Michael Bartlett, Jr. was born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Christian Brothers University and an MBA from Webster University. Since then, his professional journey has been both diverse and purposeful.
Michael began his career as an Acquisitions Officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he developed a disciplined, mission-focused approach to problem-solving. He later managed complex projects for National Oilwell Varco, overseeing safety equipment initiatives for offshore oil rigs.
Although he comes from a family of engineers, Michael discovered that his true calling was helping people build and protect their financial futures. He began his financial services career at UBS, first as a Wealth Planning Analyst and later as a Financial Advisor. He then joined Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor before moving to Fidelity Investments, where he served as both a Planning Consultant and an Investment Management Consultant.
Michael earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2017 and is passionate about helping individuals and families at Waddell & Associates navigate important financial decisions with clarity and purpose. His background in financial services, combined with the discipline instilled through military service, shapes a thoughtful and relationship-focused approach to serving clients. True to his nature, Michael rarely draws attention to his own accomplishments, yet those who take the time to know him often discover a wealth of experiences and perspectives that inform his work and his life.
Michael has called several places home over the years, including Colorado Springs, Colorado; Oxford, Mississippi; and Houston, Texas. Today, he and his wife, Maria, are proud to call Memphis home, where they are raising their two young daughters. When he’s not serving clients, Michael can often be found coaching youth sports, cheering from the sidelines, and making memories with his family.