Rich Friesen

Rich Friesen is recognized in the financial industry as an experienced executive and champion of financial exchange development including new equities, futures and options products. He is the creator of an auction system that solves current liquidity problems for exchanges and internet auctions. He founded Friesen Consulting in 2001 in response to the needs of exchanges, brokerage firms and new product developers to create solutions that solve real world problems.

Rich Friesen started his consulting firm after founding and building ePIT Systems, a software company that produced exchange software solutions for financial institutions. As an innovator in electronic exchanges, he has received two significant patents on electronic trading interfaces. After the sale of ePIT's System to Hitachi, he continues to bring the same creativity to his clients.

Prior to ePIT Systems, Mr. Friesen founded, built and sold Trade Management, an options and equity trading firm and member of the Pacific Exchange where he also served as Exchange Director. As director, he served as chairman of the New Products Committee, created the Pacific Technology Index and chaired the Long-term Planning Committee.

In addition to leading new product development for regulated exchanges, Rich has traded grains on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade and futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Rich's introduction to the financial community was as a futures broker for Merrill Lynch.

Before entering the financial arena, Mr. Friesen built a multi-store retail operation, Glass by Friesen. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology.

Mr. Friesen, past President of Marin Toastmasters, is a popular speaker on topics of politics, behavioral finance, and business and personal development.