Success to significance

What's your North Star?

By understanding your mission and purpose, we can help you move from financial success to a life of significance

It’s within you—that certain something giving you purpose. That North Star that guides you. Whether that’s business, community, family or self, we get to know and understand what is most important to you. Only then do we help you make informed decisions today that can help lead to your successes tomorrow.

At the Thompson Rodgers Group, we guide clients in financial decision-making in every type of market environment, bringing our deep understanding of complex wealth and years of problem-solving experience to serve business owners, corporate executives, athletes and their families. Our advice is always about one thing: moving our clients one step closer to leading a life of significance.

Launch. Grow. Exit your business.

We understand that when it comes to the business you have personally built, you're going to be invested at every level. From launching to growing to ultimately exiting your company our team can help you make smarter decisions each step of the way. 

Launch. Grow. Exit your business.

You’re selling within the year

You’re selling within the year

You’re 3 years away from exiting

You’re 3 years away from exiting

You’re considering an exit in 5 years

You’re considering an exit in 5 years

  • Finalize your trust and estate strategies 
  • Work with us to interview and select the investment banker that works best for you
  • Finalize your exit plan and focus on getting the best deal for the sale
  • Coordinate with your investment banker to help create competitive tension among prospective buyers and meet potential acquirers, review offers and negotiate the sale
  • As needed, prepare employees and managers for the transition
  • Think about what’s next for you and your future, after the sale
Learn more

  • Refine your trust and estate strategies with your tax and legal advisors to take advantage of strategies that may increase future net proceeds from a sale*
  • Begin conducting an analysis of likely buyer interest and sector outlook, trends and business cycles to help identify the right timing of the sale
  • Build the right pre-sale advisory team, including an investment banker, attorney and CPA
  • Explore gift and estate strategies to help maximize net proceeds from a sale

Learn more

  • Discuss trust and estate strategies and tax and legal advisors to take advantage of strategies that may increase future net proceeds from a sale*
  • Fine-tune your business model to be most appealing to a buyer
  • Make sure business documentation and financial statements are in order
  • Put together a team to prepare the business and optimize value
  • Strengthen your management team
Learn more

Getting ready to exit?

What business owners need to know now to prepare for a successful sale

73% of business owners who recently sold their companies spent two years or less preparing to sell. Yet 81% said they wish they’d spent more time preparing. Gain insights from business owners who recently sold in our latest Investor Watch report, Wind in your sales.

See more insights now

Helping businesses and entrepreneurs thrive

You started your business with passion. We can help you bring that same drive to meeting challenges as you thrive and grow. Take advantage of strategic planning and tailored solutions throughout the lifecycle of your business, including life after ownership.

Business Owner in entryway

Advice for business owners & entrepreneurs

Three generations on beach

From success to succession

Businessman on phone in front of window

The good news is, you’re succeeding

Father and daughter hiking in fields

Navigating opportunities across your enterprise

Our journey

We’re a team of wealth managers who come from entrepreneurial families. Our own life stories and experiences have shaped our unified vision to help every client pursue meaning in their individual journeys. As former athletes and military Veterans, we lead our clients through complexity to help them achieve their vision and goals.

  • Patrick Thompson

    Patrick Thompson, CFA, CEPA, CFP

    Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

    Private Wealth Advisor

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    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • HI
    • IA
    • IL
    • IN
    • KY
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NE
    • NJ
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • TN
    • TX
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI

    Your life story guides our planning
    Whether through lucrative sports careers or business ventures, Patrick Thompson’s clients have created substantial wealth and hope to preserve it for the next generation. A UBS Private Wealth Advisor from an entrepreneurial family and former Division I college athlete himself, he understands this experience and the values that shape it—respect, hard work, discipline and perseverance. These are the qualities he brings to relationships with his clients who hope to evolve their hard-earned success into leading lives of significance where they can have a profound impact on their families and the world at large.

    With more than 20 years of experience working with ultra high net worth individuals and their families, Patrick serves as the “CEO” of his team and leads all business development, investment consulting, advanced planning and relationship management efforts. He believes his clients value his professionalism, the virtual family office experience he delivers, as well as his lifelong passion for the markets, his investment insight and his access to the resources of the world’s largest wealth management firm.

    Experience
    – Associate, Winona Capital Management
    – Associate Portfolio Manager, Northern Trust

    Life
    – Patrick and his wife, Olena, have five spirited children, ages 6 to 15.
    – His family time often involves travel, parks—and of course, baseball fields.
    – Patrick is an active and passionate Northwestern alum. He was team captain of the varsity baseball team and student body president while at Kellogg.
    – He is a current board member and past president of the Northwestern’s N Club for student-athlete alumni.
    – He is a past president of the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago.
    – He serves on the Chicago regional board for the Northwestern University Leadership Circle.

    CA license #0H99710

     

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.

    Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

    • Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, M.B.A.
    • Northwestern University, B.A., economics
    • Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63, and 66 securities licenses
    • Life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses
    • Private Wealth Advisor
    • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
    • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
    • Chartered Financial Analyst®
    One North Wacker Drive
    Chicago, IL 60606
    patrick.thompson@ubs.com
    Patrick Thompson, CFA, CEPA, CFP
    One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
  • Darryl Rodgers

    Darryl W. Rodgers, CEPA

    Financial Advisor

    Certified Exit Planning Advisor

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    • AK
    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • HI
    • IA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • KY
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • ME
    • MI
    • MN
    • MO
    • MS
    • MT
    • NC
    • ND
    • NE
    • NH
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • OR
    • PA
    • PR
    • RI
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • VI
    • VT
    • WA
    • WI
    • WV
    • WY

    Reaching beyond the expected
    Darryl Rodgers is a Private Wealth Advisor and former Associate Market Executive for the Chicago Market at UBS. As a Private Wealth Advisor, Darryl advises corporate executives, and company founders on a variety of matters, including investment management, wealth planning, and asset allocation.  

    Darryl joined us from Bernstein in April 2021 where he held the title Vice President and Financial Advisor. Prior to becoming an Advisor, Darryl was head of business development with CAVU Securities; prior to that, he was a managing partner for MindStare, a commodity trading advisor. He served in the US Army as a Platoon Leader in the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC.

    Experience
    – Private Wealth Advisor, UBS Private Wealth Management, 2021 – present
    – Vice President, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, 2014 – 2021
    – Managing Director, Point Capital Markets, LLC/CAVU Securities, LLC, 2012 – 2014
    – Cofounder and Managing Partner, MindStare, LLC, 2006 – 2011
    – Principal, Cash Equities, Bank of America, 2003 – 2006
    – Assistant Vice President, NASDAQ Institutional Trading, Merrill Lynch, 1999 – 2003
    – First Lieutenant and Firing Platoon Leader, XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, US Army, 1994 – 1997

    Life
    – Darryl is the board chairman of Leave No Veteran Behind, which invests in veterans to build better communities.
    – He is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. 
    – Darryl lives in Oak Park with his wife, Stephanie, and is the proud father of two vibrant daughters.

      Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

      • US Military Academy at West Point, B.S., Mathematical Economics, Minor in Systems Engineering
      • University of Virginia Darden School of Business, M.B.A.
      • Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63, and 66 securities licenses
      • Life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses
      • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
      One North Wacker Drive
      Suite 3700
      Chicago, IL 60606
      darryl.rodgers@ubs.com
      Darryl W. Rodgers, CEPA
      One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
    • Greg

      Greg Hohenstein, CFA, CEPA

      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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      • AK
      • AL
      • AR
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • CT
      • DC
      • DE
      • FL
      • GA
      • HI
      • IA
      • ID
      • IL
      • IN
      • KS
      • KY
      • LA
      • MA
      • MD
      • ME
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MS
      • MT
      • NC
      • ND
      • NE
      • NH
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NV
      • NY
      • OH
      • OK
      • OR
      • PA
      • PR
      • RI
      • SC
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • VI
      • VT
      • WA
      • WI
      • WV
      • WY

      Strategic planning for your goals
      Greg joined UBS in 2022 and serves as a Portfolio Associate. He focuses on investment analysis—including asset allocation, due diligence and performance reporting—in a role that spans financial planning, business development and team operations. He provides comprehensive evaluations and strategies while developing long-term client relationships. Greg prides himself on high-quality client service and his attention to detail.

      Experience
      – Portfolio Associate, UBS Private Wealth Management, 2022 – present
      – External Sales Consultant, Innovator Exchange-Traded Funds, 2017 – 2022

      Life
      – Greg, who played Division I football at Bowling Green State University as a long snapper, loves fitness and playing golf.
      – An L.A. Chargers rookie mini camp invitee, Greg is a football fan, especially when it comes to his beloved Chicago Bears.

        Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

        • Bowling Green State University, M.A. Financial Economics: 2017
        • Bowling Green State University, B.S., Business with a specialization in Finance: 2016
        • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
        • Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
        • Chartered Financial Analyst®
        One North Wacker Drive
        Suite 3700
        Chicago, IL 60606
        gregory.hohenstein@ubs.com
        Greg Hohenstein, CFA, CEPA
        One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
      • Lily Gilbertson

        Lily Gilbertson

        Client Associate

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          Lily joined UBS in 2022 and currently serves as a Client Associate. Her responsibilities primarily relate to business development, marketing, and general support in order to contribute to the team’s top of the market service.

          Lily started at UBS as an intern while attending Northwestern University. She has since earned an economics undergraduate degree. She is continuing her education at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management where she is working toward an MBA degree while maintaining her UBS role. 

          Lily was also a member of the women’s soccer team during her undergraduate years at Northwestern, capping off her career on a high note with a record-breaking season in 2022. She continues to stay active as she loves running and fitness classes. She also enjoys traveling, her dogs, reading and spending time with her friends and family.

            Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                One North Wacker Drive
                Chicago, IL 60606
                lily.gilbertson@ubs.com
                Lily Gilbertson
                One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
              • Charlie Kaufmann

                Charlie Kaufmann

                Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                • AZ
                • CA
                • CO
                • CT
                • DE
                • FL
                • IL
                • IN
                • MA
                • MD
                • MI
                • MN
                • MT
                • NC
                • ND
                • NE
                • NJ
                • NV
                • NY
                • OH
                • OR
                • PA
                • SC
                • TN
                • TX
                • VA
                • WA
                • WI

                Charlie manages all operational aspects of the practice from client on-boarding to account maintenance, processing cash flow requests, and ensuring the highest quality service standards for clients’ operational and administrative needs. He joined UBS in 2023 after working as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments.  His North Star is outstanding client service. 

                Charlie attended the University of Illinois where he received his bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics/Financial Planning with a minor in Business. Charlie likes to stay active by participating in various recreational sports leagues, skiing in the winter, and taking advantage of Lake Michigan in the summer. As a dedicated foodie, Charlie is always interested in finding the next new restaurant to experience. 

                Experience
                – Senior Wealth Strategy Associate, UBS Private Wealth Management, 2023-Present
                – Planning Consultant, Fidelity Investments, 2021-2023

                  Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                      One North Wacker Drive
                      Chicago, IL 60606
                      charles.kaufmann@ubs.com
                      Charlie Kaufmann
                      One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
                    • Elizabeth

                      Elizabeth Sheehan

                      Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

                      Financial Advisor

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                      • AZ
                      • CA
                      • CO
                      • CT
                      • DC
                      • FL
                      • GA
                      • IA
                      • IL
                      • IN
                      • KY
                      • MA
                      • MD
                      • MI
                      • MN
                      • NC
                      • NH
                      • NJ
                      • NM
                      • NV
                      • NY
                      • OH
                      • OK
                      • PA
                      • SC
                      • SD
                      • TN
                      • TX
                      • UT
                      • VA
                      • VT
                      • WA
                      • WI

                      With over 17 years of experience at UBS, Liz is dedicated to providing clients with a holistic wealth management process inclusive of thorough financial planning, insurance analysis, and estate planning.  By beginning each client relationship with a financial plan, Liz customizes investment portfolios to best meet each clients' specific needs. Having started her career at UBS' headquarters, Liz has deep roots throughout the firm, allowing her to easily leverage those relationships to deliver the firm's resources to her clients.

                      Committed to lifelong learning, Liz has earned several industry designations to best serve her clients.  Her accreditations include, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®™, Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Chartered Life Underwriter®.

                      Liz graduated cum laude from Bucknell University with a degree in business management and a minor in Spanish. She is an avid runner and enjoys running in races around the country.  Liz and her husband, Peter, live in the western suburbs of Chicago with their two children.

                      • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.
                      • Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.

                      Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                          One North Wacker Drive
                          Chicago, IL 60606
                          elizabeth.sheehan@ubs.com
                          Elizabeth Sheehan
                          One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
                        • Ann Bjerke

                          Executive Director

                          Head of Advanced Planning

                          Ann focuses on developing and implementing creative and comprehensive strategies to assist clients with their complex financial needs such as preservation, transfer and management of wealth. Prior to joining UBS in 2008, Ann practiced law with the law firm of Levin, Schreder & Carey, focusing on estate tax and income tax planning for ultra high net worth individuals, families and business owners.

                        • Heather George

                          Heather George

                          Executive Director

                          Senior Strategist, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas

                        • Jennifer Miara

                          Jennifer Miara

                          Executive Director

                          Ultra High Net Worth Lending Specialist, Lending Origination

                          Jennifer Miara is an Executive Director, Tailored Lending Specialist with over 20 years of experience in wealth management with a specialty both in HNW, UHNW, and commercial banking and lending. Some of Jennifer’s accomplishments include working as business head of banking and lending for a top 10 RIA and their family office services, running the national banking and lending group for UHNW clients at US Bank directly with the group’s chief credit officer, and also helping manage several of the top 10 AmLaw 100 global law firms.

                        • Matthew Morris, CFA

                          Executive Director

                          Head, Portfolio Advisory Group Midwest, New York and Northeast Division

                          Matthew Morris is the Midwest Division Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group (PAG), leading a regional team of experienced investment professionals dedicated to providing asset allocation, portfolio construction, and investment management guidance and education to UBS' Ultra High Net Worth clients. Matthew and his team specialize in developing multi-asset, customized investment strategies and portfolios for sophisticated individuals, families, and institutions.
                        • Andre Valmore

                          Director

                          Global Banking - Americas Private Markets

                        • Leora Zach

                          Leora Zach

                          Executive Director

                          Client Solutions Specialist, Family Office Solutions

                          Professional History
                          Leora is an Executive Director and Client Solutions Specialist in the Family Office Solutions team within Private Wealth Management. The Family Office Solutions (FOS) team holistically services $100m+ clients and family offices in partnership with Private Wealth Advisors. In her role, Leora is dedicated to providing clients with superior client service by leading complex, multi-product transactions and helping design custom offerings based on client needs.

                          Prior to FOS, Leora was an Executive Director in the Direct Investments Group. She raised private capital for direct private equity and real estate investments across a range of industries, stages, structures and geographies. She covered 1,500+ family office and institutional wealth management relationships nationally. Before that, Leora was a part of the OneBank team and assisted UBS clients on a range of investment banking transactions including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital raising and debt capital raising. She also ran UBS' Middle Market Investment Banking Network, a partnership with 30 firms across the country to assist business owner clients in need of pre-sale planning and investment banking services.

                          Leora joined UBS in 2009 as an Investment Banker in the Power & Utilities Group, advising companies on strategic M&A and capital raising transactions, both domestically and cross-border.

                          Education
                          Leora is a CFA Charterholder and is on the Young Leaders committee at the CFA Society of NY. She is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). Leora holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut Honors School. She holds her Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.

                          Leora is married, with four sons, and resides in Holmdel, New Jersey.

                        Trends and perspectives

                        A leader in wealth management

                        Backed by the strength of our parent company, UBS AG

                        $5.9+ trn

                        UBS Group invested assets
                        As of 06/30/2024

                        51 countries

                        Our global footprint

                        Global leader

                        UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager

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