Top financial advisors working with educators, teachers, and academics in Troy, MI

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you work in education or academia, your financial planning needs often include managing a steady income with unique benefits like pensions and possible school-related retirement plans. A common mistake is overlooking how your pension and retirement options interact, which can lead to missed opportunities or unexpected tax consequences.

  • Pension integration. Confirm how the advisor plans around your pension benefits alongside other retirement accounts to optimize your income.
  • Education-specific benefits. Ask if they understand school district retirement systems and how these affect your overall financial picture.
  • Long-term income planning. Look for advisors who model your career trajectory and retirement timing to align with your financial goals.
  • Tax considerations. Ensure they consider tax implications unique to educators, such as deductions or credits related to your profession.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Eric R

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Troy, MI

LPL Financial

Eric Ratliff is a CFP® professional with over 21 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2022 and previously spent nine years with J.P. Morgan Securities. Ratliff is based in Troy, MI. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations nationwide. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by in-house and third-party research.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

Mark C

Series 63, Series 66

Troy, MI

Edward Jones

Mark Chrobak is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Troy, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank and JPMorgan Securities LLC from 2015 to 2019. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a broad range of advisory programs and investment strategies through a network of more than 23,700 advisors and 15,000 branch offices nationwide.

Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business ownership considerations Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner
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Barbara K

Series 66

Troy, MI

Ameriprise

Barbara Kreitsch is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Troy, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its related entities since 2006. Outside of her advisory role, she owns Glidden Solutions Inc., an LLC that manages employees supporting her financial advisory practice. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm provides written, non-discretionary recommendations that incorporate research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, supported by a centralized consulting team and algorithmic tools.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Zuberi T

Series 66

Sterling Heights, MI

Merrill

Zuberi Thomas is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. He has worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2002. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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David C

Series 63, Series 66

Troy, MI

J.P. Morgan Securities

David Cook is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Troy, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates Reel Rehab LLC, a fishing reel repair service. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm delivers these advisory services alongside affiliated brokerage and investment management capabilities.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Arjun S

Series 66

Frisco, TX

TIAA-CREF

Arjun Swarup is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Frisco, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and has an academic background from NYU College of Arts and Sciences. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing managed account services within a fiduciary framework, including acting as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

General estate planning guidance Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Educators, Teachers, and Academics Founder/Business Owner Approaching retirement Mid-Career Professionals
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Kevin H

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Birmingham, AL

RFG Advisory, LLC

Kevin Harper is a CFP® with 29 years of experience in the financial industry, currently serving at RFG Advisory, LLC since 2015. He has prior experience with Private Client Services and LPL Financial. Outside of advisory work, he is a co-owner of LHP Capital LLC, which manages commercial real estate. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for over 17,000 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm employs a mix of actively managed and passive strategies, direct indexing, and tax-aware approaches, and is notable for its sub-advisory role with the Bluemonte family of ETFs.

Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Founder/Business Owner Educators, Teachers, and Academics Doctor or Medical Professional Executive Women Professionals

Jacob H

Series 63, Series 66

Charlotte, NC

Edward Jones

Jacob Heinz is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His previous positions include roles at Fidelity Investments and E*TRADE Capital Management. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of thousands of financial advisors and branch offices.

Divorce financial planning Retirement income strategy Wealth management Real estate investing Educators, Teachers, and Academics
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Robert O

CFP®, Series 66

Lutz, FL

Lincoln Investment

Robert Ouimet is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently advising at Lincoln Investment. His prior experience includes roles at Capital Analysts, Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., and Russell Investments. He also assists clients with evaluating insurance-based products as part of his advisory services. Lincoln Investment serves individuals, charitable organizations, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with a particular focus on educators and 403(b)/457(b) participants. The firm offers a range of financial planning and retirement plan advice, utilizing both strategic and dynamic investment approaches and managing approximately $22.9 billion in advisory assets.

ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Educators, Teachers, and Academics Self-Employed Executive Retired Mid-Career Professionals
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Marne D

Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Fort Washington, PA

Lincoln Investment

Marne De Santis is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Fort Washington, PA, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Lincoln Investment in 2019, she worked at Rice Financial Products Company, CV Brokerage, Valdes & Moreno, Bluestone Capital Management, and Dautrich Seiler Financial Services. Lincoln Investment serves individuals, charitable organizations, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with a focus on educators and 403(b)/457(b) participants. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan advice, and a range of managed portfolio programs, employing both strategic and tactical investment approaches overseen by an investment management and research team.

ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Educators, Teachers, and Academics Self-Employed Executive Retired Mid-Career Professionals
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