Personal
Dedicated
Creative
CEO
Michael is the CEO of Richardson Financial Group, which he founded in 1969. Mike is focused on the continued success of Richardson Financial Group, and a significant portion of his time is devoted to the strategic direction of the firm. He is equally committed to providing clients comprehensive wealth planning and management with concierge style service. Mike is a Member of the firm’s Executive Committee.
Mike has spent his career developing sophisticated tax and estate planning strategies to address the special needs of individuals and families that have accumulated significant wealth. With unique professional knowledge and insights gained through years of experience, Mike has developed and utilizes the Informed Decision Approach™ and other intellectual property and proprietary processes that help clients organize their thinking on important decisions they will face. Once their thinking is focused, he and his team advise and assist clients in making informed decisions.
Mike is a longtime member and past Board Member of the prestigious Forum 400, which brings financial service professionals together to exchange ideas on tax and estate planning. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the M&I Bank of Menomonee Falls. Mike is recognized as an expert in his field, and has addressed several professional groups and associations on estate planning and retirement distribution planning.
President
Scott Richardson is the President of Richardson Financial Group and Richardson Capital Management. In these roles, he spends the majority of his time developing and maintaining client relationships, serving as a firm expert in the development of sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, and overseeing the firm’s investment management practice. Scott is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee.
Prior to joining Richardson Financial Group in 1999, he spent time at Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and Ernst & Young, LLP, where he provided investment, estate and financial planning advice to affluent individuals and families.
Scott is very active in the financial services industry serving on the advisory board of several financial institutions as well as serving as a member of the board of directors of the Forum 400 (formerly International Forum). He has spoken to national audiences on topics such as sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, creative life insurance strategies, and practice management.
Scott earned his B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a double major in finance and risk management. He received his J.D. from Marquette University Law School and his LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law. He earned the certifications of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) from the American College. Scott is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He has also passed the Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities examinations.
Director of Financial Planning
Paul Zudyk is the Director of Financial Planning at Richardson. Paul’s responsibilities include managing the firm’s financial planning services, new business development, and providing comprehensive wealth planning and management to clients. In addition, Paul serves as a senior member of the client relationship team. Paul is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee.
Prior to joining Richardson, Paul was the Director of Taxation for a local Multi-Family Office, where he was responsible for all aspects of financial management for ultra high net worth families. Before that, he was a Financial Advisor for Marshall & Ilsley and Merrill Lynch, where he specialized in comprehensive financial planning for high net worth businesses, families and individuals.
Paul was also a Supervisor at Clifton Gunderson, LLC, where he specialized in small business and individual taxation as well as Pension Administration.
Paul earned his BS from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a double major in Accounting and Finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant and he has also passed the Series 7, 63 and 65 securities examinations.
Director of Investment Management
Walter (Walt) Geiger is the Director of Investment Management at Richardson. Walt’s responsibilities include investment research and portfolio management. In addition, Walt serves as a senior member of the client relationship team. Walt also serves as a Member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Walt joined Richardson in November 2010 with over 15 years of investment management experience. Prior to joining Richardson, he served as a Senior Investment Analyst for Red Granite Advisors. In that role he was responsible for portfolio construction and management as well as client relationship management.
Before that, he was a Senior Equity Analyst at Northwestern Mutual Financial where he was a member of the team responsible for investing the company’s domestic equities portfolio. Walt was responsible for the analysis of healthcare, media, utilities, energy, food/beverage/tobacco and financial industries. Before that, he was an Equity Analyst for Robert W. Baird and Tucker Anthony Cleary Gull.
Walt earned his BS from Marquette University where he majored in Business Administration with emphasis in Finance. He earned his MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in Finance, Investment and Banking. Walt holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society and CFA Institute.
Director of Investment Client Service
Mary is the Director of Investment Client Service at Richardson Financial Group. In that role, she coordinates operational functions for client accounts which includes new account set up, account transfers, daily account activity review, check requests and cash balance maintenance. She personally assists our clients with completing paperwork and answering any service related questions.
Mary has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and minor in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mary is also a graduate of the Leadership Intensive Program, a powerful personal development course encouraging the use of our unique gifts in the world. Mary has passed the Series 6 (Investment Company/ Variable Contracts Limited Representative) and Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law) securities examinations.
Director of Insurance Client Service
Cindy Hummer is the Director of Insurance Client Service at Richardson Financial Group. In this role she is responsible for all aspects of underwriting new insurance applications as well as servicing existing insurance policies. Cindy coordinates the underwriting process which includes obtaining medical records, scheduling medical exams and obtaining underwriting quotes from various insurance carriers. She is the point of contact between the insurance company, medical examiners, medical facilities and the client.
Cindy also provides policyholder service which includes coordinating beneficiary or owner changes, policy loans, rate reductions and premium changes. She also coordinates periodic mailings to clients regarding proper policy premium payments, cash value summaries and policy maintenance.
Cindy has worked in the insurance industry since 1982, concentrating on new business and client services. Her career in insurance began at New York Life and was followed by Northwestern Mutual Life. Prior to joining Richardson Financial Group, Cindy worked for 15 years at an insurance brokerage agency that specialized in life, annuities and long term care insurance.
Cindy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She has continued her education over the years by taking many classes with an insurance related focus.
Operations Manager
Katie is the Operations Manager at Richardson Financial Group. In this role she is responsible for managing operational items such as payroll, benefit administration, licensing and continuing education. She is also a member of the client service team where she assists clients with any service related issues.
Katie’s studies in Business Communication at Marquette University have served her well in her many roles at Richardson Financial Group. Katie earned her license as a Life & Health Insurance agent in the State of Wisconsin and she has also passed the Series 6 (Investment Company/ Variable Contracts Limited Representative) and Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law) securities examinations.
Office Manager
Linda is the office manager at Richardson Financial Group, and in that role she is responsible for maintaining and improving all operational aspects of the firm. Linda is continually driving change and innovation with a particular emphasis on process improvement. She has introduced new and innovative ways of managing client information which increased office efficiency and more importantly allows the firm to provide a higher level of client service. Linda is also a member of the investment and insurance client service teams where she assists clients with any service related issues.
Linda has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, and has over 15 years experience as an executive assistant. She has worked in a variety of businesses including staffing, confidential paper shredding service and manufacturing.
Graphic Design Specialist/Marketing Coordinator
Dana is the Graphic Design Specialist/Marketing Coordinator at Richardson Financial Group. In this role, she is responsible for the development of all marketing materials including brochures, business cards, invitations and newsletters, as well as other various internal marketing materials. She is also a member of the client service team where she assists clients with any service related issues.
Dana received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in May of 2008, and joined Richardson Financial Group in June of 2008.
President of Access Management
Laurance is the President of Access Management, a Wisconsin based management consulting firm that works with companies and their management in the development and execution of global business strategies and tactics. Mr. Newman is also a Senior Advisor to the Mertz Group, a firm specializing in middle market acquisitions and divestitures.
Previously, Mr. Newman was President and CEO of Rexworks, Inc., a Milwaukee based public company that manufactured large industrial machinery for the cement and waste reduction industries. Mr. Newman developed and executed a shareholder value enhancement strategy that increased share price by over 250%.
In addition, Mr. Newman has been the Senior Managing Director of the Kotler Marketing Group, a Washington, D.C. based marketing organization that conducts specialized marketing consulting work for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Mr. Newman has done work for companies such as Champion International, Michelin, Shell Oil, Amoco Oil and IBM.
Mr. Newman spent over 33 years with S.C. Johnson Wax in senior management and marketing leadership roles including Executive Vice-President Asia Pacific, Executive Vice-President Worldwide Service Business, and Senior Vice-President Corporate Planning Development and Acquisitions.
Mr. Newman has participated in the writing of three books on corporate development and strategic acquisition planning. He serves as a director and advisor to a number of operating companies and their senior executives. Mr. Newman speaks regularly at university and business forums on business strategy, acquisitions, and business development.
Mr. Newman has a BS from Northwestern University and a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern.
Partner: Michael, Best & Friedrich LLP
Lew is a partner in the Milwaukee office law firm of Michael, Best & Friedrich LLP. Prior to joining Michael, Best & Friedrich, Mr. Perlson was Vice President and Trust Counsel of Marshall & Ilsley Bank in Milwaukee.
Mr. Perlson is a member of the Milwaukee Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, American Bar Association, Society of Financial Service Professionals, (formerly CLU), International Association for Financial Planning and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is listed in the “The Best Lawyers in America” and is a past president of Milwaukee Estate Counselors Forum and the Milwaukee Estate Planning Council.
Mr. Perlson was the editor of The Wisconsin Will and Trust Forms Manual published by the Wisconsin Trustees’ Association and is co-author of Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners published by the State Bar of Wisconsin and The Charitable Remainder Trust and Other Split Interest Giving Techniques published by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Perlson received his BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his JD, with honors, from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
