Meet Your Team

Josh Null

Founder & CEO

Josh Null is the Founder and CEO of Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, LLC, where he helps individuals and families build confident, well-structured financial plans through a transparent, client-first approach.

Raised in Southeast Missouri near Wappapello Lake, Josh learned the value of hard work early by working alongside his father in the family excavation business. He graduated Valedictorian of Puxico High School and went on to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Business Management from Missouri State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude on academic and Bright Flight scholarships.

Josh began his career in the corporate world before returning to entrepreneurship, founding Timeless Homes and several real estate development companies. His work earned multiple industry awards, including Remodel of the Year and Custom Home of the Year honors from Kansas City Homes & Garden Magazine. Following the housing market crash, Josh transitioned into financial services in 2009.

In 2018, Josh founded Gulf Coast Financial Advisors to better serve clients through a fee-for-service, independent model - free from sales quotas, proprietary products, and conflicts of interest. His guiding belief is simple: a financial advisor should have one boss - the client.

Josh is married to Michelle Melton-Null, J.D., a City Planner for the City of Fairhope, Alabama. Together, they host the radio show "Coasting in Retirement with Josh Null" on FM Talk 106.5, and Josh also co-hosts the industry podcast "Every Dollar Counts with Josh & Jay."

Josh is the proud father of three children - Payton, Ashton, and Josephine - who keep him busy with school, sports, and activities. Josh and Michelle are active in the local community and enjoy spending time outdoors with their family, especially boating and exploring the beautiful waterways of Lower Alabama.

Tricia Cooper

Vice President of Operations

Tricia "Trish" Cooper is Vice President of Operations at GCFA and brings more than 35 years of experience helping teams and organizations thrive through strong leadership, thoughtful processes, and a people-first mindset. Her background spans learning and development and operations management, with the past 12 years spent in financial services. Prior to joining GCFA, Trish served eight years on the Executive Leadership Team at her previous firm, where she led Human Resources, Wealth Management Operations, Client Service, and Advisor Transitions.

At GCFA, Trish partners closely with advisors and business partners to streamline operations and elevate the client experience, ensuring both advisors and clients feel supported every step of the way. She is passionate about building efficient systems while never losing sight of the people behind them.

Trish lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, David. Now an empty nester with two adult children, she enjoys traveling, reading, crafting, cooking, and cheering on her daughter at college softball games. A good cup of hot tea is never far from reach.

Payton Null

Manager of Technology

Payton Null serves as Manager of Technology. A graduate of Fairhope High School, Payton currently attends Auburn University on the prestigious Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship and is also a recipient of the J.L. Bedsole Foundation Scholarship.

Payton was recognized by the Alabama House of Representatives through an official state resolution honoring his perfect ACT score of 36. At Auburn, he is pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance, with an expected graduation in Spring 2028.

He is an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor organization for accounting and finance students, where he currently serves as a candidate and will be formally initiated in April. Payton is also involved in Auburn's Theme Park Engineering & Design Club, reflecting his interest in innovative design and entertainment experiences.

Outside of academics, Payton is a passionate film enthusiast who enjoys seeing as many movies as possible.

Robert Ikner

Group Benefits Coordinator

Robert Ikner serves as the Group Benefits Coordinator at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors. In this role, Robert works closely with business owners and employers to design, implement, and manage group benefit programs that attract and retain top talent while meeting the unique needs of each organization.

Robert brings a detail-oriented approach to his work, ensuring that every group benefits plan is structured to provide maximum value for both employers and their employees. He understands that a strong benefits package is a critical component of any business's ability to compete for talent in today's market.

Areas of Focus

• Group retirement plan design and administration
• 401(k) plan coordination and employee education
• Benefits package consulting for small and mid-size businesses
• Plan compliance and regulatory support
• Employee enrollment and communication

If you are a business owner looking to establish or improve your company's benefits program, Robert would welcome the opportunity to discuss how Gulf Coast Financial Advisors can help.

Michelle Lee Melton-Null, J.D.

Radio Show Co-Host

Michelle Lee Melton-Null serves as the Manager of First Impressions at Gulf Coast Financial Advisors. In this role, Michelle is often the first point of contact for prospective and existing clients, setting the tone for the welcoming, client-centered experience that defines GCFA.

Michelle also serves as co-host of "Coasting in Retirement," the firm's weekly radio show and podcast on FM Talk 106.5. Her engaging personality and thoughtful questions help make complex financial topics accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience.

Education

Michelle holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Professional Background

Before joining Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, Michelle built an impressive career in public service and real estate administration along the Gulf Coast:

• City Planner for the City of Fairhope, Alabama
• Deputy Director of Real Estate for the City of Mobile
• Director of Real Estate for the Mobile Airport Authority

Community Involvement

Michelle is deeply committed to giving back to the Gulf Coast community. Her volunteer work includes:

• Baldwin County Trailblazers - Supporting trail development and outdoor recreation along the Gulf Coast
• Hope Blooms - A charitable organization dedicated to community support and outreach
• Prodisee Pantry - Serving those in need through food assistance programs in Baldwin County

Eliana Cooper

Marketing Intern

Eliana Cooper is a marketing intern at GCFA, supporting marketing content development, research, graphic design, and communications. She is currently pursuing a degree in English with a minor in Communications at Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Georgia, and will graduate in May 2026.

A dedicated college athlete, Eliana has been a catcher for the Lady Lions Softball Team throughout all four seasons and has played softball since the age of seven. She brings strong discipline, teamwork, and time-management skills to her professional work.

Eliana previously interned for two summers with a financial services firm, gaining hands-on experience across marketing, HR/recruiting, and operations teams. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she enjoys writing, reading, snowboarding, softball, and spending time with family and friends.

Matt Nelson

Summit Legacy Advisors