STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
Michael Binger, CFA®
PRESIDENT GRADIENT INVESTMENTS, LLC
Mr. Binger is the President of Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2012 and has more than 30 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Binger’s prior roles include managing multi-billion dollar investment products for a large institutional asset manager. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA® charterholder. We believe that he brings a depth of market experience that is rare within the industry and has been a featured contributor with several media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and The Wall Street Journal.
This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.
Case Central, LLC
Case Central, LLC is a team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ (CFPs®) that utilizes a suite of cutting-edge software reports to clearly communicate complex financial concepts and provide unique insight into your current financial situation. These proprietary reports cover a wide range of critical retirement topics such as income planning, risk analysis, and Social Security optimization.
When needed, Case Central will partner with certified public accountants (CPAs) and Chartered Financial Analysts® (CFAs) to provide you with a wealth of industry experience and financial perspective.
As you prepare for retirement, you will be faced with many important financial decisions, and the consequences of those decisions can have a significant impact on your financial future. Our partnership with Case Central helps ensure you have the support, tools and resources you need to make an informed decision about your retirement and craft the solution that is best for you.
Lance Howard does not provide tax and/or legal advice, but will work with your attorney or independent tax or legal advisor. Lance Howard is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
Guy Baker, CFP, MSFS, MSM, MBA
Managing Director, BTA Advisory Group and Wealth TEAMS Solutions
Guy Baker’s experience in the business and estate planning fields is extensive. He has completed estate plans for families who have a net worth in excess of $25,000,000 working with nationally known estate planning attorneys. Guy also uses similar strategies to help those with smaller estates solve similar problems. A frequent writer and speaker, Guy has spoken to advisors in more than fifty countries.
Guy was elected President of The Million Dollar Round Table – the Premier Financial Services Organization with over 40,000 members in 85 countries. Guy completed his tenure as President in 2010. He was also MDRT Foundation President, and served as a member of Advanced Association of Life Underwriters (AALU), a Washington D.C. based organization. AALU works with Congress to formulate industry favorable legislation. He was President of the National Association of Family Wealth Counselors. He has received many awards and honors in the industry, including the Pacific Life Preston Hotchkis “Distinguished Achievement Award”.
Guy formed BTA Advisory Group as a multi-disciplinary organization to serve the needs of families and owners of closely held businesses. Each of the sister organizations are managed by an experienced professional and partner. In addition to Wealth Teams Solutions, other organizations include The Stewardship Advisors, an estate and legacy planning consulting firm; BMI Consulting, a national management consulting firm specializing in the succession and compensation issues and problems facing closely-held businesses; Baker Jensen Investment Advisors, a registered investment advisor. Insight Wealth, a registered investment advisory firm; BTA Advisory Group remains primarily an insurance and financial products marketing company.
Guy earned a BS/Economics in 1967 from Claremont McKenna College and went on to earn a MBA/Finance in 1968 from the University of Southern California; Guy was certified as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and became a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). He holds a Master’s degree in Financial Services (MSFS) and a Master’s in Management (MSM). In addition, Guy is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU). He was given an Honorary AEP by the National Association of Estate Planning Councils as was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Guy also received his Certified Family Wealth Counselor designation and is a Investment Advisor Representative.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE – PASSIVE INVESTING
We work with Wealth TEAMS Solutions (Tax Efficient Asset Management Solution, Inc.), a California State registered investment advisor that exclusively uses Dimensional Fund Advisor portfolios. Wealth TEAMS includes a group of dedicated professionals helping clients accumulate capital for retirement using the most recent research and data. Once a client reaches retirement, Wealth TEAMS Solutions prepares a distribution plan designed to last throughout retirement. They have access to the most recent research and strategies used to provide a “Paycheck for Life,” regardless of economic conditions.
Over his career, Wealth TEAMS founder and owner, Guy Baker, saw families and business owners lose money using big name, investment advisors. When he discovered Modern Portfolio Theory built around the 1990 Nobel Prize winning research and data, he formed his first advisory firm, Baker Jensen Investment Advisors. His decision proved to be very beneficial to clients, resulting in consistent, long term returns and reducing volatility in turbulent markets for his investment clients.