Mark Richards began his career after leaving Wall Street at a young age to move to Denver where he entered the profession of financial planning. His initial firm, Capital Analyst of Colorado, was the genesis of his move into entrepreneurship which led to a natural progression into business ownership. The MJ Richards Company was formed in 1988 with a staff of five providing financial services to small to mid-sized business owners.
Richards eventually merged the company with The Madison Group, becoming the sole owner, and as the firm continued to succeed, it was acquired by the Winged Keel Group with Richards rolling into a principal position, operating the Denver office as president.
Winged Keel Group is an independent life insurance brokerage firm that specializes in wealth accumulation and inter-generational wealth transfer. For more than 30 years, the firm has structured and administered customized life insurance and annuity portfolios that enable ultra-high-net-worth families, business owners, private investors and executives to optimize their estate and income tax planning.
“We are in the next chapter of our growth story with an expanded and talented group of principles and professionals across the operations with eight offices and 110 people, allowing us to redefine the future of life insurance and annuities distribution with an independently owned firm catering to the sophisticated needs of business owners and ultra-affluent families,” said Richards.
Throughout his career, Richards has been a lifelong learner, acquiring the designations of Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant Accredited Estate Planner, Accredited Estate Planner and soon-to-be Certified Advisor in Philanthropy. His leadership and best-in-class service have led to numerous awards and speaking opportunities. He has served as the chairman of the Economic Club of Colorado, chairman of the AALU Trust and Estate Committee and the founding member of the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Colorado.
Taking a leap of faith with each endeavor has been a risk, but it contributed to the growth and position of the firm and his career, said Richards. “Along the way, I discovered the power of a collaborative effort in pursuing increasingly larger goals,” he said. “I also realized the importance of partnering with the right people and the responsibility of being a good partner.”
Through the many positions of leadership, the goal has been to provide clients with a sustainable organization that will thrive in the decades to come, said Richards. “There is deep satisfaction in assuring the plans and insurance funding that have been put in place will be managed as promised and a multi-generational firm will be there to assure that outcomes will meet expectations.”
