FactRight, an alternative investment due diligence and risk management solutions provider, has appointed Jacob Heidkamp and Russell Putnam as co-CEOs to lead the firm’s next stage of growth following the planned retirement of principal and CEO Gail Schneck at the end of 2025. Schneck, a 20-year veteran of the alternatives space who joined FactRight in 2012, has been instrumental in elevating due diligence practices, refining wealth manager risk frameworks, and guiding the firm through a period of significant expansion. 

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside wealth managers, product sponsors, and service providers in the alternative investment industry over the last 20 years, and to contribute to the quality of investment offerings available in the retail channel,” Schneck said. 

Heidkamp and Putnam, each with more than 11 years at FactRight and serving as principals and co-presidents since 2020, will move into the co-CEO roles while continuing to lead the firm’s team of analysts, business development professionals, and operations staff. They will work in close partnership with fellow principals COO Brandon Raatikka, an 18-year veteran of the firm; CFO Kemp Hanley, who has been with FactRight for 15 years; and chief business development officer John Paliotta, with eight years at the company. 

Founded in 2006 and based in Eden Prairie, MN, FactRight provides independent research and analysis on alternative investments to RIAs, broker-dealers, and family offices, including product and sponsor due diligence, ongoing coverage of nontraded public programs, custom risk management, and advisor testing. Its coverage spans a broad range of alternative structures, including non-traded REITs, interval funds, private real estate programs, DSTs, QOZs, oil and gas offerings, and other private equity and private credit strategies. 

Pictured l to r: Jacob Heidkamp and Russell Putnam