Financial Licenses:
- FINRA Series 7 - General Securities Representative
- NFA Series 3 - National Commodity Futures
- FINRA Series 31 - Futures Managed Funds
- NASAA Series 66 - Uniform Combined State Law
- Connecticut Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent
Education:
University of Bridgeport - MBA; Finance in May 2005
Syracuse University - Maxwell School of Business; Economics in May 1990
Fairfield Prepatory School in June 1986
Professional Honor/Recognition:
Five Star Wealth Manager Award in Connecticut Magazine: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 and 2013 & 2014 Westchester Magazine 5 Star Recipient
Professional & Civic Activities:
Derby-Shelton Rotary Club, Past President, Paul Harris Fellow; Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Leadership Greater Bridgeport; Phi Kappa Alpha Honor Society; Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business Administration; Sigma Chi Fraternity; and Near North Little League Coach.
Work Experiences:
Michael began his career working for Merrill Lynch Futures, Inc. as the Assistant Vice President/Manager of S&P 500 Options Desk in Chicago. Before returning to his native Connecticut he ran his own trading firm from floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange called Ripton Trading, LLC. He returned home as requested to work with the family oil business and assisted with futures/options and hedging for the firm before eventually leaving Santa Buckley Energy, Inc. as District Manager for RI & Boston Markets to pursue his first calling and re-enter the financial world. Michael worked Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor and completed all of his licensing and training before eventually leaving to start the Hillgen-Santa Financial Group, LLC. Mr. Hillgen-Santa believed that having his own firm would enable him to better serve his clients needs, allow for more personal attention and communication without all the overhead and high client costs of working with a Wall Street Firm. He also felt he could offer his clients a greater sense of security then some Wall Street firms could as all of our financial services are in custody at Pershing, LLC a subsidiary of Bank of New York Mellon Corp. whose track record is proven and unblemished. We are very excited to deliver optimal financial services with better technology and client attention at much lower costs with a wider array of products offered. Michael felt his own firm could better suit his then current clients and future clients and allow him to better grow his business. The Hillgen-Santa Financial Group, LLC has flourished in Mr. Hillgen-Santa's hometown of Stratford where he resides with his wife and young daughter.