May 2025 – Newsletter
7th Year on Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor List
For the seventh consecutive year, Paramount Wealth Management Founder and President, Don Hershberger, has been named on the Forbes list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:
- FORBES BEST IN STATE AWARD
- CALENDAR
- PAPER SHREDDING EVENT
- CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
- TRAVEL SECURELY
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized once again among the top wealth advisors in Michigan and the nation,” said Don. “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of the entire Paramount Wealth Management team. Our commitment to providing exceptional service, building lasting relationships, and continually striving for excellence is what drives us every day. I am immensely proud of our collective efforts and the impact we have on our clients’ lives.”.
The Forbes Best-In-State list highlights top advisors who have shown exceptional success, integrity, and professionalism in their work. Created by SHOOK Research, the ranking is based on a comprehensive methodology that includes in-depth phone and in-person interviews. It also takes into account factors such as revenue growth, assets under management, compliance history, industry experience, and a strong commitment to serving clients’ best interests.
Calendar
May 9 -Paper Shred Event, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at our office in Jackson, MI
May 26 – Paramount office and financial markets closed for Memorial Day
June 19 – Financial markets are closed for Juneteenth. Paramount office will be open
July 4 – Paramount office and financial markets closed for Independence Day
Paper Shredding Event
Our 4th annual Shred Event is Friday, May 9 between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.
The Shred Truck will be in the parking lot of our office in Jackson. Stop by and enjoy FREE paper shredding!
- No need to remove staples
- Cardboard like file folders and the back of a checkbook can be shredded
- No cardboard boxes
- All shredding is recycled
Click the button below to download a Shred Timeline. You’ll find out what should be shredded, how long you should keep documents, and how to store documents digitally in your Raymond James Vault.
Client Spotlight – Dan Ady
For Dan, fishing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifelong passion, a weekend tradition, and now, a joyful chapter of his retirement.
Dan grew up with a fishing rod in his hand. “I can remember being as young as 10 years old, fishing with my grandfather,” he recalls. That early love of the sport eventually turned into something more—a part-time fishing charter business that he’s been involved in for over 35 years.
While he once juggled just a couple charters a year during his full-time career, retirement has allowed him to embrace the water more fully. These days, Dan and his longtime friend Dave, a licensed captain, run charters April through October on Lake Erie. “I leave Jackson on Friday evenings, fish all weekend, and come back Monday,” Dan explains.
The charter began with friendship and a shared passion for the lake. Dan and Dave used to work together in Jackson before Dave relocated to Ohio. When Dave bought a boat from their mutual friend Tom, he also inherited Tom’s client book—and a new adventure was born.
Out on the lake, the two have a rhythm. “Dave drives and navigates. I focus on what lure to use to catch the most fish—and I take care of the kids, baiting hooks and removing fish,” Dan shares. “We do whatever it takes to make sure people catch fish and have a great time.” Though the charter officially runs six hours, Dan and Dave often stay out longer just to ensure guests head home with smiles—and a cooler full of fish.
Their charter operates both independently and through the West Sister Charter Fleet, offering direct bookings or connections via the fleet. They specialize in walleye and perch—Lake Erie’s finest. Dan even makes his own walleye lures, complete with #17 line, beads, hooks, and spinners. “We usually bring at least 30 lures with us. You never know when one’s going to get bit off.”
Fishing limits are generous: six walleye and 30 perch per person. “Walleye have to be at least 16 inches to keep,” Dan says. “They usually run between 20 and 25 inches, but the biggest I’ve seen was 36 inches. Perch average 9 to 12 inches—we’ve seen some 14-inchers out there.”
Dan’s charters draw all kinds of guests—families, friends, corporate groups, and even some colorful characters. “We had a group of men that seemed like they might be in the mafia,” Dan says, half-joking. “They’d tell us to go out as far as possible, talk quietly at the back of the boat while we fished off the front. When they were done, we headed back and gave them the fish.”
But it’s not always calm waters and funny stories. “There’ve been some scary moments,” Dan admits. “Once we went out in rough weather—before GPS—and got caught in a storm. Water was coming over the bow, and we couldn’t see out the windshield.” Another time, they struck something in the water that ripped the shaft out of the motor, leaving a hole in the boat. “We made it back, but you learn to respect the lake.”
They also operate near nuclear power plants on the shore of Lake Erie, which led to some tense moments after 9/11. “The Coast Guard used to stop us regularly. One guy would come on board while another stayed back in the boat holding an AR-15,” Dan recalls. “They were worried about terrorists hiring charter boats to access the plants.”
Despite the unpredictability of the lake, Dan wouldn’t trade it for anything. “My favorite part is entertaining the customers,” he says. “Sometimes the fish aren’t biting, and I become more of an entertainer than a fisherman—but I love making sure everyone has a great experience.”
Dan isn’t in it for the money—he simply loves what he does. Whether it’s helping a child catch their first fish, swapping stories with fellow anglers, or navigating the open water with an old friend. His fishing charter is a perfect example of what it means to live a life Designed by Inspiration®. Dan found clarity around what inspires him, designed a lifestyle that allows him to share that passion with others, and now spends his retirement doing what he loves most—creating unforgettable moments on the water, one cast at a time.
If you are interested in fishing and would like more information, contact Dan directly at [email protected].
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The Paramount Wealth Management Team
The Paramount Wealth Management Team
420 South Brown Street
Jackson, MI 49203
517-787-4444
517-795-2530 (F)
www.paramountwealth.com
Don Hershberger CFP®, AIF®, CRC®, Founder and President, PWM, was named on the 2024 Forbes Top Wealth Advisor Best-in-State list.
The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2024 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2022 to 6/30/2023 and was released on 4/3/2024. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 44,990 nominations, roughly 8,500 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for obtaining this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
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