Financial Services Department Personnel

 

Henry Taggard—Henry has played a vital role in the growth and development of The Richards Group over the past 30 years. He is Vice President of the Financial Services Department and manages the Human Resources and employee benefits for our organization. In addition to these responsibilities, Henry advises some of our largest clients on strategic planning for their employee benefits as well as conducting negotiations and assumes the primary  role of client advocacy. Henry has over 35 years in employee benefits.

Diane Murphy—Diane has managed the Financial Services Department since joining The Richards Group in 1996. In addition to directing the account management efforts for the department, Diane personally manages the employee benefit programs for many of our large clients. These programs include health, life, disability, dental and voluntary insurance as well as long term care coverage. Her prior experience  includes 14 years in claims management and customer service at Liberty Mutual and Phoenix. Diane has more than 20 years of experience in employee benefits.

Ben Taggard—Ben has been a part of the Financial Services Department at The Richards Group since 1998. He is a financial advisor providing individuals and business clients with investment management, executive benefits and retirement planning strategies. Ben has his NASD Series 6, 7, and 24 registrations and Series 63 and 65 state securities licenses. Previously he was employed as a Financial Analyst with Cabot Corporation, a multinational chemicals company. Ben earned a Master's degree in Finance from the Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College.

Barbara Harris—Barbara has been with The Richards Group since 2004. Her primary focus is developing new client relationships; she is also involved in helping existing commercial clients manage their employee benefits programs and in quoting lines such as life, disability and dental insurance. Barbara has 20 years of banking experience, working for Vermont National Bank and then Chittenden Bank; for the last 10 years she worked predominately  with small to mid-sized commercial accounts.

Michael Mandracchia—Mike joined The Richards Group in the fall of 2005 and focuses on retirement plan services for business clients and investment management solutions for individuals. He is a financial advisor with NASD Series 7 and Series 66 state securities licenses,enabling him to provide a broad range of securities and investment programs to his clients. Mike began his investment and finance career in New York with Prudential Securities and then spent 16 years with Citigroup, working in Human Resources, Corporate Finance and Investment Banking positions. For the past 10 years Mike has worked in Brattleboro delivering investment and lending solutions to individuals and businesses.

Jill Golden—Jill has been with The Richards Group since 1998. She works with clients regarding group health, life and disability insurance. In addition, Jill has her NASD Series 11 registration and provides support to clients regarding retirement plans, investments, and asset management programs. Prior to joining The Richards Group, Jill was an ERISA paralegal for 9 years at William M. Mercer, Inc., an international employee benefits consulting firm, where she specialized in insurance law, COBRA issues, and ERISA Reporting and Disclosure, specifically Forms 5500 and Summary Plan Descriptions. In 1988 Jill graduated from Seattle University and in 1989 received a Certificate of Graduation from the Institute for Employee Benefits Training.

Michele Streeter—Michele has been with The Richards Group since 2000 and supports clients in the areas of group health, dental, disability, life, vision and voluntary insurance programs. This includes preparation of monthly claim reports, customized analytical reporting and ongoing client assistance. Michele coordinates the implementation of technology solutions for our clients. Prior to working at The Richards Group, she served as Business Manager for the Head Start program of Windham County and had 13 years of banking experience at Vermont National Bank.

Ann Wholey—Ann joined The Richards Group in 2003 and is the primary contact for small business clients who need assistance with group health insurance. In addition, Ann works with clients to implement employee benefits related technology and communication programs. Ann's previous experience includes work at C & S Wholesale Grocers and The Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Jackie Brady—Jackie was hired in 2004 as an account manager for mid-sized employee benefits clients, providing support in all areas of group benefits; in particular she has experience in transitioning groups to Consumer Driven Health Care, including conducting employee meetings and follow through education. Jackie has more than 10 years business experience, including work at First Union Bank and Vermont National Bank. Jackie holds a Master's degree in Personnel Administration.

*Registered Representatives, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research,Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member NASD/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representatives, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and The Richards Group are not affiliated.