Co-Founder | Financial Advisor
RICHARD C. MCELROY, III, AWMA®, JD*
Rick, a former practicing attorney*, is a seasoned financial advisor with over 25 years of industry experience. As a dedicated client advocate, counselor, and caretaker, Rick believes that being forthright, plain spoken, and compassionate is the only way to serve. In an evolving economy, investors often don’t have the time, desire, and knowledge to manage the complexities on their own. Rick’s goal is to provide education, conversation, and resources that help our clients achieve a comfortable understanding of our wealth management process, and, above all, our commitment to serving their best interests as fiduciaries.
Rick also brings specific experience in supporting the families of special needs children and providing hands-on help in managing their unique financial planning and “life management” needs.
As a senior financial advisor, Rick focuses his efforts on creating customized financial plans for clients and connecting their strategies to their life goals. In every step, he enjoys helping clients navigate the evolving financial and “life management” landscapes. He applies a life-long passion for serving as a trusted guide and advocate.
Rick believes in contributing his time to the community and has been an active volunteer in charitable, professional, scholastic, and athletic activities. He has served on the Investment Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association for more than twenty years. He greatly enjoys time with friends on the golf course, and his treasures include his wife, Hargrave, and his three sons and their families.
- Accredited Wealth Management Advisorâ„ professional designation
- B.S. Business Administration, University of North Carolina
- Juris Doctor, Campbell University School of Law*
“I believe that my role is more than helping clients invest— it also includes helping them with life management matters and building confidence in a financial road map to the future.”
* Rick does not provide legal advice
Co-Founder | Chief Investment Officer
Michael Hakerem, CFA
Everyone Has a Story…
Michael’s journey in helping families make confident financial decisions began long ago, surrounded by family members and mentors in healthcare, the military, and first-responder service. Inspired by people who dedicate their lives to helping others, he discovered his own purpose early on—to bring clarity, honesty, and care to how families handle money.
A family friend once handed him a Stock Market for Kids book at age eight, sparking a lifelong curiosity about investing. Years later, an unlikely encounter on the streets of New York City left a lasting impression: a squeegee man offered him fifty cents to make a phone call during a moment of need. That simple act of generosity reshaped how Michael views people—and reminded him that money isn’t just about wealth. It’s about empathy, trust, and shared humanity.
Today, as Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Glenwood Financial Partners, Michael helps families and fiduciary advisors align financial decisions with what matters most: their values, goals, and legacy. With more than 30 years of experience in portfolio management, behavioral finance, and fiduciary wealth strategy, he is dedicated to making investing more human—transparent, disciplined, and deeply personal.
Before founding Glenwood, Michael built investment platforms for a Fortune 500 financial firm, led portfolio strategy for regional wealth management firms, and launched Empowered Portfolios®, a consulting platform supporting fiduciary advisors nationwide.
Surrounded by strong women throughout his life, Michael and his wife, Jennifer, are raising three sons who fuel his belief that true wealth is measured in impact, integrity, and family. His community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for TLC, which empowers individuals of all abilities to live their fullest life through education, care, and community-based programs.
CFA® charterholder | Member, CFA Institute | Triangle Regional Director, CFA Society North Carolina | BBA, Finance & Economics, James Madison University
“Everything I do is fueled by a sense of purpose to help families receive the wealth management advice and solutions they desire, require, and deserve.”