5:00 PM reception, 6:00 PM dinner
Mr. Ellegard is an investment analyst for Gradient Investments. He joined Gradient Investments in 2018 after prior investment roles for a large retail wealth advisory firm. Mr. Ellegard has experience with individual financial advice, asset allocation, and analysis of investments across the asset spectrum. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is currently a candidate in the CFA® program.
Mr. Gangl is a Portfolio Manager for Gradient Investments. He joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has over 20 years of total investment management experience. Prior roles include portfolio management for a large institutional equity firm, where he managed several billion dollars of assets. Mr. Gangl has been featured in media publications such as Investor’s Business Daily, Bloomberg, and Yahoo!. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and is a CFA® charterholder.
Mr. Binger is the President of Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2012 and has more than 30 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Binger’s prior roles include managing multi-billion dollar investment products for a large institutional asset manager. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA® charterholder. We believe that he brings a depth of market experience that is rare within the industry and has been a featured contributor with several media outlets including 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.