Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® , and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
When you find something you really love to do, it becomes something much more than just “work.” One of my greatest satisfactions and motivators is discovering investment opportunities and making money for clients. I also enjoy financial planning, particularly when we gain a unique perspective that saves on taxes or solves a client problem. Best of all, though, is talking with clients, learning about their lives, their families, their hopes and dreams, and finding new ways to help them succeed both personally and professionally.
Married with three daughters, Doug enjoys sailing, tennis, and hockey. He graduated from Alma College with a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting and later completed his MBA at the University of Michigan. Doug was fortunate to have a variety of professional experiences prior to his work as a financial planner, including work as a CPA with Ernst and Young, technical sales position with Eastman Kodak, and pricing manager for Malloy Lithographing, a large Ann Arbor printing company. These positions helped him develop valuable skills for providing investment advice, serving clients, and managing his own business.
In 1994, Doug joined A.G. Edwards as a financial planner and two years later he established his own practice with Raymond James Financial Services. His career as a planner has been anchored by 3 areas of interest: (1) Serving Clients, (2) Continuing Education, and (3) Giving Back to the Community.
Doug Gross is not affiliated with Raymond James.
Doug views great client service as the best form of marketing. During the early years of the practice, he leveraged his accounting and business background to offer financial planning and investor education seminars throughout Ann Arbor and the greater Detroit area. The practice has grown successfully over the last two decades based largely on referrals from satisfied clients and other professional service providers.
Doug views professional education as a lifelong process. Constant reading on everything related to investments and planning remain areas of great interest. Successful planning also requires an interest in much more than just financial topics. The McLaren team maintains a small office library to provide clients with books in a broad array of subjects, including aging & elder care, retirement, history/science, and advice for millennials during the early post-college years. Doug even authored his own financial planning book, The Power of Persistent Planning, A Review of Successful Financial Planning Strategies.
Giving back means providing for family, clients, and community. Doug has served on education panels at national Raymond James conferences and presented to local groups on a wide range of financial planning and investment topics. Doug and his wife Sabrina are active supporters of several local and national charities.
Jason Coleman was named to the 2024 edition of the Forbes list of Best-in-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors †.
A native of Kansas City, Jason Coleman made his way to Ann Arbor after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Accounting.
Jason's professional journey began at Google, where he served as an account manager. At Google, he excelled in sales across various industries, showcasing his remarkable knack for cultivating relationships.
After Google, Jason pursued his passion for sustainable practices and earned a master's degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability, transitioning into a business development career for an angel-investor backed LED lighting firm.
In 2017, he embarked on a pivotal career move when he joined McLaren Wealth Strategies, first as a Financial Advisor, and then as a managing partner and owner along with Sam Maness.
In his role at McLaren, Jason now serves as the lead advisor, bringing his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the forefront. He is deeply committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals, from retirement income and security to wealth accumulation strategies. He has a particular interest in Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). His other specialties include tax-efficient and low-cost diversification strategies, as well as charitable giving planning.
Outside of his professional life, Jason values spending quality time with his family. He enjoys Olympic weightlifting, and you can often find him at the gym, striving to better himself physically. Even more important to him is spending time with his wife, Marianna, and their two children, Castanea and Sampsa. Jason is also an avid reader, always on the lookout for the next great book recommendation.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS HELD: Series 7 and 66, CIMA®
† The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered are under 40, have a minimum of four years' experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Compensation provided for using the rating. The Research Summary (as of August 2024) included: 45,996 nominations for all rankings, based on thresholds, 24,832 invited to complete online survey, 21,368 telephone interviews, 5,176 in-person interviews at advisors’ location, 1,545 virtual interviews and 4,081 individuals considered and 1,621 individuals won the Next-Gen ranking. This ranking is based upon the period from 3/31/23 to 3/31/24 and was released on 8/8/24. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. For more information go to https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-next-genadvisors/?sh=166061825fc3.
We help you manage the big picture and pursue The Good Life.
We help you take stock of today’s landscape and develop a clear plan for getting you where you want to be.
We then serve as your team in getting stuff done. The right way. The first time.
We help you set priorities, spend money enjoyably, save with purpose, reduce taxes, manage your cash flow, build your wealth, and ultimately leave a legacy for others.
This can be measured in dollars but is better measured where it counts.
In offering you the confidence, the time, and the space to focus on what matters most – a good life for you and your loved ones. Time for family and community. Space to explore, travel, and learn. And perhaps a little ‘extra’ to pass along to others. A life that you can confidently enjoy today – and tomorrow.
I've worked as an attorney and a financial advisor, serving successful families and businesses throughout Michigan and beyond. These days I focus my time advising families looking to build generational wealth – partnering with them on investments, tax strategy, retirement income solutions, and trust & estate planning.
I married a girl from my hometown – together we share two wonderful children, with a third on the way.
The kids keep us moving, laughing, and learning.
We also have a lovable rescue pup, Murphy – a lab mix with a big heart, who is wise beyond his dog years (short story about my puppy, click here).
We enjoy the little things in life: trips to the park, good books, testing out new recipes & restaurants, and sharing time with friends & family.
I also spend a lot of time learning how the world works and always keep a few books on my nightstand. The rotation generally includes titles on health & longevity, the natural sciences, world history, anthropology, investments, and fantasy fiction.
CFP®, Series 7 and 66, Active Member of the State Bar of Michigan (#P78181).
Sam holds a Certificate in the areas of probate and estate planning, issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® , and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
I joined the team in 2018 and wanted to put my extensive experience in customer service to work. I enjoy working with people to help them reach their goals. My goal is to make clients’ lives easier using my attention to detail and problem-solving skills to find the best possible solution.
Prior to my time at McLaren Wealth, I wore many hats in multiple professional arenas. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in Elementary Education, I started my working life as a middle school math teacher in Kokomo, Indiana. After relocating with my family to Knoxville, Tennessee I spent some time at First Tennessee Bank as a teller and, later, a financial services representative. Another family relocation brought me back to Indiana where I became a member of the Student Accounts staff at the University of Notre Dame, assisting students and families. These experiences allowed me to hone my customer service skills and really showed me that I wanted to assist others in achieving their goals.
My main focus outside of work is my family. My husband Justin, who is our Investment Manager, and I have 2 daughters that keep us busy with sports, theater, and arts/crafts. In my spare moments, I also enjoy swimming, gardening, sewing, quilting and baking.
I joined the McLaren Wealth team in 2021 after a long career in higher education where I worked in career education at The University of Tennessee – Knoxville, the University of Notre Dame, and finally as Director of BBA and One-Year Masters Career Education at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. No matter the setting, one of the things I enjoy most is helping people achieve their goals; Sometimes this requires a bit of creativity, and it always needs planning and discipline. At McLaren, I take great pride in my ability to help clients execute on plans established with their advisors; this often takes the form of analyzing multiple accounts to make sure they are working towards a common goal. I also partner with industry leaders to review, confirm, and inform our investment strategy. Putting these pieces together to help drive client success certainly requires creativity, planning, and discipline.
My wife, Emily, who is our Client Relationship Manager, and I have two amazing daughters together. We stay active in soccer, swimming, gymnastics, ninja warrior, and we love to make time to create art together. Emily and the girls have also developed quite the garden over the past few years. Some of the things I am passionate about are painting (I first started painting at the beginning of the pandemic, and have found it to be incredibly meditative and relaxing), playing music, reading, and exercise of all kinds – even completing my first Ironman 70.3 in June 2023.
Licenses held: Series 7, Series 66, Series 9, Series 10
With a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine, I have a deep understanding and passion for human psychology and well-being. While I don't engage in direct counseling, my enthusiasm for helping individuals has led me to dedicate the last ten years to different client centered occupations. I took a profound interest in my own financial wellness during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This journey sparked a desire to assist others in achieving their financial goals. Guided by the principles of kindness, empathy, and active listening, I firmly believe in meeting people where they are in their journeys. By offering support and understanding, I aim to make a positive impact on both their financial and personal well-being. Outside of work, you can often find me at Lily Weightlifting, where I train and coach. I have competed on a National and International level and believe that the same determination and dedication that fuel my weightlifting can be channeled into all aspects of life. I recently earned the title of National Coach and take immense pride and joy in helping our youth and junior lifters discover their own strength. My German Shepherd, Persephone, and I live in a 1920s Sear’s kit house. I am mastering the art of becoming more handy and adept at taking care of it, but if you have any old home tips or tricks, please share!
