Over 3 Decades of Experience
Our Team
David Zoellner
What would you do if you lost everything you spent years building? I don't have to imagine, I was born into poverty,
I wasn’t expected to go to college. My counselor was shocked when I told her I wanted to attend. She got busy and helped me to be accepted into Lake Superior State College. I earned near-perfect grades, and then I realized I had what it took to go to the University of Michigan. I applied, was accepted and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
With zero funds and no family support, I had no choice but to drop out. Right there and then, I was determined to learn the system. I figured out financial aid, how to support myself and study, to graduate from University of Michigan.
It was then I learned to navigate systems. I broke into Wall Street, starting at Shearson Lehman Brothers in Downtown Detroit. I fought the odds to become a Stockbroker.
When everything is on the line, protecting your wealth isn't just a job; for me it's personal. I’ve spent decades learning how to protect you and your wealth. That same determination that took me from poverty to Wall Street, now protects client’s wealth and security. I understand the fear people feel and know the systems that can reduce it. Through experience and financial expertise, I have learned. With our confident guidance and our risk management strategies, you can enjoy your successful life with assurance and dignity.
Education:
I wasn’t expected to go to college. My counselor was shocked when I told her I wanted to attend. She got busy and helped me to be accepted into Lake Superior State College. I earned near-perfect grades, and then I realized I had what it took to go to the University of Michigan. I applied, was accepted and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
With zero funds and no family support, I had no choice but to drop out. Right there and then, I was determined to learn the system. I figured out financial aid, how to support myself and study, to graduate from University of Michigan.
It was then I learned to navigate systems. I broke into Wall Street, starting at Shearson Lehman Brothers in Downtown Detroit. I fought the odds to become a Stockbroker.
When everything is on the line, protecting your wealth isn't just a job; for me it's personal. I’ve spent decades learning how to protect you and your wealth. That same determination that took me from poverty to Wall Street, now protects client’s wealth and security. I understand the fear people feel and know the systems that can reduce it. Through experience and financial expertise, I have learned. With our confident guidance and our risk management strategies, you can enjoy your successful life with assurance and dignity.
Education:
- University of Michigan Ann Arbor - Bachelor of General Studies; Business, Communication & Psychology, 12/15/1986
- Series 7 General Securities,10/02/1990
- Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law, 10/04/1990
- Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor, 05/18/1994
- Series 31 Futures Managed Funds, 12/23/2009
- SIE Securities Industry Essentials, 10/01/2018
- Health, Life, Variable Insurance Agent, 1996 - Present
- Lehman Brothers, 1990 - 1991
- Merrill Lynch, 1991 – 2003
- Robert Baird, 2003 – 2010
- J.P. Turner, 2010 – 2015
- Newbridge Securities, 2015 – 2024
- Z Advisory Innovations, 2024 – Present
- 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
- Block Chain Technology - iCapital
Chief Executive Officer | Chief Investment Officer
Mike Zoellner
In 2008, my family's stability vanished almost overnight. My parents divorced, funds dried up, and the rules that once guided our lives disappeared. By 16, after my father fought for custody, I was reintroduced to structure, clear expectations, responsibility, and accountability. It was late, but it changed the trajectory of my life.
Those early experiences revealed how fragile financial security can be, and how families can struggle when life doesn’t go according to plan. I spent over a decade immersed in the financial services industry, helping design client education programs, run seminars, and bring clarity to complex planning. Two years ago, I became a licensed insurance advisor, applying those lessons directly to protect families’ income, lifestyles, and legacies.
Mentored by my father’s 36 years of industry experience, I now serve as Director of Insurance at Z Advisory Innovations. Every recommendation I make is deliberate, tailored, and designed to stand up when circumstances change. Stability ensures clients receive solutions built for their unique needs—not generic plans that fail when circumstances change.
Education:
Those early experiences revealed how fragile financial security can be, and how families can struggle when life doesn’t go according to plan. I spent over a decade immersed in the financial services industry, helping design client education programs, run seminars, and bring clarity to complex planning. Two years ago, I became a licensed insurance advisor, applying those lessons directly to protect families’ income, lifestyles, and legacies.
Mentored by my father’s 36 years of industry experience, I now serve as Director of Insurance at Z Advisory Innovations. Every recommendation I make is deliberate, tailored, and designed to stand up when circumstances change. Stability ensures clients receive solutions built for their unique needs—not generic plans that fail when circumstances change.
Education:
- Graduate of West Bloomfield High School (2012), rated top 6% academic schools in 2012 from News Week Magazine.
- Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC; marketing, cold outreach, event coordinator, responsible for all aspects of alternative investments seminars. Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) performing large real estate transactions using tax deferral, Sept. 2012 - Sept. 2020
- Suburban Toyota of Farmington Hills Business Development Coordinator, Sales of new and used products. Received the Presidential Award 2024 for exceeding performance benchmarks, delivering exceptional client service, and maintaining the highest referral activity, Sept. 2020 - May 2025
- Z Advisory Innovations; Director of Fixed Index Annuity Sales and Service, May 2026 - Present
- Health, Life, Variable Insurance Agent
- Licensed Insurance Professional specializing in fixed annuity and retirement income strategies.
- Fitness
- Health and fitness, dedicated to discipline, physical fitness and healthy nutritional food and supplements.
- Personal development
- Constant learner studying decision-making, negotiation, and financial principles. Study of: Think and Grow Rich, N.Hill; Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss; Principles, Ray Dalio; Goal Setting, Brian Tracy.
Director of Insurance
David Zoellner Jr.
Co-Founder | Chief Compliance Officer | Registered Investment Advisor
David Zoellner Jr.
My path as a compliance officer and co-founder at Z Advisory Innovations exemplifies impossible odds through perseverance, growth, and strategic risk-taking.
I matured in Chicago, which offered limited opportunities for advancement. My father recognized my potential and repeatedly extended an invitation to join his firm.
Initially, I resisted this call, valuing the independent life I had built in Chicago. However, Chicago did lose its appeal.
In 2017, I joined Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC. Under my father's mentorship, I honed my expertise in financial operations, transforming into a capable contributor. This period of growth not only elevated my capabilities but also propelled the firm's success, becoming a strategic leader equipped to navigate complex challenges.
The culmination of this journey arrived in 2024, when we seized an opportunity to establish Z Advisory Innovations. As co-founder and compliance officer, I now ensure regulatory integrity and ethical service guiding clients with honor, dignity and security from outside forces. This reflects calculated risks and persistent transformation where we can forge enduring success for our clients in an ever-changing landscape.
I serve as Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer, and Registered Investment Advisor at Z Advisory Innovations, overseeing compliance procedures, providing registered investment advisory services, and managing client relationships. My responsibilities include conducting monthly client calls, account management and client services, monitoring regulations and updates, general accounting, mentoring team members, performing daily due diligence, and analyzing market trends and economic activity. I also focuses on updating and reviewing compliance procedures to ensure adherence to industry standards.
Education:
I matured in Chicago, which offered limited opportunities for advancement. My father recognized my potential and repeatedly extended an invitation to join his firm.
Initially, I resisted this call, valuing the independent life I had built in Chicago. However, Chicago did lose its appeal.
In 2017, I joined Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC. Under my father's mentorship, I honed my expertise in financial operations, transforming into a capable contributor. This period of growth not only elevated my capabilities but also propelled the firm's success, becoming a strategic leader equipped to navigate complex challenges.
The culmination of this journey arrived in 2024, when we seized an opportunity to establish Z Advisory Innovations. As co-founder and compliance officer, I now ensure regulatory integrity and ethical service guiding clients with honor, dignity and security from outside forces. This reflects calculated risks and persistent transformation where we can forge enduring success for our clients in an ever-changing landscape.
I serve as Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer, and Registered Investment Advisor at Z Advisory Innovations, overseeing compliance procedures, providing registered investment advisory services, and managing client relationships. My responsibilities include conducting monthly client calls, account management and client services, monitoring regulations and updates, general accounting, mentoring team members, performing daily due diligence, and analyzing market trends and economic activity. I also focuses on updating and reviewing compliance procedures to ensure adherence to industry standards.
Education:
- Graduate of Harold Washington College
- Series 7 License
- Series 66 License
- Proven Compliance Officer developing and implementing comprehensive frameworks, ensuring full adherence to regulatory standards, thereby safeguarding client’s interests and organizations integrity.
- Professional in conducting internal audits and risk assessments, identifying potential vulnerabilities and instituting corrective measures that resulted in enhanced operational efficiency and zero regulatory violations.
- Expert Alternative Investment Advisor, specializing in generating supplemental income for clients during their retirement years.
- Substantial command in public speaking and event planning, organizing and presentation at numerous seminars.
- Employed at Newbridge Securities from 2017 to 2024, gaining extensive experience in securities and investment advisory services.
- Co-Founded Z Advisory Innovations in 2024, serving in leadership roles to drive innovation in advisory solutions.
Co-Founder | Chief Compliance Officer | Registered Investment Advisor