James F. Duca, II, JD
Senior Vice President
Mr. Duca joined the U.S. Fiduciary Services, Inc. family of companies in 2014 as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Personal Wealth Management for GreatBanc Trust Company. He has more than 30 years of senior management experience in the personal wealth management industry.
His background includes serving in executive management positions overseeing the trust, brokerage, mutual fund and private banking businesses for large regional banks in the Midwest. Before joining GreatBanc Trust, Mr. Duca served as Executive Vice President of Private Wealth Management at Marshall and Ilsley Trust Company and CEO of M&I Financial Advisors.
Mr. Duca earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Marquette University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He is affiliated with the Economic Club of Chicago and formerly with the Wisconsin Trustees Association, where he served as President. Mr. Duca currently serves as a senior advisor to Arboretum Wealth & Trust Management, and as a member of the Investment Committee.
Our Trust Administration Team
Michelle A. Hall
Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer
Michelle Hall joined Arboretum Wealth & Trust Management in 2016. Ms. Hall currently serves as Trust Officer and Assistant Vice President.
Prior to joining Arboretum Wealth, she served as a Senior Trust Associate for Trust Company of Illinois. She was responsible for assisting in the administration of complex trust issues, including trust document research and facilitating real estate transactions for her clients. Prior to that, Ms. Hall served as Senior Trust Operations Specialist for MB Financial Bank and Trust Securities Representative for Oak Brook Bank, where she began her career in 2001.
Ms. Hall attended South Suburban College where her studies focused on business management and finance.
Outside of the office, she volunteers with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Each week the Northern Illinois Food Bank helps more than 71,000 people in need by providing healthy and nutritious food.
Lisa M. Cathcart, CTFA, AFIM
Senior Vice President and Managing Director
Lisa Cathcart joined Arboretum Wealth & Trust Management in 2016. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and Managing Director. Her extensive background in personal trust administration, taxation, and operational excellence has been a tremendous asset to us and our clients.
Prior to joining Arboretum Wealth, she served as Senior Trust Administration Manager for BankFinancial F.S.B., and she was responsible for administering and developing the trust services offered. Prior to that, Ms. Cathcart served as Trust Officer for Downers Grove National Bank, in Downers Grove, IL, after moving up through the positions of Trust Associate and Trust Operations Manager at the same firm.
Ms. Cathcart holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and management from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has also attended Cannon Financial Institute for more specialized education in the personal trust area. She earned the ICB Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) certification and also the Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager (AFIM) certification.
Outside of the office, Ms. Cathcart has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for more than 20 years, and has also been a team captain for the ACS Relay for Life event, which has raised several million dollars for cancer research.
Lisa enjoys her two children, Cecilia and Aidan and their dog Will. Lisa lives in Westmont, IL.
Daniel V. O'Connell
Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Mr. O’Connell joined GreatBanc Trust Company’s parent organization in 2014. He currently serves GreatBanc Trust and Arboretum Wealth & Trust Management as Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager.
Dan serves our clients through his vast experience in institutional asset management- including qualified retirement plans, collective investment trusts and ESOP portfolios. Beneficiaries reap the benefits of his analysis of individual securities and equity research. Dan is proud to be part of a team which strives to optimally carry out the financial and estate planning intentions of each client.
Having begun his financial services career in 1978, Mr. O’Connell previously served M&I Investment Management Corp., and its successor, BMO Asset Management Corp., as the Head of Alternative Investments. Before that, Mr. O’Connell was Chief Investment Officer for a multi-strategy hedge fund of funds, headed capital market risk management initiatives for MPCT Solutions, and directed trading and fixed income businesses in Asia for the First National Bank of Chicago. He has managed from an executive level the complex demands of hedge funds, institutional portfolio management and international capital markets.
Mr. O’Connell received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in political science from Williams College. He is an experienced public speaker, having delivered presentations on investment strategy to the CFA Society, public pension forums and other venues.
As the father of four daughters and son to a widow of thirty years, Mr. O’Connell is proudly sensitive to the unique perspectives of women in conserving their wealth and the planning necessary to enjoy future retirements.
Our Investment Team
A Division of GreatBanc Trust Company
David M. Richter, CFA, CDFA
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Richter joined GreatBanc Trust Company in 2015 and helped launch the Arboretum Wealth & Trust Management division. Mr. Richter currently serves as Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director. He is also the Chairman of the firm’s Investment Committee. He brings his passion for investing with a focus on bottom line results to each individual client, and he works in concert with the trust administration team to provide sound, reliable financial advice.
Prior to joining GreatBanc Trust, he served as Portfolio Officer at BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and its predecessor, Talon Asset Management, LLC. David served Talon as an individual account portfolio manager, co-portfolio manager for the Talon International Select Partners L.P. hedge fund and the Talon Statistical Arbitrage Partners L.P. Hedge Fund, Manager of Information Technology, and as a member of Talon’s Investment Committee. Mr. Richter began his career at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank in 1991; there he was a member of the Investment Committee that determined the model equity portfolio employed nationally.
Mr. Richter holds a Bachelor of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in finance from DePaul University, and a Master of Science in wealth management from DePaul University. He has also attended the American Bankers Association National Trust School and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Chicago, and the DuPage County Bar Association. David is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA).
As a dedicated and active member of the local community, David is a volunteer with the Lisle Police Department and the Village of Lisle’s Emergency Management Agency. He is a recipient of multiple President's Volunteer Service Awards for his work with the Lisle Police Department. He is also actively involved with the Lisle Park District as a supporter of special projects and a former Board President. David is also an active contributor to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
Vida E. Cruz, JD
Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer
Vida Cruz joins Arboretum Wealth and Trust Management as Vice President and Business Development Officer focusing on guardianships and special needs trusts. During the past 25 years working as an attorney and trust officer, Vida has developed her expertise in guardianships and trust administration. She has worked in the public and non-profit sectors and corporate financial services.
Vida is especially skillful at working with the elderly, persons with disabilities, and their families. She began her career at the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office where she represented abused and neglected children and disabled adults. Vida spent 12 years with the Illinois Disability Pooled Trust, a special needs trust for disabled beneficiaries. She has extensive knowledge of public benefits and their relationship to special needs trusts.
Vida’s volunteer activities include site coordinator for the DuPage PADS homeless shelter program and the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network. She was a member of Aging Care Connections Adult Protective Services M-Team from 2017- February 2020. Vida earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and her J.D. from the Wisconsin Law School.