As Founder and Chairman of the firm, Don has led The Baker Group since 1972. With over 52 years of experience in the financial services industry, Don’s expertise extends across a spectrum of disciplines. He has successfully counseled private estates, family offices, and business entities through countless economic and market cycles. When working with individual investors, he specializes in estate planning, business continuation strategies, charitable giving plans, investment strategies and more.
A graduate of The University of Detroit, Don received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He holds the industry’s highest certifications, including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP), his FINRA Series 1 (Registered Representative) and 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination) licenses, as well as his health and life licenses across multiple states.
An active member of many leading financial associations, Don is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Financial and Estate Planning Counsel(for both Oakland and Macomb County), the Association of Advanced Underwriters, the American Society of Financial Service Professionals & the American College, the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit, and Partners Financial.
Don is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC and an Investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Advisory Services, LLC.
Don lives in Harrison Township with his wife, Helen, and their dog, Bella. He has three children and five grandchildren. Outside of the office, he looks forward to sailing, hunting, and fishing. He is a member of the Detroit Yacht Club, where he is a former Commodore and co-founder of the DYC Rod & Gun Club.