Joshua D. Mellberg’s career started right after he graduated from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. With a degree in hand, he wasted no time. He became licensed in Life and Health, stepping quickly into the world of financial services.
“I knew early on that I wanted to help people make sense of their money,” Mellberg recalled. “It wasn’t just about products. It was about clarity. People needed to feel in control of their future.”
That belief shaped his career from the beginning. Instead of focusing only on transactions, he made education and transparency a core part of his approach.
Building J.D. Mellberg Financial
In 2005, Mellberg founded J.D. Mellberg Financial. What started as a small firm grew quickly under his leadership. The company earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for seven years in a row, a sign of steady growth and client trust.
“We didn’t get there by chance,” he explained. “It was about listening to clients and training advisors to put them first. If you build around that, growth follows naturally.”
By 2020, the firm had reached a level where Mellberg completed a successful majority sale. It was both a business milestone and a new chapter in his career.
A New Era with Secure Income Management
After the sale, Mellberg wasn’t finished. He launched Secure Income Management (SIM), where he serves as President and CEO. SIM focuses on tech-driven, client-first financial planning. The firm quickly gained traction, earning Inc. 5000 recognition in both 2024 and 2025.
Mellberg pointed to innovation as a key factor. “The industry is evolving fast. Technology lets us make planning clearer and more accessible. Clients today expect that, and advisors need it too.”
SIM continues to expand, blending technology with the advisor’s personal touch. For Mellberg, it’s about building a model that lasts.
Advocating for Education and Transparency
Mellberg has always believed that financial planning is as much about teaching as it is about advising. He has hosted programming on Arizona PBS, sharing insights with a broad audience. He also frequently speaks on annuities and income planning.
“Education is empowerment,” he said. “When people understand their options, they make better choices. That’s true whether you’re planning for retirement or running a business.”
His focus on consumer education isn’t just a side project—it’s central to his leadership. By helping people understand complex topics, he builds trust in an industry that often feels confusing.
Balancing Business and Family
Though his work has reached national audiences, Mellberg is rooted in Tucson, Arizona. He lives there with his wife and son. Family keeps him grounded and reminds him of the bigger picture.
“It’s easy to get caught up in growth charts and deadlines,” he admitted. “But at the end of the day, it’s about who you’re building for. For me, it’s my family and the families we serve.”
Mellberg has also been a member of YPO Scottsdale since 2014, connecting with other leaders who share his drive for growth and impact.
Lessons from Two Decades of Leadership
With over 23 years in the industry, Mellberg has seen financial planning evolve through booms, downturns, and shifting client expectations. His takeaway is simple. “Adaptability is everything. If you’re not willing to change, you’re not going to last.”
That mindset explains why he has built two successful firms in two different eras. First by focusing on client-first advice, and now by embracing technology as a core part of planning.
Looking Ahead
Looking at Joshua D. Mellberg’s career it shows what happens when clarity, education, and adaptability come together. From launching J.D. Mellberg Financial in 2005, to leading Secure Income Management to national recognition, his path has been marked by growth built on trust.
“The most rewarding part isn’t the awards or the lists,” he said. “It’s knowing that clients walk away with confidence. That’s what keeps me going.”
For Mellberg, the work continues. The future of financial planning may be uncertain, but his vision is clear—lead with transparency, embrace innovation, and never lose sight of the people behind the numbers.
Read more:
Joshua D. Mellberg: Leading with Vision in Financial Planning
