Director of Service
Kaye joined our Great Lakes Family in December of 2025. Kaye brings a wealth of knowledge from previous work in various administrative roles which includes nearly a decade of experience in the legal field. She also brings experience in the non-profit and education fields as well, providing Kaye with a unique perspective into the community as a whole. She is deeply committed to assisting others achieve their financial goals and does so with attention to detail and exceptional customer service.
Kaye has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University. She enjoys volunteering and finding ways to contribute to her local community. Kaye loves being a part of a team like Great Lakes Investment Advisors that values giving back to its community as well.
Outside of the office Kaye loves to spend time with her husband and their three daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, traveling, and enjoys practicing yoga as well as teaching yoga.
Kyle joined Gradient Investments in 2025 and has more than 15 years of financial services experience. Prior roles include portfolio manager with a couple of large international institutional asset management firms, also was an advisor with a retail wealth advisory firm. Kyle has developed experience with financial advice, asset allocation, and investment analysis across the asset spectrum. He is a CFA® charter holder and has appeared on the Schwab network.
Keith joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior roles include senior portfolio manager for a large institutional asset management firm, managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio. Keith is a CFA® charter holder, managed a Lipper Award-winning mutual fund, and has been featured in media outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, Investor’s Business Daily, Nasdaq and Reuters.
As President, Michael is the leader of Gradient Investments and has been with the firm since 2012. He brings more than 35 years of industry experience, including prior roles managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios for an institutional asset manager. Michael is a CFA® charter holder and is a frequent contributor on CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and the Wall Street Journal.
Office Greeter
Diezel is a 3-year-old silver labrador retriever and cherished family pet of the Cryderman family. Diezel is a fun-loving greeter in the office who enjoys meeting our clients and getting a scratch behind the ears. When he isn’t at the office, Diezel is living his best life at home with his fellow pets Gunner and Rocket and cuddling with the kids. Diezel LOVES the outdoors, playing tug-o-war with Gunner and of course treats!
Office Assistant
Lexi spends many summer days in the Great Lakes office lending a helping hand as needed. She is very busy in her senior year of high school as senior drum major while also balancing cheerleading. Lexi is also a former competitive gymnast from the local gymnastics center. In her time not in the office, she loves to bond with her friends and family and is well connected in the Sanford community.
Office Assistant
Emma has been with the Great Lakes Family since June 2024 first as a high school co-op and now as a permanent employee. While working part-time at Great Lakes Investment Advisors, Emma will also be taking classes as a full-time student at Delta College.
Emma is a former competitive gymnast from the local gymnastics center and former recreational gymnastic coach. When Emma is not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking boat rides, and bike rides. Her presence in the office is delightful as she continues to grow professionally and personally in her studies.
Director of Family Relations
Michelle has been a huge compliment to the Great Lakes family since July 2024. She has lived in Midland for the last ten years but grew up in Clare, Michigan. After graduating, she attended Mid-Michigan Community College where she obtained an associate’s degree in Baccalaureate Studies. From there, Michelle traveled to Auburn Hills where she worked for an Attorney in the Estate Planning field and attended Oakland University where she earned a Paralegal Certification with a specialty in Probate Administration. She has always found joy in helping people which shows through her years of experience in customer service.
Michelle comes with over ten years of experience as a licensed escrow officer and notary public. She has helped many people all over the state of Michigan in this position and prides herself in seeing people achieve their dream of becoming a homeowner.
Michelle has a passion for animals like no other. She lives at home with her two whimsical pugs, Leo and Bacon. They keep Michelle on her toes when she is not at work and they love to go for walks, practice agility courses and, every year they participate in the Dirty Dog Trail Run that provides funding to Shelter House to ensure victims of domestic violence provide a safe haven for their pets and to provide SOS Animal Rescue with funding for animals in need.
Director of Operations and Marketing
Suzette joined our Great Lakes family in March of 2024 and adds decades of administrative experience to our team. She has a passion for people and feels that it is a privilege to help hard working families reach their financial goals. In her time at Great Lakes Investment Advisors, she has found so much joy connecting with families through the many social events offered through the Great Lakes family.
Her passion for people began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from San Marcos State University. Suzette is a California “transplant” but has called Michigan her permanent home since 2007. She loves the Midland community and has deep family roots throughout the state.
When she is not in the office, Suzette enjoys live music or searching for the best beach in Michigan. She spends many hours soaking in the sunshine (or braving the elements) at the local soccer complex cheering on her busy athletic daughter.
Director of New Business and Service
As the Director of New Business and Service at Great Lakes Investment Advisors, Amy strives to provide customer service excellence throughout the implementation process of each family’s investment strategy.
Amy joined the Great Lakes office team in October 2023.
Amy received her Associates in Nursing from Delta College and Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University.
Amy keeps busy away from the office with the kids and all their extracurricular activities. Amy enjoys gardening, boating, and cheering on her children at all their sporting events.