Meet Michael Hermes, Pittsburgh Market President at HORAN Wealth, and the specialist bench behind him.
If you're a CPA, attorney, banker, insurance professional, or family advisor, you already know the truth: high-net-worth families don't just need good advice. They need their advisors aligned. When planning gets fragmented, clients end up translating between professionals—and even smart decisions can turn into messy outcomes.
That's why HORAN Wealth has opened a physical office in Pittsburgh, led by Michael Hermes, Pittsburgh Market President. Michael's focus is helping successful families and leaders make confident decisions through coordinated planning—while respecting the trusted relationships already in place.
"Our goal is always a productive and abundant life for our clients," explains Terry Horan, President, CEO, & Registered Principal. "The expansion of the Pittsburgh office is a natural next step for us in this pursuit."
Michael is coming home to Pittsburgh
Michael isn't "new to Pittsburgh." He grew up in the Sewickley area and graduated from Quaker Valley. He describes it as "true Pittsburgh roots," shaped by parents who modeled responsibility and service—his father in the steel industry and his mother as a guidance counselor. For Michael, this move isn't a market expansion headline. It's personal—and it's why he's energized to build long-term relationships here with families and the professionals who serve them.
As Michael describes his move, "this is more than opening an office, it's about bringing personalized, client-first guidance to families, businesses, and communities I know and care about."
How Michael works: listen first, then make the plan executable
Michael's approach isn't built around a pitch. It's built around understanding. "Our initial meetings are centered around asking questions and listening for answers," he explains. "It is imperative we understand each client's specific family dynamic so that we can provide quality fiduciary advice."
Each plan is customized and monitored across investments, taxes, insurance, income, and estate needs—so families and their advisory teams stay coordinated as life changes.
A partnership approach trusted advisors can feel good about
Professional partners don't need another firm claiming to "collaborate." They want to see what it looks like when a shared client is in the middle.
Michael points to the firm's operating standard: do what's best for the client, deliver legendary service, and listen generously. That mindset—combined with HORAN's 75-year track record—translates to clear roles, open communication, and a steady presence so clients aren't forced to quarterback their advisory team.
HORAN Wealth as a credential: the bench behind the Pittsburgh office
Michael is the Pittsburgh point of connection. What backs him is what matters most to trusted advisors: specialist depth when complexity rises.
"One of the unique features about working with HORAN is our deep bench of expertise," he says. "We have specialists who can help individuals with any aspect of their financial life. Our team is able to handle life, disability, and long-term care insurance. As a fiduciary, we also can support businesses with retirement and 401(k) planning."
Insurance is an essential element in any sound financial plan. One area of particular importance is our insurance solutions for life, disability, and long-term care. As Terry Horan shares, "we'll grow by finding unique investment opportunities for our clients, providing strong financial planning and providing that web of security through some of the products like insurance."
That means Michael can bring in the right expertise at the right time and keep the plan cohesive—so shared clients get answers that fit together.
Why the "letters behind his name" matter
Michael holds designations that reflect both breadth and depth: CFA, CFP, CPWA, National Social Security Advisor, and CEPA. But as he puts it, "I have a lot of designations behind my name because they help me identify opportunities across investments, planning, complex family issues, income decisions, and transitions—without forcing the client into a cookie-cutter model."
That range helps him coordinate complex situations confidently and gives his professional partners one more layer of assurance that nothing important is being missed.
Where this shows up most in Pittsburgh
1) Families who need clarity and coordination
For established families, the risk is rarely bad advice—it's fragmented advice. Michael connects the dots so plans hold together across investments, tax decisions, risk management, income strategy, and estate coordination—without forcing the family to manage the professionals.
2) Healthcare leaders—and the moments that prove why coordination matters
Pittsburgh is a healthcare city, and many leaders face unique planning challenges: complex pay structures, benefit decisions, and heavy tax exposure.
Michael recalls one case that shaped his view of coordination. A head of surgery at a major hospital passed away within a year from illness. By working with their estate planning attorney, they saved his widow over one million dollars in taxes. "That experience reminded me how much good planning matters," Michael says. "Families need a team that can bring calm structure and communicate clearly when everything changes fast."
3) Individuals and families nearing retirement
As a National Social Security Advisor, Michael helps clients integrate Social Security into their broader retirement plan—aligning timing and income strategy with tax and estate considerations. His goal is simple: "To help families make these decisions in context, not isolation."
About HORAN Wealth
HORAN Wealth is a Cincinnati-headquartered wealth management firm with a growing national footprint and an established Pittsburgh office. For 75+ years, the firm has delivered coordinated guidance across investments, retirement, insurance, estate, tax, and business planning for clients with complex financial needs. The Private Wealth practice provides customized, relationship-first guidance designed to help families and leaders build productive and abundant lives across generations. HORAN Wealth oversees nearly $3.65 billion in assets and is consistently recognized as one of the top Money Management Firms by the Cincinnati Business Courier, based upon assets under management.
HORAN Wealth Pittsburgh Offices located at:
5800 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412.710.8087
An invitation to Pittsburgh's trusted advisors
Are you a CPA, attorney, banker, insurance professional, or family advisor serving clients with complex financial needs in Pittsburgh? Or perhaps you're a financial advisor exploring new opportunities—or an RIA planning your succession strategy.
Connect with Michael Hermes and the HORAN Wealth team. Backed by a full team of specialized experts, we're now building new professional relationships across Pittsburgh. Let's collaborate to deliver exceptional outcomes for your clients.
Michael Hermes
michaelh@horanwealth.com
412.710.8087
Securities offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer, member FINRA | SIPC. Investment advisory services offered by HORAN Wealth, LLC, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Not FDIC Insured | No Bank Guarantee | May Lose Value
The information herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we cannot assure its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Any reference to past performance is not to be implied or construed as a guarantee of future results. Market conditions can vary widely over time, and there is always the potential of losing money when investing in securities. HORAN Wealth and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.