Our Team
Experience Matters!
Our passion is transforming small to mid-size organizations and positioning them for growth. Meet the leadership team, each with decades of experience, directly responsible for empowering organizations to envision new possibilities, achieve objectives faster, and operate efficiently by aligning processes and technology with goals.
Rich Berry Founding Partner
In 2014, Rich co-founded 425 Consulting Group to bring large enterprise experience in business processes, systems, and business intelligence to small and medium-sized organizations. He is a multidimensional professional with extensive experience in accounting, financial management reporting, and corporate accounting systems. Coupling his ability to understand a broad view of the corporate landscape with a deep focus on specifics allows him to translate complex concepts into clear and actionable insights to transform the organizations his team works with.
Before starting 425 Consulting, he leveraged the accounting experience he gained from the CPA firm Moss Adams to become the Group Finance Manager at Microsoft. With a team of 25+ employees and vendors, he provided solution delivery for finance applications including Microsoft’s implementation of SAP, management reporting and business intelligence, corporate accounting operations, and user support for the global finance organization. He is proud to know that the systems, processes, and reporting work he originally designed, developed, managed, and maintained continue to be the framework of Microsoft’s operations today.
He earned his accounting degree at the University of Washington.
Outside of work, Rich enjoys spending time with his wife Amy, twins Richie and Jilian, their two dogs, and a sun conure. You can find him relaxing on the golf course or at a local craft brewery with friends. On rainy days, he unwinds with a movie or historical fiction book.
Chris Brooks Founding Partner
In 2014, Chris co-founded 425 Consulting Group to deliver large enterprise solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, enabling them to optimize their data and processes effectively. With a wealth of experience spanning management, business intelligence, business process improvement, analytics, and financial analysis, Chris leads the team in transforming organizations by crafting tailored solutions that align processes and technology with their vision for success.
Throughout the past twenty years, Chris has accrued extensive experience across diverse industries such as manufacturing, travel, and high-tech, where he has played key roles in establishing FP&A teams, refining accounting processes, and implementing various financial reporting solutions. He has navigated environments ranging from start-up ventures to Fortune 500 giants like Boeing, Microsoft, and Expedia.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Western Washington University and earned an MBA from Seattle University.
He is motivated by his team of passionate professionals who help clients unlock the full potential of their data and financial systems.
Kate Hermansen, MBA
Director of Business Consulting
Since 2021, Kate has led an experienced team of consultants as the Director of Business Consulting. In this role, she empowers organizations to envision new possibilities, achieve goals faster, and operate with greater efficiency.
With over 24 years of leadership in finance teams, 18 of those at Microsoft, Kate offers extensive experience in managing finances for large enterprises. Her expertise spans complete financial oversight of internal business units, conducting process analysis, performing gap assessments, and driving improvements. Kate possesses a sharp ability to pinpoint weak or inefficient systems and processes and is skilled at implementing corrective actions to pave the way for future growth and success across diverse organizations.
Kate's business savvy extends beyond her degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Washington; she also holds an MBA from Seattle University. This blend of academic achievement and practical experience makes Kate a formidable ally for organizations seeking growth.
Outside of work, Kate is a dedicated mother, married with two teenage sons. You can often find her on the bleachers across Western Washington, enthusiastically cheering for her son's high school basketball and baseball teams during her leisure time.
Loren Bahnick
Director of Business Applications
In his role as Director of Business Applications, Loren and his team specialize in positioning organizations up for growth by implementing Microsoft centralized platforms like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM). As a Microsoft Dynamics consultant, Loren focuses on improving collaboration, decision-making, and overall business performance through custom solutions that enable multiple departments within an organization to seamlessly record, access, and share accounting and other crucial data in real time.
Before joining 425 Consulting Group in 2019, he accrued valuable experience at prominent organizations including ADP, Sage Software, and Kronos, where he excelled in software design, development, and implementation services. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in the successful launch of a new services business unit, which he now leverages to contribute to the growth of 425 Consulting.
Loren holds a degree in accounting from the University of West Florida. His unique blend of enterprise-level expertise and dedication to small and mid-sized organizations enables him to serve as a trusted partner, making the impossible possible by tailoring processes and technology to fit their specific needs.
Bryan Ruttkay
Director of Business Intelligence
Bryan Ruttkay is the Director of Business Intelligence at 425 Consulting, where he leads a team focused on providing tailor-made business analytics and reporting solutions to clients nationwide. Since he started in 2016, Bryan has been all about crafting custom reports and data structures that make analyzing information a breeze.
Before joining 425 Consulting, Bryan gained extensive experience in corporate finance, specializing in Financial Planning and Analysis roles at several Fortune 500 companies including T-Mobile, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nordstrom. With his years of experience in the industry, Bryan has developed a thorough grasp of financial data modeling and reporting techniques. This expertise uniquely equips him to add significant value to every project he takes on. Beyond his degree in Economics from Willamette University, he's always looking for new things to learn and ways to grow.
When he's not diving into data, Bryan is a busy family man with his wife and two boys, who are all about sports. And if the weather's nice, you'll probably find him out on the golf course, trying to improve his game. With his drive for excellence and passion for staying ahead of the curve, Bryan Ruttkay is a standout leader in the world of business intelligence consulting.
Jordan Nissley
Functional Consultant
Jordan is a Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Functional Consultant with 425 Consulting Group. With extensive experience with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (formerly NAV), he specializes in functional design, data migration, AL development, and end-user training. He assists clients in converting from Microsoft NAV or implementing and optimizing Microsoft Dynamics Business Central solutions. His Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) proficiency allows him to impact all project stages and drive organizational success.
Jordan's career began at Velosio, where he built his foundations in Microsoft Dynamics and ERP planning, implementation, and development. He focused on configuring and customizing the software to meet the user's needs and training them on the software's technical and accounting areas.
After graduating from Penn State University, he earned certifications as a Business Central Developer Associate and Functional Consultant Associate. He attributes his success to continual learning, strong communication and organizational skills, and his ability to work independently and with teams.
He is active with the Harrisburg Young Professional Organization participating in their sports leagues and their efforts to beautify Harrisburg with city cleanups. He loves outdoor adventure and you can always find him kayaking, hiking, enjoying Philadelphia sports, and spending time with family.
Spencer Kriz
Functional Consultant
Spencer Kriz is a Functional Consultant at 425 Consulting where he leverages his Microsoft certification and course management expertise to design, implement, and support Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central solutions. Additionally, he is responsible for developing training videos that support our client’s ongoing success.
Before joining 425 Consulting, he served in the US Navy as a Machinist Mate for 9 years. His responsibilities established a strong background in mechanical engineering, technical troubleshooting, project management, training, and teamwork. He attributes his strategic thinking and ability to solve complex issues directly to his roles overseeing sailors, quality control, and inventory management. Additionally, he acted as a course supervisor where he developed a passion for teaching others and developing training materials, which he is now applying at 425 Consulting Group.
Outside of work, he and his wife volunteer with the Chasing Sunshine Dog Rescue where they foster and advocate for adopting rescue dogs. His father inspired him to be a man of action and actively seek answers whenever faced with a challenge. His guidance imparted a valuable lesson: it's okay not to have all the answers. The key lies in knowing where to find and actively pursue them.