Awards and recognition
Striving for excellence for our clients, our teams, and our community
Established in our industry
In the time since Phil Richards acquired North Star in 1969, we have been on a steady path of growth as we diversify and evolve to serve our clients better.
Our continued success is a result of nearly a century of growing and adapting in the best interest of our clients.
- Twin Cities Largest Wealth Management Firms (2017-2024)
- Fast 50 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (2022)
- Top 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Nation (2007, 2009, 2014, and 2015)
Twin Cities Largest Wealth Management Firms (2017-2024)
by Minneapolis / St. Paul Business JournalThe Business Journal surveyed wealth management firms in the Twin Cities 24-county metro area to compile this list.
The Largest Wealth Management Firms ranking was designated for local banks and financial services firms in the Twin Cities Metro Area, and ranks firms by total assets under administration during the previous fiscal year. For the purposes of this award, assets under administration includes brokerage, investment advisory services and the cash value of life insurance policies. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
Fast 50 (2022)
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business JournalThe Fast 50 awards recognize 50 privately held companies based in the Twin Cities with the fastest revenue growth between 2019 and 2021. Recipients will be recognized in the Minneapolis/St. Paul annual Fast 50 special publication on Friday, Oct. 28. Companies will also be celebrated at a reception hosted the evening prior at U.S. Bank Stadium.
2022 Fast 50 issues by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. The Business Journal ranks the 50 fastest-growing privately held companies in the Twin Cities by revenue growth from 2019 to 2021. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Top 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Nation (2007, 2009, 2014, and 2015)
by INC 5000With a 3-year growth rate of 65% from 2011 to 20141, North Star surpassed its previous growth rates and increasing its rank by 339 spots from the 2014 List. North Star was listed under the category of Financial Services, which was comprised of 247 companies out of the 5,000 companies on the original List.
North Star Resource Group was named by Inc. as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2020. Privately owned companies were ranked based on their revenue growth in the three previous calendar years. This ranking only includes companies that applied and paid a fee. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation OR (if organization & year(s) won named within the piece The Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America ranking includes privately owned companies which were ranked based on their revenue growth in the three previous calendar years. This ranking only includes companies that applied and paid a fee. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation
Invested in our people
North Star’s greatest asset is our employees, and our mission is to equip each advisor and team member with the training and resources necessary for a fulfilling career and life.
- Top Workplaces USA (2021 and 2022)
- Top Workplaces Financial Services Industry (2021)
- Top Workplaces Communication (2021)
- Star Tribune Top Workplace (2016)
- Top Workplaces Work-Life Balance (2021)
Top Workplaces USA (2021-2022)
by EnergageTop Workplaces USA offers national recognition for large organizations, those with more than 150 employees, and those that may have operations in multiple markets. Several thousand organizations from across the country were invited, and more than 1,100 participated in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage.
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees’ feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research-backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Top Workplaces Financial Services Industry (2021)
by EnergageNorth Star was named a Top Workplace in our industry, solidifying our status as a destination workplace for thriving financial professionals.
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Top Workplaces (2016 and 2021)
by The Star TribuneNorth Star is honored to be recognized in this list of distinguished public, private and non-profit organizations. Organizations were selected based on employee responses measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction.
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees’ feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research-backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Purpose & Values — Culture Excellence Award (2022)
by EnergageTop Workplaces Culture Excellence awards celebrate organizations that excel in specific areas of workplace culture.
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees’ feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Work-Life Flexibility — Culture Excellence Award (2022)
by EnergageTop Workplaces Culture Excellence awards celebrate organizations that excel in specific areas of workplace culture.
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees’ feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research-backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Responsible to our communities
We believe in investing in the people and communities that surround us. Since 2004, we have contributed over $6.3 million to worthy charities and our team has put in hundreds of paid volunteer hours.
- Finseca Community Impact (2024)
- Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota Torch Awards for Ethics (2019, 2015, and 2011)3
- Invest in Others Charitable Champion (2019)
Community Impact (2024)
by FinsecaThe Community Impact Award honors financial security firms that are having a tangible, measurable effect on their clients and their communities. That impact might be the result of a number of activities, such as lives secured, charitable efforts or DE&I initiatives that promote doing well by doing good.
2024 Community Impact Award issued by Finseca. The Community Impact Leadership Award honors financial security firms/ agencies that are having a tangible, measurable effect on their clients and their communities. That impact might be the result of a number of activities, such as lives secured, charitable efforts or DE&I initiatives that promote doing well by doing good. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Torch Awards for Ethics (2020, 2015, and 2011)
by The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North DakotaThe Torch Awards for Ethics celebrate and recognize local companies that demonstrate integrity and a strong commitment to ethics in all that they do. North Star was selected as the winner in their category of businesses with over 175 employees.
The BBB Torch Award for Ethic – winners are chosen by a local panel. The criteria for entry are BBB accreditation is not required, be in business a minimum of 3 years or more with the same ownership, physically located in Minnesota and North Dakota. For profit applicants must have a BBB rating in the “A” category. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Charitable Champion (2019)
by Invest in OthersThis list recognizes 20 financial services firms for their exemplary efforts to give back to their communities by promoting a culture of philanthropy amongst employees and financial professionals.
Nominees must be currently working as registered representatives, registered investment advisors, or financial advisors with a professional designation. Nominees must be active financial advisors, defined by spending at least 75% of their time providing financial consultation with clients. Nominees must have worked in this capacity for at least three years. Volunteer involvement with the nonprofit organization must be current and ongoing for at least three years. Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists are selected in each of the four categories with one winner being chosen for each award. Award finalists and winners receive generous donations from Invest in Others to their designated charities. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
The Largest Wealth Management Firms ranking was designated for local banks and financial services firms in the Twin Cities Metro Area, and ranks firms by total assets under administration during the previous fiscal year. For the purposes of this award, assets under administration includes brokerage, investment advisory services and the cash value of life insurance policies. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
2022 Fast 50 issues by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. The Business Journal ranks the 50 fastest-growing privately held companies in the Twin Cities by revenue growth from 2019 to 2021. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
North Star Resource Group was named by Inc. as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2020. Privately owned companies were ranked based on their revenue growth in the three previous calendar years. This ranking only includes companies that applied and paid a fee. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation OR (if organization & year(s) won named within the piece The Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America ranking includes privately owned companies which were ranked based on their revenue growth in the three previous calendar years. This ranking only includes companies that applied and paid a fee. Working with this firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation
Energage’s Top Workplaces – is based on the employees’ feedback survey compared to Top Workplaces benchmark. Top Workplaces begins with the Workplace Survey. Part of the Energage Platform, the research-backed employee engagement survey measures employee engagement and what drives it. The Energage Workplace Survey measures four culture themes: 1. Align: Company values, direction, cooperation, meetings 2. Connect: Employee appreciation, meaningfulness, potential, well-informed 3. Coach: Managers care, employee development, employee growth 4. Perform: Execution, open-mindedness, innovation, clued-in leader. The research-backed employee engagement survey also measures: 1. Employee engagement: Motivation, loyalty, referral 2. Leadership: Confidence in the company leader 3. Fairly valued: Pay, benefits, training, expectations, work-life flexibility. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
2024 Community Impact Award issued by Finseca. The Community Impact Leadership Award honors financial security firms/ agencies that are having a tangible, measurable effect on their clients and their communities. That impact might be the result of a number of activities, such as lives secured, charitable efforts or DE&I initiatives that promote doing well by doing good. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
The BBB Torch Award for Ethic – winners are chosen by a local panel. The criteria for entry are BBB accreditation is not required, be in business a minimum of 3 years or more with the same ownership, physically located in Minnesota and North Dakota. For profit applicants must have a BBB rating in the “A” category. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Nominees must be currently working as registered representatives, registered investment advisors, or financial advisors with a professional designation. Nominees must be active financial advisors, defined by spending at least 75% of their time providing financial consultation with clients. Nominees must have worked in this capacity for at least three years. Volunteer involvement with the nonprofit organization must be current and ongoing for at least three years. Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists are selected in each of the four categories with one winner being chosen for each award. Award finalists and winners receive generous donations from Invest in Others to their designated charities. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.
Giving back
We believe we have a responsibility to invest in the people and communities that surround us.