When Jaime Westenbarger bought his first stock while still in High School, he was unaware the large influence that the purchase would have on his future. Always interested in finance and economics, Jaime enrolled at The University of Michigan shortly after completing his service to our country in the United States Marine Corps. In 1999, he officially entered the financial services industry and worked in a number of capacities including but not limited to managing a team of financial advisors until he decided in 2006 it was time to build his own company, Forest Hills Financial. Although the entrepreneurial spirit was partially responsible for the endeavor, it was also driven by his desire to create a company he would want to be a client of. His concern lied in the belief that the financial industry was focused more on sales goals than in truly helping the client, resulted in the founding Forest Hills Financial, Inc. in 2006.
As a graduate of Aquinas College where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting, I have always enjoyed the financial industry. While balancing school and extracurricular activities I managed to integrate the financial world into my spare time as well. As a Student of Free Enterprise (SIFE) where I was a member of the Financial Literacy Team, I learned from my early college years the practical application of many of the resources I had learned in the classroom.
Aside from this, I was most notably on the college Baseball team. Physical Activity has always been a large part of my life and in my spare time I can be found often times still on the field doing slow pitch softball, golfing, or taking long walks through parks and trails with my wife and our dog. I enjoy travel, spending time with family and friends, and my wife and I often enjoy volunteering our time in various local events and fundraisers.
I have been in the financial services industry since 2011. Throughout that time my focus has been providing the highest level of financial advice and client experience possible. I strive every day to give my clients the tolls and confidence they need to achieve their financial goals.
Planning for retirement can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. My ability to sort through all of the seemingly complex financial information will help in working towards giving you greater satisfaction as well as someone that you can depend on, to help guide you, in all of your financial decisions. We will work together to align the various investment choices along with your personal goals to help give you the confidence you need on your journey down the path to retirement and beyond.
Bart Steindler's 37 years of business experience has focused on 3 areas. Providing value to clients, mentoring employees, and adding guidance as part of the management team. As a representative selling industrial paper and packaging products, or subsequently as an investment advisor, finding the right product solution for his clients has always been a key to his success. He has always strived to understand the client’s plan, and how his work affects it.
Perspective | As an owner and a manager, Bart has always put an emphasis on mentoring colleagues and guiding a profitable company to the mutual benefit of owners, employees, and clients. Bart has contributed his time to many organizations. Currently he is actively participating with The Kids Food Basket, Meijer Gardens, Temple Emanuel, and The Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Personal
Bart and his wife Kathy, live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and enjoy biking and skiing for recreation.