Clayton J. Winkler, CFP^®, CPFA^®, BFA^®

Professional Background

Clayton Winkler is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA®). His credentials reflect a deep commitment to delivering trusted, well-rounded financial guidance to individuals, families, and business owners.

He is registered with the following securities licenses:

• Series 7 – General Securities Representative

• Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law

• Series 66 – Uniform Combined State Law

In addition, Clayton is a Licensed Insurance Producer, holding licenses for Life, Disability, Long-Term Care, and Health Insurance.

Clayton earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a Minor in Communications from Michigan Technological University (2000). He also completed a Certificate in International Business, which included French language studies.

Personal Life

Clayton and his wife, Melissa, live in Oakland Township, Michigan, with their five children:

• Celine (born January 2014)

• Kristen (born August 2015)

• Jacob (born September 2017)

• Thomas (born February 2020)

• Isaac (born November 2023)

         Clayton and Melissa were married in August 2010, and their family has continued to grow and be blessed over the years. Melissa is an Employment Immigration Attorney and also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Rochester College, where she shares her expertise and passion for law with her students.

        We are a faith-driven family, and our values shape how we live each day. We are deeply involved at Kensington Church, where I’ve been a passionate member of the Drama Team since 2007. Since 2004, I’ve also been leading and participating in Men’s Small Groups focused on accountability and spiritual growth. In addition, I teach on the fundamentals of financial giving, sharing the spiritual principles behind tithing and generosity.

         I grew up in Harrison Township, MI, as one of seven siblings. Today, my family is spread across the U.S.—from Colorado and Utah to Florida—as well as Toronto, Canada. My father, Dr. Henry Winkler, proudly served his community for over 45 years as an emergency room and family medicine doctor.

Professional Services & Focus Areas

At Cobblestone Financial Services, Clayton Winkler works with both families and business owners to provide clear, comprehensive financial guidance. His services are centered around four key areas: Investments, Insurance, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning.

For Families

Clayton’s work with families focuses on building and preserving wealth through personalized financial strategies:

• Investments:
  Helping clients design short-, intermediate-, and long-term savings strategies using a wide range of tools, including mutual funds, stocks, bonds, ETFs, college savings plans, and alternative investments.

• Retirement Income Planning:
  Specializing in retirement distribution strategies to help clients feel confident that they won’t outlive their income. Clayton designs plans aimed at providing steady, reliable income throughout retirement.

• Insurance Protection – The Core 4:
  Clayton focuses on four essential areas of insurance to help protect families from life’s biggest financial risks:

  1. Life Insurance

  2. Health Insurance

  3. Disability Income Insurance

  4. Long-Term Care Insurance

• Estate Planning:
  Guiding families through strategies to ensure assets are transferred smoothly, efficiently, and according to their wishes — while minimizing costs and complications.

For Business Owners

Clayton also provides specialized support for business owners in these areas:

• Group Investment Plans:
  Offering customized retirement plans, including 401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA plans.

• Group Insurance Plans:
  Providing comprehensive employee benefits such as health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

• Business Protection & Succession Planning:
  Helping business owners safeguard their company’s value with Key Man Insurance and develop succession plans for both unexpected events and future transitions, such as the sale of the business.

A Few Fun Facts About Clayton

• Founder & Non-Profit Leader:
  Clayton is the founder and president of Dogtags4Jesus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates dog tags engraved with Scripture.

• Military Service:
  He proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Counter-Intelligence Analyst (97G) and as a Finance Detachment Executive Officer in Taegu, South Korea.

• Coaching:
  Clayton has coached wrestling at Denver West High School, Rochester High School, and the ROC Wrestling Club.

• Personal Goals:
  He has completed three half-marathons and has a bucket list goal to run a full marathon — and one day, to own and fly a plane.