Our Team
At Lake Financial Group, we believe our teamwork approach adds a broader perspective to all that we do, and provides increased benefits to our clients. Our team consist of three local advisors, as well as specialists from our branch office located in Milwaukee. We are an independent, non-proprietary firm with the ability to offer investment and insurance strategies from over 100 companies.
Our experienced professionals have helped individuals just like you with similar issues and concerns. We can help you create an approach that is designed to fit your individual financial situation.
Brian Barber,
Qualifed Plan Specialist & Managing Partner
Phone: (262)235-0007
Fax: (262) 235-0007
Email: Brian@LakeFG.com
Brian Barber is a co-founder and managing partner of Lake Financial Group. His focus is retirement and fiduciary services – spending his time working with business owners, executive-level officers, high net worth individuals and plan trustees. Brian currently holds a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation and is recognized nationally as a Qualified Plan Specialist. His career in financial planning started in 2008 after watching his Father, Steve, help countless families and small businesses over his 43-year financial planning career. Brian began his working years in IT as a Network Administrator, flying around the country connecting large cities to multiple networks. Brian has been able to leverage the out of the box skills learned in IT to design customized strategies for the challenging, and often complex, financial issues his clients face. He believes in constant personal improvement and continuous knowledge growth. For these reasons he is regularly asked to present and speak to fellow advisors sreveral advanced financial planning strategies.
Being able to be an important part of our client’s lives is a very gratifying experience. The trust our clients place in us is humbling and we are honored to always do what is right for them.
A Port Washington native, Brian is actively involved in his community. He coaches football, wrestling, serves on multiple local boards, sponsors a local scholarship, and spends time teaching a financial 101 course at the local high school. Brian is married to his incredible wife, Andi, and together they are raising four very active children (Chase 12, Chloe 11, Georgia 9, and Dylan 7). When not working or spending his time bettering his community, Brian’s passions are playing sports with his kids and racing go karts with his boys at Road America. To unplug, he enjoys gardening with his daughter Georgia and his son Dylan, singing at home karaoke or hiking with his daughter Chloe, and woodworking with his son Chase.
Justin Behm,
Financial Consultant & Managing Partner
Phone: (262)235-0345
Fax: (262) 235-0345
Email: Justin@LakeFG.com
Justin understands the importance of delivering custom strategies and guidance for each of his clients based on their needs and goals. He provides financial planning, wealth protection, wealth management, and estate strategies through a broad range of financial products and services. As a managing partner and financial consultant with Lake Financial Group, he offers insurance and investment options through over 100 companies, through Crump, LLC, an insurance-brokerage affiliate. Justin has obtained his FINRA Securities Registrations Series 7 and 66 in addition to Life and Health Insurance licenses. He constantly educates himself to better serve clients. He has earned the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional) certification and leverages this advanced training to design the most efficient retirement income strategies for each client's situation. Justin strives to continually provide the highest level of financial services available.
Justin attended St. Norbert College in DePere, WI where he received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance and minor in Economics. He played baseball through college, earning two-time academic all-conference and all conference DH. Justin built his business in his hometown. Together with his wife Julia, he has made a family with three ever-growing children. Nowadays Justin enjoys his free time in the outdoors with his family; camping in State Parks, hunting and playing ball with the kids, and barbecuing in the back yard. If he is not in the office, he is probably outside.
CA License # 0J17165
Paul Baldino,
Financial Consultant
Phone: (262)268-9900
Email: Paul@LakeFG.com
Paul is an affiliate of Equitable Advisors, LLC and has been a partner and financial consultant at Lake Financial Group since 2018. He brings decades of experience in the business world giving the firm a unique perspective and sensitivity to our clients’ priorities. Paul is focused on educating his clients; they are aware of not only how they are invested but why. Paul has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The State University of New York at Albany. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification, administered by Investments & Wealth Institute® and taught in conjunction with Yale school of Management. Paul maintains a continual dialog with his clients as a trusted advisor beyond financial planning. He establishes long lasting relationships built on trust and is part of his clients’ total life plan.
Paul is an active volunteer and donor to many non-profit organizations in our area. Currently, he is the Board President of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.
CA License # 0I17765
Eric Elias,
Financial Consultant
Phone: (414) 278-1543
Email: Eric.Elias@equitable.com
Eric joined the team at Lake Financial Group in the spring of 2018. He began his career as a financial consultant with Equitable Advisors in 1978. Since then, Eric has provided services in the areas of wealth management and protection, retirement planning services, and personal and business financial planning. Eric offers investment and insurance strategies from over 100 companies throughout Equitable Network, LLC, an insurance brokerage affiliate. As a Qualified Plan Specialist for Equitable, Eric has served the qualified plan market place as a valuable resource in the field.
Eric received his Bachelors degree in Business in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1978. As a registered representative of Equitable Advisors, Eric maintains his FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 registrations. Eric's mission is to educate clients in determining their financial priorities, offering strategic guidance specific to their needs. Eric's approach is to offer unbiased and objective recommendations centered on the client's personal needs.
CA License # 0K16604
John Plumley,
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Phone: (262)536-5455
Email: John@LakeFG.com
John joined the team at Lake Financial Group in 2021. He has been a prominent member of the Retirement Benefit's Group, He specializes in helping members of schools, municipalities, and non-profits, grow and improve their retirement benefits and achieve their retirement goals.
John graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a major in Business Administration- Finance, and a minor in Psychology. He is currently president of the Milwaukee Mounted Patrol Foundation, which he helped create.
John resides in the Milwaukee area with his wife, Molly and son. John enjoys being an outdoorsman and volunteering within his community. John holds his FINRA series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, and his life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses.
Brad Katzer,
Financial Consultant
Phone: (262) 235-3138
Email: Brad@LakeFG.com
As a financial consultant, Brad strives to provide clients with exceptional and personalized service. He does this by working with clients to identify and prioritize their goals. Brad works with individuals and businesses, but primarily focuses his practice on working with educators and municipal employees to maximize their retirement benefits.
Brad received his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He joined the team at Lake Financial Group in the spring of 2018. Brad holds his Wisconsin Life and Health Insurance licenses, as well as his Series 7 and 66 registrations. After being born and raised in West Bend, Wisconsin, Brad moved to Port Washington and fell in love with the community. He currently resides there with his wife, Payton, 4 children, and can be found running with his dog, cooking, or working on home projects in his spare time.
Alex Cramer,
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Phone: (262) 299-5333
Email: Alex@LakeFG.com
Alex joined Lake Financial in 2021. As a financial consultant, Alex provides wealth management, risk management, and financial strategies through a broad range of products and services. He educates his clients on a wide variety of financial subjects, so they can make informed decisions that are in their best interest. Alex helps his clients gain an understanding of their current financial position, and how it aligns with their financial goals in order to develop a financial strategy to meet their desired goals.
Alex graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Personal Finance. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63 & 65 registrations and life, health insurance and long-term care licenses as well the Retirement Income Certified Professional® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designations.
Alex resides in the Milwaukee area with his wife, Kayla and new baby boy. In his free time, he enjoys spending time in the Northwoods, fishing, snowmobiling, golfing, and exercising.
Danielle Peiffer,
401k Support Specialist
Phone: (262)235-3137
Fax: (262) 268-9900
Email: Danielle@LakeFG.com
Danielle joined Lake Financial Group in 2015, first beginning as an advisor and then eventually transitioning into different roles throughout the team. Danielle assists Brian and Justin to support and create a positive experience for all of our 401k clients and their employees.
Danielle and her husband Scott live in Port Washington, along with their three children Blake, Taylor and Brooke. She is the founder of Be3 a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to empowering women and giving back to the community. In her free time, she can be found running or biking the streets of Port Washington.
Tracy Plier,
Office Manager
Phone: (262)268-9900
Fax: (262) 268-9900
Email: Tracy@LakeFG.com
Tracy joined Lake Financial Group in May of 2020. Before joining Lake Financial Group, Tracy held roles with Belgium Family Dental where she was the Office Manager and Allen Edmonds where she was the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of the Company. Tracy brings a breadth of professional experience, administrative skills, and a positive, helpful attitude. Tracy is looking forward to meeting and helping each of you!
Tracy and her husband Dan live in Random Lake where she was born and raised. Tracy and Dan have two children, Spencer and Shawna who both live close by and visit frequently. Tracy is a proud Grandma of three grandchildren and enjoys spending time in the pool, on the pontoon and with her family and friends.
Lauralyn Daggett,
Office Assistant and Marketing
Phone: (262)268-9900
Fax: (262) 268-9900
Email: Lauralyn@LakeFG.com
Lauralyn joined the team as office support in August of 2021. She is excited to broaden her professional skills in the financial institution. Alongside working with Lake Financial Group, Lauralyn teaches at Lake Shore Dance where she has set award winning pieces.
Lauralyn has lived in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Colorado, and has been back in Wisconsin for the past three years. She is happy to be back home in beautiful Port Washington. Lauralyn and her husband John are first-time homeowners where they live with their dog Gunner and cat Roux.
Kelly Hadacek,
Office Support and 401k Assistant
Phone: (262)268-9900
Fax: (262) 268-9900
Email: Kelly@LakeFG.com
Kelly recently joined the team as office support in 2022. Before joining Lake Financial Group, Kelly worked in public education as a teacher and counselor for 9 years in Ohio before moving to Wisconsin and raising her three children. After her children started school, she went back to education for 10 more years.
Kelly and her husband Mark live in Port Washington, along with their three children Nick, Caroline, and Elliot. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, running, and camping with her family.