A native of Portsmouth, VA, Michael attended Old Dominion College, studying music education before enlisting in the US Army. While stationed at Ft. Monroe and a member of the Continental Army Band, Michael married his sweetheart, Edna, and they started a family. After fulfilling his enlistment, Michael joined General Electric Corporation in Suffolk, Virginia as a circuit analyst and returned to Old Dominion University to study economics and electrical engineering. After managing a retail music store for 10 years, Michael sought career advice, and a respected friend suggested the securities industry – a very good suggestion.
In 1986, Michael accepted a position at IDS – what became American Express Financial Advisors, now known as Ameriprise. While at AEFA, Michael earned his designation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Michael’s desire to do what his clients needed instead of what the corporation wanted, prompted him to join a fellow Rotarian at his Registered Advisory Firm, Financial Counselors of Virginia. While there for twenty plus years, Michael became FCVA’s President and CEO.
Seeing the need to add breadth and depth to his ability to serve clients, Michael interviewed numerous firms over a four-year period seeking to buy, merge, or be bought by a larger firm. In 2020, finding the proper alignment of values and vision, he joined Heritage Wealth Management Group where he and his clients thrive.
Michael has enjoyed a lifelong love of music. He currently sings with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and sang with the Virginia Opera Chorus for several seasons. Michael also plays the flute, clarinet and saxophone, now only for his church, where his wife, Edna, is the Director of Music Ministries. Michael and Edna have one daughter, two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom live close-by in Portsmouth. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Portsmouth and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Michael seeks to help others in ways that matter, including financial. He seeks to continue growing spiritually and with ever increasing knowledge of disparate subjects striving to increase wisdom for himself, his family, his clients and the larger world. Having him be part of what we do at Heritage is a joy and we are pleased he finally found his home here with us.