Craig joined GoldBook Financial as a Financial Services Professional in July of 2023 after finishing a successful 30-year career as a Chief Operations Officer in the Managed Services field of Information Technology. Although new to the industry, Craig has had the unique opportunity to observe and learn from his wife, Shana Despres, CFP®, ChFC®, CASL®, as she built a successful financial planning and wealth management practice over the same time frame.

Craig witnessed first-hand the positive impact that financial planning provides when done with purpose, integrity, and discipline. It is because of the deep impact Shana has made on so many lives over the years, that inspired him to make this career change and join Shana in the financial services industry full time.

Craig’s primary purpose in this new endeavor is to educate and assist individuals and businesses in securing their financial future and protecting the ones they care for. Although he looks forward to working with all individuals and businesses, he has a strong affinity to help those in the information technology field.

Craig has been married for over 30 years to his wife Shana and has 3 children. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993, with a degree in Communication, Computer Science and Business Administration. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, coaching youth, woodworking and immersing himself in new technologies like AI and automation.

Education

Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan

Hobbies

woodworking, technology, 3d printing, coaching youth athletics, maker