Our Founders
Richard E. Zemenick
Founder
Richard E. Zemenick co-founded Zemenick & Walker, Inc. in 1987 with James C. Walker after discovering an absence of firms that served affluent investors who wished to retain control of their financial future.
Before the firm’s founding, Richard was the managing partner of United Illinois Bancshares, a multi-bank holding company located in Southern Illinois. He also worked with Peat Marwick, now known as KPMG, where he was responsible for all aspects of its St. Louis bank audit practices.
After retirement, Richard was an important participant in our investment philosophy until his passing in March of 2020.
James C. Walker
Founder
James C. Walker co-founded Zemenick & Walker, Inc., in 1987 with longtime friend and business associate, Richard E. Zemenick, after finding a lack of investment advisory firms to serve wealthy investors who wished to maintain control of their investment decisions.
Prior to 1987, Jim was a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch and Mark Twain Bancshares, now US Bancorp. While at Mark Twain Bancshares, he established and managed the holding company’s fixed income division, managed the investment portfolios of the individual banks, and co-chaired both the Investment Committee and the Asset and Liability Committee.
Jim continues to serve the firm in an advisory capacity after his retirement in December of 2012.