Michael E. Spears, CRPC®, APMA®

Michael E. Spears

Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist™ | Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™

"My mission is simple: to help high-net-worth families and business owners gain total command over their wealth, so they can stop worrying about the markets and start focusing on their lives."

I aspire daily to live by example—leaving the individuals I interact with and the world around me better than I found them. Above all, my greatest commitment is being a dedicated husband to my wife, Jimi, a supportive father to our children, Cameron and Madison, and a proud grandfather to our grandsons.

My Story

Growing up, personal circumstances required me to become independent early on, working full-time to put myself through college. Navigating that road alone, I acutely felt the absence of an objective guide to help coordinate taxes, investments, and long-term planning.

The definitive turning point in my career came when my wife’s grandmother asked for my input on her pension options. I was shocked to see how little she would receive to supplement her Social Security after a lifetime of hard work. That moment stuck with me. It exposed a massive need for honest, transparent guidance, and it is exactly why I became a financial planner. I wanted to build a practice rooted in absolute clarity, acting as the dedicated partner that busy individuals and families need to support what they’ve built.

My Approach to Planning

I believe true wealth management goes far beyond picking investments or tracking index performance. A financial plan must seamlessly coordinate investment strategy, proactive tax planning, and estate protection into a single, cohesive roadmap.

As a fiduciary to my advisory business, my advice is strictly bound to your best interests, ensuring that every recommendation is made with total transparency and objective alignment with your goals.

Beyond the Numbers

When I’m not analyzing portfolios or structuring wealth strategies, you can usually find me spending time with my family, fishing, or enjoying the coast at Emerald Isle.

Deeply rooted in our local community, I am dedicated to giving back through leadership, sponsorship, and service:

• Youth Soccer: Proud coach and sponsor of local youth soccer for over 16 years.
• Special Olympics: Active partner and supporter.
• Community & Faith: Member of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church.
• Higher Education: Supporter of the ECU School of Business (Doubloon Circle).

Credentials & Recognition

Professional Designations & Education

• CRPC® – Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist™
• APMA® – Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™
• B.S. in Finance & Economics – East Carolina University
• Professional Memberships: Financial Planning Association (FPA) | NAPFA

Industry Awards & Industry Councils

• Best-in-State Wealth Advisors – Forbes Magazine (2024, 2025) 
• Fidelity Investment Advisory Council – Invited Member (2018)
• Five Star Wealth Manager Award – The Wall Street Journal Digital Network for the Carolinas (2014)

Summit Club Distinction 

Michael E. Spears is proud to have been recognized as a Summit Club Advisor for five consecutive years (2019–2023). This distinction is based on annual production attained by the top percentage of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network®.

Each year, Commonwealth—the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that processes investment transactions on our behalf—recognizes Summit Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of leading industry experts. This intensive learning and networking experience is designed to help elite advisors hone their expertise, share national best practices, and provide an ever-higher level of proactive service, education, and leadership to their clients.