Carlie Clayton
Senior Client Service Associate
Lisa Marcelli, CFP®, CDFA®
Managing Director
Matthew Houston
Managing Partner
matthew.houston@skywardfin.com
Michael Hamilton
Managing Director
Michael.Hamilton@skywardfin.com
Ross Stripling
Financial Advisor
After earning his Finance degree from Texas A&M University, Ross Stripling was drafted to play professional baseball. The experience taught him discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. When an arm injury early in his career required...
Steven Phan, CFP®
Vice President of Operations
Valencia Linton
Office Manager, LPL Registered Administrative Associate
Valencia.Linton@skywardfin.com
After earning his Finance degree from Texas A&M University, Ross Stripling was drafted to play professional baseball. The experience taught him discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. When an arm injury early in his career required Tommy John surgery, Ross began reflecting on life beyond the game. During his recovery, his grandfather, a longtime Skyward client, encouraged him to shadow advisors Lynn Houston and Matthew Houston. That opportunity sparked a passion for financial markets and a deep appreciation for how thoughtful advice can make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
Today, Ross applies the same focus and determination that defined his baseball career to his work as a Financial Advisor at Skyward Financial. Working alongside his original mentors, he helps families, professionals, and athletes make confident long-term financial decisions. Having lived the life of a professional athlete, Ross understands the challenges many players face when managing wealth, evaluating investments, and planning for life after sports. In clubhouses and locker rooms, he has become a trusted voice for teammates seeking perspective on financial opportunities and responsible planning.
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Skyward Financial, Ross has been a driving force behind the firm’s rapid rise. Since launching in 2021, his leadership and strategic insight have propelled the financial consultants of Skyward Financial to collectively serve over half a billion dollars in brokerage and advisory assets through LPL Financial.
Ross believes deeply in financial literacy and encourages early education in budgeting, credit, and investing. His philosophy centers on patience and discipline, emphasizing that time in the market is more powerful than timing the market and that long-term investing builds lasting security.
Outside the office, Ross is a devoted husband and father of three boys. His family, faith, and mentors continue to guide his values and remind him of the importance of legacy, adaptability, and helping others navigate their financial journeys with confidence.
