Russell Strickler, CFP^®, AIF^®

Russ grew up in a one-stoplight town in the thumb area of Michigan, the kind of town where no one ever left and few went to college. For a young kid, small-town life was great. As long as he had his bicycle, Russ had total freedom, and for a long time he didn’t realize how much his family went without.

In school, Russ played basketball and football. Being part of a team taught him some of his most valuable life lessons, including the importance of hard work and integrity, how to win and lose, and how to handle adversity. He ended up being the first in his family to go to college, and while he excelled at sports, it never occurred to Russ to try to play college ball.

“I regret not seeking more opportunities in life. I wish I’d had somebody who encouraged me and said, ‘Hey, there is a path. This is possible,’” he said.

During college and after, Russ worked several jobs to keep himself afloat, including at a lumber yard, a gas station and a pizza place. He realized he loved working helping others and had an aptitude for numbers and economics. Becoming a financial advisor seemed a natural fit.

Today, Russ is proud to serve as a retirement “coach,” helping clients and their families seek opportunities in their financial lives and gain the confidence to pursue the retirement lifestyle they deserve. His mission is to teach clients there is a path to their ideal retirement and to help them get there.

Russ earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance and economics. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional through Oakland University in Michigan. He is the author of “Retire Boldly: Position Yourself to Champion Your Ambitions” and host of the TV show “Retire Now Detroit.”

Russ and his wife, Sarah, live in Brighton, Michigan, with their two daughters, Sophia and Olivia, and their golden retriever, Lulu. There is nothing more important to Russ than spending time with his girls. He also enjoys visiting Higgins Lake, reading the latest about the financial industry, and watching or participating in anything related to sports. Russ is a lifetime Detroit Lions fan who believes every year is going to be their year.