Biographies

Craig is our CEO and has over 40 years of experience in working with people to discover their unique goals and help them find the strategies and products to achieve them.

In those years he has devoted much of this time to his industry, his clients and community in efforts to grow awareness of resources available to business and families. He introduced the concept of family owned business as a special need group to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, School of Business. Craig is a “Fellow” of the Wisconsin Family Business Forum and has been a speaker and lecturer at education groups and associations throughout the Midwest.

Craig has been a President of his local school board, scoutmaster, and has been a Lifetime member of the MDRT ( Million Dollar Round Table ) as well as Foundation Knight for his contributions. He has also been a  MDRT “Top of the Table” qualifier in 2006 and has served in various chairs of state and local associations of financial professionals.

He is registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority as a Series 7 ( general securities representative ) and series 63 ( NASA uniform state law exam USASLE ).

Craig is married to his wife Cathy of 45 years. They have two children and two grand-children. Craig is an outdoorsman. He and Cathy enjoy travelling extensively with family and friends.

Education And Professional Background

• Insurance and Marketing Studies
  Northwest Missouri State College
• Life Underwriter Training Council "Fellow"  (LUTCF) designation
• Completed the Family Business Specialist Courses at 
  American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (February 7, 1997)

Debbie is the President of Retained Earnings Company and has been an insurance and investment professional since 1992.  She has focused her practice primarily on seeing to the insurance and financial needs of successful business owners, their families, and employees.  She creates frequent seminars on these topics and provides guidance to companies and individuals searching for the best strategies and financial products to fit their business succession, estate planning, and benefit needs. Debbie is a founding sponsor of the Wisconsin Family Business Forum through the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Debbie served as a board member of the Fox River Valley Association of Life Underwriters.

Debbie is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse and has a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority  (FINRA)www.finra.org Series 6 (Investment Company/Variable Contracts Representative) and Series 63 (NASAA Uniform State Law Exam, USASLE) registration.  Debra Hackel-Gostas has been a MDRT Top of the Table qualifier in 2006. She and her husband Gary have two children and live in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Janel is the Office Manager for Retained Earnings Company, primarily dedicating her time to assisting the clients of Craig Smith and Debra Hackel-Gostas. She delivers prompt client services while maintaining a positive and professional attitude. Janel is detail-oriented and provides the strong link between valued clients and their financial advisors.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Economics. Janel joined REC in January 2020 and brought over ten years of valuable experience in the commercial insurance industry where she served as a Commercial Underwriter. Her knowledge and recent experience volunteering with non-profit organizations give Janel the confidence to help REC clients with their ever-changing needs.

Janel lives in Appleton with her husband, Mike, and their two sons. The family enjoys spending time with family and friends. They also enjoy boating and golfing as well as competing with each other on board and card game