As President, Michael is the leader of Gradient Investments and has been with the firm since 2012. He brings more than 30 years of industry experience including prior roles managing multi-billion dollar portfolios for an institutional asset manager. Michael is a CFA® charterholder and is a frequent contributor on CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and the Wall Street Journal.
About
THE A5 FINANCIAL STORY
A5 Financial, started by John and Neil in 2024, was founded to fill a niche they felt was missing in the industry. Having spent their careers working at multiple financial institutions, they felt there was a deficit of truly impartial advice. They believed planning should evolve as the marketplace evolves, and seeing things stay stagnant rather than advance was not the future John and Neil wanted to work towards.
Always striving for efficiency, and with John’s proclivity towards culinary craftsmanship, A5 – a term used to describe a high-end Japanese steak cut, was born. We want our clients to know our focus is on creating a tailored, well-designed, and thought-out plan so they can be focused on what they’d like to accomplish and reduce their concern and anxiety about future goals, whether that be immediate needs or lofty long-term goals. We believe our clients should expect valuable insights and an action plan to help them gain a clearer picture of their financial lives.
John Carruthers
Wealth Manager & CEO
John, a seasoned professional, has had a storied career in the financial services industry since 2004, amassing a wealth of experience and knowledge over two decades. John enjoys navigating the intricacies of complex financial plans. His experience assists him in aiding clients in reducing complexities, thereby simplifying their financial lives. Ultimately, his goal is to empower clients and provide them with the confidence to take control of their financial future.
On the personal front, John is happily married and is a proud father to a beautiful daughter. Family is at the heart of John’s life. As the youngest of five siblings, he enjoys the bustling, yet warm, chaos of a large family and cherishes the time he spends with his 11 nieces and nephews. John is a culinary enthusiast who loves to cook and try new restaurants. He finds joy in preparing a variety of delightful dishes and sharing them with friends and family, creating memorable moments around the dinner table.
Neil Fenning
Wealth Manager & CIO
Neil, with over eight years of industry experience, specializes in developing plans tailored to his clients’ needs. These plans offer clients the peace of mind of knowing they have a plan for their finances. He enjoys evaluating and utilizing a company’s employer benefits and stock plans to build comprehensive plans for his clients. Neil leverages this skill set to understand and when possible, optimize the system for his clients’ benefit.
An outdoor enthusiast, Neil spends his winters skiing and summers hiking the Cascades. Having been born and raised in Washington, Neil has an affinity for the Northwest, having worked as a raspberry farmer while attending Western Washington University and participating in Fish and Wildlife ecology studies along the peninsula.
Neil enjoys streamlining complex situations into efficient strategies wherever possible. Neil uses his stewardship experiences to align his priorities with those with whom he’s working, taking the role of fiduciary as his primary guiding principle.
Paul Kunz
Financial Planner & Director of Marketing
Since embarking on his financial career in 2007. His journey began in the banking sector, working at Wells Fargo he found himself keen to help people on their personal finance journey. Paul transitioned to working with financial advisors, expanding his knowledge to include investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning. His approach, deeply rooted in a client-first philosophy, ensures that each strategy is tailored to the individual’s financial ambitions.
In his dual role as the Director of Marketing at A5 Financial, Paul leverages his extensive knowledge to drive innovation and growth within the company. He is instrumental in creating engaging customer experiences and enhancing operational efficiency through state-of-the-art technology and tools.
Beyond his professional expertise, Paul is an avid fly fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, immersing himself in the tranquility of nature. This passion extends to his commitment to environmental stewardship, where he volunteers significant time towards river restoration projects. Paul believes in preserving these natural habitats not only for the enjoyment of fellow anglers but for future generations to come.
Paul’s dedication to his clients’ financial well-being, coupled with his love for the environment, makes him an advisor who understands the importance of sustainability in all aspects of life. Whether he’s crafting a financial plan or casting lines into the water, Paul brings the same level of care and precision to work toward a positive outcome.
Strategic Alliances
MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®
President of Gradient Investments, LLC
JEREMY BRYAN,
CFA®
Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC
KEITH GANGL,
CFA®
Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC
TYLER ELLEGARD, CFA®
Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC
*This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.