In 1989, Verne joined New York Life Insurance Company and began developing a practice built on helping families with their life insurance needs. Brakke Financial Services was created once Verne’s son Matt joined the business in 2000 and the business expanded its scope of practice in areas of financial strategies, business succession, and legacy solutions. Verne’s belief in supporting family and community branched his efforts to leadership roles with the Capital City Baseball Assoc., Pierre Economic Development Corp, three terms on the Pierre School District Board of Education, United Way Board, Boys and Girls Club, Development of the Pierre Educational Foundation, State Junior Achievement Board, Lutheran Memorial Endowment Committee Chair and Pierre/Ft Pierre Rotary member. Professional designations include CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® and LUTCF®.

Although Verne is slowing down in retirement, his current focus deals with charitable and legacy solutions. Outside of work, hobbies include boating, fishing, grape growing and wine making, travel, cheering on SDSU, winters in Florida and spending time with family and friends. Verne has been married to his wife Deb for 50+ years, they have 2 sons, and 6 grandchildren.