Mike is dedicated to helping his clients build and preserve generational wealth, and leave a legacy for their loved ones and beloved charities. His comprehensive, strategy-focused approach, delivered with constant personal attention and a commitment to his clients’ best interests are hallmarks of his approach.

“I love serving people and helping them make good financial decisions,” Mike says. “I believe that being financially stable has a high correlation with the happiness of a person. It provides the freedom to focus on the more important things – family, community and serving others.”

He assists his clients with their goals through long-term financial strategies using financial planning, wealth management, estate planning, insurance planning, wealth transfer strategies and philanthropic initiatives.

“Giving back is one of my personal missions, so I am passionate about working with clients who want to do likewise,” Mike says. “There are many charitable giving strategies we can implement, including establishing family foundations.”

A Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) has the education designed to help them understand the challenges and responsibilities of those with significant wealth. The CPWA® program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with successful families to address their distinct needs and wants. Advisors with this designation have dedicated their time and acquired the education designed to be able to ensure that all of those needs and wants are met.Certified wealth managers focus on your needs at every stage of your life, from your working years to your retirement ones, and we understand what you and your family need to preserve your assets in the years in between. CPWA® professionals understand your goals to preserve your wealth, minimize taxes and pass that wealth on to the next generation.

As a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Mike holds one of the most respected financial planning credentials. He adheres to the CFP Board’s code of ethics for integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence.

Mike is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ who creates a road map to retirement for his clients. He is thoughtful and thorough in determining how well prepared they are and what sources of income can be used to fund their future lifestyle. Once in retirement, he helps with important matters such as preserving their wealth and building a legacy for their loved ones.

Mike wants his clients to count on him for any financially related question or concern they have and consider him their go-to person. “When a client needs me, I am available for them. If not immediately, as soon as I am able,” Mike says.

Mike represents the second generation of family financial advisors at Taras Wealth Management, working alongside his mother, Jeanie, who has served as his mentor throughout his career.

Mike joined Raymond James in April 2022. Previously in his career, he was a senior wealth strategy associate at UBS Financial Services and a financial advisor at Capital Analysts of Jacksonville. Earlier, he was a retirement education specialist at Merrill Lynch.

Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double major in finance and financial services from the University of North Florida, and an associate degree in business from Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Active in the community, Mike is a member of the JAX Chamber, serves on the board of directors at Trinity Rescue Mission and is on the finance committee at Seaside Charter School.

Mike was born and raised in Jacksonville and lives here today with his wife, Summer, and children, Amelia and Austin. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, golf, running, biking, swimming, fishing and spending time with his family. He is a member of The Church of Eleven22.

P.S. Personally speaking

Q. What is your favorite kind of trip? Why? I love adventure and getting out into nature. Some of my favorites involve surfing, snowboarding and fishing. I love seeing the sites but prefer to get off the beaten path. I love to be where few others have been.

Q. What are your must-have travel items? Sunglasses, sunscreen, coffee cup, bathing suit

Q. How do you spend your time outside of the office? I rarely stop moving and can do many (probably too many) things in one day. I try to spend as much time as I can with my family (preferably at the beach).

Q. If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have? Psychologist

Q. What’s the one thing that might surprise others about you? I can eat a lot of food in one sitting.

Q. If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be? Tavarua, Fiji

Q. What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without? A routine

Q. How do you define success? Helping others achieve greatness. I’m involved with a workout group called f3 Nation. It stands for fitness, fellowship and faith. So there’s a faith component to it. It’s a belief in a higher power than yourself, but it’s really designed to invigorate male leadership and fellowship. Helping each other and giving back to the community – that’s why I got involved.