Meet the Team Behind Your Retirement Plan
We're a locally owned financial planning firm in Lansing, Michigan, dedicated to helping university and state employees navigate retirement with confidence.
Our Story
Building Something Different in Lansing
For over 25 years, SRB Advisors has specialized in helping Michigan's university and state employees make smart decisions about their retirement. While other firms chase the latest investment trends or try to be everything to everyone, we've stayed focused on what we do best. We understand the intricacies of 403(b) and 457 plans, state pension systems, TIAA contracts, and healthcare transitions because we've spent years mastering them.
We're not a call center. We're not rotating relationship managers. We're a small team based right here in Lansing that gets to know you, your family, and what matters most in your life.
Our Process
The Strategic Reliable Blueprint
Most financial advisors start with your investments. We start with your life.
Strategic Reliable Blueprint
Before we talk about investment returns or portfolio allocation, we take time to understand what you want your life to look like. What matters most to you? What do you want to do in retirement? What are your concerns and priorities?
Through our partnership with the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, we use a proven process to help you clarify your values and vision. Only after we understand what you're working toward do we start building the financial plan to get you there.
Organize and Implement the Plan
Once we know where you want to go, we create a comprehensive plan that coordinates every aspect of your financial life. This includes your pension decisions, retirement account strategies, tax planning, healthcare coverage, Social Security timing, and investment management.
We don't just hand you a plan and wish you luck. We help you implement it, make the necessary changes, and ensure everything is working together toward your goals.
Regularly Review and Update the Plan
Life changes. Markets change. Tax laws change. Your plan needs to change with them.
We meet with you regularly to review your progress, adjust your strategy, and address new questions or concerns as they arise. You're never on your own, wondering if you're still on track or if something needs to change.
Our Team
David W. Shotwell
Certified Financial Planner™
David Shotwell started in the investment and financial planning world early in the your role, as financial planners.
Nicholas F. Nauta
Certified Financial Planner™
To me, living a rich life is more about who you are, what your vision is, and being able to pursue your dreams.
Amy Gauden
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional
My priority is to make sure every client’s needs are addressed and help to assist them achieve their financial goals.
Jeff Rutter
Chief Compliance Officer and Operations Director
As the financial planning industry continues to evolve, our firm does, too. However, we are still committed to the "kitchen table" .
Kirt Runyan
Administrative Assistant
He joined Shotwell Rutter Baer in September 2021. He brings over 25 years of extensive Administration/Customer Service experience.
Ashley Sajor
Operations Specialist
Ashley graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a degree in Finance. She began her career as an intern.
Cole Williams
Operations Specialist
Cole graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a degree in Public Policy and once more in 2024.
Our Community Commitment
Being part of our community and giving back is a big part of our philosophy and how we measure success. We're involved in several local charities that we support both financially and as volunteers and board members.
Organizations We Support:
Loaves and Fishes Homeless Shelter
The Davies Project for Mid-Michigan Children
Kiwanis Club of Delta Township
Ann Arbor Rotary
Deltaside Business Association
Lansing Regional Chamber
Messiah Lutheran Church
What Sets Us Apart
We're Fiduciaries. Fee-Only. And Focused on What Matters.
Fiduciary and Fee-Only
We're legally and ethically required to put your interests first, always. That's not just a nice idea, it's the law. As a fee-only advisory firm, we don't earn commissions on products we recommend. We're compensated directly by our clients through planning fees and a percentage of assets under management. This means when we recommend a strategy or investment, it's because we believe it's the right move for you, not because we're getting paid to sell it. Around here, we believe that's just how things should be done.
Life Planning, Not Just Financial Planning
Most advisors focus on the numbers: account balances, returns, and allocations. That's important, but it's not everything. Through our partnership with the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, we start by helping you get clear on what you actually want your life to look like. What brings you joy? What would you do if money weren't an issue? What legacy do you want to leave? Once we understand what matters most to you, we build a financial plan that supports that vision. Your money should serve your life, not the other way around. We help you figure out what you're saving for, not just how much you're saving.
Local and Relationship-Focused
We're a Lansing firm, born and raised right here in Mid-Michigan. We're not some big national company with a local office staffed by people who transfer in and out every few years. We live here. Our kids go to school here. We shop at the same grocery stores you do. When you work with us, you work with the same team year after year. We get to know your kids' names, remember your vacation plans, and genuinely care about how things are going in your life. That's the Midwestern way, and it's how we think financial planning should work. You deserve a team that's in it for the long haul, and that's exactly what you get with us.
Ready to Retire With Confidence?
If you're a university or state employee in Michigan approaching retirement, we'd love to talk. Schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn more about how we can help.