Our Team
Amid an ever-changing investment landscape, retirees need professional and experienced partners who can help guide them through the intricacies of investing and financial planning in retirement.
Ric Runestad Founder & CEO
Investment Adviser Representative
As the owner of Runestad Financial Services, Ric Runestad draws on more than two decades of experience to help others better prepare for financial confidence in retirement. Since entering the insurance industry in 1999, Ric has advised more than 1,000 clients and their families.
Ric understands the importance of hard work and what it means to serve others. He grew up with five siblings on a farm in Michigan, where he first understood the value of a dollar. He then joined the military, which instilled in him a goal to give back when he can.
Ric is a Central Michigan University graduate and has passed the Series 65 Securities exam in 2015 to become an Investment Adviser Representative.
When not working, Ric enjoys spending time with his family, attending church and writing articles. He and his wife, Jenni, are the proud parents of three girls, Emili, Natali and Molli.
Jenni Runestad Co-Owner, Insurance Agent &
Licensed Financial Professional
JENNI RUNESTAD
Co-Owner, Insurance Agent, Licensed Financial Professional
As a licensed insurance agent and co-owner of Runestad Financial Services, Jenni helps clients create retirement income strategies to get them to and through retirement.
Jenni graduated from Taylor University, where she played on the tennis team that qualified for the NAIA national tournament.
She is very involved in the local community and participates in area groups that raise funds for Leo schools. Her daughters are third-generation Leo students, and she takes pride in being engaged in the school board and other committees.
Jenni and her husband, Ric, are the proud parents of Emili, Natali and Molli.
Outside of work, Jenni likes to spend time with her family, play tennis and enjoy activities at her church.
Nathan Barger Investment Adviser
Representative
NATHAN BARGER
Investment Adviser Representative
Nathan helps clients pursue their retirement goals through a variety of investment and insurance products, working to help provide strategies designed to each person’s situation.
Before joining Runestad Financial Services, Nathan was a service representative at Lincoln Financial Group. He has passed the Series 65 securities exams and holds his life and health insurance license.
Nathan earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with minors in finance and marketing, at the University of Saint Francis. There, Nathan earned all-conference tennis honors three years in a row and was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
Outside of work, Nathan enjoys being outdoors, playing tennis, spending time with family and working on his family’s grain farm.
Josh Robinson Investment Adviser
Representative
Josh Robinson
Investment Adviser Representative
Josh's passion is helping his clients achieve their financial goals including their retirement dreams by offering advice and strategies that are catered to their individual risk tolerance. Before joining Runestad Financial Services, Josh was a Financial Advisor at Edwards Jones. He has passed the Series 66 securities exams and hold his life and health insurance license. Josh earned a bachelor's degree in Finance at Southern Illinois University. Josh has been married for 19 years and has four children and one grandchild. Outside of work, Josh enjoys golfing, fishing, camping and spending time with his family.
Jason Johnston Director of Operations
JASON JOHNSTON
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Jason works closely with the operations team and with the advisors to ensure all back-office activities run smoothly, accurately, and timely for our clients. Prior to joining Runestad Financial, Jason worked in the operations department at Lincoln Financial for 14 years.
There, he started with processing basic enrollments and asset transfer requests, but over time he grew into leadership positions that helped him harness his passion for helping clients fulfill their retirement and financial goals. He enjoys the many aspects of operations, but ultimately, he mostly enjoys working with his teammates to achieve overall success for both our clients and the company.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife Heather and their three children, Kourtnee, Connor, and Jacksen. He enjoys outdoor activities and is an avid sports fan, always rooting for his alma mater Purdue Boilermakers and Cincinnati Reds.
Hope Liechty Admin Team Lead &
Licensed Financial Professional
HOPE LIECHTY
Admin Team Lead & Licensed Financial Professional
As Administrative Team Lead and a Licensed Financial Professional, Hope works closely with the RFS support staff and advisory team to ensure effective operation. Serving clients is what she enjoys doing.
Before joining Runestad Financial Services in 2022, Hope worked as a teller at First Merchants Bank. Time in consumer banking strengthened Hope’s customer service abilities and problem-solving tactics, teaching her to care for each customer’s financial needs with courtesy and professionalism. Since working at Runestad Financial Services, Hope has obtained a Master of Business Administration degree through Trine University. She has also acquired a Life & Health Insurance license.
Hope is eager to grow as she fulfills her role as Administrative Team Lead. She appreciates trying new things, like working toward a pilot’s license, and spending time outdoors.
Elizabeth Owens First Impression Specialist
Elizabeth Owens
First Impression Specialist
Before joining Runestad, Elizabeth graduated from His Hill Bible College with a degree in Biblical studies and worked for 5 years as a Children's Ministry Director at her home church. She is very people-oriented and is looking forward to assisting our clients to the best of her ability! When she is not working, Elizabeth loves spending time with her husband and their two cats, taking care of her houseplants and being involved in her church.
Tessa Jones Client Service Coordinator
TESSA JONES
Client Service Coordinator
As a Client Services Coordinator, Tessa plays an important role in ensuring that client files are up-to-date and assisting advisors with document preparation. She works closely with the advisors to help ensure that account servicing requests and document processing are carried out meticulously on behalf of our clients.
Before joining Runestad Financial Services, Tessa spent 5 years working at Lincoln Financial Group in Retirement Plan Services. During her time at Lincoln she gained a vast knowledge of the function of retirement planning, strengthening her analytical skills allowing her to be very detail oriented and able to put a stop to a wide range of possible issues before they occur. Tessa is excited to bring her core strengths to Runestad Financial Services to ensure our client’s accounts and transactions are handled with the utmost care, creating a stress-free experience for our clients.
When she is not working, Tessa loves spending time outdoors with her 5 dogs, family and being involved with her church.
Hannah Harshberger Client Service Coordinator
HANNAH HARSHBERGER
Client Service Coordinator
Hannah plays a key role in business process improvements and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) data management.
With a keen eye for details and the ability to relentlessly drive things through to completion her commitment to providing solutions for over 10 years has helped to create and build a better business to benefit the clients of the company.
Before coming to Runestad Financial Services, Hannah was a Quality Assurance specialist for Lincoln Financial Group. Hannah also assists RE/MAX Results as a Transaction Coordinator in her spare time.
Outside of work, Hannah spends her time learning new things, exploring new places, and spending time with family.
Alecia Robinson Client Service Coordinator
ALECIA ROBINSON
Client Service Coordinator
I received my teaching certificate through the Educators' Program with Accelerated Christian Education and initially contributed to the art program at Olive Branch Christian Academy, now located in Western Kentucky. Following this, I shifted my focus to finance, where I currently work part-time, applying my skills and expertise in a new field.
In addition to my professional pursuits, I have a background as a professional photographer and a strong passion for art and painting. I balance my career with homeschooling our three children—Emmy, Wayne, and Toby—and supporting my husband, Josh. We also have a grown son, Weston, and his wife, Morgan, along with a granddaughter, Mila, and an anticipated grandson.
Our family enjoys a rich life filled with art, music, and travel, and we cherish our time spent outdoors. We are grateful for the many adventures that life offers and embrace each moment with enthusiasm.
Connie Hering Client Service Coordinator
CONNIE HERING
Client Service Coordinator
As a Client Service Coordinator, Connie plays an important role in ensuring that client files are up-to-date and assists advisors with document preparation. She works closely with the advisors to help ensure that account servicing requests and document processing are carried out meticulously on behalf of our clients.
Connie’s experience in financial service spans over 20 years. She is very client service focused and strives to make the client experience as straightforward and positive as possible.
When she is not working, Connie enjoys going to concerts with her husband Greg, spoiling their dogs Macy and River and running her houseplant business at Painted Tree.
Molli Runestad Licensed Financial Professional
Holds Health and Life Insurance Licenses
Ready to take THE Next STEP?
For more information about any of our products and services, schedule a meeting today or register to attend a seminar.
