Tom has a wealth of knowledge at his fingertips, with over 30 years of experience in human resource consulting, non-qualified benefit design and tax consulting. Before joining SilverStone Group in 1991, Tom worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers in both individual and corporate taxation, and he also served as an attorney for Farm Credit Banks. He and his team offer a depth of service that is unmatched by other firms — their creativity and technical capabilities enable them to design, implement and administer innovative plans for the benefit needs of their clients’ key executives.

Tom has authored numerous articles on nonqualified plans. In addition, he has shared his expertise in that area by speaking at continuing education sessions with M Financial Group, the University of Nebraska College of Law and School of Accounting, Nebraska State Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Nebraska Continuing Legal Education, Inc. and Financial Executives Institute.

Tom is the past Chairman of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and is currently a director on their foundation Board. He is also on the Executive Committee for the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) and has served on the Member Firm Relations Committee for the M Financial Group. Additional affiliations include the Nebraska and Omaha Bar Associations and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where he served on the Employee Benefits Technical Resource Panel. Tom is a family man who enjoys spending his free time with his wife and children.

Contact Information
e-mail: tvonriesen@ssgi.com |  phone: 402.964.5441  |  fax: 402.963.4084

Professional Certifications

• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Education
Juris Doctorate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln  |  Lincoln, NE

Bachelor of Arts  |  Political Science & Economics
Hastings College  |  Hastings, NE

^{Registered Representative offering Securities and Investment Advisory Services through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. SilverStone Group is independently owned and operated.}

Paula’s one tough lady, from her Harley bike to her exercise routine, she knows how to push herself! She literally carries this work ethic and drive to succeed with her into the office. This upbeat, positive attitude rubs off on other Associates around her, creating a positive vibe in our Human Capital division.

Paula has more than 25 years of experience in human resource professional and leadership positions. She assists clients with total reward strategies, competitive market analysis, human resource compliance (including Affirmative Action plans), policies and procedures, leave management and other related human resource activities. Her diverse background results from work in various industries, including financial services, oil and gas, consumer products and technology.

Paula has a strong practitioner point-of-view regarding day-to-day human resource operations and strategic planning processes. She has extensive experience in full-life-cycle project management methodology, global human resource and payroll systems conversions, merger and acquisition human resource integration and the development and implementation of compensation programs.

As a principal, Paula has honed her skills by conducting job evaluations, writing job descriptions, identifying market pay for positions, developing pay structures and incentive plans and assisting clients to meet compliance with Affirmative Action regulations. Through the HR Assist® program, Paula provides professional advice and support that allows smaller organizations to staff their human resource functions at an administrative level.

Paula is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as a member of its local chapter, the Human Resource Association of the Midlands. She is also involved in World at Work, a non-profit organization focused on global human resource issues. Its affiliate organization, WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals, is the certifying body for the prestigious Certified compensation Professional (CCP).

Contact Information
e-mail: ppeacher@ssgi.com |  phone: 402.964.5548  |  fax: 402.963.5555

Professional Certifications

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Education
Associate of Arts  |  Accounting
North Iowa Area Community College  |  Mason City, IA

As an avid skier, Merle is well acquainted with fresh powder and moguls. As a psychologist, he is well acquainted with ego bumps. As a Senior Consultant for SilverStone Group, Merle takes the same dedication he has for skiing and translates it into increasing the effectiveness of people in the workplace based on proven psychological and management approaches. With experience in the fields of psychology and management consulting, he focuses on executive assessment, leadership development and employee engagement.

Merle has developed his consulting skills by managing a wide range of projects over the last ten years. He handles individual assessment, 360° feedback and executive coaching. Merle facilitates team-building sessions and mediates conflict. At the organizational level, he manages employee engagement surveys, implements culture change initiatives and provides succession planning and selection services. Merle says it’s the variety of his work that he enjoys most. Every project provides a new challenge and the opportunity to work together with exceptionally bright people to solve a critical problem. He feels privileged to collaborate with clients who are excited about and value the services he loves providing.

Merle received a PhD in Consulting Psychology from Alliant International University, with research interests in global leadership, personnel selection validation and employee engagement. Merle is active in both his professional and local community. He is a graduate of Leadership Omaha. Merle is President of the Nebraska Wesleyan University Greater Omaha Club and he is President of his homeowners association. He is a member of the Society of Consulting Psychology, the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology, the Zeta Psi Omicron Elder Board and SilverStone Group’s Wellness Activity Group (WAG). Merle has served on the WAG committee for six years and is currently chairperson. WAG mentors associates in developing and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. His leadership role and his experience with our wellness plan are invaluable to his clients.

Dr. Riepe’s knowledge of human behavior and systems, his expertise in assessment and his experience in facilitating change enable him to provide innovative, practical and principled consulting services that are crafted to meet clients’ critical needs. Merle’s relentless commitment to a successful outcome is what separates him from the rest. Although Merle is dedicated to his work, he makes time to hit the slopes at one of his favorite ski resorts. If you see him at the lodge, he is likely to strike up a conversation with you, whether it’s about moguls or egos!

Contact Information
e-mail: mriepe@ssgi.com |  phone: 402.964.5515  |  fax: 402.963.4085

Professional Title

• Organizational Psychologist

Education
PhD of Philosophy  |  Consulting Psychology
Alliant International University |  San Diego, CA

Master of Science  |  Consulting Psychology
Alliant International University |  San Diego, CA

Bachelor of Science  |  Psychology
Nebraska Wesleyan University |  Lincoln, NE

Erika loves a good adventure. So much so that she and her grandmother recently visited Alaska. Whales! Ruggedly beautiful scenery! Unbelievable photo ops! But Erika has returned, working with her usual diligence as a Consultant in the Human Capital division.

Erika’s strong background in statistical data analysis and interpretation assists Erika as she prepares client projects, such as total rewards strategies, competitive market analysis, compensation structure development and administration, job analysis and documentation, performance management systems and organizational structure and design. 

By using her comprehensive knowledge of Industrial and Organizational Psychology and human behavior, she helps clients with a wide variety of human resource factors, including compensation and incentive plans, job analysis and documentation, personnel selection, performance management, survey measurement design, program evaluation, training and organizational development. 

Erika enjoys working with clients to help manage their needs and keep their businesses functioning at the highest possible level. She believes that if she can help one organization better its employee work environment, then she has accomplished her mission.

Erika recently earned her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she enjoyed researching teams, creativity, workplace emotions and leadership in the organization.  She is an active member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the American Psychology Association, the Academy of Management, Human Resources of the Midlands and World at Work. 

Now that Erika has finished graduate school, she has free time to plan more travel adventures. We can hardly wait to hear where she’s going next!

Contact Information
e-mail: emorral@ssgi.com |  phone: 402.964.5612  |  fax: 402.963.4085

Professional Certifications

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Education
PhD of Philosophy  |  Industrial & Organizational Psychology
University of Nebraska-Omaha |  Omaha, NE

Master of Arts  |  Industrial & Organizational Psychology
University of Nebraska-Omaha |  Omaha, NE

Bachelor of Arts  |  Psychology
University of Nebraska-Omaha |  Omaha, NE