McDonald Partners > Our Team > Ann Arbor Office, Toledo Office > John Cates

John Cates

Title:

Private Wealth Advisor

Branch / Location: Toledo, OH

Email:
Phone: 419-740-6108

John Cates is a seasoned financial professional and Private Wealth Advisor with McDonald Partners, where he works closely with high-net-worth families to help them define and achieve their long-term wealth goals. Drawing on over a decade of experience in private banking, wealth management, and insurance-based planning, John brings a comprehensive, client-first approach to investment and legacy planning.

Before joining McDonald Partners, John served as Vice President of Business Development and Distribution at Vanbridge/EPIC/TDC Life. There, he played a key leadership role in driving consecutive years of record-setting growth, managing a high-performing team overseeing $14 billion in in-force life insurance death benefit. His tenure included the successful creation of ReNew Life (a life settlement subsidiary) and Arrowhead Financial (focused on private placement life insurance), as well as the integration of Sterling Resources and development of Legacy Giving. He served wealth managers, estate planning attorneys, CPAs, and business managers across the country.

Earlier in his career, John led the Private Banking division at State Bank as Vice President and Director, where he was the only banker licensed to offer full-service financial solutions, primarily serving physicians and professionals in the local community. He also held wealth management and investment advisory roles with State Bank and Cetera Investment Advisors, managing client relationships across multiple counties in Ohio and Michigan while providing trusted investment, trust, and estate planning support.

John holds a B.A. in Telecommunications, Information Systems, and Media from Michigan State University, with a specialization in Information Technology through MSU’s Eli Broad School of Business and the College of Engineering. He was recognized on the Dean’s High Honor List, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and a strong technical foundation.

Outside of his professional life, John is a proud husband and father of two daughters. Originally from Tecumseh and Onsted, Michigan, he now enjoys returning to the Irish Hills to spend time with family and friends at the lake.