With over 30 years of building our experience, RSI is a team of highly credentialed, experienced, veteran professionals, all working on behalf of each client. We are different from other organizations in that all clients are clients of the firm, no one team member has his or her own clients. We specialize in
Financial Independence, wealth accumulation strategies, wealth preservation strategies, and wealth transfer/legacy strategies. We do this by applying knowledge, skills, and wisdom to the important challenges and concerns faced by successful families and business owners. Keith and his team, including a network of allied professionals, work together to help clients and their families reach their most important goals.
Keith M. Lichtcsien
Keith M. Lichtcsien is President of RSI, will have achieved 40 years of professional experience in 2022. The company, which Keith founded in 1985, is a Licensed Investment Adviser. Keith grew up working in a third-generation, closely held family business (now in its fourth generation) and brings an insider’s insight to his work with successful individuals and families.
Keith has created
The power of strategic thinking™ to serve as the foundation of the client experience at RSI. This is a unique, systematic and independent approach designed to build trust and confidence with each and every client relationship. The key focus areas are financial independence, estate planning, retirement planning, business continuation and transition strategies, perpetuating family values, stewardship and assisting heirs in becoming closer together and more responsible. Keith also utilizes numerous techniques and financial modeling to develop strategies that reduce and possibly avoid various taxes, especially the estate tax.
After gaining experience as a Financial Analyst for the General Electric Company, Keith entered the profession in 1982, mastering advanced educational programs in estate planning and advanced business applications of life insurance. Over the years, Keith has earned the following.
Education:
- Bachelors of Science in Finance, Cum Laude, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Alpha Kappa Honor Societies
- The Ohio State University – Earned Outstanding Senior Scholar Award from his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu
Designations and Licenses:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) - earned in 1984 and became a charter member of the Registry of CFP® Licensed Practitioners
- Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) from The National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
- Series 6, 7, 22 and 63 Securities Licenses
- Life, Health, Disability Income and Variable Insurances Licenses
Keith is a current member of:
- Mensa
- The Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO)
- National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC)
- Estate Planning Council of Cleveland (EPC)
- Global Gift Fund
Keith is committed to remaining at the forefront of his profession through ongoing specialized education, regularly attending national educational conferences and completing professional courses of study. He has contributed to articles in Financial Services Times, Financial Services Week, Crain’s Cleveland Business, The Chagrin Valley Times, The Solon Times, Medical Economics and other publications and newsletters. He also speaks on the topics of estate and investment planning at various conferences and seminars.
Keith and his wife, Teresa, have two adult children: Sam is a CPA and a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a degree in Accounting, and Meredith is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Media and Advertising. Keith and Teresa live in Solon, Ohio.
FINRA's Broker Check
Kathy Somes
Kathy’s contributions to the Strategic Thinking Team come in the form of developing strategies to help our clients accomplish what is most important for them and their loved ones, including working directly with clients. With over 20 years of investment research and reporting experience, she brings significant expertise to the firm’s ability to help clients meet their goals and long term financial objectives.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Dean's List
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) awarded by the CFA Institute, Charlottesville, VA
Designations and Licenses
- Over 20 years of investment experience
- Series 6 licensed
- Life and Health licensed
- Northeast Ohio All-Star in basketball
Kathy lives in Beachwood.
FINRA's Broker Check
Debra F. White
Debra enjoys seeing and helping clients achieve their financial goals. As an active behind-the-scenes assistant to our Strategic Thinking Team, she handles many of the untold details, allowing clients to focus on their families and businesses.
With 10 years as a former business owner and over 15 years of professional experience, she knows the significance of each and every detail.
Debra lives in Berea and is very proud of her three adult children and eight grandchildren.
Karen Montgomery
Karen has been with RSI for over 21 years. Karen keeps the office running smoothly so everyone else can focus on clients’ strategic planning. She brings over 40 years of experience, including 10 as a business owner.
Karen has held many chairmanship positions on community and school boards over the years. She and her husband, John, have three grown children.