As a Wealth Manager, Justin helps clients accumulate, advance, and pass on wealth. The goals seem simple, but the complexities of investments, tax, business, estate, and risk management can be overwhelming, which is why Justin’s clients turn to him. Justin acts as a CFO for his clients, who include prominent business owners, executives, professionals, and retirees. For Justin, one of the most rewarding parts of his work is when clients have an “aha” moment—they leave a meeting saying, finally, for the first time, they understand a concept and its importance to their financial plan.
Justin started his career in 1995 and was a founding member of Sterling Financial Group. His firm is focused entirely on the client, and in keeping with that purpose Sterling Financial has chosen to affiliate with one of the best independent broker/dealers in the country, Commonwealth Financial Network. Justin is perennially a top producer with Commonwealth, and because of that he has access to top minds in the country and regularly talks with economists, investment experts, behavioral finance gurus and many other industry leaders. Justin educates and counsels with clients on investments, asset allocation, volatile market strategies, economic implications, retirement security, merger and acquisition events, risk management, family wealth strategies and behavioral finance. He believes a holistic approach to financial matters is necessary and satisfying.
He graduated from Utah State University with a B.S. in Finance, and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 FINRA registrations. Justin has always loved to learn and has studied and worked hard to advance his professional expertise over the years. He undertook the grueling course work and examinations to earn the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professional certification in 2000, then went on to earn the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations. In keeping with an ‘ever learning’ philosophy he also earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation, so that he can ensure the best ideas on retirement income are implemented in his clients’ plans.
Justin and his wife, Celeste, live in Kaysville, Utah. They have one son and five daughters. They have been blessed with three grandchildren so far, and eagerly anticipate more in the future. Justin’s family is proud to be fourth-generation sheep ranchers, and he jokes that even though he wears slacks and a jacket he certainly knows how to get the dirty work done. Justin’s children say that they love the ranch even more than he does and are always eager to visit. Whether it is four-wheeling, camping, or fishing, Justin loves the time spent there with his family. An avid outdoorsman, Justin enjoys hunting, fly fishing, powder skiing, and tennis. While the entire Bitner family enjoys playing tennis, competitive soccer occupies much of their time. Justin coached his children’s soccer teams for nine years and was also a leader in the Boy Scouts of America for twelve years. He is active in his church and believes that service is a key to happiness in life.
