Meet Our Team
These are the people that make The Milwaukee Company great to work with.
Andrew Willms, JD., LL.M
Founder & CEO
Andrew has primary responsibility for the management of client investments, compliance, and oversees the management of client accounts. Mr. Willms has also been recognized by both Best Lawyers and SuperLawyers attorney ranking services as one of America’s top estate planning lawyers.
Being a lifelong ‘gear head,' most of my hobbies center around motorsports. I like to work on and drive my classic muscle cars and motorcycles, and attend vintage sports car races.
Michael Willms
Director of Trading and Chief Compliance Officer
Michael Willms is The Milwaukee Company’s Director of Trading and Chief Compliance Officer. Michael has 40 years of extensive experience in both capital
market operations and portfolio management. Michael met FINRA’s registration
requirements and has previously been designated as a general securities principal,
options principal, and financial and operational principal.
‘Ich Dein’ (which is German for “I serve” and taken from the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales and emblematic of the Welsh rugby union)
Shrey Patel
Chief Portfolio Manager
Shrey oversees the development of The Milwaukee Company’s investment strategies and the management of client portfolios. He earned his Master’s degree in Finance from IIT Stuart School of Business in Chicago and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering.
A quote I live by is “Luctor et emergo”, which is the motto of the Dutch province of Zeeland and means “struggle and emerge”.
James Picerno
Director of Analytics
James plays a lead role in the development of mathematical models used by The Milwaukee Company for strategy development and assessment, as well as risk management and stress testing of client portfolios. Mr. Picerno has been analyzing finance and macroeconomic topics since the early 1990s and is the author of three books.
A quote I live by is "All models are wrong, but some are useful."
Jake Willms
Quantitative Analyst
Jake earned bachelors of science degrees in both finance and economics from Barrett, the Honor College at Arizona State University, as well as a Masters in Finance from the W.P. Carey School of Business. He earned a second Masters, in Computational Finance, from the DePaul University. In his role as a Quantitative Analyst, Jake develops computer code used by the Milwaukee Company to develop and monitor our unique investment strategies
Outside of work, I am passionate about producing EDM music, video games,
and watching sports. Go Pack Go!
Laura Zakrajsheck
Operations Manager
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. - Mark Twain
Laura is available to assist The Milwaukee Company’s clients with administrative account-related matters. Ms. Zakrajsheck also assists in matters pertaining to compliance; ensuring our firm meets or exceeds all federal and state mandated regulations and best practices.
Emily Willms
Marketing Director
As our marketing coordinator, Emily is responsible for keeping the lines of communication open between our firm and our clients, friends and the public. When Emily is not working or taking care of her newborn daughter Cleo, she enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, including, running, hiking, camping and boating.
Quote I live by: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." ― Mae West
Who We Work With
The attorneys at Willms-O’Leary, S.C.’s work collaboratively with The Milwaukee Company to provide our mutual clients with a wide range of legal, tax and financial services, including tax returns, estate planning, trust management, business transition, and charitable giving.
Maureen O'Leary
Owner, Attorney at Law
Maureen practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, business succession planning, business transactions, real estate, accounting, and taxation. Maureen has significant experience with complex estate planning, business, trust, and estate issues, and she frequently represents business owners in corporate planning, sales and acquisitions, dispute resolution, succession planning and tax planning. Maureen also prepares estate, gift, and income tax returns, with a focus on fiduciary and business income tax returns. Read More.
Peter Smiley
Attorney at Law
Attorney Peter J. Smiley practices in the areas of tax planning and preparation, business law, estate planning, trust administration, real estate, accounting, and taxation. Peter prepares estate, gift, and income tax returns, with a focus on fiduciary and business income tax returns. Peter also assists businesses, trusts, and estates in the operation and administration of these entities. Read More.