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Edward Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®
Chief Executive Officer
Edward Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®
Chief Executive OfficerEd Deutschlander has been the CEO at North Star Resource Group since 2016.
Ed began his career at North Star just days after college graduation. He worked for one year as a financial advisor, but he quickly found his gifts were better used in the recruiting department, where he was soon promoted to National Recruiting Director and then transitioned into greater leadership roles within the firm. Having experienced the industry as an advisor, recruiter, and now executive, Ed brings a unique, multi-faceted perspective to his leadership.
With Ed’s clear focus on values and ethical practices, North Star has received several prestigious awards, including Largest Wealth Management Firms in the Twin Cities and Fast 50 (2022) by the Minneapolis / St, Paul Business Journal (2017-2024), Top Workplaces USA (2021 and 2022), the Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces (2016 and 2021), Charitable Champions by InvestmentNews (2015, 2016, and 2019), the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Awards for Ethics Hall of Fame (2023), The Finseca Community Impact Leadership Award (2024) among many others.
Individually, Ed has been recognized for his excellence in leadership in the industry and community, including the Executive Leadership Individual-RIA’s LUMINARIES award from ThinkAdvisor and the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal 40 under 40 listing.
Ed is a contributor in the financial services industry as the secretary of the Finseca board of directors, immediate past chair of the Finseca Foundation’s executive committee, and member of the board of trustees for the American College.
In terms of community service, Ed serves as a founding member of the Scott Richards North Star Foundation, which donates 10% of North Star’s annual profits to national and local nonprofits, and he is a founding board member for Bikes for Kids, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that has gifted over 5,000 bicycles and helmets since 2004.
Ed is a Midwest native and a 1993 graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., where he played, started, and lettered in varsity football and baseball and served as captain of the football team. However, he now lives and works in Austin, Texas, with his wife of 28 years Toni, four children, and four rescue dogs.
Ed is a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 Luminaries Executive Leadership Award was presented by ThinkAdvisor in 2021. The award recognizes an individual’s impact on the firm, professional community and industry using quantitative and qualitative criteria such as breadth of impact, ability to achieve goals, and ethical service. Nominees are evaluated based on the previous 12-18 months. Working with this individual or firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
2010 40 under 40 presented by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal is based on judge selection of 40 honorees based on their professional accomplishments and community engagement. 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.
Phillip C. Richards
Executive Chairman and Founder
Phillip C. Richards
Executive Chairman and FounderPhillip C. Richards is the Executive Chairman and Founder of the affiliated companies that comprise North Star Resource Group. North Star represents a fully integrated array of financial services and products for individuals and businesses of all sizes and has over 160,000 clients with offices in 21 states with client assets under administration exceeding $14 billion.1
1As of December 31, 2024
Phil is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
David Vasos, CFP®
Executive Advisor
David Vasos, CFP®
Executive AdvisorDave Vasos is an executive advisor at North Star Resource Group. He is also a registered investment advisor.
Through his selfless service, Dave provides guidance in developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive financial strategy for North Star and our clients. During his time in financial leadership, North Star has been recognized as an INC. 5000 company (2007, 2009, 2014, and 2015) and on the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s list of Largest Wealth Management Firms by assets under administration (2017-2021).
Dave graduated from the University of Iowa with his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Economics, and went on to receive a Master of Business Administration in Finance, He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner and a member of The Financial Planning Association, The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and GAMA International.
Dave is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.
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.
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.
Diane Yohn, CLU®, RHU®, FLMI, CLF
Operating Officer
Diane Yohn, CLU®, RHU®, FLMI, CLF
Operating OfficerDiane has served as COO of North Star Resource Group since 2016. In her role, she manages over 165 team members in Minneapolis and across the country.
Diane started in the financial industry in 1979 at Securian Financial Services, and she joined North Star nine years later, where she held multiple leadership positions before becoming the highest-ranking female executive at North Star in 2016.
With her strong communication and support of North Star’s values, Diane’s leadership has helped North Star win several awards for workplace excellence including Top Workplaces USA (2021 and 2022), Charitable Champion from InvestmentNews (2019), and the Torch Awards for Ethics Hall of Fame from the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Individually, Diane’s innovation and service has led to her recognition as one of Finance & Commerce’s Top Women in Finance in 2013 and the TeamWomen Lifetime Achievement award in 2021.
In service to her community, Diane has served on the executive board for TeamWomen, a female-led organization that coaches women to reach their full potential, and she mentored a number of the female leaders of the organization. She also regularly volunteers with her church, works with Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), and is actively involved in North Star’s Bikes for Kids event, which gifts local children in need with bikes and helmets.
Diane is a graduate of Drake University in Iowa, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She currently lives in Bloomington, Minn., with her husband Garry and near her two sons and two granddaughters.
Diane is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
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.
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.
2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner presented by Team Women is nomination based and recognizes individuals who have made a profound impact on our community. WaveMakers are pioneers in their field who are respected by their employers and/or peers and demonstrate outstanding leadership, and serve to help the Minnesota business community, while helping women achieve their own goals. 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 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.
The Top Women in Finance Award presented by Finance & Commerce is nomination based and honors industry-leading executives, business owners and entrepreneurs in the financial sector for their outstanding contributions and dedication to their profession, their communities, and society at large. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must work in Minnesota. Nominations are reviewed and determined by the Finance & Commerce selection committee. 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.
Tim White
Chief Financial Officer
Tim White
Chief Financial OfficerBefore joining North Star in 2014, Tim spent 11 years with Securian Financial.
Tim attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and received his Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He currently works out of North Star’s headquarters in Minneapolis.
Tim is a registered representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.
Gary H. Schwartz, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPC
Executive Vice President
Gary H. Schwartz, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPC
Executive Vice PresidentGary serves as North Star Resource Group’s executive vice president, where he provides professional consulting services to senior financial professionals on developing their teams, succession planning, and leading million-dollar practices.
Gary joined North Star in 2013, bringing with him over 30 years of experience managing financial representatives’ growth at Minnesota Mutual, Securian Financial Services, and Ameriprise Financial Services. He worked for four years as senior vice president of advisor growth and development before being promoted to executive vice president in 2017.
He specializes in developing practice management analytics to improve the productivity and effectiveness of a financial practice. Gary’s strategies are outlined in his book, Practice on Purpose: Achieve the Financial Advice Practice You Desire and Your Clients Deserve (2014).
Beyond his work in individual firms, Gary is also an active contributor to the financial services industry on topics of coaching financial professionals and building practices. Within industry organizations, Gary is past chair of LIMRA’s Career Agency Building Committee and Securian’s ambassador and diplomat to GAMA International. He worked as an adjunct professor emeritus for the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business and is a regular presenter for GAMA International, speaking to financial professionals throughout the world.
Gary is a long-time Minnesota local, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, where he was active as a Martin Luther King Economics tutor and was elected to the student governing board of the business school. He later received a Master’s in Industrial Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Currently, Gary lives in Prior Lake, Minn., where he enjoys time in outdoor activities and reading books on leadership and business. Gary also takes time to travel, especially to visit family in Seattle.
Gary is a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
Jeff Landt, CFA, CFP®
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Jeff Landt, CFA, CFP®
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment OfficerWith over 25 years’ experience in financial services, Jeff’s expertise is the investment management process. As vice president and director of investments, he coaches North Star financial professionals on portfolio strategies, construction, and management for a diverse group of clients.
Jeff helps quiet the noise of investment advice, providing a calm, trustworthy voice to help individuals reach their investment goals and prepare for life’s important milestones.
In addition to his leadership roles, Jeff also works one-on-one with clients, specializing in retirement distribution and wealth management.
Jeff holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, noted for its extensive knowledge, experience, and ethical requirements.
Jeff works out of North Star’s headquarters in Minneapolis.
Investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.
Davin Bell
Associate Partner
Davin Bell
Associate PartnerDavin has been a financial professional with North Star since 2001. He also serves as growth and development leaders at North Star Consultants of Texas – Austin and on our firm’s Servant Leadership Steering Committee.
With a focus on developing financial professionals, Davin believes recruiting the right people for the industry and training them for success is the best way to strengthen the business and provide quality guidance to the individuals and families who rely on North Star.
Finally, Davin has spent several years coaching his three daughter’s elementary school basketball teams, allowing him to invest in the community while being all-in where it matters most: his family.
Davin is a registered representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.
Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®
Vice President of Business Owner Solutions
Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®
Vice President of Business Owner SolutionsChase leads our disability insurance, property and casualty insurance, and employee benefits divisions, ensuring clients have a customized protection strategy for their specific individual, family, and business needs.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Chase joined North Star as a financial advisor in 2008. In 2011, he transitioned to becoming North Star’s national disability insurance consultant and expanding the division and its services nationwide.
Then, in 2019, he became the vice president of disability insurance and property and casualty. Under his leadership, the two divisions have grown and developed to serve clients throughout the U.S. with valuable asset and income protection solutions.
As a former financial advisor, Chase understands how to integrate risk management into an overall financial strategy. Now serving as Vice President of Business Owner Solutions, much of his time is spent working directly with advisors and their clients by bringing in the expertise he oversees in North Star’s Disability Insurance, Property and Casualty, and Employee Benefits teams.
Chase is heavily involved in his community as a board member for BestPrep, a non-profit providing Minnesota students with financial literacy skills. Each year, Chase volunteers over 100 hours with the organization as an eMentor, classroom speaker, and fundraiser organizer. He received BestPrep’s Service Award in 2015 and, reflecting his dedication to volunteering with organizations like BestPrep, was named an honorable mention for the Volunteer of the Year award from Invest In Others in 2024.
Chase lives in Stillwater, Minn., with his beautiful wife, Jenn, and two children.
Registered administrative associate of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
2024 BestPrep Service Award. Issued to the top volunteers in the BestPrep volunteer programs for those that go above and beyond in their commitment to the students and teachers of Minnesota. 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.
2024 Volunteer of the Year Award Honorable Mention Issued by Invest in Others. 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 six 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 charitable entities and/or fundraising opportunities described herein are not endorsed by or affiliated with (BD name) or its affiliates. Our philanthropic interests are personal to us and are not reviewed, sponsored or approved by Cetera.
Shaun McDuffee, ChFC®, CEPA, AEP, CLU®
Senior Vice President
Shaun McDuffee, ChFC®, CEPA, AEP, CLU®
Senior Vice PresidentShaun McDuffee started his career as a financial advisor at North Star straight out of college in 1990. He helped launch the North Star Medical Division in 2001, North Star recognized him as one of North Star’s top five advisors in terms of revenue generated between 1998 to 2021, and he serves on the board of the Scott Richards North Star Foundation.
In service to his community, Shaun is involved in leading several national nonprofits. In 2006, he and his wife founded the McDuffee foundation to aid in children’s causes in the community. Then in 2013, Shaun founded Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN), a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating Alzheimer’s disease.
Shaun is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, and he now lives and works in Austin, Texas, with his wife Kristin and their three daughters.
Shaun is a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
The charitable entities and/or fundraising opportunities described herein are not endorsed by or affiliated with (BD name) or its affiliates. Our philanthropic interests are personal to us and are not reviewed, sponsored or approved by Cetera.
Our culture
Our 400 financial advisors and team members come from a variety of backgrounds and work across the U.S., but our shared values and a client-first mission bind us like family.
Awards and recognition
Year after year, we elevate our standards for service and social responsibility, so you can be confident in our commitment to continually improve.