When Don Joseph DeSeranno founded DeSERANNO Wealth Planning in 1999, he was driven by a passion to create a financial services firm that is free from investor selling pressure and offers clients unbiased and financially responsible advice. Don’s vision led to the founding of DeSERANNO Wealth Planning, a company solidified by maintaining the fiduciary standard, which requires DeSERANNO to put clients’ best interests ahead of its own.

Don’s primary responsibilities as President of DeSERANNO include development of the vision, mission and general strategy of the company, and ensuring their implementation. Before founding DeSERANNO, Don built a loyal following of clients as a financial advisor with traditional brokerage firm Morgan Stanley, formerly Dean Witter Reynolds. Don earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Miami University while interning at Merrill Lynch.

Don serves as Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association. He also is chairman of the association’s Community Relations/Development Committee and serves on the association’s Strategic Planning and Finance/Investment Committees. Don is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cold Heading Company, an automotive fastener manufacturer in Warren, Mich. In addition, Don established and serves as a board member of the DeSeranno Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization benefiting a wide variety of local charities and causes. He played college hockey at St. Bonaventure University in New York and lives with his wife and children in Grosse Pointe Shores.

Bob Rahaim joined DeSERANNO in 2002. As a Wealth Planner at the company, Bob works closely with our clients to develop and implement customized financial planning strategies to meet their personal goals, incorporating investment portfolio design, coordination of estate plans, education planning, cash flow planning, risk management, retirement, and tax planning. Bob takes a leading role in ensuring delivery of the highest-quality planning services to DeSERANNO clients and helping them to achieve their financial goals.

Before joining DeSERANNO, Bob was with National City Bank. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Western Michigan University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Bob also is a member of the St. John Hospital “Kids on the Go” program advisory board. He lives in Grosse Pointe Woods with his wife and children.

Steven Sicklesteel is a Wealth Planner at DeSERANNO. He works closely with our clients to develop and implement customized financial planning strategies to meet their personal goals, incorporating investment portfolio design, coordination of estate plans, education planning, cash flow planning, risk management, retirement, and tax planning. Steve is responsible for delivering the highest-quality planning services to DeSERANNO clients.

Before joining DeSERANNO, Steve worked in numerous capacities for Ford Motor Credit Company. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Michigan State University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Steve also is Chairman of the Finance Committee at the Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church and is a past Commodore of the Grosse Pointe Farms Boat Club. He resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife and children.

Al Gardner is a Wealth Manager at DeSERANNO, providing financial advisory and investment services to clients, including individuals, families, and businesses. Al specializes in teaching clients to understand investing as a means of helping them make informed decisions about managing their lives and their money.

Al joined DeSERANNO in 2008 with more than 15 years of financial advisory experience, including positions at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Before his financial advising career, Al spent 18 years gaining a keen sense of all aspects of business. He is a graduate of the Ford Motor Company Minority Dealer Training Program. His experience includes corporate assignments in manufacturing and human resources with Ford, Harris Bank and AT&T.

Al earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Indiana State University and his Master’s degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University. Al also completed the Oakland University Certificate Program in Financial Planning and holds the investment advisor Series 65 license. In addition, Al is a professional speaker on a range of topics benefiting civic and community groups. He is married with a son who is a staff member at The University of Pennsylvania.

Mike Hamilton came to DeSERANNO in 2004. As a Client Service Manager, he is responsible for maintaining the high quality of service that our clients have become accustomed to receiving.

Before joining DeSERANNO, Mike had four years of experience in business management, serving as operation supervisor with a company in Dearborn, Mich.

Mike played college hockey for the Minnesota State University Mavericks and is a highly sought- after coach and trainer of youth hockey players in the Michigan area. In 2008, Mike coached his Honey Baked Pee Wee Hockey team to a world title in Quebec, Canada, and many of Mike’s past players are currently playing professional hockey. Mike lives in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife and family.

Alison Wright joined DeSERANNO in 2007 with seven years of experience in the financial services industry. As an Associate Wealth Planner, she is responsible primarily for client administrative matters and a number of daily operational activities. These include data gathering, client meeting preparation, updating and maintaining client information, and working closely with the financial planning team.

Alison began her career in client relations at a financial advisory firm in Boston, Mass. She later worked as a Registered Client Service Representative with Raymond James in Grand Rapids, Mich. She currently holds the designation of Registered ParaplannerSM through The College for Financial Planning.

Alison graduated from Denison University in 1989. She is actively involved in the Grosse Pointe community and is an avid school volunteer. Alison resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with her husband and children.

Business Development Manager

As Business Development Manager, Steve Wade helped establish and currently maintains the DeSERANNO referral and new client orientation programs. His primary responsibilities are ensuring a good fit between potential clients and DeSERANNO and maintaining the highest levels of quality and satisfaction throughout the new-client orientation process.

Before joining DeSERANNO in 2005, Steve was a small-business owner/operator in Atlanta, where he brought the business from concept to sale in four years. Steve sold the business to move back to Michigan to be near family.

Steve served four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps and currently resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife and children.

Before joining DeSERANNO, Elena served as a human resources generalist at St. John Providence Health System, a leading provider of health care with seven hospitals and more than 125 medical facilities in southeast Michigan.

Elena earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She currently lives in Grosse Pointe Farms with her husband and family.