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Meet Our Staff
Rick Gehrke
President
Rick joined the TRICOM team in 1998 — right out of college after completing his Bachelor of Finance degree at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. After working as a payroll specialist for his first several years with TRICOM, and then becoming a payroll lead, Rick was promoted to Director of Cash Management in 2002. As Director of Cash Management, he oversaw all funds that came in and out of TRICOM. Rick was promoted to TRICOM President in 2026 and oversees all TRICOM operations. Rick’s business philosophy, that he’s followed from his first job having a paper route and throughout his career, is to focus on what you do best, and be the best at what you do. He feels this attitude is embraced at TRICOM as well. If you ask Rick to describe himself in three words, he’ll tell you that he’s funny, loyal and dedicated (and people that know Rick would agree!). Rick loves summer in Wisconsin and going to music festivals. He also enjoys traveling and spending as much time as possible with his goddaughters.
President
Rick joined the TRICOM team in 1998 — right out of college after completing his Bachelor of Finance degree at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. After working as a payroll specialist for his first several years with TRICOM, and then becoming a payroll lead, Rick was promoted to Director of Cash Management in 2002. As Director of Cash Management, he oversaw all funds that came in and out of TRICOM. Rick was promoted to TRICOM President in 2026 and oversees all TRICOM operations. Rick’s business philosophy, that he’s followed from his first job having a paper route and throughout his career, is to focus on what you do best, and be the best at what you do. He feels this attitude is embraced at TRICOM as well. If you ask Rick to describe himself in three words, he’ll tell you that he’s funny, loyal and dedicated (and people that know Rick would agree!). Rick loves summer in Wisconsin and going to music festivals. He also enjoys traveling and spending as much time as possible with his goddaughters.
Mary Jo Heim
SVP Chief Financial Officer
From her first job pricing flash cubes (remember those?) at the Treasure Island retail store her father managed, Mary Jo has an early professional history of working with numbers. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting degree at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and joined the TRICOM team in 1996. Mary Jo is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Payroll Professional. She is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As the Director of Accounting and CFO, Mary Jo likes being able to use her knowledge and experience to assist others and help them successfully grow their businesses. When she’s not hitting the ten-key at TRICOM, Mary Jo lends her talents to her church as Treasurer. Mary Jo also loves to spend time with her family doing everything from baseball, to biking, hiking, camping, exploring museums, and taking in factory tours. She and her family also volunteer each week at the Happy Endings no-kill cat shelter and have helped numerous animals find loving homes.
DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING/CFO
From her first job pricing flash cubes (remember those?) at the Treasure Island retail store her father managed, Mary Jo has an early professional history of working with numbers. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting degree at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and joined the TRICOM team in 1996. Mary Jo is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Payroll Professional. She is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As the Director of Accounting and CFO, Mary Jo likes being able to use her knowledge and experience to assist others and help them successfully grow their businesses. When she’s not hitting the ten-key at TRICOM, Mary Jo lends her talents to her church as Treasurer. Mary Jo also loves to spend time with her family doing everything from baseball, to biking, hiking, camping, exploring museums, and taking in factory tours. She and her family also volunteer each week at the Happy Endings no-kill cat shelter and have helped numerous animals find loving homes.
Amanda Jadro
SVP Chief Credit Officer
“It is my philosophy to be a resource that my Clients can depend on. I believe that continued growth and development and process improvements are vital to the success in the business environment,” says Amanda Jadro, Portfolio Management, Department Manager for TRICOM. Amanda puts this philosophy into action each month as she manages TRICOM’s Industry Insider webinar series, in which she brings different experts in to share their knowledge and insight on relevant and timely topics critical to staffing company owners. Amanda has an Associate Degree in Management Development from Milwaukee Area Technical College, as well as certificates in Project Management and Human Resources. When Amanda isn’t consulting with TRICOM clients on their portfolio, she enjoys spending time with her family, including traveling, vacationing, going to the lake, and boating.
DIRECTOR OF PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
“It is my philosophy to be a resource that my Clients can depend on. I believe that continued growth and development and process improvements are vital to the success in the business environment,” says Amanda Jadro, Portfolio Management, Department Manager for TRICOM. Amanda puts this philosophy into action each month as she manages TRICOM’s Industry Insider webinar series, in which she brings different experts in to share their knowledge and insight on relevant and timely topics critical to staffing company owners. Amanda has an Associate Degree in Management Development from Milwaukee Area Technical College, as well as certificates in Project Management and Human Resources. When Amanda isn’t consulting with TRICOM clients on their portfolio, she enjoys spending time with her family, including traveling, vacationing, going to the lake, and boating.
Michelle Johnson
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” As Director of Client Services, Payroll & Billing, it’s no wonder that Michelle admires this quote by Joshua Marine. Every day Michelle and her team help clients efficiently and effectively overcome challenges. Michelle attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Area Technical College before joining the TRICOM team as a Payroll Specialist in 1993. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to Lead Payroll Specialist and became Director of Client Services in 2004, and Director of Payroll & Billing in 2018. As a long-time TRICOM team member, she sees TRICOM as more than just a place of work, but as a family. When away from TRICOM, Michelle is a talented cook and home decorator.
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES, PAYROLL & BILLING
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” As Director of Client Services, Payroll & Billing, it’s no wonder that Michelle admires this quote by Joshua Marine. Every day Michelle and her team help clients efficiently and effectively overcome challenges. Michelle attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Area Technical College before joining the TRICOM team as a Payroll Specialist in 1993. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to Lead Payroll Specialist and became Director of Client Services in 2004, and Director of Payroll & Billing in 2018. As a long-time TRICOM team member, she sees TRICOM as more than just a place of work, but as a family. When away from TRICOM, Michelle is a talented cook and home decorator.
Jonathan Almendarez
Director of Sales
From his first early job in high school as a painter, to his current role as TRICOM’s Director of Sales, Jonathan has always put the needs of his clients first. It’s what’s enabled him to become a sales and marketing leader across financial services, SaaS, and enterprise sales. Jonathan explains that “I believe in taking ownership first, understanding the problem before selling a solution, and driving growth through disciplined execution and trust.” It’s also what attracted him to the TRICOM team. “TRICOM empowers staffing agencies to grow on their own terms providing the capital, tools, and support they need to scale confidently and sustainably. TRICOM isn’t just a funding partner, it’s a true growth enabler.” Jonathan earned a criminal justice degree from the University of Wisconsin, and outside the office he enjoys racing his bicycle with his partner and traveling. Fluent in Spanish, he also volunteers as a translator at a local middle school to help with parent-teacher conferences.
DIRECTOR OF SALES
“Think you can, think you can’t. Either way, you’re right.” This quote by Henry Ford is one that Shelly takes to heart, and it has helped make her a successful sales professional for over 20 years. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, Shelly worked for ten years in telecommunications (not counting her early work experience de-tasseling corn!) before joining the TRICOM team in 2005 as Director of Sales. In this role, Shelly enjoys reaching out to staffing company owners and executives across the country who are looking for a financial partner, as well as acting as a valuable resource to current TRICOM clients. Shelly describes herself as loyal, caring and pragmatic, which is evident as she explains her business philosophy: “Your word is everything. Do what you say you’re going to do, take care of your clients and pick up the phone to communicate versus emailing.” When she does put down her phone, Shelly also lends her time to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the American Cancer Society, the Hunger Task Force and the Wisconsin Humane Society. She also enjoys spending time bike riding, exercising, doing yoga, swimming, travelling, gardening and gathering with family and friends.
Monica Zell, CPP
Payroll Manager
Monica is the Payroll Manager and earned her Associate’s Degree in Accounting from the Milwaukee Area Technical College. She believes that the customer should always come first, which is why she likes working at TRICOM — “the focus is on our clients and our community, and that is very important.” When not at Tricom, Monica likes to read and spend time with her family. She’s always up for game night, but watch out if you challenge her to a game of Scrabble – she’s been in some spelling bees in her day and is a self-professed “word geek.”
DIRECTOR OF SALES
“Think you can, think you can’t. Either way, you’re right.” This quote by Henry Ford is one that Shelly takes to heart, and it has helped make her a successful sales professional for over 20 years. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, Shelly worked for ten years in telecommunications (not counting her early work experience de-tasseling corn!) before joining the TRICOM team in 2005 as Director of Sales. In this role, Shelly enjoys reaching out to staffing company owners and executives across the country who are looking for a financial partner, as well as acting as a valuable resource to current TRICOM clients. Shelly describes herself as loyal, caring and pragmatic, which is evident as she explains her business philosophy: “Your word is everything. Do what you say you’re going to do, take care of your clients and pick up the phone to communicate versus emailing.” When she does put down her phone, Shelly also lends her time to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the American Cancer Society, the Hunger Task Force and the Wisconsin Humane Society. She also enjoys spending time bike riding, exercising, doing yoga, swimming, travelling, gardening and gathering with family and friends.
HEAR WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY
I think the TRICOM staff is excellent. They’re always accessible. They’re very knowledgeable. They’re informative, and they’ll go out of their way to do research on our behalf for a prospective client.
Nick Florio
Partner, Citrin Cooperman
We’ve had experience with two other companies that I would say are factor-type companies. The most recent one we used, they were extremely selective in the companies they would fund. We only had three or four companies that they were interested in funding. TRICOM has been very open and willing to fund companies that our previous company would not even touch.
Sonny McGee
President & CEO, Integra Business Alternatives
