Hi, I’m Derek. I spent 8 years as an Army aviator at stations like FT Rucker, FT Riley, and FT Hood along with a deployment to Afghanistan and culminating in 18 months as an Apache helicopter troop commander at FT Hood. Like other Veterans, I packed up and moved many times and spent too much time away from my family, especially as my wife was stationed separately from me for the first 5 years of our marriage. I left the Army after achieving my career goal of commanding a line company, one of the most fulfilling and challenging times in my life so far.

I launched my Trophy Point Financial Planning based on my own financial successes and failures and those of my peers, recognizing that most companies out there are selling financial products to earn commissions and hit sales targets while primarily working with people who are already wealthy.

My mission is to help Veterans and young professionals create financial structure in their lives and BUILD wealth. I figure out all the small yet important details…so you don’t have to.

I primarily work with Veterans in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are looking to plan for their transition from the military to the corporate world.  That age range is the most complex in life… family, kids, home ownership, careers, and the resulting financial obligations all while trying to figure out that long-term goal of financial independence and/or retirement.  Adding in everything tied to leaving the military and starting a corporate career means that these Veterans can make big mistakes… and seize great opportunities.

Outside of financial planning, I have a bit of a need for speed.  I like stuff that goes fast… cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, and horses. I follow Formula 1 and endurance car racing… and may have typed this bio while watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans at 3 AM. I’ll watch MotoGP, World Superbike, and the Tour de France when they are on TV.

I also help my family raise thoroughbred racehorses near Lexington, KY. So, when I’m not working on financial plans, I’m trying to not get kicked by a mare or her foal! Every year in April and October, I host friends and clients for a behind the scenes tour of Kentucky horse racing during Keeneland’s opening weekend.  Our goal is to someday breed a horse that runs in the Kentucky Derby or Breeder’s Cup. We’ve come close already but missed out when that horse was injured.

I always want to leave someone with useful takeaways after they meet with me regardless of their decision to become a client. Below this bio is a link to my calendar.  When you schedule the 45-minute intro call, we will see if it makes sense to work together and I will leave you with my thoughts on your top 1-3 financial priorities given your stated goals.

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Derek Merkler, CFP®
Trophy Point Financial Planning, LLC
Stamping Ground, KY 40379
864-432-5575
www.trophypointfp.com