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Professional Staff

Kenneth J. Brusda, CFA, CFP, is  President/Managing Director and a founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Prior to founding NSAM, Ken spent over 22 years in trust investments with Associated Bank and has extensive equity and fixed income management experience. As a Vice President and Trust Investment Officer, he managed the Regional Bank Funds and Equity Income Funds since their inceptions in the early 1980’s. He served as a Director of ASBC Investment Corporation from 1993 through 1996. Ken also served as past Chairman of the Associated Bank Asset/Liability Committee. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and a member of the Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society, the CFA Institute and the International Association for Financial Planning. Ken graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1974 from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a BBA Degree in Finance and earned an MBA in Finance at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Michael D. Flesch, Managing Director and a founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Prior to founding NSAM, Mike was with Associated Bank since 1980 where he had been a Vice President and Trust Investment Officer. In this capacity, Mike co-managed the Common Stock Funds. He also managed Associated Bank’s investment portfolio and served on its Asset/Liability Committee from 1985 to 1996. Mike is a member of the Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society and the CFA Institute. He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BBA Degree in Finance.
Eric F. Richter, CFA,  is a Managing Director and a founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Prior to founding NSAM, Eric was with Associated Bank since 1988 where he had been an Assistant Vice President and Trust Investment Officer. During this time, he co-managed the Common Stock Funds. Eric is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society and the CFA Institute. Eric received his BBA Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986 with a double major in Finance and Management. In 1988, he received his MBA Degree in Finance, Investments and Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Geoffry A. Penn, CFA,  is a Managing Director and a founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Geoff had been a Trust Investment Officer at Associated Bank from 1990 to 1996. While at Associated Bank, Geoff managed the Bond Funds and co-managed the Capital Appreciation Funds. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a member of the Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society and the CFA Institute. Geoff is a 1990 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA Degree in Finance, Investments and Banking.
David W. Risgaard, CFA, is a Managing Director and founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Prior to founding NSAM, Dave was with Associated Bank since 1990 where he had been a Trust Investment Officer. In this capacity, Dave co-managed the Capital Appreciation Funds and managed the Telecommunication Funds. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the Milwaukee Analysts Society and the CFA Institute.  Dave graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990. He received a BBA Degree in Finance and Management and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Bradley C. Buchanan, CFA, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, joined NSAM in November 1997 after spending nearly four years in trust investments with Associated Bank as an investment analyst and portfolio manager. In his position as Trust Investment Officer, he co-managed Associated Bank’s Regional Bank Funds and Intermediate-Term Bond Funds. Brad is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the Milwaukee Analysts Society and the CFA Institute. Brad is a 1993 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with BBA Degree in Finance.
Robert S. Huntley, CFA, CPA,   Vice President and Portfolio Manager, joined NSAM in March 2000.   Over the past 15 years, he has served as a Senior Auditor at Wipfli Ullrich Bertelson LLC, Vice President of Finance at Enzymatic Therapy, Inc. and as a consultant with Kobielak & Associates.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the Milwaukee Analysts Society and the CFA Institute.  Bob is a 1984 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a BBA in Accounting.  
Mark P. Reilly, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, joined NSAM in December 2006 after spending the past 7 years as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager at M&I Investment Management Corp. Prior to that Mark had been a Portfolio Manager at Wealth Management, LLC in Appleton, WI. He has over 11 years of experience in the investment business and is currently a Level II Chartered Financial Analyst Candidate. Mark graduated from Michigan State University in 1995 with a BA degree in economics.
Thomas A. Kurkowski, Vice President and Portfolio Manager,joined NSAM in August 2007.  During the previous 25 years, Tom served as the Chief Finance Officer and Director of Finance for the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, WI. Prior to 1982, Tom was a Partner/Manager for the accounting firm, Alam, Morris & Company in Detroit, MI.  He has also provided tax and investment consulting services to private clients. He earned a BBA Degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton in 1970.  Tom received a Masters of Science Degree in Taxation from Walsh College in 1980. 
David L. Hackfort, Investment Analyst, joined NSAM in June 2007.  Dave graduated Cum Laude in January 2007 from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BBA Degree in Finance.  He is currently a Level I Chartered Financial Analyst Candidate.
Renee L. Kaufert, Operations Manager and Securities Trader, has over 25 years of experience within the financial services industry. Prior to joining NSAM in July 1996, she served as Senior Registered Sales Assistant/Operations Manager with Dain Bosworth, Inc., where she had been employed since 1989. Renee held various securities-related positions with Piper Jaffray & Hopwood and Associated Bank since 1979. She passed the NASD securities examinations Series 7 and Series 63 in 1990. Renee supervises operations and securities trading.
Susan C. Beaver, CFP Senior Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in July 1996.    Her previous employment experience had  been in  office administration and sales.   Susan received a BFA Degree from The Rhode Island School of Design in 1978. As Investment Administrator, Susan oversees portfolio reporting and manages client administration and communications for North Star Asset Management, Inc.  Susan is a Certified Financial Planner and has served as President of the Financial Planning Association Northeast Wisconsin Chapter.
Karen M. Jochman, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in March 1999.  Karen had previously been employed at Bank One where her 13 years of experience included responsibilities in operations and account administration. Karen's primary responsibilities include portfolio reporting and securities trading as well as  client administration. Karen also handles our computer network installation, support and service.
Marlinda M. Shukosky, Investment Administrator, joined North Star Asset Management in June of 2004 with four years experience as a Trust Administrative Assistant at Associated Wealth Management in Neenah, and over fifteen years experience as a Legal Assistant.  Marlinda assists in portfolio reporting as well as client administration and communications. Marlinda is also responsible for handling securities litigation filings.
Kate M. Mayer, Administrative Assistant, joined NSAM in April 2001 with 12 years of experience at Associated Bank.   Kate also spent the 10 years at Dain Rauscher and Citizens Finance holding several security-related and loan administrative positions. Kate's primary responsibilities will be with client administration & communications.
  Megan J. Schroeder, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in August 2004 as an intern student while attending Neenah High School. Megan became a full time Investment Administrator in Sept. 2005. Megan assists in portfolio reporting as well as client administration and communications. Megan also handles the development and maintenance of our website.