Erik Brenner

CFP®

President, CEO, & Private Wealth Advisor

About Erik

Guided by my entrepreneurial drive and a strong desire to help others, I chose to embark on a career in financial planning following the sale of our family business. This pivotal life transition led me towards establishing my own financial planning firm, a decision I reflect on as immensely rewarding.

My journey at Hilltop originally began with a background in financial advising within a broker-dealer firm. Over time, leading to a decision to prioritize family balance over corporate advancement. Here at Hilltop, I’m fortunate to blend leadership and client advisory responsibilities. I enjoy shaping the firm’s future vision and strategies, while providing personalized financial guidance to select clients.

With over 30 years of experience, I’ve assisted thousands of individuals in integrating retirement, tax, and estate strategies, ensuring comprehensive financial wellness. Guiding others through life transitions is my passion; I find fulfillment in witnessing both my team and clients succeed.

✔ Credentials

Affiliations:

Member of the Ed Slott Elite Advisor Group, CFP, FPA (financial planning association member)

Areas of Expertise:

Wealth & Tax Preparation

Education:

Attended Indiana University at South Bend, IN, and completed the educational requirements to be a CERTIF

Leadership:

Vice President of Family Business, American Express Financial Advisors, Ameriprise District Manager, and Founder of Hilltop Wealth & Tax Solutions  

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Questions & Answers

Most effective saving tip:

Start young and save 10% of your income and never leave company matches unclaimed and save at least half in a tax-free strategy.  You will not regret Tax Free Retirement Income.   

Who inspires me:

My Father. If I had a day off school, I would go to work with him at his business.   He taught me work ethics, how to lead people, and most importantly how to treat people.   

My greatest extravagance (under $100):

Finding a good bottle of red wine and a great steak for under $100. Wow! That is a great dinner.   

What inspires me:

Seeing my clients’ satisfaction when they reach their financial goals. 

My favorite things/hobbies:

My wife and I love wine tasting, and favor Napa Valley wines.  We also love art shows and travel, or just hanging around our pool during a hot summer day. Golf is a hobby and a passion. I’m consistently working on my game. I loved the golf trip with my youngest son, who has played since he was little and played in college. We have played a lot of great courses, but playing in Scotland was the best.

The best piece of advice I've ever been given is:

If you put your mind to it and work hard enough, it will happen. Do not give up!

What's the most satisfying part of your career?

Helping others in so many ways. 

What is a piece of career advice you have for others who are interested in financial services?

This is a great career. It is so gratifying that we get to help people each day.  There are so many more career opportunities within our field, whether you want to be a financial advisor or work on a team, providing support. The opportunities have expanded tremendously over the years. It’s important to explore these options to see what suits your strengths.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I went to work at my father’s business at a young age and filed my first tax return at age 12. I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur like my father (and not work for someone else!)

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

I bring a positive attitude, and really thrive on learning something new every day.   

List three words that you describe you.

Motivated, Self-Starter, Fun.

What Our Clients Are Saying About Erik

Testimonials are based on unique experiences from current clients and are not representative of all client experiences. Testimonials are solicited; however, no cash or non-cash compensation was paid to any client for such testimonials. Hilltop Wealth Solutions does pay Amplify Reviews, LLC to collect and provide a digital footprint for their client’s testimonials.

The following reviews are based on experiences from current clients. No compensation was provided to clients. The ratings and comments reflect each client's own views and opinions, and there are no known conflicts of interest. All ratings are included in the overall rating and all comments are published unless they meet one or more exclusion criteria.

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