Charles Zhang - Michigan’s #1 Financial Advisor by both Barron’s* and Forbes**

Fee-Only Unbiased Investment Advice

• We uphold a Fiduciary Standard and work with clients on a fee-only basis.

• We do not receive commissions, kick-backs, or soft dollars from product sales, eliminating inherent conflicts of interest.

Credibility & Professionalism

• Our team of professionals holds designations and degrees such as CFP®, CFA, CPA, MBA, and PhD.

• Charles received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management - Northwestern University, his MA in Economics from Western Michigan University, and Executive Education from Harvard Business School and Columbia University.

Charles Zhang CFP®, MBA, MSFS, ChFC

• Ranked #1 on Barron’s list of America’s TOP Independent Advisors and is the highest ranked NAPFA-Registered Fee-Only Advisor on the list.*

• Ranked #6 in the nation on Forbes’ list of TOP Wealth Advisors and is the ONLY Independent Advisor in the top 10.**

Minimum investment: $1,000,000 in Michigan/$2,000,000 outside of Michigan. Assets under custody of LPL Financial, TD Ameritrade, and Charles Schwab.

*As reported in Barron’s March 12, 2022 and September 17, 2021. Based on assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practices, and other factors. For fee-only status see NAPFA.org.

**As reported in Forbes April 7, 2022 and August 24, 2022. The Forbes rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria.

Ascomnorth Joins Shoreline

Telecommunications provider Ascomnorth in Acme recently merged with Shoreline Power Services in Williamsburg, becoming a division of Shoreline Power. All team members have transitioned to Shoreline Power, with former Ascomnorth owners Dave Barth now semi-retired and Dave Wierenga serving in the role of engineer and operations manager of Ascomnorth. The merger is resulting in expanded service offerings of communications, security, data and other systems across a broader geographic area.

Traverse City. The new office is located at 847 S. Garfield Ave.

Springfield A Top Contractor

Roofing contractor Springfield in Kingsley recently earned the Platinum Contractor Award from Duro-Last for 2022, the highest quality distinction given to its contractors. This achievement places Springfield in the top 3% of Duro-Last’s contractors, consistently installing the highest quality roofing systems.

Campaign Against Abuse

The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, in partnership with Honor Bank and Wild Juniper Nursery, has launched a campaign encouraging individuals to protect children from sexual abuse. Seeds for Protection inspires local residents to show their sustaining promise to protect children in the community by donating a set amount each month. Honor Bank will match the first $5,000 in donations. As a thank you for their ongoing pledge to local children, the first 800 community members to sign up will receive a seed packet of locally cultivated seeds donated by Wild Juniper Nursery. Local businesses interested in supporting the campaign can learn more at traversebaycac.org.

New Owner For Dental Practice

Trevor Kay, D.D.S., recently purchased the office of Debra Lewis, D.D.S., in Interlochen and has renamed it Northern Shores Dental Group. The practice offers general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry for the whole family and is accepting new patients.

MERCANTILE BANK EXPANDS NORTH, NAMES PRESIDENT

Grand Rapids-based Mercantile Bank is expanding its presence in the northwest Michigan market with the addition of Scot Zimmerman as community bank president. Zimmerman brings more than 20 years of banking experience to his new role. He joins the bank’s current Vice President and Commercial Lender, Aaron Davenport, and Emily Kelly, mortgage lender, on the growing team. The bank has secured a physical location in downtown Traverse City, adding to its existing locations in Petoskey and Cadillac.

$1.7M TO REGION FOR TRAINING

NEW: TC REAL ESTATE

Real estate professionals Crystal Gober and Tom Cronin have joined forces with their 20-plus years of real estate experience and opened Traverse City Real Estate in

Fifty-four employers across the 10-county northwest region will receive $1.7 million in 2023 for employee training as part of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund. Employers will be able to train 1,020 new and existing employees. Award recipients span a range of industries, and include Cultured Ferments Company, Graceland Fruit, Great Lakes Stainless,

Iron Fish Distillery , Skilled Manufacturing and Venturi . Businesses applied for the grants with assistance from the Northwest Michigan Works! business services team.

Aerie Receives Excellence Award

Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme recently received a Wine Spectator award of excellence. The annual program recognizes restaurants around the world as a top destination for wine lovers. “It is an honor to receive the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the sixth year in a row,” said Maria Lopez, Aerie manager. “We put great effort into building a wine list that pairs with our extraordinary food offerings.”

New Urgent Care Opens In Traverse City

Century

ACQUIRES CLARK MANUFACTURING

Century , a Traverse City metal manufacturing and thermal processing company that specializes in aerospace and industrial tooling products, has acquired Clark Manufacturing , a metal machining company specializing in oil and gas, fluid and compression, and medical components. The merger agreement was reached last month.

“The acquisition of Clark is in line with our long-term vision for Century and brings a new set of customers, portfolio of products, and significantly expanded milling capability to our current product offerings,” said Tim Healy, president of Century and chief executive of the newly combined companies.

Brian Walter, president of Clark, will continue in that role and assumes partial ownership of the combined companies.

New Fund For Small Businesses

A new Small Business Growth Fund to help ensure small business success across the 10-county region has been created by Venture North Funding and Development. The fund will be used for minigrants and business consulting.

“Many small businesses are confronted with legal, accounting, marketing, product development or other questions that get in the way of progress,” said Venture North President Laura Galbraith. “We want to learn about the things that are holding a business back and address them through a combination of small grants, business consulting or both in addition to our affordable lending program that is supported through a different fund.”

Galbraith said Venture North hopes to secure grants and charitable donations from agencies and philanthropic organizations to build the fund to $500,000 and replenish it, as it is used to help small businesses. Organizations, agencies or individuals interested in providing a contribution may do so by contacting Venture North.

WellNow Urgent Care , one of the country’s fastest-growing urgent care providers, opens this month at 3570 North U.S. 31 South in Traverse City. The facility offers treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, COVID-19 testing and treatment, and occupational medicine services. It’s open daily, 8am-8pm.

WINE FOR WINE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

The Michigan Wine Collaborative – voice of the Michigan wine industry –recently announced the release of The DREAM wine, which will provide seed money for its inclusion and expansion education fund. This fund will provide education and training to two underrepresented candidates for future career opportunities in Michigan’s growing wine industry. The statewide collaborative plans to release a new wine annually to help fund candidates that apply to the program. Brian Lillie, director of hospitality and distribution at Chateau Chantal, and Lee Lutes, head winemaker at Black Star Farms, sit on the collaborative’s executive team.

HOME EXPO: MARCH 11-12

The 2023 Home EXPO sponsored by the Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area is March 11-12 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme. This year’s EXPO features exhibits by more than 90 building contractors, remodelers, landscapers, financiers and other businesses related to the region’s construction and remodeling industry. Advance tickets are available at the HBA office in Traverse City or mynorthtickets.com.