Mike believes good financial planning should empower people to live fuller lives. He considers himself a steward of his clients’ resources, helping them make intentional financial decisions that reflect not only what they can afford to do, but what they genuinely want their money to make possible.
That perspective is especially important for clients who have spent decades being responsible savers. Mike has seen many people reach retirement with substantial resources but struggle to shift from accumulating wealth to enjoying it. He helps them understand what they can comfortably spend so they can travel, pursue experiences they’ve been putting off, and enjoy what they’ve built without wondering whether they’re making a financial mistake.
Planning Specialty
With more than three decades of tax experience alongside his work as a financial advisor, Mike especially enjoys helping people navigate situations where financial and tax decisions intersect. He helps clients understand the tax implications of their choices before they act, with an emphasis on avoiding unexpected outcomes and making sure tax considerations (for the client as well as their heirs) are incorporated into the broader plan.
Exit planning has also become a significant focus of his work. Mike partners with business owners who are preparing for a future transition and helps them determine what they need from their business in order to retire or pursue their next venture. When there’s a gap between the business’s current value and the owner’s goals, Mike helps identify what needs attention and coordinates with the other professionals involved in increasing value, preparing the business for sale, managing taxes, updating estate plans, and planning for life after the transition.
His Approach
Mike’s approach is consultative, patient, and highly personal. He listens first, taking time to understand the experiences that have shaped the way a client thinks about money, along with their goals, values, and concerns. He believes that the right financial decision depends on the person making it, and that the most important decisions deserve ample time and consideration.
That deliberate approach is paired with empathy. Mike wants clients to feel comfortable talking openly about their finances and confident that their advisor understands what matters to them. Over time, those conversations allow him to anticipate concerns, recognize opportunities, and help clients make decisions that feel best for them.
Professional Background
Mike’s financial career began in accounting, where he developed an interest in taxes and investments. In 1998, he joined American Express Financial Advisors in a home-office service role; he became a financial advisor the following year.
In 2005, Mike joined HD Vest and became an owner of ROR Tax Professionals. He moved his financial planning practice to Fathom Advisors in 2011 while continuing to serve as an owner and leader of ROR. Today, his involvement with both firms gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of financial planning and tax strategy and allows him to help coordinate important information for clients who work with both teams.
Education & Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®)
- Behavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™)
- Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
- Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA®)
Community Involvement
Mike has spent much of his adult life supporting organizations that have a personal connection to his own experiences. After seeing people close to him affected by HIV/AIDS, he became involved with organizations like Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP), The Aliveness Project, and DIVA Minnesota.
He also became an advocate for legal equity for same-sex couples and was a founding board member of Project 515. The organization documented the 515 Minnesota laws that afforded rights and responsibilities to married couples and worked to educate the broader community about the disparities for same-sex couples. Mike is also a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Human Rights Campaign.
Life Outside the Office
Mike lives in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, with his husband Alan and their Bernedoodle, Joey. Mike and Alan have been together for more than 20 years and married in 2014. Their home is often a gathering place for friends and neighbors, whether for happy hour or a dinner party.
Travel is a shared passion, and Mike and Alan especially enjoy visiting new places with close friends. Their adventures have taken them throughout Europe and Hawaii, with trips to San Francisco and Peru next on the list.
Closer to home, they’ve put considerable energy into their 1950s home and gardens, completing updates both inside and out.