Some people stumble into careers, but not Michael Ehlenbeck. Michael knew he was destined for finance back in high school when he happily served as Class Treasurer.

“It’s weird, but I always had a passion,” he says with a laugh. “It’s not the most exciting thing to go over your budget. I totally get that. But it is important, so I try to create that sense of urgency for [clients]. ‘This is important for you and I’m here to help you out with it.’”

In addition to his knack for budgeting, Ehlenbeck played several competitive high school team sports. It should come as no surprise that he appreciates CORE’s team-oriented approach to financial planning.

He loves bouncing ideas off of other team members and coming up with strategic financial solutions for clients that reflect a variety of perspectives and specialties.

“You can be a pitcher and pitch very well, but you always need those players behind you catching the ball,” he says. “That’s what CORE is like.”

At home, Ehlenbeck and his wife enjoy working as a team to raise their two daughters. Always on the move, the family enjoys traveling, going to the beach, visiting Disney World and, of course, playing sports.

“They’re kind of like their parents—very active, nonstop,” he fondly says of his daughters. “They’re always doing something, but we love that lifestyle.”

That drive helps explain why, despite his already packed schedule, Ehlenbeck enrolled in a year-long program to earn his As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation through the University of Florida, which he received in the spring of 2022.

“It’s just go go go,” he says. “I hate sitting around and doing nothing.”