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Ridgeback Comprehensive Approach to Financial Planning

Worried about making it to your financial destination without falling off a cliff?

When you work with Ridgeback Capital Management, you can expect us to focus on more than just the numbers. As comprehensive financial planners, we take an integrated approach to your finances and examine all areas of your financial life and how they work together.


Organization

Accountability
Objectivity

Proactivity
Education

Partnership



Get Started on Your Journey To Peak Performance

Ridgeback Capital Management offers you a free consultation, where we will hear about your life goals, and explore a supportive partnership. These conversations can help ease the worry about potentially outliving your money. In addition, you will likely experience a sense of relief – and accomplishment --when you can view a simplified snapshot of your personal wealth scenario summarized on one page.


SCHEDULE A Free Consultation

Ridgeback Team


Michael C. Kuznicki  Photo
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Michael C. Kuznicki

Founder & President

Yvonne Chen

Michael C. Kuznicki

Founder & President

mkuznicki@ridgebackcm.com


Michael C. Kuznicki has been providing solutions to financial challenges as both a corporate manager and an entrepreneur for over 30 years. His years spent in corporate accounting, tax, and corporate finance, allowing him to advise from a broad base of knowledge in the areas of:

  • Debt & Equity Project Finance
  • Investment Portfolio Management
  • Strategic Tax Reduction & Planning
  • Family Wealth Planning
  • Retirement Preparation
  • Risk Management & Employee Benefit Plan Evaluation

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University

Certifications: Certified Public Accountant in Texas.

Professional Associations:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Houston Chapter.

The AICPA awarded him the credential of Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) which is the financial planning specialty accreditation held exclusively by CPAs who are members of the AICPA.

Family: Michael and his wife, Kathleen, enjoy gardening, photography, traveling/camping, and community volunteer work. They have three adult daughters, Jennifer, Lee, and Lauren, and several grandchildren.

Community: In support of the mentoring mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston, Michael is a former big brother and former two-term member of its Board. He is a Session member at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church where he chairs the Financial Committee, and also serves on the Board of The Retirement Community.

Best advice ever received: Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends and pursue your passion and the money will follow.

Lois M. Dzik  Photo
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Lois M. Dzik

Director of Client Services

Lois M. Dzik

Lois M. Dzik

Director of Client Services

ldzik@ridgebackcm.com


Lois Dzik has been managing client services since joining the firm in April 2000. She is in charge of opening new accounts, executing trades, processing account transfers, handling compliance tasks and setting and preparing client meetings.  Her goal is to provide our clients with excellent and personalized services.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). 

Family: She was born in Donora Pennsylvania, Home of Champions, such as Stan Musial, Ken Griffey & Ken Griffey Jr., and Deacon Dan Towler. She moved to Houston after graduation in 1979 and has a Texan daughter & son. Her granddaughter Eva was born on Christmas day in 2017. Her favorite author is her husband Bob, who has been published in literary magazines and plays guitar in a band called The Half-Truths.

Community: Member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and West University Community center jazz exercise class 

Best advice I’ve ever received? Life is short, enjoy every day.

Yvonne Chen Photo
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Yvonne Chen

Financial Planning Analyst

Yvonne Chen

Yvonne Chen

Financial Planning Analyst

YChen@ridgebackcm.com


Ridgeback is fortunate to have the expertise of CPA Yvonne Chen on our team. Her financial planning analysis services are an added bonus to our clients. Her areas of expertise are:

  • Tax Return Preparation
  • Financial Data Analysis

She loves formulas and Excel spreadsheets and is committed to continuously learning and staying abreast of developments in her field. 

Education: Yvonne has a master’s degree in Information Technology from the University of North Texas and completed accounting and business core courses at the University of Houston before her career in public accounting.

Certifications: Certified Public Accountant in Texas.

Personal: Her husband Sean Hou loves to play tennis. Her parents and one sister live in Canada and her other sister, a tax accountant, lives here in Houston.

Community Involvement: She provides accounting services to Houston Children’s Charity, (add mission)

Best advice ever recieved: Haste makes waste.
Marisa Ponti Photo
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Marisa Ponti

Wealth Management Associate


Marisa Ponti

Wealth Management Associate

mponti@ridgebackcm.com


Marisa brings more than 20 years of leadership experience working as an executive and in marketing and business operations. She joined the firm in 2022.

Education: Marisa holds a master's degree from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas. In 2009, the Hispanic Women in Leadership-Houston women's advocacy organization recognized Marisa as one of Houston's 100 Outstanding Hispanic Community Leaders.

Certifications: Currently completing the Series 65 certification.

Personal: Born and raised in Mexico City, Marisa is bilingual. She has a sibling in Austin and her parents live here in Houston. She is married to a Steelers fan with a great sense of humor and a love of all sports. From an Italian heritage, she enjoys traveling to Mexico and Italy to visit family.

Community Involvement: Member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and has been involved with several local social service non-profits throughout her career.

Best advice ever received: Patience, patience, patience.


Lexie Ridgeback Photo
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Lexie Ridgeback

Chief Morale Officer

Lexie Ridgeback

Lexie Ridgeback

Chief Morale Officer


Meet Lexie, one of Ridgeback’s most fetching staff members who works (ca)nine-to-five behind the scenes being paws-itively energetic and supportive in any way. As one of the inspirations behind the firm’s name, she enjoys being part of our trademark and knows that pursuing peak financial performance is something to wag about.