Erik Averill
Erik Averill is the co-founder of AWM. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professional and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®). Prior to AWM, Erik was a professional baseball player. He is the co-author of “PAID: How To Maximize Your Signing Bonus, Simplify The Money Game and Secure Your Future.” and is the host of the Athlete CEO podcast.
A decade ago, Erik made his best sales pitch in convincing his brother, Brandon and long-time friend, Robby to take a leap of faith in starting AWM.
Erik had a vision and a passion for providing financial advice to professional athletes. While most would consider the prospect of working with professional athletes as an exciting clientele, it was his experience as a former professional athlete and personal exposure to bad financial advice that fueled his desire to start AWM.
Erik was convinced that the traditional model of financial advice for athletes was broken. Athletes have made the right decision to hire a “financial advisor”, however, the financial industry has failed them. The results have been disastrous. Athletes are four times more likely to fail bankruptcy, twice as likely to be divorced and have squandered millions due to fraud, high fees, and unqualified advice.
We operate in an industry that needs to be held accountable for expertise, not a fancy suit, a low handicap, or a smooth talker.
As an athlete, you have spent your life becoming the best. When it comes to your money, you should expect the best.
Before co-founding AWM, Erik was a professional baseball player with the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners organizations. During his career as an ASU Sun Devil Erik was a 2003 Freshman All-American Honors, 2004 & 2005 All Pacific-Ten and Pitcher of the Year for the 2005 College World Series Team.
Erik believes education is the bedrock of advice. Erik is the co-author of “PAID: How To Maximize Your Signing Bonus, Simplify The Money Game and Secure Your Future.” He is also the host of the Podcast, “AthleteCEO: Master Your Money, Business, & Life.”
Erik is a member of Redemption Church where he serves as a Deacon. Erik lives in Tempe with his wife, Sadie and their daughter, Olivia Grace and son, Levi Patrick.
Advanced Designations & Certifications
Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)
Education
Yale School of Management – Certificate of Wealth Management Theory and Practice
UCLA – Certificate of Personal Financial Planning
Arizona State University – W.P. Carey School of Business, B.S. Finance
Covenant Seminary – M.A. Missional Theology