Meet the Team Putting People Before Profits.

Ken Lako, JD

President & Chief Executive Officer

With over 20 years’ experience in the field of investment management and trusts, Ken has a proven record of driving business growth across multiple businesses and regions. Ken is a highly regarded leader in the industry, he has established exemplary risk management practices, recruited and retained diverse and highly effective fiduciary leaders and advisors, and enhanced business practices to leverage technology and increase efficiency. Ken is a graduate of Arizona State University and received his JD at Western State College of Law.

Neil P. Archibald, JD

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

With over twenty years’ experience in the legal and trust industries, Neil has held multiple roles including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Fiduciary Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel. Prior to joining Members Trust Company, Neil worked as a teacher, a lawyer, and as a trust officer. Neil is a graduate of the University of Virginia and received his JD at the University of Maryland, and has continued his executive education at Cornell’s Johnson School of Management, and the Wharton and Darden Schools of Business.

T.L. Brown, JD

Chief Fiduciary & Planning Officer

T.L. has over 20 years of experience in estate and trust administration. He earned his BA, JD, and MBA degrees from Wake Forest University, and is a member of the North Carolina Bar and US Supreme Court Bar.  Prior to joining Members Trust Company in 2021, T.L. most recently served as VP, Senior Fiduciary Procedural Consultant at Wells Fargo Bank. T.L. serves on the executive committees of the Winston-Salem Estate Planning Council and Novant Forsyth Medical Center Foundation. T.L. also serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law.

Jason Liu

Chief Growth Officer

Prior to joining MTC, Jason led the wealth management business for US Bank in WA.  Previous experience includes National Sales Director & Head of Wealth Planning for MUFG Union Bank, SVP at J.P.Morgan Private Client, and SVP at Wells Fargo Advisors leading AZ and Southern CA.  He began his career as an advisor at UBS Paine Webber.  Jason has been honored as one of the top 100 brokerage managers by On Wall Street magazine, coached advisors recognized by Barron’s top 10 advisors, nominated by Phoenix Magazine as one of the top 40 executives under 40, and decorated with numerous leadership, diversity, sales and volunteer awards. He is a graduate of Southern Adventist University and has held his FINRA series 7, 9,10, 23, 24, 63, and 65 securities licenses.

Jason Ritzenthaler, CFA, CTFA

Chief Investment Officer

Jason graduated from Florida State University with dual degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems. With 20+ years experience in the financial services industry, Jason has collaborated with global portfolio managers and industry experts at the CFA European conference and Harvard University. Since joining MTC in 2005, Jason has provided analytical research and investment strategy for our model portfolios. Jason is a member of the CFA Institute, CFA Society of Chicago, CFA Society of Madison and Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Kate Braddock, CFA

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Investments

Kate has over 30 years of experience in fiduciary portfolio management. She oversees MTC’s model portfolio strategies in addition to providing comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, institutions, foundations and non-profits. Kate graduated Cum Laude from the University of Vermont with a BA in Economics and she has earned her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Prior to joining MTC in 2001, she served as a portfolio manager and analyst at Janus Henderson Investors. Kate is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Colorado, the Global Women’s Leadership Network and the Denver Chapter of Women in ETFs.

Crystal Riganati, PHR, SHRM-CP

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Crystal joined Members Trust Company in 2019 and has been instrumental in implementing the organization’s strategic plan. With oversight of the HR function, she is responsible for developing and implementing the HR business plan, implementing HR strategies that support business objectives, establishing accountability, identifying solutions to resolve problems, and fostering a diverse and respectful workplace. In her role, Crystal also provides executive-level leadership and guidance in regards to the organization’s HR operations.

Crystal received her Bachelor of Arts from Florida Atlantic University. She is PHR and SHRM-CP certified, and a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and HR Tampa.

Jonnathan De Jesus, CFA, CIPM®

Vice President, Head of Portfolio Management

Jonnathan graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. degree in Finance. Since joining Members Trust Company in 2015, he has worked diligently to blend his unique data-focused experience with his approach to investment management. Recognized as an innovator in investment performance measurement, Jonnathan has presented at the PMAR North America conference to discuss how Python is incorporated in the investment operations supporting Members Trust Company’s claim of compliance with Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®).

Members Trust Company (MTC) claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein. To obtain GIPS-compliant performance information for the firm’s strategies and products, please contact Investments@memberstrust.com.

Sharon Giuffre, CFA, CAP®

Vice President, Senior Investment Officer

Sharon joined Members Trust Company in 2021 and has over 30 years of investment management experience. She received her B.A. from Rice University and has worked at Shearson Leob Rhoades, Service Corporation International, Capstone Asset Management, Regions Bank, and Frost Bank. Sharon also managed an equity mutual fund, Fund of the Southwest, for which she received notoriety in Money Magazine and Barron’s. Sharon holds her CFA designation and is a current member and former President of CFA Houston.

Dawn Handler, CFP^®

Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer

Dawn has over 25 years of experience in the trust services industry and 10 years administering special needs trusts. She works closely with the Company’s fiduciary field officers to instill controls, guidelines and strategies designed to mitigate fiduciary risk. Dawn also manages a personal book of complex trust relationships, which include settlement preservation, family, and charitable trusts.

Kristin Hosack

Vice President, Trust Operations & Client Success

Kristin is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and has over 20 years of experience in financial services and trust operations. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science from the University of Incarnate Word and Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s School of Law. Prior to joining Members Trust Company in 2022, Kristin’s roles included Business Initiatives Consultant at BOK Financial and Trust Operations Manager at USAA Trust Services.

Meg Loitz, JD

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

With over 25 years of trust and estate experience, Meg focuses on providing competent personal service to her clients. Born and raised in Southern California, Meg graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies. She received her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, Cum Laude and is an Indiana licensed attorney. Before joining the Members Trust team, Meg was Vice President & Trust Officer at Teachers Credit Union. Prior to that, Meg had her own law practice specializing in estate planning and settlement.

Kathleen Miller, CTFA

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

Kathleen has been in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years.  She received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education with a minor in Physics.  She went on to obtain her MBA and graduated from Canon Trust School, ultimately receiving her CTFA designation. Kathleen’s professional affiliations include chairing various fundraisers that ultimately raised $1.3 million that benefited various organizations and non-profits in the Northern Virginia area.  Kathleen also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the ARC of Northern Virginia’s Foundation, which oversees the special needs trust management services, serves as a source of financial support to the ARC and manages an investment portfolio to support the ARC and fundraising activities.

Chris Morgan, CFA, CFP®, CAP®

Vice President, Senior Investment Officer

Chris joined Members Trust Company in 2020 and co-manages MTC portfolios in Florida and Iowa. Chris brings 12 years of financial market experience to Members Trust Company and earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation in 2016, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification in 2020, and the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^® designation in 2022. He has also earned his Series 7, 63, 65, 66, 86 and 87 licenses from FINRA.

Michael Nicolini, JD, LL.M., CTFA

Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer

Michael joined Members Trust Company in 2022 and brings 15 years of experience advising individuals and families in estate planning, trust administration, and fiduciary matters.  Michael holds the Certified Trust Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation as well as a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation. Prior to joining Members Trust Company, Michael worked for Bank of America Private Bank and BNY Mellon Wealth Management.

Tamara Pataky Kidd, JD

Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer and Fiduciary Counsel

Tamara has over 30 years of experience in estate planning and estate and trust administration. Fluent in English and Spanish, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Washington University and is an active member of the Florida Bar. Prior to joining Members Trust Company in 2007, she served as VP, Chief Trust Officer, at Merrill Lynch and VP, Trust Service Manager, at Comerica Bank.

Persia Shokoohi, JD

Vice President, Senior Compliance Officer

Persia joined Members Trust Company in 2021, bringing 8 years of compliance experience. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies with a concentration in Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and North Africa. Having earned her JD at the University of Miami School of Law, Persia comes to MTC from her previous role as Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary to the Board of Directors at a global institutional emerging markets fund whose parent company was based in Mumbai. Prior to that role, she served as a Compliance Specialist for Raymond James & Associates where she passed her FINRA Series 7, 24, 66, and SIE Examination. Persia is passionate about financial literacy education for high school students and also serves as a Member of the Board of Friends of New World Symphony in Miami.

Nicole Slaughter, JD

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

Nicole is a licensed attorney in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She has over 10 years of experience in estate and trust administration as well as estate planning. She is a graduate of Spelman College and received her JD at American University Washington College of Law.  Prior to joining MTC, Nicole was recognized as a Rising Star Super Lawyer for several years in estate planning and estate administration. She has significant experience representing claimants with special needs trusts before the Social Security Administration. 

Jonathan D. Rich

Chairman

Mr. Rich is a retired equity partner of the law firm of Holland & Knight, where he devoted the majority of his thirty-year practice to advising banks and trust companies on matters of trust law. He is a past member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of STI Capital Management, N.A., the investment management affiliate of SunTrust Banks, Inc. He received his B.A. from Hampshire College and his J.D., with honors, from Stetson University College of Law, where he was an editor of the Stetson Law Review.

Stephen L. Appel

Mr. Appel is a retired managing partner of KPMG, LLP, where he worked with clients in the financial services industry for thirty-four years. He served as an adjunct professor of accounting at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business from 2013 to 2020 and is a Board Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He received his B.S. and MBA from Drake University.

Melva McKay-Bass

Ms. McKay-Bass is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Suncoast Credit Union, where, with more than twenty years of financial and business experience, she is responsible for business deposits and lending, leading the trust and investments team, and overseeing the property and casualty insurance agency, title agency and real estate agency. She earned a B.S. in accounting from Florida A&M University and began her career at SunTrust Bank.

Rob Comfort

Mr. Comfort is the President of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI). Prior to joining CBSI, he served as Executive Vice President of LPL Financial. Before that, he served as Managing Director of Huntington Wealth Advisors, which he grew into one of the ten largest bank broker-dealers in the country. He earned his B.S. from Miami University in Ohio and is a FINRA registered broker dealer. He has over twenty-five years of experience in the financial services industry.

Barbara O’Donnell

Ms. O’Donnell is the former President of SunTrust Delaware Trust Company, SunTrust’s offshore trust company, and SunTrust Banks, Inc.’s multi-family office subsidiary, Asset Management Advisors. She earned her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law. She had a private tax and estate planning practice at the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan in Atlanta. A frequent speaker and author on estate and charitable planning, as well as other fiduciary topics, she was the first female law professor at the University of Georgia Law School and the first tenured female law professor at the Emory University School of Law.

James A. Purdy

Mr. Purdy is a managing partner of the New York City law firm Fulton Vittoria, LLP. He has practiced solely in the area of Trusts & Estates for almost thirty years, and a major part of his practice concerns advising banks and trust companies regarding the administration of estates and trusts. He also sits on the board of several charitable foundations created by his clients. Mr. Purdy received his B.A. from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, in 1985 and his J.D. from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1988.

Blaine Rieke

Mr. Rieke is the retired chairman and CEO of Firstar Trust Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a former Chair of the Trust Division of the American Bankers Association. He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and holds a law degree from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Nebraska. He is a former Chair of the Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin and served on the Board of Directors at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Supporting Organization of the Indian Community School of Milwaukee, which is responsible for the school’s endowment fund.

Sara Trexler

Ms. Trexler is the Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel at State Employees’ Credit Union with more than thirty-six years of service. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree, summa cum laude, in Trust and Investment Management from Campbell University, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from North Carolina Central University. Ms. Trexler is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and is a CFP® professional.

Scott Strand

Mr. Strand is an Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for BECU in Seattle, Washington. He has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, and prior to joining BECU in 2008, he held several regional and national leadership roles for WaMu and Bank of America. He received his B.A. in finance from Western Washington University and his Executive MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and the CUES CEO Institute. He serves as a Director for Landau Associates and the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County.

Diane Young

Ms. Young is Chief Operating Officer at Navy Federal Financial Group (NFFG), where she is responsible for serving the financial planning and investment needs of Navy Federal Credit Union members. She has thirty-five years of experience in the financial services industry at both full-service wealth management and online investing firms. Ms. Young received her B.A. from Adelphi University and a Digital Marketing Mini-MBA at Rutgers University. She holds FINRA licenses 7, 66, and 24. She serves on the Board of Directors for Rotary Club of Vienna.