ARBOR TRUST WEALTH ADVISORS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Financial Advisor
As an attorney specializing in estate planning and estate tax law, Carol Sewell adds a vital dimension to the firm's experience profile. Due to her experience on fiduciary oversight including trust and estate administration, Carol provides the firm's clients with advice on intergenerational wealth transfer and estate planning strategies. She chairs the Firm's Fiduciary Committee. Her seven years as an attorney at Koley Jessen, P.C. were followed by an additional six years as a Senior Vice President of Trust Administration at United Bank & Trust.
Carol graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance with double minors in Accounting and Commercial Bank Management, and earned her J.D. degree from Wayne State University Law School. She lives in Ann Arbor and enjoys traveling, photography and home improvement. Carol is also Founder and President of the Sewell Scholarship Foundation and engages in charitable and volunteer work with local organizations.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Financial Advisor
In addition to his 35 years of financial industry experience, Charlie Waterhouse also has a keen understanding of the wealth management needs of business executives-because he has been one himself. The former CEO of Guaranty Federal Savings Bank and CFO of Arcadia Bank & Trust, Charlie heads up the firm's Investment Committee, and specializes in investment management, investment strategies and solutions development for the firm's clients. His additional tenures include positions as Vice President & Senior Financial Advisor at United Bank & Trust and as Vice President, Employee Benefits Trust Office at Huntington Bank.
Charlie graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of General Studies with concentrations in Economics and Accounting. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Diane and has two grown children. He enjoys golf, cycling, hiking, cooking and music.
With more than 30 years of financial services experience, Colleen A. Frederick is committed to providing exceptional client service and "doing the right thing" for her clients. Colleen serves as a Client Service Associate at Arbor Trust and she brings extensive experience in wealth management administration to her role. She supports the Senior Financial Advisors on financial transactions, scheduling and assembling information for client meetings. She works directly with clients to ensure service is delivered with the utmost integrity and due diligence. Prior to Arbor Trust, Colleen worked in the areas of trust and wealth management client service with JP Morgan Trust, United Bank & Trust, and Old National Investments. She lives in Brighton with her pampered dog, Toby. In her free time, Colleen enjoys volunteering, reading, crafting and spending time with family and friends.
With 29 years of financial industry experience, Gary Haapala manages the operations of the firm in addition to providing strategic planning and wealth management advice to clients. He also serves on the Investment Committee and the Fiduciary Committee. Gary's extensive resumé includes tenures as President of Wealth Management with United Bank & Trust, overseeing Trust Services and Financial Planning, United Investment Services and UB&T Insurance Agency; Region Manager, Vice President, Private Client Group with Fifth Third Bank, and Group Manager, First Vice President, Institutional Trust with Comerica Bank.
Gary earned his BBA with a concentration in Finance from Eastern Michigan University. He lives in Howell with his wife, Mary Jo and their three children, and enjoys golf and coaching youth basketball in his free time. Gary is also an active volunteer in support of charitable organizations focused on people with disabilities.
Jim Winslow brings more than 20 years of financial industry experience to the table for the firm's clients. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Master Planner Advanced Studies® , he leads the firm's financial planning efforts. His key disciplines include client management, financial planning, investment strategies and investment management. He is a member of the Firm's Investment Committee. Jim began his career at First of America Bank, and has held additional client management and wealth management positions at BR Chamberlain & Sons, Key Bank/McDonald Investments and United Bank & Trust, where he served as a Senior Financial Advisor.
Jim is a graduate of the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Marketing and Spanish. He also holds a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning. He lives in Saline with his wife E.J. and their three children. Outside the office, Jim golfs, runs, coaches youth soccer and spends time with his family in Northern Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Senior Client Service Associate
Having worked in financial services since 2005, Jenni brings extensive experience in trusts and estates to her role at Arbor Trust. She focuses on assisting the team in matters related to client service, trust administration, taxes and estate settlement. Jenni's prior experience includes trust administration and investment assistance roles at the Bank of Ann Arbor and at United Bank & Trust. Jenni holds an associate degree in communications from Mid Michigan Community College and graduated on the Dean's List with high honors. She currently is pursuing her bachelor's degree in accounting at Western Governors University. Jenni and her husband Fielding live in Ypsilanti with their two sons. In her free time, she enjoys camping with her family, knitting and refinishing furniture.
As Senior Financial Planner at Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors, Joan is inspired and honored to walk alongside our clients through some of the most significant moments of their lives. Whether it be helping plan a business transition, setting retirement goals, analyzing life insurance or providing budget guidance, Joan considers it a privilege to craft comprehensive, customized financial plans for our clients.
In 2007, Joan began her career at United Bank & Trust where she served in various capacities, but most recently as Financial Planning Paraprofessional. Before joining Arbor Trust in 2015, Joan worked as Private Client Associate and Financial Planner at Exchange Capital Management in Ann Arbor.
Joan earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Management from Spring Arbor University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
An executive assistant with 25+ years of experience, Kristi is an integral part of the Firm's team serving as executive support to the Senior Financial Advisors and delivering superior client service. She also serves as the Firm's office manager. Kristi's prior experience includes executive support at Key Bank and United Bank & Trust and also as the compliance liaison for LPL during her tenure at United Bank & Trust. Kristi holds a degree in accounting and is a notary public. She lives in Grass Lake and enjoys home improvement, quilting, raising her beloved llamas and traveling. In her spare time Kristi is a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer.
Laura brings almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to Arbor Trust and serves as the Firm's Operations Manager. Her responsibilities include day to day operations, information technology, and vendor management. Previously, Laura worked as a Client Service Manager at SEI Investments in Oaks, Pennsylvania, working closely with community and regional banks, registered investment advisors, and trust companies. Prior to her move to Philadelphia, Laura achieved the position of Assistant Vice President of Operations in United Bank & Trust's Wealth Management Group, working alongside other members of the Arbor Trust team.
Laura earned Associate and Bachelor Degrees from Baker College with concentrations in Accounting and Information Systems Technology. In her spare time, she and her husband, Scott, enjoy traveling, camping, and spending time with friends and family.
Nicole Tramontin joins the Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors team as a Financial Planner to help us meet the increasingly complex planning needs of our clients. She will work side by side with Joan Hoeft, CFP®, Senior Financial planner, and our team of financial advisors. Nicole is currently studying for the CFP® certification exam.
Nicole started her career as a peer financial coach at the Western Michigan University Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness. In the time she was there, the program doubled in size. Nicole also helped found the Western Michigan University chapter of the Financial Planning Association.
Nicole received her B.B.A. at Western Michigan University with a major in Personal Financial Planning and a minor in Human Resource Management.
Nicole currently lives in Saline, MI and enjoys volunteering for local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She likes to spend her free time enjoying outdoor activities with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Financial Advisor
Sonia brings over 25 years of financial experience to her role as a Partner and Senior Financial Advisor at Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors. She is a member of the firm's Investment Committee and specializes in portfolio management, asset allocation and security selection.
Prior to joining Arbor Trust, Sonia was a Senior Vice President and Investment Officer at the Bank of Ann Arbor for over ten years. She has also worked at JP Morgan Asset Management and M&I Investment Management.
Sonia earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Marketing, Management and International Business. She also studied at The London School of Economics earning a Master of Science degree in Accounting and Finance. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
She currently lives in Canton with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, baking and volunteering with local non-profit organizations.