Raymond N. Sussel, CLU, is a seasoned Financial Professional with nearly 40 years of experience at Equitable Advisors, where he began his career in 1986 after earning a BA in Marketing from Indiana University. During his tenure, Ray served as a District Manager for nearly a decade, successfully recruiting, training, and mentoring new financial professionals.
In 2005, Ray founded Stratus Advisors, tailoring their practice to meet the needs of professionals, business owners, affluent individuals, and retirees. His focus includes Wealth Accumulation Planning, Estate Planning Strategies, Investments, Retirement Planning, and Comprehensive Financial Planning. Ray is committed to delivering an exceptional client experience through in-person meetings, virtual consultations, or phone discussions.
Ray holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from the American College and continually enhances his professional knowledge. He maintains FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations, along with his Life and Health license.
Throughout his career, Ray has earned numerous accolades, including The Order of Excalibur, The Distinguished Service Award, and The Silver Medal, and was inducted into the Elite Equitable Advisors Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also deeply involved in his community, serving two terms as President of the Heights-Hillcrest Chamber of Commerce, and currently acts as Treasurer and Board Member of his Homeowners Association.
Ray resides in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with his wife, Regina Olbinsky, and their adorable Havanese dogs, Milo and Max. A dedicated family man, Ray was actively involved in his sons’ baseball and soccer activities, serving as Treasurer for the South Euclid Boys’ Baseball League and coaching both sports. His sons, Jeremy and Cory, both still live in the Cleveland area, with Jeremy continuing to coach high school soccer. Ray’s daughter, Emily, graduated cum laude from Miami University and is pursuing her master’s degree overseas.
In his free time, Ray enjoys bowling, golfing, and traveling the world with Regina. Together, they relish spending time with family and friends, attending live theater and sporting events, and exploring new destinations.