An experienced professional with Merrill since 1984, Jeff provides strategic vision and investment policy for Gembis, Cheslin, Carter and Associates and delivers it to clients within the goals-based wealth management process. For over three decades, Jeff has been helping clients with the creation, preservation and management of their wealth through a variety of market cycles and often challenging economic conditions.  Jeff has earned and maintained the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation sponsored by the Investments and Wealth Institute™ (formerly IMCA) at the Wharton School.  Jeff also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. 

Gembis, Cheslin, Carter & Associates was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list*, January 2024, for the 2nd consecutive year (Source: Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list, published on January 9, 2024.  Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023).  Jeff was also named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list**, April 2024, for the 3rd consecutive year (Source: Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023).

A Michigan native and Michigan State University alumnus, Jeff and his wife, Melissa, have three grown children. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Birmingham Athletic Club and Wawashkamo Golf Club on Mackinac Island. In his time away from the business, Jeff enjoys squash, golf and many other sports and spending time with his family.





*2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams " list.  Opinions provided by SHOOK* Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary).  SHOOK's rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and not an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the rankings study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. 

**2024 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Joe takes pride in his detail-oriented approach in understanding client goals and designing strategies to help fulfill them. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Finance and emphasis on Securities Analysis. In addition to his financial education, Joe holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. Joe is a qualified Portfolio Manager for the team who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies.  

In 2017, 2018 and 2020, Joe was recognized on Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list* (Source: Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published annually July - Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year). He was also named to Forbes "Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" list** in 2019 (Source:  Forbes "Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list, published on September 4, 2019. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2019).  Gembis, Cheslin, Carter & Associates was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list***, January 2024, for the 2nd consecutive year (Source: Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list, published on January 9, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023). In addition, Joe was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list****, April 2024, for the 4th consecutive year (Source: Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published April 3, 2024.  Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023).

*Source:  Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published annually July - Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year.
Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” ranking. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1983 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews to measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

**Source: Forbes “Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published on September 4, 2019. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2019.
Forbes “Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list was developed by SHOOK Research. Advisors considered for this ranking were born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience; advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criteria because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor.

***2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams " list.  Opinions provided by SHOOK* Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary).  SHOOK's rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and not an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the rankings study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. 

****2024 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Henry joined Merrill in 2017.  Using a goals based approach to wealth management, Henry works to assist clients with establishing and achieving their financial goals.  Henry is committed to accommodating the unique financial needs of each client.  Henry guides and assist clients whenever their needs evolve.  He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification (awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.).

Gembis, Cheslin, Carter & Associates was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list, January 2024, for the 2nd consecutive year (*Source: Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list, published on January 9, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023).

Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, Henry is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University.  Henry enjoys playing hockey, golf, squash and spending time in northern Michigan.





*2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams " list.  Opinions provided by SHOOK* Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary).  SHOOK's rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and not an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the rankings study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.