Steve Hartel, MBA, AIF®

Steve does not believe in cookie cutter financial plans. Everyone’s needs and goals are different; what may make sense for one person may not make sense for another, even if they are at the same age or stage in life. To Steve, financial independence means reaching the point where work becomes optional and retirement becomes affordable — but each person might define that differently.

This is one of the things that sets Steve apart from other Advisors; his commitment to thinking holistically and creatively so that he can help his clients work towards their unique financial goals. He is attracted to the energy of those who shape our world and future such as business owners, educators and entrepreneurs. Steve is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial independence through practical, values-driven financial plans.

Steve is now a Wealth Advisor in the Denver office for Trilogy Financial, a forward-thinking independent financial planning firm based in California. Trilogy has staff with their CFP^® certification, CPA^®, AIF^®, CFA^®, MBA and many other professional credentials. They also have access to strategic partners such as estate planning attorneys, business planning attorneys and other legal resources. With these resources at his disposal, Steve is well equipped to work with clients of any income or net worth level. He believes in treating his clients with respect, honesty, integrity and service excellence.

Prior to joining Trilogy, Steve enjoyed significant roles at a boutique investment management firm, as a private consultant, as the head of a registered investment advisory firm and at a highly specialized unit of Fidelity Investments. Before his 20+ years in the financial services industry, Steve had a long career as a corporate financial analyst in the telecom industry. He holds an MBA in Finance and has furthered his education with graduate courses at both the University of Southern CA and Merrimack College. Steve has been written up in both the Boston Herald and Lowell Sun for teaching classes about money to children in local schools. He has also appeared numerous times as a financial guest on national radio and television networks. Steve is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®. The designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care.

Steve focuses on advising clients on how to pursue their financial goals, pay less in taxes, affordably pay for college, invest smarter and properly protect their hard-earned assets. He thrives in his role as a financial mentor. He enjoys educating small business owners and guiding individuals and families through all stages of their financial lives.

Steve lives outside of Denver with his wife. They have three grown daughters in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C. When they were younger, Steve was fanatically (some might say rabidly) engaged in his girls’ ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and dancing. He volunteers with youth teaching them life skills and is a nationally certified firearms safety instructor who teaches both adults and youth at Bristlecone Shooting, Training, & Retail Center. He was formerly a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Worcester County. Someday he hopes to have a log cabin in the mountains on a beautiful, fish-filled stream.

*The Investopedia Top 100 celebrates financial advisors who are making significant contributions to critical conversations about financial literacy, investing strategies, life-stage planning and wealth management. Investopedia awards financial advisors who have demonstrated a top-of-the-industry ability to reach the largest and most relevant financial and investing audience, as measured by the impact and quality of their published work, public appearances, and online following. The Investopedia 100 also heavily weighed peer-to-peer nominations, highlighting the most influential advisors who were recommended by their peers. Investopedia receives no compensation from placing advisors on our list, nor does an advisor’s appearance on their list constitute an individual endorsement by Investopedia of such advisor.