Each year, HTK presents the Blue Chip Award to one of its financial professionals who exemplifies the principles and core values of HTK. To qualify for the award, the recipient must demonstrate the highest level of integrity and service to clients and be a top financial professional with HTK.*

Mike Ross, co-owner of Cornerstone Financial Group, Burlington, Mass., has been a financial professional with HTK and Penn Mutual, HTK’s parent company, for more than 25 years. Ross joined Cornerstone Financial Group shortly after graduation from Boston University and became an owner in 2004. Over nearly three decades, Ross has built and expanded his practice, becoming a sought-after financial professional and industry speaker. Ross has worked with hundreds of clients in Massachusetts and beyond, yet remains unwavering in his focus to deliver personalized financial strategies tailored to the specific needs, goals and objectives of every client he meets.

“During the course of his accomplished career, Mike has built long-lasting relationships with the families, individuals and businesses he works with. He has also consistently stepped up to play a leadership role within HTK, as he continually collaborates with HTK to ensure our firm’s focus is always aligned with and representing the needs of all HTK financial professionals,” says Aaron Gordon, HTK president. “He embodies the values of HTK and was a natural choice for this year’s award. We are grateful for Mike’s partnership with HTK.”

In addition to his work with clients, for the past three years, Ross has served as the co-chair of the HTK Tri-Council Committee on Penn Mutual’s National Advisory Council, which provides input on initiatives and priorities for the firm. He is also active in many financial advice and insurance industry organizations. He is a Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an organization that represents the top 1 percent of financial professionals in the world. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Massachusetts for many years.

“I am grateful and humbled to receive this award from HTK,” says Ross. “During my career with HTK and Penn Mutual, it’s been an honor to be part of organization that truly cares about the financial professionals and clients they support. This industry is my passion, and to do something I love every day and work with wonderful clients and colleagues is such a gift.”

When he is not hard at work, Ross can be found, in his own words, “eating at good restaurants and playing bad golf.” He enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years and three children.