Congratulations Rick Verthein of Baird-The BV Group

Congratulations to Rick Verthein, financial adviser for Baird-The BV Group, on being named one of our 2019 Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County!

These awards celebrate young professionals who live or work in Waukesha County and who have shown personal initiative, determination and commitment to their careers and their community. The eight winners will receive their awards during YPWeek at the Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Embassy Suites in Brookfield. Register for the program here.

Rick’s focus has been on developing the investment strategies and financial plans at Baird that give clients the flexibility to focus on the important aspects of their life. He graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2007. During school, he joined Baird in 2006 in the finance department as an intern and subsequently transitioned to Waukesha Private Wealth Management upon graduation. He was named to Forbes/Shook Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisor in 2017 and 2018. Outside of work, Rick serves on the advisory board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Milwaukee Chapter as well as various committees. He is the board president for Adaptive Community Approach Program in Waukesha and is an active member of the Waukesha Rotary Club.

Get to know Rick:

Hometown: Brookfield, WI

Favorite part of your job: Helping find financial solutions that may not have been thought of or considered.

If you could tell someone why it’s important to be involved in the community, what would you say? Aside from obviously improving your community, I have always been an advocate for being surrounded by smart, nice and motivated people. They make you and your surroundings better. Jerks don’t volunteer and get active in their community, so you meet amazing people doing incredible things.

Favorite thing about living/working in Waukesha County/southeast Wisconsin: Everything….close to Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison for day trips, the airport for farther trips, plenty of lakes for summer boating, fishing and great access to parks and hiking. The school districts are all stellar. Really everything about the area is great.

Favorite movie or book:  Movie:  Almost Famous   Book:  I really don’t have one favorite.

Favorite food: Oysters

Something unique about you:  I can talk like Donald Duck. Not well, but well enough that my kids get a kick out of it.

One thing you couldn’t live without: My family

What was your first job? Caddie at Westmoor Country Club

If you could do another job for just one day:  A chef

Three best words to describe you:  Accountable, Driven, Optimistic

In your opinion, what makes a great leader? Personally, a great leader is decisive, listens more than they speak and holds themselves accountable for their actions.

What drives you to succeed?  I like accomplishing goals that I set at the beginning of the year. The goals include adding diverse talent to the team which will allow us to grow to a $1 billion practice at Baird.

What is the most pressing issue facing our area and why? Having a workforce with the skills to meet the demand of our employers and our growing community.

What is your favorite saying or word?  Love