OUR TEAM
Metro Detroit | Los Angeles
The Coastal Financial Strategies Group Mission
Our mission is to provide you a high level of responsiveness and personal service, informed by a deep understanding of your needs, goals, and preferences.
To provide you with a holistic wealth planning experience, we work closely with your CPAs and legal counselors to integrate their advice, as appropriate, into the strategies and recommendations we develop.
Metro Detroit
 |
Alvin V. Spencer, Jr. Managing Director/Investments Regional Director, Michigan [email protected]  |
|---|---|
|
At Stifel, Alvin Spencer is the Regional Director of Michigan and a Managing Director/Investments. With more than 30 years of successful management experience, he is an established leader within the investment industry. Alvin is one of 10 Regional Directors that lead Stifel, directly reporting to the CEO and President of one of the oldest firms on Wall Street. His strengths lie with private wealth management for individuals, institutional investing, and expanding the Michigan market through the recruiting of top-tier financial advisors. Alvin is responsible for overseeing billions of client funds and multiple offices. He and his team also manage their direct client business through the Coastal Financial Strategies Group out of the Detroit Metro Market and Los Angeles. Alvin consistently ranks as one of the top leaders in the industry and is highly recognized for growing Stifel’s business. Alvin was named on the Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2021, 2022, 2023), Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams (2023, 2024), AdvisorHub’s Advisors to Watch (2022, 2023), and NAPA Top DC Advisor Teams (2022). In 1991, Alvin began his career as an intern with Merrill Lynch and worked his way up to becoming the Regional Sales Manager of Michigan. He was recruited to PaineWebber/UBS Financial Services’ Birmingham Complex location in 2002. While there, he achieved the title of Director and Complex Manager and generated millions of dollars in revenue, including Michigan field offices in Birmingham, Dearborn, Flint, Saginaw, and Traverse City. In 2007, Alvin moved on to Wachovia Securities/Wells Fargo Advisors as the Market Manager of Central Michigan and the Detroit Metro Market until he began his career with Stifel in 2016. Alvin is highly involved with his community. He has been involved with several councils and participates in an array of sponsorships for nonprofit organizations. He is an active board member at Detroit Cristo Rey High School and has also been involved with the Calvin Johnson, Jr. Foundation, Gleaners Community Food Bank, JDRF Diabetes Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Habitat for Humanity, Our Lady of Victory Church and School, U of D Jesuit High School, Ladywood and United Way, among many others. He also sits on the board of advisors for events.com. Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rankings are based on the 12-month period ending June 30 and March 31, respectively, of the year prior to publication and selected by SHOOK Research, LLC. AdvisorHub’s Advisors to Watch are based on the 12-month period ending December 31 of the year prior to publication. Each are selected from a pool of nominations as indicated in the methodology. NAPA’s Top DC Advisor Teams, March 16, 2023, based on assets under advisement as of December 31 of the year prior to publication. To be considered, teams had to submit responses to an application form, including information about their defined contribution (DC) assets under advisement. All teams with more than $100 million in DC assets under advisement are included in the list. SHOOK Research, Forbes, and the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) do not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rankings may not be representative of any one client’s experience and are not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. Investment performance is not a criterion for selection. For more information on the selection methodology for the Forbes and AdvisorHub awards, see www.stifel.info/award-disclosures. |
|
 |
Michael Anderson Managing Director/Investments [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
Mike began his investment industry career in 1999 and joined Stifel in 2016. Prior to Stifel, he worked for Wells Fargo Advisors, UBS Financial Services, and Merrill Lynch. He attended Michigan State University. As a leader of the Coastal Wealth Management Group, Mike's mission is to create a collaborative team structure that delivers valuable, insightful, and impactful investment and income strategies. Using wealth planning as a foundation, Mike's career has been focused on modeling solutions to meet his client's needs. Michael has been named on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2021 and 2022. He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses (including annuities). An avid golfer, Mike played collegiately at Michigan State University and is now the head coach for the Detroit Catholic Central High School golf team where he lead them to three straight team Division 1 championships (2015-2017). Mike stays involved in the community and participates in many of the local nonprofit events. He is also a board member with Holy Cross Children's Foundation. Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, April 7, 2022 and February 11, 2021, each based on the 12-month period ending June 30 of the year prior to publication. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and selected from a pool of nominations as indicated in the methodology. Neither SHOOK Research nor Forbes receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rankings may not be representative of any one client’s experience and are not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. Investment performance is not a criterion for selection. Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information on the selection methodology, see www.stifel.info/award-disclosures. |
|
 |
J. Clark Standish, CRPC® First Vice Presidents/Investments [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
I joined the financial services industry in 1986 with Merrill Lynch. In 2007, I joined Smith Barney/Morgan Stanley, and worked there until my transition to Stifel. I hold my Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses, and I also hold the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation. I attended Kenyon College for two years before transferring to the University of Michigan, where I graduated with a Bachelor General Studies. Outside of the office, I enjoy being active in my community. I have been a member of the Country Club of Detroit since 1984 and have been a part of various committees there, such as the Golf and Greens Committee, Chair Golf Course Renovation, Board of Governors, and currently Chair Men's Wednesday Bowling League. I also serve as Director at Evans Scholars Foundation of Western Golf Association. I was Governor of the Golf Association of Michigan from 2009 to 2012. I am a proud volunteer for Gleaners Community Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. As a passionate advocate of children's education, I am a former board member of the University Liggett School Parents Association and served as a past chairman of this group for the Liggett Middle School. I also currently serve the Association for the Upper School. As my daughter has grown up, I have coached more than 10 of her sports teams, primarily hockey and softball. |
|
 |
Jon Randall, CPFA Senior Vice Presidents/Investments [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
Jon began his investment industry career in 2005 and joined Stifel in 2018. Prior to Stifel, he worked for Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Global Markets. He earned a B.B.A. in Finance from Western Michigan University-Haworth College of Business and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses, as well as life and variable insurance licenses (including annuities). In addition to helping individuals pursue their investment, retirement, and comprehensive wealth management goals, Jon specializes in helping company retirement plans analyze their plan and select appropriate vendors from non-proprietary options. Through a detailed consultative process, he strives to help growing organizations save time, reduce costs, and increase efficiencies. Passionate about community education, Jon is a member of the President's Leadership Council and the Development Board for Detroit Cristo Ray School and is active with the Brother Rice High School Alumni Association. He is also a board member of the City of Royal Oak Historical Commission and a member of the Detroit Athletic Club. |
|
 |
Matthew C. Battenberg Vice Presidents/Investments [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
Matthew has graciously served his diverse client base for more than 20 years. He works closely with high-net-worth families, corporate executives, and retirees in designing detailed financial strategies, including a comprehensive outlook of their financial picture. Taking into account his clients' investment needs, their ability and willingness to assume risk, time horizon, and other factors, he continually communicates with his clients and their team of professional advisors to build a framework for their unique path toward retirement and beyond. Growing up in three different countries overseas and visiting more than 45 others, Matthew has a very diverse outlook on the world, which has led him to take each client scenario with a broad outlook of potential strategies. He attended Cranbrook Kingswood preparatory school in suburban Detroit before earning a B.A. in Communication Arts and Public Relations from Southern Methodist University. He began his career as a District Sales Manager with General Motors Co. before realizing his passion for financial services, where he ultimately took a position with PaineWebber/UBS Financial Services. His dedication to a client-first approach led him to Stifel, where he has spent the past three years growing his practice. As a resident of Bloomfield Village in suburban Detroit, Matthew is actively involved in the community, regularly volunteering for organizations such as the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and the Birmingham Public School system. In his spare time, he serves on several committees at Birmingham Country Club, where he and his family spend a great deal of time and where he strives to someday actually shoot a par round of golf. He and his wife, Jaynee, enjoy watching their children, Kathryn and Charles, continue to grow and prosper in year-round competitive swimming and Junior Hockey. |
|
 |
Brad Bastion, CFP® Financial Advisor |
|---|---|
|
Brad began his investment industry career in 2014 and joined Stifel in 2023. Prior to joining Stifel, he worked as an Associate Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, a Relationship Banker at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and a Senior Financial Consultant at Comerica Securities. Brad delivers top-tier service to his clients by employing goals-based investment planning and wealth management strategies. He works closely with them to develop highly customized portfolios that align with their unique short- and long-term goals. Brad earned a B.A. from Oakland University and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses. In his spare time, Brad enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters and is also a competitive tournament golfer on a state and national level. |
|
 |
Chris Armour Financial Advisor Associate [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
Chris began his financial services career in 2009 with a team at Wells Fargo Advisors in Naples, Florida. He continued working with Wells Fargo as he earned his B.B.A in Finance and Economics from Western Michigan University. After graduating, he continued his career working with a number of different advisors as he learned the many strategies used in wealth management. Given his extensive experience in operation and compliance administration, Chris understands the importance of process and structure as foundations for client service. He has dedicated his career to delivering the personalized wealth planning services clients deserve. Chris joined Stifel in 2016. He holds Series 7, 9, 10, 63, and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses (including annuities). |
|
 |
Richard Williams Financial Advisor Associate [email protected] |
|---|---|
|
Rick began his investment industry career in 2010 at Wells Fargo Advisors and joined Stifel in 2016. He earned a B.A. in Retailing from the University of South Carolina and holds Series 7, 9 & 10, and 66 securities licenses. Rick is married to his wife, Amy, for almost 25 years. They have two daughters, Megan and Lauren, who are both currently in college. Rick grew up playing golf and still enjoys playing today. He played golf collegiately at the University of South Carolina and is currently helping coach the Detroit Catholic Central golf team. |
|
* Forbes' Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, February 11, 2021. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, and were selected from a pool of 32,725 nominations. Advisors in the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list were judged on individual contribution, but total team asserts are shown, which can include one or more additional advisors. Qualifying advisors met the following basic requirements: a minimum of seven years as an advisor, a minimum of one year at their current firm, recommended and nominated by their firm, completion of an online survey, over 50% of their revenue/production must be with individuals, and an acceptable compliance record. Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes, Inc. All rights reserved.