Richard C. Moldenhauer, CLU^®, ChFC^®, CEP, is a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Certified Estate Planner. Rich entered the financial industry as a management trainee in 1971, and in 1974, Moldenhauer & Associates was born as a financial planning firm when the industry was just evolving. The firm grew into one of the largest financial firms in upstate New York.

This growth included eight offices between Jamestown and Watertown, including Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. In 2000, Rich decided that his real love was working with clients on a more personal basis. As a result, Moldenhauer & Associates was reconstructed as a firm focusing on client service and satisfaction.

Rich is recognized and respected in the financial industry. He has spoken to audiences in more than 30 states and several countries on topics ranging from leadership and management to selective benefit plans and estate planning. He has taught continuing education for attorneys, accountants, and financial planners, and he has been a prolific writer on a variety of financial subjects. Also, he has had articles published in newspapers, magazines, and on the internet.

Rich is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, the American College, and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Buffalo. He is a member of the NAIFA, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Western New York Estate Analysts, and the Association of Registered Financial Planners. In 2015, he was inducted into the Ameritas Hall of Fame*.

After college, Rich attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam as a forward observer and a unit commander.

His avocations include fly-fishing, fitness training, public speaking, as well as writing. You can see some of his writings in our monthly newsletter, which is available online and, if desired, in hard copy without cost to clients and friends of the firm alike. Rich has fished in many of the best fly-fishing venues in the country, but he has a special fondness for the waterways of Western New York, where he learned to fish almost 40 years ago.

Since his recovery from transplant surgery, he and his favorite person and wife, Kathy, have become residents of South Carolina. Those who know him and Kathy the best, know that their devotion to each other has been enhanced by the challenges of the past several years. The doctors say that Rich’s recovery has been almost miraculous. While not wanting to overstate what has occurred in their lives, their family has grown stronger and closer in the process.

With two sons in Charleston and two in Western New York, along with eleven grandchildren, Rich and Kathy’s lives are extremely full.

While many of Rich’s peers are slowing down and retiring, he is finding new challenges and opportunities. He believes that Moldenhauer & Associates continues to grow into one of the most exceptional financial firms in the industry and is more enthusiastic about the future than ever.

*The Ameritas Hall of Fame recognizes Rich's contributions and leadership in the community, industry, and the Ameritas company.

As the President of Moldenhauer & Associates, my primary responsibilities include running the business, working with clients, navigating the strategic direction of the company, managing the day-to-day operations, and serving on our investment committee. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have built my career on the foundation that delivering value to clients is the most important part of this job. I believe there is no gray area in this industry; rules exist to protect clients and investors, and we have an obligation to follow those rules. I also firmly believe that businesses have a responsibility to support their local communities and their industries.

My father, Richard Moldenhauer, started this firm after serving in Vietnam, and I take the responsibility of running this business with integrity, ethics, and morals just as seriously as he has over his nearly 50-year career. He made me "come up" through the business the hard way, making sure that I truly earned my place. In 2010, I earned the right to become a part-owner of this firm, and in 2015, I became the president of Moldenhauer & Associates (sometimes I have to remind him of this). This journey taught me the value of hard work and the importance of maintaining the high standards he established.

My approach to business is guided by several core truisms that help define my purpose: Do the right thing. Deliver service far beyond expectations and industry standards. Provide valuable guidance and counsel based on experience and the best research in the financial planning industry. Build and develop a great team that cares greatly for the people we serve and then empower them to deliver great results. Make positive contributions to my community, industry, and society. Most importantly, BE THE PERSON MY KIDS DESERVE AS A ROLE MODEL. These principles drive every decision I make and every relationship I build.

Andrea and I married in 2011, and she understands how important the trust and confidence that clients put in Moldenhauer & Associates truly is. This business wouldn't be able to serve clients the way we do without her patience and understanding. I heard one time that kids make us better people and the world a better place, and I couldn't agree more. I am so grateful for the laughs, smiles, and love of Ben, Campbell, Ruby, and Landry. I strive every day to live my life in a way that my wife, kids, and parents can be proud of, knowing that the legacy I'm building extends far beyond business success to the values and character I demonstrate in all aspects of my life.

I am a 1983 graduate of Allegheny College and graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Law in 1986. I opened my own law practice in February 1990 and continued that practice until accepting the position of COO for Moldenhauer & Associates in June 2016. My law practice consisted primarily of bankruptcies and estate planning. My wife and I live on Grand Island.

_{Legal services provided by John H. Ring III Attorney at Law, are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth.}

I serve as a Financial Advisor at Moldenhauer & Associates, where, as a fiduciary asset manager, my job is to work closely with clients on a very personal level. This includes managing their investments, creating a road map for retirement, and accomplishing their goals, both short-term and long-term. I specialize in managing client portfolios, creating financial plans, distribution planning (including tax consequences), and estate planning. With over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have built my experience on understanding the complexities of financial planning and translating them into actionable strategies for my clients.

Prior to beginning my career, I graduated from Bond University in Australia with dual bachelor's degrees in business management and finance. This international educational experience provided me with a unique perspective on financial markets and business practices that I bring to my work today. I am a valued member of the investment committee, often bringing up different views for our client’s portfolios due to that experience.

I am motivated by really getting to know each client and helping someone who would otherwise be lost and might not be able to see their dreams materialize. Through hard work and dedication, it's exciting to help achieve their goals, whether that is retirement, a bucket-list item/trip, or making a generational difference for their family. I work with clients from retirement age down to those who are just getting started and want to be on the right path to an early retirement.

What I most enjoy about my job is helping clients make life-changing progress with their finances to reduce that stressor in their lives. I believe that the greatest value I can provide for our clients is taking a very complex situation and making attainable action items we work on together for their financial future. I enjoy educating my clients on their finances and explaining the "whys and hows" of their financial plans and portfolios. I am always available and easy to talk to, happy to help no matter what the question or situation is, because I understand that financial concerns don't operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. Clients appreciate the dedication and see how that reflects in their lives. Due to that, our business benefits greatly from referrals because my clients don’t want to see their friends, family, or co-workers suffer from bad service and get “left behind.” I’m always happy to meet and work with new clients.

I was in Hamburg, NY, before moving out to the country in the Southtowns. I currently live in the Boston Hills area with my wife, Charlotte, whom I've been with for over 13 years. She's put up with my ambitious goals of completely remodeling our first house, then moving on to buying land and building our dream home immediately after. We have two beautiful children, Jacob and Claire, who mean more to me than I can put into words. My family is the center of my life, and we enjoy the outdoors around our property, going fishing, swimming, riding ATVs, skiing, and having campfires. The kids love being active and outside, and I encourage that as much as possible at their age.

I joined Moldenhauer & Associates in 2015 and currently serve as a financial advisor as well as a member of the Investment Management Committee. I stand firm on the belief that the best product we can offer to our clients is knowledge and guidance to make educated life choices. This philosophy is the foundation of everything we do here, and I believe it is what separates us from our peers in the financial services industry.

Whether it involves cleaning up financial messes for new clients or assisting an existing client in an uncommon circumstance, I find any means necessary to reach the most optimal solution for their unique situation. Being able to assist and benefit each person who walks through our door is an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am grateful to be a part of this meaningful work. Every client interaction reinforces my commitment to providing exceptional service and guidance.

For my college education, I ventured to the other side of the state, obtaining a bachelor's degree in economics from SUNY Binghamton. This educational foundation provided me with the analytical skills and economic understanding that I apply daily in my role as a financial advisor.

I currently reside in Hamburg with my wife, Amber, and our German Shepherd, Zelda. I am active in sports all four seasons of the year, but my favorites include skiing and hiking in the nearby Adirondack mountains. My passion for the outdoors reached a significant milestone in 2018 when I became a member of the Adirondack 46ers, having successfully climbed all 46 of the highest peaks in the Adirondack Park.

I serve as a Financial Planner at Moldenhauer & Associates, where my primary responsibilities start by developing strong personal relationships with clients. I meet with clients anywhere between two to four times a year because it's important to have a strong connection with each of these individuals, as we're being entrusted with something very important. From a technical perspective, I network to meet new people who may be in need of creating comprehensive financial plans that include distribution planning, tax planning, investment management, estate planning, and life insurance. All these topics play a critical role in helping somebody with their financial future. With over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have obtained the Series 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses, as well as my life and health license.

The main services that I specialize in include investment strategy such as managing account investments to reach plan objectives, which also includes helping people with their 401Ks and other investments while they are working. I also focus on developing distribution strategies, determining where to take money from to create income in retirement in the most tax advantageous way, along with estate planning by discussing the importance of wills, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy. Before entering the financial services industry, I worked at a family construction business in Buffalo, NY called Stimm Associates as a laborer, and prior to that I worked as a logistics manager for Target Corporation.

Being motivated is an easy task for me because I enjoy the career that I have chosen. I believe what we do truly matters to all the people we help, and I enjoy working with the people at our firm. We are a close family and I believe that we truly bring a difference into our clients' lives. I enjoy meeting new people and believe that we can help anyone through whatever situation they're currently in. Most of our business is referral based, and it's a great feeling knowing that those people were sent to you because you have a client that truly believes that you made a profound difference and have set them up for success. What I most enjoy about my job is that I get to meet many different people from many different walks of life every day, and I get to have many personal relationships with clients as we move through life together. My goal is to provide a client experience that is not only thoughtful and strategic but also unmatched in its personal care.

I am from Angola, NY, about 30 minutes south of Buffalo, and I grew up in a duplex that I now own. My wife, Alexis O'Connell, is a current active duty member of the United States Air Force. We have three children: Hendrick, my oldest son who is nine years old; Isla, my daughter who is seven years old; and Watkin, my youngest who is currently three years old. My family has more impact on me than anything else in my life - they are one of my biggest motivators and the ones I get to go home to every night. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, which I spent a lot of time doing as a young kid with my grandfathers and has now transitioned into spending time with my father along with my children on the course. I also enjoy fishing - we have a pond on our property where we fish together as a family, and my parents live on Lime Lake in Machias where we spend a lot of time on the water with them. Our family loves to travel, which doesn't happen as much as we hope, but we're always interested in seeing new places.

I have been a Financial Planner at Moldenhauer & Associates since 2022, where my primary responsibilities include assisting clients with developing and reviewing their financial and retirement plans. I perform routine portfolio and financial planning reviews with clients to confirm that their strategies align with their unique personal goals. I'm directly involved in the investment selection process for our clients' investment portfolios, making investment recommendations as well as providing guidance on their income tax situations accordingly. With over 6 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the complexities clients face in their financial journeys.

Over the course of my career, I obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification in 2023, as well as the Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, and my NYS Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses. Prior to starting my career, I obtained a master's degree in finance (MSF) from the University of Rochester, which provided me with the strong educational foundation I rely on daily. These credentials and educational background enable me to navigate complex financial situations and provide clients with the experience they deserve when making important financial decisions.

I am motivated by having the opportunity to work with clients directly and truly help them develop sound financial and retirement plans. It's a very self-fulfilling career, and when I receive positive feedback from things I did for clients, it reinforces why I chose to work in the financial planning industry. Seeing clients happy about the progress we've made over time or helping someone achieve a financial milestone as simple as paying off a mortgage can be exciting for me too. What I most enjoy about my job is that every client situation is unique, so my career is constantly evolving. As I learn more over time, especially from very complex client situations, I can then apply what I've learned to future situations, improving overall efficiency.

A native of Webster, NY, I currently live in the Amherst area with my fiancée, and we're getting married in the summer of 2026. In my free time, as much as the sport infuriates me on a regular basis, I love to play golf. I also love football and am a huge Buffalo Bills fan. I like Formula One and basically catch every race. I grew up playing soccer and am working to get back into the sport through men's soccer leagues. Most of my free time is spent with friends and family, and I love taking trips to new places with exciting things to offer. As a history buff, I appreciate historical sites and try to find new ones to visit as often as possible.

I am the office manager and Richard Moldenhauer’s personal assistant. I have been a crucial member of the Moldenhauer & Associates team since 1980. I currently live in Orchard Park. I currently hold my New York Life and Health insurance license and I am a notary public.

I joined Moldenhauer & Associates in 2003 and I serve as our business and administrative professional. I am the friendly face greeting you when you visit our office. I currently reside in Hamburg with my husband.

I received an associate degree in the Lawyer’s Secretarial Assistant program at Bryant & Stratton in 1992. I have resided in the Western New York area for my entire life. I previously served as a legal assistant to John Ring from 1994 until June 2016 when we then joined Moldenhauer & Associates, and I am now an administrative assistant for the firm. I reside in Holland with my husband and enjoy spending time with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

I joined Moldenhauer & Associates in 2017, and I see my role as having two sets of clients: the advisors I work with and the clients of the firm. My goal is always to make the lives of those around me easier. I take pride in providing exceptional customer service and find great satisfaction in helping others.

I attended SUNY Fredonia, where I earned a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. Midway through, I added a second major in Economics. During my final year, I had the opportunity to visit the New York Stock Exchange, which was an unforgettable experience. It was also at Fredonia that I met my husband, Dan.

Dan and I live in Hamburg with our two daughters and a variety of pets. I enjoy staying active through spin classes, strength training, running, and walking our two dogs.

I hold my Series 7, 66, New York State Life, Accident & Health License, and I am a Notary Public.

I joined Moldenhauer & Associates as a paraplanner in April 2024. In this role, I support our advisors in executing and meeting the needs of our clients.

Before joining Moldenhauer, I attended the University at Albany, where I majored in economics and business administration with a concentration in finance. I was actively involved in the University at Albany Business Investment Group, where we focused on equity research and building financial models to manage and invest a portion of the school’s endowment

I live in the town of Tonawanda, and in my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, thrifting, and cooking for others.

I joined Moldenhauer & Associates in 2025. Growing up in WNY has taught me the value of community and the profound impact it has on people. Every person is unique, and relationships cultivate and grow in different ways. I graduated from St. John Fisher College with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Communications. I have also obtained the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

I believe that communication and a positive attitude to service are what make businesses successful. Building trust and displaying honesty in everyday actions goes a long way. I enjoy meeting new people and building fulfilling relationships. I try to stay active throughout the week, and you can catch me playing soccer, volleyball, and softball in my free time.  Friends and family are important to me, and I enjoy spending time with them on the weekend as well as taking occasional trips.