly encouraging. “They’re people who love Christ,” he explained, “they’re all there because they want to help out.”

Amidst all the good, Tackman shared that there have been challenging situations put before them, such as the current decline in membership in parishes across the diocese and the challenges which accompany that reality on both a micro and macro level. Tackman explained that “[the finance council] is here to help advise the bishop on how to best navigate those kinds of difficulties.” Tackman shared that Bishop Doerfler’s motto, “be a friend of Jesus, make a friend, introduce your friend to Jesus,” has been a help in his own personal approach to doing his part to help build the Church.

Tackman also receives great encouragement when reflecting on the spiritual motto of Bishop Sample while he was bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Voltu Christum Contemplari, which means “to contemplate the face of Christ.”

“I’ve always remembered that motto,” he said. “It has resonated with me especially when discharging my duties as chairman of the finance council – to always think on the face of Christ before helping make these financial decisions that will affect our diocese.”

Tackman also finds great nourishment for all that is asked of him in the various roles he serves by receiving the Eucharist at Mass. “I have a mantra that I live by,” he explained. “You need a sound mind, sound body, and sound spirit. My job keeps me sharp; it keeps me on my toes. I try to work out everyday to take care of my body. And to keep my spirit sound, I try to attend Mass as frequently as I can. Not only am I nourished by the Word, but I get to receive the Eucharist – the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord and Savior.”

When he leaves Mass, Tackman shared that he feels as though he can take on whatever that day will hand him with Jesus in his heart and soul. “Let’s face it, there’s some days that don’t go well,” he admitted. “I have to be the pillar of confidence and trust for my clients. And what better way to do that than by considering my faith and the oblation we receive in the Eucharist.”

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