Michael G. Hull, CIMA®
Director - Investments
Institutional Consulting Director

Michael Hull is a Director of The Madison Group of Graystone Consulting. Since Michael joined the firm in 1995, he has worked extensively in the institutional marketplace providing assistance in the areas of investment policy, portfolio design, investment search & selection, and performance monitoring.

In his career he has advised one of the most prestigious United States law firms on issues of fiduciary liability, and is an active lecturer on the topic. In 2005 he addressed the 'Fraternal Congress of America' on the need for liability based investment management and the uses of alternative investments in insurance portfolios.

Domestically Michael was recognized by Registered Rep Magazine as one of the top 10 Outstanding Consultants in the United States* (May, 2004). Internationally he has spoken at the 6th annual Scandinavian Institutional Investor's Conference in Stockholm (June 2006). Most recently, Michael Hull was named one of America’s Top 1,000 Advisors by Barron’s magazine (February 2009), as well as ranked the top advisor in Wisconsin who consults to foundations.

He currently provides consulting services to public pensions, universities, fraternal organizations, hospitals and healthcare organizations, retirement plans, non-profit entities, and endowment funds. He also volunteers his professional experience to the Center for Non Profit Leadership, the Center for Financial Security, and the Center for Patient Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin as well as WIcare with the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Michael is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and has been designated a Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) by the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

*The award recognizes Financial Advisors who go above and beyond their everyday roles. Financial Advisors must fall within the top 25% in gross production at their firm, and have a minimum of three years in the industry as a producing rep, with a minimum of one year at their firm. They must have a clean compliance record, be civic minded, and help others professionally.

Susan Lubar
First Vice President - Investments
Senior Investment Management Specialist
Financial Advisor

Susan Lubar is First Vice President-Investments and Senior Investment Management Specialist / Financial Advisor with Graystone Consulting. She has 27 years experience with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Her experience in understanding the investment needs of both corporations and individuals and guiding investment direction, has resulted in giving financial advice to four generations of clients and their families.

Currently she serves on: UW Research Park Board, UW School of Human Ecology-Board of Visitors, University Ridge Oversight Committee and is a founding member of the Madison Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Board. She maintains an active membership in Cabinet 99 (UW Alumni Association), Mendota Gridiron Club, Bascom Hill Society, Langer Society, TEMPO-Madison, International Women’s Forum-Madison, President, and Vantage Point.

A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Susan earned her BA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has lived in Madison for over 40 years and along with her various professional Boards, is an active community volunteer.

Patrick F. Hull, AIF®
Vice President – Investments
Financial Advisor

Patrick Hull is a Financial Advisor with Graystone Consulting. Having joined the firm in 2004, he consults to the institutional marketplace and private individuals with sophisticated financial needs. Patrick provides assistance in the areas of managing fiduciary liability, client and employee education, and asset/liability management.

Patrick entered the financial services industry after a successful career in education where, in addition to being a published author, he served as a presenter for state and national education organizations. In 2003 he earned the prestigious National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification.

Patrick provides consulting services for Public Pensions and Retirement Plans, Post-Employment Benefit Trusts, and Arts and Education Endowments. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Chippewa Valley Symphony and is a member of the advisory board of the Greenhalgh Memorial Music Endowment.

Patrick holds Bachelor and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has been designated an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ (AIF®) professional designation by the Center for Fiduciary Studies. In addition, Patrick holds Series 7, 31, 63, 65 and insurance licenses.

Scott James
Second Vice President - Investments
Financial Advisor

Scott James is Second Vice President-Investments and Financial Planning Specialist with
Graystone Consulting. Scott James has built his practice focusing on the needs of successful families who require sophisticated wealth planning and portfolio development. He has 18 years of experience with retirement planning, asset allocation, lending, and generational wealth transfer as he advises a diverse range of clients including physicians and corporate executives. Scott volunteers as a youth baseball coach at West Madison Little League and volunteers to deliver “Meals on Wheels” to elderly residents of Madison.

Scott is a graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelors of Economics (1984). He holds a Series 7 General Securities License and Series 3 National Commodity Futures License, along with earning his Financial Planning Specialist Designation and his Life, Accident, Variable Annuity & Health Insurance Licenses.

Robert C. Lawton, AIF®
Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist
Relationship Manager

Bob is our leading resource for retirement and benefit plan. Prior to joining Graystone Consulting, Bob worked as a Senior Consultant/Managing Consultant for Ceridian Retirement Plan Services, as the manager of corporate employee benefit programs at Northwestern Mutual Life’s corporate headquarters and as the Chief Financial Officer of a not-for-profit health care company in the Milwaukee area.  Working as a Consultant with Hewitt Associates in the Chicago area, Bob consulted with large Fortune 100 clients.

Bob has been a frequent lecturer on emerging retirement plan trends, issues and legislation. He has over 25 years of retirement plan consulting and administration experience both from the client and provider side. Bob has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ (AIF®) professional designation, awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, which is associated with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Executive Education. He has also earned the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialistsm (CRPS®®) professional designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. Bob holds Series 7, 31 and 66 registrations.

Bob has an MBA in Economics and a BBA in Finance. He resides in the Milwaukee area with his wife and three children. Bob is active in the community and has worked as a volunteer or board member for Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, The Gathering, the Health Care Network, the Milwaukee Public Library, Parks Edge Preschool and the United Way.

Christopher Krause, AIF®
Financial Advisor

Christopher is dedicated to understanding the needs and lifestyle goals of each client. He simplifies complex capital markets data to help individuals to better understand the investment process. He provides fiduciary guidance, education, and investment allocation options for nonprofit organizations in the local community. Christopher’s experience providing guidance to banks, entrepreneurs, and specialized investors have positioned him as an established advisor for both institutions and private clients. Additionally, he leads employee education sessions for corporate retirement plans. Christopher volunteers his time to the Dane County Time Bank and Living Our Visions.

Prior to joining Graystone Consulting, Christopher held sales and operations positions for Deutsche Bank’s Central Region subsidiary, MortgageIT. Previous to this he was an Administrator with the Dane County Humane Society, coordinating volunteer activities and community events.

Christopher holds a BA in Communications from University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been designated an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ (AIF®) professional designation by the Center for Fiduciary Studies. In addition, Christopher holds the Series 7, 31, and 66 registrations and insurance licenses.

Natasha Augustine
Consulting Group Analyst

Natasha Augustine is an Institutional Consulting Group Analyst and the support for our institutional clients. She handles all issues regarding performance reporting, investment management searches and asset allocation analysis.

Before coming to the United States, Natasha taught English at the Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok, Russia. She has also had a successful career as a translator working both for CH2 M Hill and the World Wildlife Fund.

Lauren Kelly
Relationship Manager

Lauren is a Relationship Manager with our team, and joined us in 2004 from another national brokerage firm. She has over 9 years of experience serving institutional and private clients. In handling the needs of our clients, Lauren coordinates all administrative issues in order to facilitate account management. She holds the Series 7 and 31 registrations.

Lauren is responsible for monitoring existing asset allocation strategies, communication with investment managers as to liquidity requirements, and contribution and distribution processing including wire transfers. In addition, she manages the preparation of documents and audit materials for our institutional clients.

Ariana Neuner
Client Service Associate

Ariana Neuner is our Client Service Associate and the newest member of our team, joining as an intern in 2007 and continuing full-time upon graduating in May 2008. She assists with overall account maintenance, as well as coordinating events and marketing campaigns. Ariana holds the Series 7 and 66 registrations.

Ariana holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science with a concentration in Personal Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was Vice President of her sorority, a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, as well as a volunteer for Options in Community Living. Ariana previously worked with the Southwestern Publishing Company as an independent contractor where she was recognized with the First Year Top Dealer Award for her region and ranked the 11th highest producing student in the country. She also received the Mort Utley Award, the company’s highest accolade. Ariana was a selected participant for the Study Abroad Italy program and has visited 14 countries throughout Europe.