Our Team

As Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer of Z Advisory Innovations, I help individuals and families manage, preserve, and protect the wealth they have spent years building. With more than three decades of financial-services experience, my work focuses on investment management, risk management, retirement planning, and helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with greater confidence.

A Personal Approach to Financial Security

My understanding of financial security began long before I entered the financial-services industry.

I was born into poverty and was not expected to attend college. When I told my high school counselor that I wanted to continue my education, she helped me gain admission to Lake Superior State College. After earning near-perfect grades, I realized I was capable of more and applied to the University of Michigan.

I was accepted and moved to Ann Arbor, but with no financial resources or family support, I was forced to leave school. Rather than give up, I became determined to understand the system. I learned how to navigate financial aid, support myself while studying, and ultimately returned to complete my degree at the University of Michigan.

That experience taught me how to navigate complicated systems, overcome uncertainty, and keep moving forward when the stakes are high. Those lessons eventually helped me enter Wall Street and begin my career as a stockbroker with Shearson Lehman Brothers in downtown Detroit.

For me, protecting wealth is personal. I understand how quickly financial security can change and the fear that can come with uncertainty. I have spent decades developing the experience, investment knowledge, and risk-management processes I now use to help clients protect what they have built and enjoy their lives with greater financial confidence.

Professional Background & Experience

I began my financial-services career in 1990 with Shearson Lehman Brothers and have since worked with several major investment and securities firms, including Merrill Lynch, Robert W. Baird, J.P. Turner, Newbridge Securities, and Z Advisory Innovations.

Throughout my career, I have worked across investment management, securities, retirement planning, alternative investments, insurance, and risk-management strategies. These experiences have shaped an approach centered on understanding the client’s circumstances first, evaluating risk carefully, and building strategies around the long-term purpose of their wealth.

Education & Qualifications

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Bachelor of General Studies, Business, Communication & Psychology | December 1986

Securities Industry Exams

• Series 7 General Securities | October 1990
• Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law | October 1990
• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser | May 1994
• Series 31 Futures Managed Funds | December 2009
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) | October 2018

Insurance Licensing

• Health, Life & Variable Insurance Agent | 1996 – Present

Professional Experience

Z Advisory Innovations | 2024 – Present
Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer. Leads the firm's investment philosophy, portfolio management, risk-management process, financial strategy, and client advisory services.

Newbridge Securities | 2015 – 2024
Provided investment and securities services to individuals and families while helping clients navigate investment, retirement, and wealth-management decisions.

J.P. Turner | 2010 – 2015
Worked with clients on securities, investment management, and financial strategies.

Robert W. Baird | 2003 – 2010
Provided investment and wealth-management services to clients seeking long-term financial guidance.

Merrill Lynch | 1991 – 2003
Worked with individuals and families on investment management, securities, retirement planning, and wealth-building strategies.

Shearson Lehman Brothers | 1990 – 1991
Began his Wall Street career as a stockbroker in downtown Detroit.

Areas of Additional Experience

Comprehensive Wealth Management | Cannon Financial Institute

Certified Retirement Counselor | InFRE

Deferred Sales Trust Financial Manager | Estate Planning Team

Principles of Free Market Economics | Hillsdale College

Certificate of Alternative Investments | iCapital

Blockchain Technology | iCapital

As Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer at Z Advisory Innovations, I oversee the firm’s compliance procedures, support investment advisory services, and help manage ongoing client relationships. My responsibilities include monitoring regulatory requirements, conducting due diligence, reviewing compliance procedures, supporting account management, analyzing market and economic activity, and helping ensure the firm operates with integrity and within applicable industry standards.

A Personal Approach to Professional Growth
My path into financial services was shaped by persistence, mentorship, and a willingness to take calculated risks. I spent much of my early life in Chicago and initially chose to build an independent life there despite repeated invitations from my father to join the family financial-services business.

In 2017, I made the decision to join Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC. That move became an important turning point in my career and gave me the opportunity to develop experience in financial operations, securities, investment advisory services, compliance, and client relationships.

Professional Background & Mentorship
Working alongside my father allowed me to learn directly from his decades of experience in the financial-services industry. Over time, I took on greater responsibility involving operations, client service, regulatory oversight, due diligence, market analysis, and firm management.

In 2024, that experience led to the co-founding of Z Advisory Innovations. Today, I serve as Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer, helping maintain the regulatory and operational standards of the firm while supporting clients and the advisory team.

My role includes reviewing compliance procedures, monitoring regulatory developments, conducting internal due diligence, managing client relationships, supporting monthly client communication, overseeing account-related responsibilities, assisting with general accounting, mentoring team members, and reviewing market and economic developments.

Education & Qualifications
Harold Washington College | Graduate
Series 7 | General Securities Representative Qualification
Series 66 | Uniform Combined State Law Examination
Ongoing Professional Education | Focused on investment advisory services, compliance, alternative investments, financial markets, regulatory requirements, and client service.

Professional Experience
Z Advisory Innovations | Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer (2024 – Present)
Oversees compliance procedures, regulatory monitoring, due diligence, client relationships, account management, internal operations, and support for the firm’s investment advisory activities.

Newbridge Securities | Financial Services Professional (2017 – 2024)
Developed experience in securities, investment advisory services, financial operations, compliance, client service, and alternative investment strategies.

Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC | Financial Operations & Client Services (2017 – 2024)
Worked alongside senior leadership in financial operations, client relationship management, educational seminars, due diligence, market analysis, and business development.

Areas of Additional Experience
Compliance & Risk Management | Experience developing and reviewing compliance procedures, conducting internal reviews, identifying potential regulatory or operational risks, and maintaining documentation designed to protect clients and the firm.

Alternative Investments | Experience evaluating alternative investment strategies designed to complement broader retirement and investment portfolios.

Client Service & Relationship Management | Ongoing responsibility for client communication, account servicing, monthly client contact, and helping clients understand their financial strategies.

Public Speaking & Event Planning | Experience organizing, coordinating, and presenting educational seminars and financial-services events.

Investment advisory services are offered through appropriately licensed professionals at Z Advisory Innovations.