After a 45-year career in the finance industry, Tri-Star Trust President and CEO, Gene Pickelman, announces his plan to retire effective December 31, 2023.
Tri-Star was founded in 2000 with Larry Preston, Tim Clark, and Gene Pickelman joining forces to create a wealth management firm that offered comprehensive financial planning, total objectivity, and a desire to be integrated into the communities that it served. Preston, Clark, and Pickelman believed in the mission of simplifying life by creating wealth solutions through understanding. The foresight of these three individuals led to creating a firm that has grown to 4 locations and a team of 54 community-minded individuals serving over 2,000 clients.
“I have worked with Gene since the beginning,” shares Tri-Star’s Board Chair, Mark Flegenheimer. “He began his career as a founder and President and was named President and CEO in 2019. Under his leadership, we created a caring, loving workplace culture filled with opportunity, growth, and development. He keeps the client at the center of it all and creates win-win-win relationships. I have always valued his commitment to clients, the community, and all of Tri-Star’s stakeholders.”
While Gene will be stepping down from his day-to-day leadership role at Tri-Star, he will continue to provide guidance and support through various other avenues. In retirement, Gene will remain on Tri-Star Trust’s Board of Directors, be a significant shareholder, and continue serving as the Tri-Star Charitable Foundation’s President, of which he was a founding member. Gene will also continue to be a champion for the communities Tri-Star serves.
“Tri-Star’s success is a team effort. It has been my honor and privilege to work alongside our dedicated and caring team, building relationships with world-class strategic partners, developing our emerging leaders, and creating a culture that has led to an 85% employee satisfaction rating and 99% client retention,” said Pickelman. “In preparation for my succession, we have cultivated and developed a solid leadership team to be the foundation of our future. The Board and I have selected Pavel Konecny, current Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer, as President and CEO, effective January 1, 2024.”
Konecny joined Tri-Star in June 2018 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In his nearly 5 years with Tri-Star, he has taken on the additional role of Chief Investment Officer as well as overseeing IT, Human Resources, and market growth developments. In addition, he has proven to embody Tri-Star’s higher purpose of building caring, genuine relationships that strengthen families and the community.
Before joining Tri-Star, Konecny served as Corporate Treasurer at Chemical Bank. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing Management and his Master of Business Administration from Northwood University. He also holds a CFA designation. Konecny lives in Midland with his wife, Jana, and their son, Benjamin. He serves on the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, and the Midland Country Club finance committee. He is a graduate of Leadership Saginaw and Leadership Midland.
“Tri-Star has changed me,” shares Pavel Konecny. “The people here are different. I feel it. We care deeply, listen intently, and go above and beyond to serve our clients, the community, and each other. I am honored to have been selected as Tri-Star’s next President and CEO. From operations to client interactions to our Board of Directors, Tri-Star’s success is a team effort. The Strategic Team and I are committed to the mission and vision of Tri-Star and will continue to build on our strong foundation.”
