Our Team

Dave is a Cleveland area native and graduate of the Ohio State University Fisher School of Business. Dave earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification in 1997. He began working in investment management with a tax and estate planning firm.

Dave founded Bucholtz Consulting in 2004. In 2019 Mike Germo of Financial Planning Resources merged with Bucholtz Consulting. In March 2023, the company’s name changed to Bucholtz & Germo.

Dave draws on his experience in retirement income planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, employee benefits, and insurance to bring all the pieces of clients’ financial lives together. Bucholtz & Germo’ s business is built on referrals from current clients, CPAs, and attorneys. Dave communicates financial concepts in a way that helps clients make smart financial decisions. Dave specializes in working with business owners and those who are planning for or already in retirement and concerned about how to make their money last.

When not working, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, Kris, daughter, Emily, and sons, Jared and Aaron. He enjoys playing pickleball. They own a yellow labrador, Roger, who rarely sleeps. Dave has coached youth soccer, basketball, and football as his children have moved through sports. He is a past-president of Hannah’s Home.

Mike was the founder of Financial Planning Resources prior to merging with Bucholtz Consulting. Mike has been an investment advisor since 1985 and received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification in 1987. In 2019 Mike merged with Dave Bucholtz, Bucholtz Consulting. In March 2023, the company changed its name to Bucholtz & Germo.

Mike graduated from Ohio University in 1978 with a B.A. in Business. He has certifications in life insurance, variable & fixed annuities, and long-term care. As part of his asset management services, Michael spends time learning about and getting to know his clients. He then combines that with his over 35 years of experience to create an investment portfolio designed to meet the investment goals of the client.

Mike has been a lifelong resident of Lake County. He grew up in Wickliffe and currently lives in Concord. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Bridget, and golfing. Mike and Bridget enjoy traveling to Naples, Florida, especially in the winter. They have a small, (but mighty!), Cavachon dog named Bentley. 

Jim is a Northeast Ohio native and graduate of the Miami University Farmer School of Business.  Prior to joining Bucholtz & Germo, Jim was the Managing Principal for Waddell & Reed, the Cleveland Complex Manager for Ameriprise Financial and has been an investment advisor since 2001.

Jim has spent over 20 years working with clients and advisors in the financial services industry.  He has made it his mission to provide clients with sound advice as they work towards their goals through the financial planning process. Jim holds both the Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor^® and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor^® designations, as well as his Series 6, 7, 24, and 66. He is the Past President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

When not working, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife Kathy, son Jacob, daughter Katelyn & son-in-law Tristan, but mostly his grandkids!  Jim is active in the community and enjoyed coaching his kids through youth football, baseball, basketball and soccer. He loves spending time with his family on their “little island in Canada” and is an avid jet skier. Jim is a passionate Cleveland sports fan and can often be spotted at Browns, Guardians, Cavaliers and Buckeyes games. 

Isaac is committed to helping individuals and families feel confident about their financial future. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning from the University of Akron and became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional in 2025.

Before joining Bucholtz & Germo, Isaac built a strong foundation in investment management and financial planning at Valmark Financial Group and two independent advisory firms. These experiences shaped his well-rounded, client-focused approach and deepened his passion for helping clients achieve their goals.

Isaac combines technical expertise with a genuine interest in his clients’ lives. His background includes investment management, retirement income strategies, and tax planning. He is dedicated to simplifying complex financial concepts and empowering clients to make confident, informed decisions.

Outside the office, Isaac enjoys traveling and spending time in the kitchen. Whether exploring new destinations or experimenting with recipes at home, he brings curiosity and creativity to everything he does.

A lifelong local resident and graduate of Cleveland State University, Gail joined Bucholtz & Germo in January 2014 after being a client for several years. She believes in the value of quality adviser advice accompanied by personal service. She likes being part of the team and helping people reach their goals and see improvement in their lives. 

During client meetings, Gail captures the details and follows up on the action items. Using our software resources for income planning and Social Security she works with clients to be sure the reports are accurate and meaningful to help them make good financial decisions. Gail keeps the focus on client goals throughout the process. Whether it is organizing fun, engaging client events, reaching out to accountants and attorneys or attending networking events, she enjoys meeting people to share what Bucholtz & Germo has to offer.

Gail enjoys being outdoors and active, biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing in winter. She loves to travel with her husband, Will, and her family and friends.  They like to find new places and adventures to explore. Share the places you love to travel; she is always open to suggestions of great places to visit. Gail and Will have two adult children, Brett, an officer in the Air Force with a growing family, and Kelsey, who lives locally. 

As a Paraplanner at Bucholtz & Germo, Kelly brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to every aspect of financial planning. Her goal is to help clients feel confident and at ease with their financial future, combining analytical expertise with sincere care.

A graduate of Youngstown State University, Kelly also holds her Series 65 license. She began her career as a client liaison, building a strong foundation in service, communication, and client experience. She later transitioned into paraplanning, gaining hands-on experience in plan design, data analysis, and strategy development. Before joining Bucholtz & Germo, she supported customized financial planning for a diverse range of clients at Gem Young Wealth Advisors.

Originally from Boardman, Ohio, Kelly now lives in Cleveland with her husband, Josh. Together, they love to travel—whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a big overseas adventure. She also enjoys exploring Cleveland’s local restaurants, coffee shops, and neighborhoods, always finding something new to discover.

Joe is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Financial Planning & Wealth Management, with a minor in Data Science, at John Carroll University. Raised near our Willoughby Hills office, he joined Bucholtz & Germo in January 2025, eager to apply his classroom knowledge to real-world client planning.

Joe assists with financial plan preparation, client projections, report updates, and research on new planning tools and industry trends. As a visual thinker and data enthusiast, Joe brings fresh energy to the team. He’s passionate about using modern tools that turn financial data into clear, actionable items. After graduation, Joe plans to sit for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® exam and complete the necessary experience requirements to earn the designation.

Outside of work, Joe is an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast. He has years of experience teaching parkour throughout high school and his first years of college. His favorite weekend destination is the New River Gorge in West Virginia, and whenever possible, he heads west to climb in Wyoming or Colorado.

As a Client Service Administrator at Bucholtz & Germo, Michelle Becker ensures a seamless client experience through her organization, efficiency, and dedication. She oversees client service requests, scheduling, and day-to-day office operations. In addition, Michelle serves as the firm’s principal tax preparer and works closely with clients on proactive tax planning throughout the year.

Michelle joined Bucholtz & Germo in 2020 after being a client for more than a decade. She brings over 20 years of experience in customer service and office management. A graduate of Lakeland Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, Michelle is also licensed as an Enrolled Agent - a federally recognized tax practitioner authorized to represent clients before the IRS.

Michelle lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, Keith, their son, and their Boston Terrier, Rocco. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring national parks across the U.S. Michelle also raises chickens - most recently adding “Pat” and “Vanna White” to her flock - and enjoys cooking, crafting, and gardening.

As one of the first friendly voices clients hear when they call or visit our office, Michelle Priester plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and organized environment at Bucholtz & Germo. With more than 30 years of administrative experience, she brings professionalism, care, and attention to detail to everything she does.

Since joining the firm in 2008, Michelle has become a cornerstone of our client service team. She coordinates client requests, manages scheduling, and continually looks for ways to enhance the client experience. Her mission is to ensure every client feels supported, heard, and valued.

A lifelong resident of Leroy, Michelle graduated from Riverside High School and Auburn Career Center. She and her husband, Dean, have two daughters, Jessica and Amanda, who both live nearby with their families. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and helping at her family’s Christmas tree farm - a beloved local tradition.

Cherie is a client service administrator with Bucholtz & Germo, she is responsible for day-to-day account operations, client service requests, and serving our clients. Cherie provides care and attention to detail in her daily responsibilities at Bucholtz & Germo.

Cherie joined Bucholtz & Germo staff in 2019. She previously worked with Mike Germo at Financial Planning Resources. She has worked in the financial industry for over 30 years and began her career in downtown Cleveland. She is knowledgeable and familiar with financial terminology and processes and often solves paperwork problems behind the scenes.

Cherie grew up in the area and lives in the Chardon area. She graduated from Eastlake North High School. She and her husband Daniel have two dogs, Hugo & Riplae. Cherie has a great love for all animals. When not working at Bucholtz & Germo you can find her working at the Geauga Dog Shelter, located in Chardon, Ohio.