Josh Null
Founder & CEO
Josh Null is the Founder and CEO of Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, LLC, where he helps individuals and families build confident, well-structured financial plans through a transparent, client-first approach.
Raised in Southeast Missouri near Wappapello Lake, Josh learned the value of hard work early by working alongside his father in the family excavation business. He graduated Valedictorian of Puxico High School and went on to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Business Management from Missouri State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude on academic and Bright Flight scholarships.
Josh began his career in the corporate world before returning to entrepreneurship, founding Timeless Homes and several real estate development companies. His work earned multiple industry awards, including Remodel of the Year and Custom Home of the Year honors from Kansas City Homes & Garden Magazine. Following the housing market crash, Josh transitioned into financial services in 2009.
In 2018, Josh founded Gulf Coast Financial Advisors to better serve clients through a fee-for-service, independent model - free from sales quotas, proprietary products, and conflicts of interest. His guiding belief is simple: a financial advisor should have one boss - the client.
Josh is married to Michelle Melton-Null, J.D., a City Planner for the City of Fairhope, Alabama. Together, they host the radio show "Coasting in Retirement with Josh Null" on FM Talk 106.5, and Josh also co-hosts the industry podcast "Every Dollar Counts with Josh & Jay."
Josh is the proud father of three children - Payton, Ashton, and Josephine - who keep him busy with school, sports, and activities. Josh and Michelle are active in the local community and enjoy spending time outdoors with their family, especially boating and exploring the beautiful waterways of Lower Alabama.
Tricia Cooper
Vice President of Operations
Tricia "Trish" Cooper is Vice President of Operations at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors and brings more than 35 years of experience helping teams and organizations thrive through strong leadership, thoughtful processes, and a people-first mindset. Her background spans learning and development and operations management, with the past 12 years dedicated to the financial services industry. Prior to joining GCFA, Trish served for eight years on the Executive Leadership Team at her previous firm, where she led Human Resources, Wealth Management Operations, Client Service, and Advisor Transitions.
At GCFA, Trish partners closely with advisors and strategic business partners to streamline operations, strengthen the firm's infrastructure, and elevate the client experience. She is passionate about building efficient systems that allow advisors to focus on serving clients while ensuring every interaction reflects the firm's commitment to exceptional service. Her leadership style combines operational excellence with a genuine desire to help both people and organizations succeed.
A passionate advocate for developing the next generation of professionals, Trish is especially committed to helping college students and young professionals successfully transition from campus to corporate life. Throughout her career, she has led internship initiatives, developed training programs and educational content, and mentored emerging professionals as they begin building meaningful careers. She believes investing in young talent not only strengthens organizations but also helps shape confident, capable future leaders.
Trish and her husband, David, recently made Fairhope, Alabama, their home and are enjoying life along the beautiful Gulf Coast. Now empty nesters with two adult children, they love exploring the local communities, discovering new restaurants and hidden gems, spending time by the pool, and taking advantage of everything coastal living has to offer. In her free time, Trish also enjoys reading, crafting, cooking, and relaxing with a good cup of hot tea.
Eliana Cooper
Marketing & Content Strategist
Eliana Cooper serves as the Marketing & Content Strategist at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, where she helps shape the firm's brand through strategic communications, content development, and creative marketing initiatives. She works across a variety of projects, including digital marketing, social media, client communications, website content, and research, helping communicate complex financial concepts in ways that are engaging, educational, and easy to understand.
Eliana graduated from Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Georgia, earning a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Communications. During her four years at Emmanuel, she was a catcher for the Lady Lions softball team, where she developed the teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills that continue to serve her professionally.
Outside the office, Eliana enjoys reading, exploring the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast, spending time with friends and family, and baking. She is excited to combine her passion for storytelling and creativity with her commitment to helping Gulf Coast Financial Advisors educate and serve clients throughout the region.
Payton Null
Financial Planning & Operations Associate
Payton Null serves as Financial Planning & Operations Associate. A graduate of Fairhope High School, Payton currently attends Auburn University on the prestigious Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship and is also a recipient of the J.L. Bedsole Foundation Scholarship.
Payton was recognized by the Alabama House of Representatives through an official state resolution honoring his perfect ACT score of 36. At Auburn, he is pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance, with an expected graduation in Spring 2028.
He is an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor organization for accounting and finance students, where he currently serves as a candidate and will be formally initiated in April. Payton is also involved in Auburn's Theme Park Engineering & Design Club, reflecting his interest in innovative design and entertainment experiences.
Outside of academics, Payton is a passionate film enthusiast who enjoys seeing as many movies as possible.
Robert Ikner
Group Benefits Coordinator
Robert Ikner serves as the Group Benefits Coordinator at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors. In this role, Robert works closely with business owners and employers to design, implement, and manage group benefit programs that attract and retain top talent while meeting the unique needs of each organization.
Robert brings a detail-oriented approach to his work, ensuring that every group benefits plan is structured to provide maximum value for both employers and their employees. He understands that a strong benefits package is a critical component of any business's ability to compete for talent in today's market.
Areas of Focus
- Group retirement plan design and administration
- 401(k) plan coordination and employee education
- Benefits package consulting for small and mid-size businesses
- Plan compliance and regulatory support
- Employee enrollment and communication
If you are a business owner looking to establish or improve your company's benefits program, Robert would welcome the opportunity to discuss how Gulf Coast Financial Advisors can help.
Michelle Lee Melton-Null, J.D.
Radio Show Co-Host
Michelle Lee Melton-Null is the Co-Host of Coasting in Retirement, Gulf Coast Financial Advisors' weekly radio show and podcast on FM Talk 106.5. Alongside her husband, Josh Null, Founder and CEO of GCFA, Michelle helps make financial topics approachable through engaging conversations and thoughtful questions that resonate with listeners across the Gulf Coast.
Education
Michelle earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
Professional Background
Professionally, Michelle currently serves as the City Planner for the City of Fairhope, Alabama. Her career has also included serving as Deputy Director of Real Estate for the City of Mobile and Director of Real Estate for the Mobile Airport Authority. Her background in law, planning, real estate, and public service brings a unique perspective to the conversations she shares on the radio.
Community Involvement
Outside the studio, Michelle enjoys giving back to the community through organizations including Baldwin County Trailblazers, Hope Blooms, and Prodisee Pantry. She and Josh enjoy spending time along the Gulf Coast and sharing the lifestyle they love with family, friends, and listeners alike.
Summit Legacy Advisors
A GCFA Network Company
Summit Legacy Advisors helps high-net-worth individuals, ranch owners, and farm proprietors preserve wealth, reduce taxes, and protect generational legacies. As a GCFA Network Company, Summit Legacy Advisors extends the reach of Gulf Coast Financial Advisors by providing specialized advisory services tailored to clients with complex asset portfolios and family enterprises.
Learn more at summitlegacyadvisors.com
Matt Nelson
Founder, Summit Legacy Advisors
Matt Nelson is the Founder of Summit Legacy Advisors and has spent nearly 30 years helping successful individuals, families, and business owners make confident financial decisions and build lasting wealth. Since beginning his career in wealth management in 1996, Matt has remained committed to one guiding principle: every client deserves objective advice, personalized strategies, and recommendations that are truly in their best interest.
Matt works with business owners, executives, and high-income professionals to develop comprehensive wealth management strategies that go well beyond investment management. From advanced tax planning and retirement strategies to multigenerational wealth transfer, he helps clients simplify complex financial decisions while keeping their long-term goals and legacy at the center of every plan.
As an independent advisor, Matt believes great wealth management starts with independent thinking. Rather than limiting clients to a single investment philosophy or proprietary products, he performs extensive research to identify exceptional institutional investment managers across a wide range of asset classes and strategies. By thoughtfully combining traditional investments with carefully selected alternative opportunities, he creates diversified portfolios designed to manage risk, uncover new opportunities, and help clients pursue long-term financial success.
Clients appreciate Matt's calm, thoughtful approach and his ability to explain complex financial concepts in a way that is easy to understand. He believes that strong relationships, clear communication, and disciplined planning are the foundation of helping clients navigate every stage of life with confidence.
Outside of the office, Matt's favorite role is being a dad to his two daughters. Whether they're spending time at the coast, enjoying family vacations, casting a line while fishing, or fitting in a round of golf, Matt treasures every opportunity to make memories with them.