the declarations. podcast with Host Todd S. Rich

Declaration Partners
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Foundational Principles and Aspirational Insights from Thought Leaders in Investinghttps://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast

  1. Ray Ritchey, Senior Executive Vice President at Boston Properties and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    JAN 13

    Ray Ritchey, Senior Executive Vice President at Boston Properties and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Ray Ritchey, Senior Executive Vice President at Boston Properties, for a wide-ranging conversation reflecting on career, leadership, and gratitude. Ray shares the principles that have guided his professional life, from his early years shaped by family and the Naval Academy to decades building and stewarding long term relationships in real estate. The conversation explores how discipline, patience, and values carried from military service translated into business success, as well as the importance of mentorship and reputation over time. Ray also reflects on legacy, philanthropy, and why staying engaged and purposeful matters at every stage of life. They discuss:  • Ray’s declaration of gratitude and how it shaped his personal and professional decisions  • Lessons from the Naval Academy and how military discipline influenced leadership in business  • The difference between brokerage and ownership and why long term partnerships matter  • Building a career by playing the long game and consistently investing in personal reputation  • Giving back through mentorship and philanthropy, including the impact of the SED Center Links: Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/ Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Boston Properties - https://www.bxp.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:56) - Ray's early life and influences (00:05:40) - Journey to the Naval Academy (00:10:16) - Transition to real estate (00:32:49) - Tenant preferences and new developments (00:35:18) - Challenges and strategies in real estate investment (00:45:16) - Washington DC real estate market (00:51:06) - Personal insights and career advice (00:54:00) - Philanthropy and community impact (00:58:40) - Looking ahead: legacy and future goals (01:00:41) - Closing thoughts and reflections

    1h 7m
  2. Bill Woodson, Co-Head & Managing Director of Cynosure Wealth Advisors and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    12/16/2025

    Bill Woodson, Co-Head & Managing Director of Cynosure Wealth Advisors and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    Todd Rich sits down with Bill Woodson, Co-Head & Managing Director of Cynosure Wealth Advisors for a thoughtful conversation on the purpose behind wealth, the evolution of family offices, and the personal experiences that shaped Bill’s worldview. Bill reflects on a childhood shaped by constant relocation, the discipline he built working through college, and an early career that moved unexpectedly from investment management to public accounting and eventually into the family office ecosystem. Throughout the discussion, he offers insight into the complexities wealthy families face, why coordination and governance can be as important as investment considerations for many families, and how trust and communication form the core of constructive advisory relationships. He also shares the motivation behind his book on family offices and the educational initiatives he is helping build to professionalize the field. They discuss:  • How early life experiences and working through college shaped Bill’s discipline and confidence  • Lessons from public accounting that informed his transition into family office leadership  • The core challenges wealthy families face and why coordination across advisors is often missing  • The interpersonal and governance dynamics that define successful family office environments  • Bill’s purpose-driven work developing educational programs and contributing to broader societal impact through family offices Links: Podcast Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast/ Host Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/ The Family Office by William I. Woodson & Edward V. Marshall: https://a.co/d/bf9HBEV Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson: https://a.co/d/6YUR0uv 00:00 – Introduction 03:00 – Early Life, UC Irvine, and Entering the Investment World 09:15 – Lessons from Public Accounting and Working with Founders 12:30 – Silicon Valley and Building a Multifamily Office 15:00 – Entering Private Banking at Merrill Lynch 18:45 – Trust, Delegation, and Personality Dynamics 20:30 – The Societal Good of Family Offices 23:00 – Writing The Family Office 27:30 – Best Practices and Governance Across Generations 29:30 – The EQ Requirements of Family Office Leaders 33:00 – Choosing Between MFOs, SFOs, and RIAs 34:20 – Behavioral Patterns Among New Wealth vs. Multigenerational Wealth 36:00 – Joining Cynosure Wealth Advisors 41:30 – Investment Philosophy and Alternatives 45:00 – The Great Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy Trends 47:30 – Building Academic Programs at Stanford and Chicago Booth 49:30 – The Origin and Impact of First Graduate 52:30 – Closing Questions

    1h 1m
  3. Jimmy Weil, Managing Member of Weil Family, LLC and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    11/18/2025

    Jimmy Weil, Managing Member of Weil Family, LLC and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    Jimmy Weil joins Host Todd S. Rich on declarations. for a wide-ranging conversation about his upbringing in the Bronx, the lessons he learned on the streets and basketball courts, and the decades he spent building, scaling, and ultimately selling a national paint and coatings company. Jimmy reflects on inheriting a struggling family business, transforming it through niche products and strategic acquisitions, and navigating both near-failure moments and breakout wins. He also shares why he continued building and investing after selling to Benjamin Moore, how he evaluates entrepreneurs today, and why relationships, humor, and resilience have shaped every chapter of his life. They discuss:  • Growing up with limited resources, early independence, and learning to read people  • Building Insl-x by focusing on specialty coatings and smart acquisitions  • The challenges and breakthroughs of scaling into a national manufacturer  • Selling the business to Benjamin Moore and deciding not to stay on  • Active ownership in gas stations, convenience stores, insurance, and cyber businesses  • How street smarts, teamwork, and persistence have guided his decisions  • The role of humor, philanthropy, and family throughout his career Links: Podcast Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast/ Host Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/ David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell: https://a.co/d/e3naSyi Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:57) - Jimmy's early life and family background (00:05:24) - Lessons from the streets and basketball (00:09:12) - From law school to paint business (00:12:19) - Scaling challenges and innovations (00:25:38) - Reflecting on the decision to leave Berkshire Hathaway (00:27:10) - Venturing into gas stations and convenience stores (00:30:40) - Investing in insurance and other diverse businesses (00:33:40) - Lessons from the streets of the Bronx (00:41:42) - The importance of humor and relationships in business (00:43:39) - Philanthropy and giving back (00:45:49) - Balancing work, family, and mentorship (00:47:07) - Closing thoughts and advice for entrepreneurs (00:50:45) - Podcast disclaimer and legal information

    53 min
  4. Michael Spies, Founder of Fuse Strategies, and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    10/15/2025

    Michael Spies, Founder of Fuse Strategies, and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    In this episode of declarations., Host Todd Rich sits down with Michael Spies, Founder of Fuse Strategies, to explore a lifetime of insight at the intersection of global real estate, urban development, and innovation. Michael reflects on his early experiences growing up as the child of immigrants, his time in public service in New York City, and his 30-year career at Tishman Speyer leading global expansion and innovation. The conversation traces his journey from city planning to venture investing, offering lessons on leadership, human capital, and the evolving relationship between the built environment and technology. We discuss:  • Lessons from Berlin and the challenges of real estate cycles  • How good development aligns private value with the public good  • The evolution of the office sector and rise of short-term, mixed-use spaces  • The growing role of AI and data in construction and asset management  • Why human capital, curiosity, and creativity remain the ultimate differentiators Links: Michael on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-spies-482810149/ Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/   Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:59) - Introducing Michael Spies (00:03:08) - Michael's declaration (00:04:35) - Early life and influences (00:16:38) - Lessons from Berlin (00:18:00) - Leadership principles (00:23:09) - Mixed-use development (00:26:58) - Innovations in office space (00:29:02) - The shift to short-term leases (00:30:15) - Innovative amenities in office spaces (00:31:40) - Challenges and changes in the office sector (00:33:52) - Transition to venture technology and innovation (00:35:55) - Mentoring entrepreneurs and evaluating talent (00:39:40) - Impact of AI on real estate (00:42:17) - Innovative construction and development (00:45:26) - Integrating art in development projects (00:50:45) - Personal reflections and advice (00:52:05) - Closing thoughts and acknowledgements

    58 min
  5. Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Riverwood Capital and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    09/11/2025

    Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Riverwood Capital and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    In this episode of declarations., Todd Rich is joined by Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, co-founder and managing partner of Riverwood Capital.  Francisco shares how his upbringing in Argentina shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, how he defines success as the constant pursuit of building, learning, and creating opportunity for others and how he and his partners built a global growth equity platform focused on scaling technology businesses. Their discussion also covers lessons from cycles in the private equity and tech markets, the importance of combining vision with execution, and the role of education and philanthropy in creating lasting impact.   They discuss: Francisco’s declaration to make a positive impact on othersLessons from growing up in Argentina and early exposure to tech startupsFounding Riverwood Capital and building a differentiated growth equity modelPartnering with management teams to scale businesses sustainablyInsights on global markets, including opportunities and challenges in Latin America  Links: Francisco on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscoalvarezdemalde/ Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/ Riverwood Capital - https://www.riverwoodcapital.com/ Amp It Up by Frank Slootman - https://a.co/d/8jpo3h6   Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro  (00:03:11) - Francisco's declaration and values  (00:04:35) - Early life and education in Argentina  (00:07:43) - Career beginnings and move to the US  (00:12:55) - Founding Riverwood Capital  (00:17:26) - Investment philosophy and market dynamics  (00:29:41) - Growth and scalability in tech investments  (00:32:23) - Building a global company  (00:33:08) - The importance of exits in private equity  (00:33:46) - Investing, building, and monetizing  (00:34:31) - Partnering with management teams  (00:37:00) - Balancing ambition and execution  (00:40:09) - Global tech opportunities  (00:43:12) - Navigating emerging markets  (00:45:38) - Argentina's economic outlook  (00:51:34) - Personal insights and philanthropy  (00:56:40) - Closing thoughts and reflections

    1h 2m
  6. Jack Dwyer, CEO of Capital Funding Bancorp, Inc. and CFG Bank and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    08/13/2025

    Jack Dwyer, CEO of Capital Funding Bancorp, Inc. and CFG Bank and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Jack Dwyer, CEO of Capital Funding Bancorp, Inc. and CFG Bank, to explore his journey from accountant to founder of Capital Funding Group and owner of CFG Bank. Jack shares how his early years in New Jersey, family values, and a passion for entrepreneurship shaped his approach to business and leadership. The conversation covers the evolution of his one-stop shop model for healthcare financing, his strategic expansion into banking, and how he navigated challenges like the financial crisis and COVID-19. Jack also discusses his commitment to Baltimore’s community and his innovative philanthropic efforts through the Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, aimed at solving systemic poverty and creating healthcare jobs. They discuss: How Jack transitioned from accounting into healthcare lending and entrepreneurshipThe creation and growth of Capital Funding Group and its integrated financing modelStrategic decisions behind acquiring and scaling CFG BankNavigating healthcare and real estate finance through economic downturns and the pandemicPhilanthropic initiatives focused on workforce development and community revitalizationThis episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders looking to build impactful businesses while giving back. Links: Declaration Partners: https://www.declarationpartners.com/ Todd Rich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/ Capital Funding Group: https://www.capfundinc.com/ Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://a.co/d/3MYh3pq Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro  (00:03:44) - Jack's early life and career beginnings  (00:09:11) - The birth of Capital Funding Group  (00:10:34) - Navigating the real estate recession  (00:14:05) - Understanding HUD-insured mortgages  (00:18:38) - Building a one-stop shop for healthcare financing  (00:23:07) - Acquiring CFG Bank during the financial crisis  (00:28:46) - Founding principles and family values  (00:30:38) - Navigating the healthcare sector during COVID-19  (00:34:06) - Innovative financial strategies during the pandemic  (00:36:51) - Current landscape and future goals  (00:42:06) - Advice for entrepreneurs  (00:45:16) - Community and philanthropy efforts  (00:47:45) - Workforce development and personal fulfillment  (00:53:12) - Closing thoughts and reflections

    59 min
  7. Fred Klein, Senior Counsel at DLA Piper and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    07/17/2025

    Fred Klein, Senior Counsel at DLA Piper and Host Todd S. Rich, Co-Founder & Partner of Declaration Partners

    In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Fred Klein for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about law, legacy, and leadership. Fred reflects on a distinguished legal career shaped by meaningful mentorship, rigorous standards, and his enduring commitment to human connection. From his early influences at Mercersburg Academy to his pivotal role in Washington D.C.'s real estate legal landscape, Fred shares stories that illuminate how relationships, empathy, and trust have defined his approach to law and life. The episode also explores Fred’s reflections on artificial intelligence, his passion for teaching, and the values that guide his ongoing work in philanthropy and education. They discuss: Why Fred’s guiding principle is to make all human interactions meaningfulHis formative experiences at Mercersburg Academy and how they shaped his identityThe unlikely moment that launched his real estate law careerHow he builds enduring client relationships across private equity, family offices, and public companiesWhy AI and data transparency are opportunities—not threats—to the legal industryHis belief that reputation, handwritten notes, and generosity still matter in a tech-driven worldHow he’s approaching his “non-retirement” through teaching, board work, and community serviceA thoughtful listen for anyone interested in leadership, mentorship, and the human side of high-stakes law and investing. Links: Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast Be a Work in Progress: And Other Things I'd Like to Tell My Younger Self by John Cena: https://a.co/d/hgvUqkd From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks: https://a.co/d/dDKWZAF The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor: https://a.co/d/5RK6q61  (00:00:00) - Intro  (00:02:26) - Fred's declaration: Making human interactions meaningful  (00:05:49) - Fred's early life and education  (00:08:51) - Journey into law and real estate  (00:17:49) - Partnerships and career growth  (00:21:12) - Diverse clientele and tailored advice  (00:23:31) - Investor expectations and risk management  (00:25:38) - Adapting to real estate market changes  (00:26:14) - The role of artificial intelligence in real estate  (00:29:31) - The importance of relationships in business  (00:32:32) - Expressing gratitude and personal growth  (00:37:22) - Philanthropy and future plans  (00:41:40) - Books and advice for personal development  (00:45:09) - Closing remarks and disclaimers

    48 min
  8. Daniel Mueller & Les Baquiran - Co-Founders of Alpine Capital Advisors

    06/11/2025

    Daniel Mueller & Les Baquiran - Co-Founders of Alpine Capital Advisors

    In this episode of Declarations, host Todd Rich sits down with Dan Mueller and Les Baquiran, co-founders of Alpine Capital Advisors, to explore their unique paths from immigrant family upbringings to building a global placement and advisory firm. Dan and Les share how personal values like humility, resourcefulness, and long-term thinking have shaped Alpine’s cross-border business model. The conversation dives deep into the nuances of fundraising across geographies, the shifting behaviors of institutional and family office investors, and how Alpine distinguishes itself by building ecosystems of trust, intelligence, and connectivity—not just transactions. From the early days in Chile and New York to current insights on global capital flows, Dan and Les provide a thoughtful look at investing in today’s complex landscape. They discuss: How their immigrant roots and early career experiences influenced Alpine’s scrappy, globally-minded DNAWhy Latin American investors are increasingly allocating capital to developed markets, especially in the U.S.The shift from transactional capital raising to long-term ecosystem building through dynamic intelligence and trusted networksWhat’s changing for allocators globally—including signs of renewed interest in Asia, Europe, and non-traditional strategiesAdvice for managers on navigating long fundraising cycles and earning trust in a crowded, competitive marketThis is an insightful episode for anyone navigating the evolving intersection of global capital, private markets, and long-term relationship building. Links: Alpine Capital Advisors - https://alpineca.com/ Dan Mueller on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damueller1/ Les Baquiran on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/les-baquiran-0442373/ Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/ Shoe Dog by Phil Knight - https://a.co/d/3Qhxrq5 Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - https://a.co/d/6ME3K4J Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:04) - Foundations and mission of Alpine Capital Advisors (00:03:16) - Personal declarations and backgrounds (00:03:45) - Immigrant experiences and early influences (00:07:23) - Career beginnings and financial crises (00:09:34) - Journey into investment and finance (00:15:55) - Founding Alpine Capital Advisors (00:17:37) - Navigating Latin American markets (00:20:03) - Building trust and unique ecosystems (00:26:41) - Challenges and strategies in fundraising (00:29:43) - Navigating the new investment landscape (00:30:45) - Global evolution of investment trends (00:32:56) - Shifting investor sentiments in Asia and Europe (00:34:54) - Family offices vs. institutional investors (00:37:14) - Current investment strategies and market shifts (00:46:49) - Challenges and advice for new managers (00:50:44) - Extracurricular activities and personal insights (00:53:48) - Closing thoughts and reflections

    1 hr
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Foundational Principles and Aspirational Insights from Thought Leaders in Investinghttps://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast

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