Michael A. Cole
Michael Cole with his family on hay bales at a pumpkin patch

Living my life as my legacy.

Everything I've lost, built, and learned brought me here. This website is a place to share what I know.

Forged by Experience

I don't teach from theory. Every belief I hold about wealth, legacy, and family has been shaped by something I've lived.

  • Witnessed my
    parents lose
    everything

  • Built four
    financial firms
    over decades

  • Wrote the
    book More
    Than Money

  • Lost my son,
    Daniel, far
    too soon

For over three decades, I've helped the world's most successful families use their wealth with intention. That means blending tactical planning with something most advisors never touch: what it's all for. The investments, the structures, the frameworks matter. But so does whether your family is stronger because of your wealth, not in spite of it.

Most families share the same quiet fear: that their wealth will entitle the next generation, not empower them. That question sits at the center of everything I do. As author, advisor, and R360 Chapter Chair for Texas and California, I've spent my career building a framework around the answer.

R360 Membership

Chairing R360's Texas and California chapters is how I live this philosophy in community. If you belong in that room, I'd like to meet you.

Learn more & apply now

Legacy by Design

Writing More Than Money was only the beginning. This is the living framework behind it, built from decades of work with families navigating wealth across generations.

Explore philosophy

Get in touch

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 2026-11-13

1. Overview & Identity of Data Controller

This Privacy Policy explains how Michael A. Cole ("I," "me," or "my"), operating the personal professional website at https://michaelcole.me/ (the "Site"), collects, uses, stores, and shares information about visitors and individuals who submit inquiries through this Site.

Data Controller:

Michael A. Cole
[MAILING ADDRESS]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]

This Site is operated in my personal professional capacity as a Chapter Chair. It is not operated on behalf of R360 unless explicitly stated.

2. Information We Collect

2a. Information You Provide Directly

When you submit a contact or inquiry form on this Site, I may collect:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Phone number (if provided)
  • Professional affiliation or company name (if provided)
  • Message content
  • Any other information you voluntarily include

2b. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit this Site, certain information is collected automatically through standard web technologies, including:

  • IP address and approximate geographic location (city/region level)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Referring URL (the page you came from)
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Date and time of your visit

This automatic collection occurs through:

  • Server logs maintained by my web hosting provider (Netlify)
  • Analytics tools such as [ANALYTICS PROVIDER]
  • Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6)

2c. Information from Third Parties

I do not currently purchase or receive personal data about you from third-party data brokers or marketing lists.

3. How We Use Your Information

I use collected information for the following purposes:

PurposeData Used
Responding to your inquiry or messageName, email, message content
Following up on professional networking interestName, email, professional affiliation
Improving Site performance and user experienceAnalytics data, IP address
Ensuring Site security and preventing fraudIP address, server logs
Complying with legal obligationsAny data as required by law

I do not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the EU or UK, I process your personal data under the following legal bases as defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR:

  • Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1)(f)): Processing analytics data and server logs to maintain Site security and improve functionality.
  • Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)): Where you have opted in to non-essential cookies or analytics.
  • Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b)): If you submit an inquiry with the intent to enter into a professional relationship.
  • Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)): I may be required to retain certain information to comply with applicable law.

5. Data Sharing & Third-Party Disclosures

I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

I may share data in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers: I work with third-party vendors who help operate this Site and may process data on my behalf, including:

  • Netlify — web hosting and server logs
  • Email service provider — managing contact inquiries
  • [ANALYTICS PROVIDER] — website analytics

Organizational Affiliates: I may share your inquiry information with R360for the purpose of following up on membership interest or connecting you with appropriate resources.

Legal Requirements: I may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.

Business Transitions: In the unlikely event of a transfer of my professional obligations, contact data may be transferred to a successor, with notice provided.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit.

Cookies Used on This Site:

TypePurposeCan Be Declined?
EssentialSite functionality and securityNo (required)
AnalyticsUnderstanding visitor behaviorYes (via cookie consent banner)
PreferencesRemembering your settingsYes

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings.

7. Data Retention & Security

Retention:

  • Inquiry form submissions: 2 years from date of submission, or until request to delete
  • Analytics data: 14 months
  • Server logs: Determined by hosting provider; typically 30–90 days

Security Measures:

  • HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data transmission
  • Access controls limiting who can access contact submissions
  • Reputable third-party hosting with their own security certifications

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

8. International Data Transfers

This Site is operated from the United States. If you are visiting from the EU, UK, or another jurisdiction, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.

Where required, I rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data I hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Restriction: Request that I limit how I use your data
  • Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact me at [EMAIL ADDRESS]. I will respond within 30 days.

10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

Categories of personal information collected in the past 12 months:

  • Identifiers (name, email address, IP address)
  • Internet or network activity (browsing behavior on this Site)
  • Professional or employment-related information (if voluntarily provided)

I do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising purposes.

Your California Rights: Right to Know, Right to Delete, Right to Correct, Right to Opt-Out, Right to Non-Discrimination.

To submit a CCPA request, contact: [EMAIL ADDRESS]

11. Children's Privacy

This Site is not directed to individuals under the age of 16. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.

12. Changes to This Policy

I reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. The "Last Updated" date will be revised. Material changes will be posted prominently.

13. Contact & Complaints

Michael A. Cole
Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Website: https://michaelcole.me/

EU/UK Residents: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: 2026-11-13

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using this website located at https://michaelcole.me/ (the "Site"), you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms in their entirety, you must discontinue use of this Site immediately.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Michael A. Cole ("I," "me," or "my"), operating this Site in a personal professional capacity.

2. Description of Site

This Site is a personal professional profile operated by Michael A. Cole, a Chapter Chair affiliated with R360. The Site provides:

  • Professional biography and background information
  • Information about Michael A. Cole's professional focus, expertise, and chapter activities
  • Contact or inquiry functionality for prospective members or professional connections

This Site is intended for informational and professional networking purposes only.

3. User Obligations

By using this Site, you agree that you will:

  • Provide accurate information in any contact or inquiry forms
  • Use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with applicable laws
  • Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site
  • Not transmit unsolicited commercial communications, spam, or malicious code
  • Not engage in any conduct that could damage, disable, or impair the Site
  • Not use automated tools, bots, scrapers, or crawlers to extract data
  • Not misrepresent your identity or affiliation when submitting inquiries

4. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on this Site is owned by or licensed to Michael A. Cole and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may:

  • View and print pages for personal, non-commercial reference
  • Share links to this Site

You may not, without express written permission:

  • Reproduce, republish, or distribute content
  • Use any content for commercial purposes
  • Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notice
  • Create derivative works

5. Disclaimer of Warranties

This Site and all content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

Professional information presented is accurate to the best of my knowledge as of the date last updated. It should not be construed as legal, financial, investment, or professional advice.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Michael A. Cole shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of or inability to use this Site.

7. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Michael A. Cole from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses arising out of your use of this Site or violation of these Terms.

8. Third-Party Links

This Site may contain links to third-party websites, including R360's official website. I have no control over the content or privacy practices of third-party sites.

9. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution: Before filing any formal legal claim, contact me at [EMAIL ADDRESS] to attempt to resolve the dispute informally within 30 days.

Arbitration: If informal resolution fails, any dispute shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by JAMS.

Class Action Waiver: You agree that any arbitration or proceeding shall be limited to the dispute between you and me individually.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of [STATE], without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought in the courts located in [COUNTY, STATE].

11. Modifications to Terms

I reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. The "Last Updated" date will be revised.

12. Severability & Entire Agreement

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement.

13. Contact Information

Michael A. Cole
Chapter Chair, R360
Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Website: https://michaelcole.me/