MICHAEL L. LAWTON
Michael began his career at CPS Investment Advisors on August 1, 2008.
Michael is a Financial Advisor and specializes in individual retirement planning with a focus on public sector employees at the Federal, State and local levels of government. Michael is a Florida Retirement System (FRS) retiree and a former Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) participant and is considered to be extremely knowledgeable on government/public sector retirement systems and the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). Michael has counseled numerous government/public sector pension plan participants regarding DROP, Deferred Compensation (457b), and TSA (403b) rollovers and individual financial/retirement income planning issues.
Michael has obtained his Series 65 Securities and Exchange License as a Registered Investment Advisor Representative and is also earning his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional designation.
Prior to being employed with CPS, Michael completed 37 years of public service in the law enforcement profession, 31 years of which were in supervisory, middle- management and executive level staff positions.
Michael received his Associate of Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida and his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida (GO BULLS!). Michael is a graduate from the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy - Executive Leadership Program and is a member of the National and Florida Chapters of the FBI National Academy Graduates (FBINAA). Michael also earned a Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification from Florida State University.
Michael has been an adjunct instructor at Polk State College since 1986.
Michael serves as Chairman of the Board for the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Inc. (PCLEMF), which is a non-profit organization overseeing the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial. Michael also serves on the Lakeland Family YMCA Executive Advisory Board and on the Lakeland South Rotary Board of Directors.