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Leading investment strategist and wealth management professional John Micklitsch, president of Ancora Holdings Inc., is being welcomed as the Chair of the Baldwin Wallace Board of Trustees.
A dedicated BW supporter and proud BW parent of a 2026 graduate, Micklitsch has been an ongoing advocate of the University through initiatives that include board leadership, philanthropy, strategic counsel and relationship-building efforts.
He brings broad and impressive experience to the BW Board Chair leadership role. In addition to strong professional skills in investment strategy, wealth management and retirement plan services, Micklitsch excels as a collaborative leader who is focused not only on strategy and success but also on people — from clients to employees to business associates across the industry.
Throughout much of his professional life, he has managed several billion dollars in assets for clients across a diverse network of industries.
He began his career in 1996 at Robert E. Torray & Company, where he was an analyst and head trader. Prior to joining Ancora, he held roles at Fifth Third Asset Management and Allegiant Asset Management, which was the institutional money management division of National City Corporation (now PNC Financial Services).
In 2006, Micklitsch joined Ancora, a wealth management and advisory firm headquartered in Cleveland that is one of the largest in the region, with more than $10 billion in assets across its Private Wealth, Corporate Solutions and Asset Management business lines.
He served as chief investment officer of the organization from 2013-2023, followed by president and chief investment officer from 2024-25, to president of Ancora at the end of 2025.
Micklitsch joined the BW Board of Trustees in 2022, at which time his son Max began undergraduate studies at BW. In May of this year, a month after he began his tenure as Board Chair, he and his wife, Gretchen, were among hundreds of other proud parents applauding their students' achievements at Commencement.
"John is deeply committed to the mission of BW, which includes strengthening opportunities for students and advancing the University's long-term success," said BW President Lee Fisher.
"John's leadership comes at an important time for the University as we move forward with our commitment to make BW "The Life-Ready University," graduating students who are leader-ready, team-ready, career-ready and future-ready. We call this the BW Promise," stated Fisher.
We thank outgoing Board Chair Lee Thomas for his outstanding work over the past three years," emphasized Fisher. "In addition to having expertise that comes from decades of professional experience in leadership roles, Lee Thomas has been a key part of helping transform our University in areas of financial stability, academic optimization and strategic planning.
"For me personally, Lee Thomas has been extremely helpful in my transition to president over the past year. He is a role model for what it means to be a dedicated, outstanding alumnus," added Fisher.
Micklitsch attended Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition, he has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University's Carey School of Business and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations.
His current civic engagement includes serving on the board of Biltmore Trust and sitting on the investment committees of the United Way of Greater Cleveland and Bluecoats Inc.
