Craig Cooley,
MBA, J.D.
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management
“Because we are in the relationship business and not just the investment business, our clients have become some of our best friends. Almost every meeting with them has the feeling of two old friends sitting down for a cup of coffee and catching up on each other’s lives.”
Craig is one of two principal financial advisors at Water Street Wealth Management, where he specializes in helping clients build and protect wealth through personalized investment strategies. He meets directly with clients to understand their goals and recommends tailored financial plans, which are reviewed annually in collaboration with the firm’s advisory team.
Craig holds Series 3, 7, 9, 10, and 66 securities licenses, along with insurance credentials, allowing him to offer a comprehensive approach to wealth management. His goal is to help clients maintain their lifestyle today while preparing for a confident retirement tomorrow. Known for his ability to explain complex financial topics in simple, relatable terms, Craig ensures clients feel informed and empowered.
For the fourth consecutive year, Craig has been named a 2025 Michigan Best-in-State Wealth Advisor by Forbes Magazine and SHOOK Research.*
Craig’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting/economics and political science/history from Bethany College, an MBA from the University of Tulsa School of Business, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa School of Law. Before transitioning to financial services in 2001, he practiced law for 11 years, focusing on tax, estate planning, real estate, and oil and gas law.
He previously served as a regional vice president and wealth management specialist at A.G. Edwards, where he advised clients on estate planning, tax strategies, and asset allocation.
Craig is active in the Bay City community through the Bay Area Community Foundation and the Bay County Men’s Philanthropy Group. He is also involved in his local church and is a former ruling elder at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Rochester Hills. He remains an inactive member of the State Bars of Kansas and Colorado.
Originally from a farm in Leoti, Kansas, Craig now lives in Bay City with his wife, Elizabeth. They have eight children and four grandchildren. In his free time, Craig enjoys traveling, boating, and his on-again, off-again relationship with golf.
*The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2025 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2023 to 6/30/2024 and was released on 4/8/2025. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 48,944 nominations, roughly 9,722 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/ for more info.
J.D. Power U.S. Investor Satisfaction Award for 1/24-12/24, announced 3/20/25. Based on 7,876 responses from Advised Investors, 1 company out of 24 was chosen as the winner. Fee paid only for promotion. More: https://bit.ly/4kHB3qv.
For J.D. Power 2025 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.
