Team

Kenneth J. Brusda, CFA®, CFP®, is Chairman and a founding principal of North Star Asset Management. Prior to founding NSAM, Ken spent over 22 years in trust investments with Associated Bank. 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. Ken also served as past Chairman of the Associated Bank Asset/Liability Committee. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) certificant, and a member of the CFA Institute and the Financial Planning Association. 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 is the 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. He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BBA Degree in Finance.

David L. Hackfort, CFA®, President and Managing Director, 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 a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute.

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®) charterholder and a member of 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.

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®) charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute. Geoff is a 1990 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA Degree in Finance, Investments and Banking.

Bradley C. Buchanan, CFA®, is a Managing Director, 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®) charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute. Brad is a 1993 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a BBA Degree in Finance.

Mark P. Reilly, is a Managing Director, joined NSAM in December 2006 after spending the previous 11 years in the investment industry, most recently as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager at M&I Investment Management Corporation. He is currently a candidate for Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) certification. Mark graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 with a BA Degree in Economics.

Benjamin D. Van Handel, CFA® Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst, joined NSAM in June 2013. Ben graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in May 2013 with a BBA Degree in Finance and also earned the University’s Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business Certificate in Investment Management and Real-Estate. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, a member of the CFA Institute, and the CFA Society of Milwaukee.

Alex J. Brusda, CFA, CFP®, CPA, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, joined NSAM in 2015. Alex is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and also holds a commission as a Notary Public within the state of Wisconsin. Alex is board member and the past president of the Fox Valley Estate Planning Council. Prior to joining NSAM, Alex was an Audit Manager at KPMG LLP in Chicago where he worked for six years. Alex graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA Degree in Accounting in 2008 and a Master of Accountancy Degree in 2009.

Emil A.J. Haque, CFA®, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, joined NSAM in June 2019. Prior to joining NSAM, Emil served as an Investment Management Specialist at Wells Fargo Private Bank in Milwaukee, where he focused on building and managing custom portfolio solutions for high-net-worth and institutional clients. Emil, a Swedish native, came to the United States to attend St. Norbert College, he graduated with a BBA Degree in Finance in May 2014. He was a four-time letter winner for the Green Knights’ Men’s Varsity Ice Hockey Team. Emil is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, and a member of the CFA Institute, CFA Society of Sweden, and CFA Society of Milwaukee.

Drew joined NSAM in September 2019. Drew graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2020, earning a BBA degree in Finance and Economics, including a certificate in Business Analytics. At UW-Oshkosh, he was a Portfolio Manager for the Student Managed Endowment Fund (SMEF), inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, and a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. Drew is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder, a member of the CFA Institute, and a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee.

Jonathan E. Wilburn, Portfolio Manager & Investment Analyst, is a 2023 graduate of UW-Oshkosh, with a BBA degree in Finance. Jonathan first joined North Star as an intern in 2022, beginning full time with the firm in 2023. Jonathan was a member of UW-Oshkosh's Finance Club and Student Managed Endowment Fund (SMEF). Jonathan also competed as a Track & Field Student Athlete At UW-Oshkosh, earning 8x All American honors, and 2x National Championships in the Triple Jump.

Nathaniel R. Penn, Investment Analyst, joined NSAM in March 2020. He previously worked as a Research Analyst with Heartland Advisors, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from May 2017 to February 2020, after interning with the firm beginning December 2015. Nathaniel is a 2017 graduate of Marquette University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration degree in Finance. At Marquette, Nathaniel was a Student Analyst for the university’s Applied Investment Management Program, which enabled a selected group of Finance students to manage a $2M+ portion of the endowment fund through individual equity and fixed income investments. (CFA®) Level II Candidate.

Cole D. Seigworth, CFP®, Portfolio Manager & Investment Analyst, joined NSAM in 2022. Cole graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022, earning a BA in Economics. While at UW-Madison, he was also a member of the Wealth Management Group and the Economics Student Association. Cole is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Jacob W. Johnson, CFP®, CFA® Investment Analyst, joined NSAM in April 2023. Prior to joining NSAM, Jake worked as an Investment Analyst at Thompson Investment Management in Madison, Wisconsin from June 2020 to April 2023. Jake graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2019, earning a BBA in Finance and Economics. In 2020, he graduated from UW-Madison with a Master of Science in Finance degree after completing the Applied Security Analysis Program, a two-year Master's program that combines financial theory with hands-on security analysis and portfolio management, in which students manage an investment portfolio of over $20 million. Jake is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder, a member of the CFA Institute, and a member of the CFA Society of Madison.

Autumn Riehl, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in February 2026. Autumn earned her degree in Legal Studies/Paralegal from Fox Valley Technical College. Autumn assists with portfolio reporting, client administration, and client communications.

Karen M. Jochman, IACCP, Chief Compliance Officer and Securities Trader, joined NSAM in March 1999 as an Investment Administrator. 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 securities trading and compliance. Karen became the Chief of Compliance in April 2022.

Lisa L. Ehlers, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in September 2013 with over 11 years of experience in the investment industry. Lisa’s responsibilities include portfolio reporting, client administration and securities trading.

Heidi C. Kanieski, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM is August 2015. Her previous employment experience was 17 years in retail management. Heidi received a BFA from the University Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1990. Heidi’s responsibilities include portfolio reporting, litigation and client administration.

Stephanie Sutter, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in July 2022. Stephanie brings over 10 years of client services experience in the financial industry and 10 years of retail management. Stephanie's responsibilities include portfolio reporting as well as client administration and communications.

Kendra Kamerer, Investment Administrator, joined NSAM in March 2020. Kendra’s responsibilities include portfolio reporting as well as client administration and communications.

Abby Buchanan joined NSAM as an Investment Administrator in June 2026. Abby earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Organizational and Professional Communication and a minor in Leadership Development, graduating with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In her role, Abby supports portfolio reporting, client administration, and client communications, helping ensure clients receive exceptional service and a seamless experience.