Our Team of Specialists
American Retirement Advisors, Inc. is an Investment Advisory Firm in Southeast Michigan. Our company was established in 2016, an affiliate of our longstanding American Retirement Solutions established in 2006.
American Retirement Advisors’ mission is to conduct a thorough and careful financial discovery with you. Our team analyzes your personal financial situation – income, expenses, liquidity needs, and retirement goals – and creates a retirement plan that is unique to your situation. We are dedicated to helping you achieve financial independence ensuring your retirement plan works in concert with all pieces of your financial strategy.
We specialize in preservation of assets.
Joe Vitale, President and Investment Advisor Representative
Early in his career working as an insurance agent for AAA, he developed an appreciation for customer service working hard to service his clients. As a result he received numerous awards including the “President’s Elite” award.
In 2007, Joe founded American Retirement Solutions helping families with their elderly loved ones navigate Medicaid. In addition he began helping families with estate and retirement planning*.
In the late 1980’s Joe obtained his 6 & 63 securities registration. In 2016, Joe founded American Retirement Advisors, Inc as a Registered Investment Advisory Firm. and became a Fiduciary to help ensure his clients received the very best of service and accountability for their Retirement planning and strategies.
Joe draws upon his 30+ years of experience in the financial arena helping families avoid potential pitfalls in retirement so they can enjoy a comfortable retirement. Income maximization and replacement strategies are his particular forte. Joe believes it’s all about “distribution” and “preservation”.
Joe resides in Lapeer County where he is involved with and supports numerous local and national charities and enjoys spending time with his immediate and large extended family and friends. In his spare time you can find him relaxing in the country with his family or trying to better his golf game, which needs help.
*American Retirement Advisors, Inc. and Joe Vitale do not offer legal services, but may provide references to legal providers. They may also work with your attorney or independent legal advisor.
Alex Wagner, Financial Advisor, Life & Medicare, Office Manager
Alex Wagner is the Life Insurance Specialist at American Retirement Solutions. He joined the team in February 2021, with his Insurance Producer License and is studying for his Series 65 license. Alex has an extensive background in customer service and recently came from TCF Bank, where he was Branch Supervisor.
Away from the office, Alex is always on the go and enjoys spending time with his wife Casey, playing hockey, cooking, fishing and playing guitar.
Mitzi Leonard, Client Service Manager
Mitzi rejoined the team full time in 2010. She brings a lifetime of customer service experience to the team, including nearly 20 years in the insurance and financial arena. Her primary focus is the care and handling of annuity new business post application to issue. As Client Service Manager, she is charged with the care and handling of new business clients, as well as the existing clients. She considers herself blessed to foster relationships with both.
Anna Vitale, Intake Coordinator and Customer Service
Anna is likely the first person you will speak with when calling the office. She has been receptionist for American Retirement Solutions as well as Intake Coordinator for our non-profit Veteran Support Center for over 8 years, assisting with day-to-day operations, answering questions, and checking in on clients.
Her caring attitude and fun spirit make her a great asset to the team. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor sports like volleyball, volunteering with her church and other charitable organizations, and spending time with her family.
Victoria Boes, Investment Client Services & Compliance Officer
Victoria comes to us with experience in the financial field of mortgages with all its compliance matters. She has extensive experiences in office managing and customer service. She is also one of our organized and productive people who love to play with numbers and paper!
Out of the office, Victoria likes to spend her time gardening, working jigsaw puzzles, playing solitaire or listening to her audio books. She also volunteers at her church as an Usher, Women’s Ministry Team Co-Leader, and is blessed to help with infant care occasionally. Her favorite time is spending it with her three college boys when they are in town and watching them turn into the men God planned for them to be. She is truly blessed!
Strategic Alliances
Investment Management Services
Gradient Investments
Mike Binger, CFA – President Gradient Investments
Jeremy Bryan, CFA – Senior Portfolio Manager
Keith Gangl, CFA – Portfolio Manager
Evergreen Wealth Management
Stephen Hanley, CPM, CKA
Chief Investment Strategist
Chartered Portfolio Manager™
Certified Kingdom Advisor™
Summit Investment Mgmt
Catholic Investment Strategies
Thomas Carroll, CFA
President.
Tax Strategies/Review/Return
Stovall & Associates
CPA Tax Strategist
Second Opinion Tax review
Tax Man LLC
George Johns
Second Opinion Tax review
Estate Planning/Elder Law
Power of Attorney/Trust/Estate planning/ Medicaid Planning
SMDA Law, – Jeff Michalowski, Attorney
Law office of – Carol or Jim Thomas Attorneys
This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.