BIO
Mike Baker, CFP®, is an Investment Advisor Representative and part of the Management Team with Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, where he oversees and trains junior advisors. Mike also co-founded and leads the firm's Aerospace and Defense Group, researching and analyzing companies on the rise that hold promise for investment opportunities. Mike is also an integral piece of Gerber Kawasaki's Corporate Benefits division, where he helps companies design, optimize and manage their 401k plan.
Mike is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management to high net-worth clients, many who are outstanding young entrepreneurs and leaders in their industries. His book of business also includes young families who value the firm’s practice of diversity and inclusion and recognize Mike’s proactive, diligent service and his passion to help his clients reach their financial goals and aspirations. His empathy, attention to detail and superior listening skills are a few of the qualities that are most memorable.
Born and raised in Torrance, California to a family of blue-collar workers, Mike became fascinated, at an early age, with the stock market and its capability to build wealth. With his passion for math, Mike went on to earn his Bachelor's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from San Diego State University, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college.
During one summer break, Mike interned for a large wealth management firm in Los Angeles, where he learned the value financial planning offers to help people at the different stages of their lives. After college, he decided he wanted to work in the financial services industry and not long after that, he found the perfect home at Gerber Kawasaki after passing his Series 7 and Series 66 license exams. In December 2021, he went on to obtain his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.
As a First Gen college graduate, Mike is committed to providing educational opportunities for other first generation college students by mentoring college students or those looking to get into the financial industry through San Diego State University's Aztec Mentor Program. He also regularly offers speaking engagements to companies and their employees on financial wellness topics. His recent presentations have included: Personal Financial Wellness 101; Understanding your Finances during Turbulent Times; Protecting Your Family's Finances and Planning for College and Navigating your Equity-Based Compensation.
Mike is an active member of San Diego State's Alumni Assocation, serving as its Los Angeles Chapter Alumni Chairperson, raising money for worthwhile charities. He is an avid Dodgers, Rams and Lakers fan and when not otherwise engaged in meeting people and advising them on wealth-building or financial planning, he enjoys traveling and exploring historic and exotic locations and spending quality time with family and friends in the beautiful Southern California sunshine.
CA Insurance Lic:#OM14640
Designation Disclaimers
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
For more than 30 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.
Candidates for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification must have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time personal financial planning experience or the equivalent part-time experience (2,000 hours equals one year full-time). Designation training requirements for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification include completion of a CFP-board registered program, or hold one of the following: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC); Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA); Ph.D. in financial planning, finance, business administration or economics; Doctor of Business Administration; or attorney's license. Following completion of the course requirements, applicants must complete a proctored final certification exam and continuing education of 30 hours every two years.
https://www.finra.org/investors/professional-designations/cfp
