Our group of professionals share in their commitment to provide exceptional client service. We possess the qualities and education necessary to serve affluent clients. This requires a certain tact and willingness to go beyond the normal course of operations to ensure our clients and their families are comfortable with their personal, financial situations. Our professionals have chosen to focus their careers in this area of practice. This devotion is demonstrated by our ability to interact with clients, gain their trust, and willingness to put in the extra time and care necessary to make sure the job is done right for our clients’ best interest.
The DDK Group
Our Team
Edward DeFrance, CPA, CFA®, CAIA®
Managing Director
Edward DeFrance, CPA, CFA®, CAIA®
The DDK Group
Ed is a Managing Director with The DDK Group at Baird and has more than 20 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, Ed was a senior manager in Deloitte’s Investment Consulting Services group and was a manager in Arthur Andersen’s Investment Advisory Services Division. Ed received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Illinois State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Ed also holds the Charted Alternative Investment Analyst designation. Ed and his wife. Jill, have been married for over 20 years and have three sons.
David Klenke, CFP®, CFA®, CPA
Managing Director
David Klenke, CFP®, CFA®, CPA
The DDK Group
Dave is a Managing Director with The DDK Group at Baird and has 25 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, Dave was a senior manager in Deloitte & Touche’s Investment Consulting Services group where he was a member of their National Investment Policy committee and was a manager in Arthur Andersen’s Investment Advisory Services division. Dave received a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Wisconsin. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a CFP® professional, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee. Active in his community, Dave volunteers his time on local charities including co-chairing the Planned Giving Committee for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. In his free time he enjoys spending time traveling and playing tennis with his wife Becky, and their two children Jake and Lauren.
Thomas Duffey, JD
Senior Vice President
Thomas Duffey, JD
The DDK Group
Tom is a Senior Vice President with The DDK Group at Baird and has more than 35 years of experience in the financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, Tom was with Cedar Street Advisors as a vice president and senior client advisor where he was an advisor to affluent families. For 24 years, Tom served client families in the traditional practice of law as a shareholder in Duffey Law Office, S.C. concentrating on matters involving wealth creation, realization and succession, estate planning, taxation and corporate formation. Tom is a graduate of Marquette University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in economics with honors. He earned his JD from Marquette University Law School and is an active member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Tom and his wife Eileen are the parents of four grown sons and daughters-in-law and they have six grandchildren. Together they relish opportunities to lend their support to local, national and international groups such as those serving critical needs in children's health, HIV and AIDS outreach and research and educational accessibility for the economically disadvantaged. He and Eileen live in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Ivana Marich
Vice President
Ivana Marich
The DDK Group
Ivana is a Vice President with The DDK Group at Baird and has 16 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, Ivana worked at Merrill Lynch Bank in Switzerland where she served high net worth individuals and families across Europe and Asia. She most recently worked at JPMorgan and UBS Financial Services. Ivana received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington - Seattle and earned her MBA from the University of Chicago. She is a longtime supporter of the performing arts, particularly the Milwaukee Ballet and is actively involved in her children’s school.
Cassandra Meyers, CFP®
Assistant Vice President
Cassandra Meyers, CFP®
The DDK Group
Cassandra is an Assistant Vice President and Senior Financial Analyst with The DDK Group at Baird and has 10 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, she was a Private Banking Coordinator with BMO and M&I Wealth Management. Cassandra received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Economics as well as her MBA from Marquette University, and she is a CFP® Professional. Cassandra and her husband, Chris, along with daughter, Madeline, enjoy cooking, traveling and hiking.
Tiffany Kowieski, CFP®
Assistant Vice President
Tiffany Kowieski, CFP®
The DDK Group
Tiffany Kowieski is an Assistant Vice President and Financial Analyst with The DDK Group at Baird and has 10 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry. Prior to Baird, Tiffany was an Account Manager in Northern Trust’s Wealth Management group and was a Private Bank analyst at J.P. Morgan. She received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Marquette University, where she was also a member of the Applied Investment Management program. Tiffany is a CFP® Professional. Tiffany and her husband, Matt, reside in Lake Forest, IL with their sons, Theo and Wes, and dog, Penny.
Riley Gaynor
Client Specialist
Riley Gaynor
The DDK Group
Riley Gaynor is a Client Specialist with The DDK Group at Baird and has over four years of experience in the financial services industry. Riley received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Beth Schramka, CPA
Financial Analyst
Beth Schramka, CPA
The DDK Group
Beth is a Financial Analyst with the DDK Group at Baird. Beth is a certified public accountant and has over six years of experience in accounting. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Drury University, where she was also a member of the women’s soccer team. Beth and her fiancé, Andrew, enjoy traveling and college basketball.
Garrett Sweere
Client Assistant
Garrett Sweere
The DDK Group
(414) 298-7444 gsweere@rwbaird.com LinkedIn
Garrett is a Client Assistant with the DDK Group at Baird and has a year of experience in corporate finance. Garrett received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and in Economics from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
