Long before Eric Rankin was helping families make decisions about wealth, retirement, and legacy, he was responsible for ships, crews, cargo, and missions around the world.
A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Eric spent more than a decade as a professional mariner before entering financial services in 2003. He progressed through the officer ranks to captain U.S. government vessels, where he was responsible for everything from personnel and safety to cargo, operations, security, and the successful completion of each mission.
Today, Eric brings more than 23 years of financial services experience to his role as Partner and Wealth Manager, working primarily with families, business owners, agricultural clients, and people facing consequential financial transitions.
Leadership When the Stakes Are Real
Eric’s career at sea shaped how he thinks about leadership today.
Much of his maritime career was spent working directly with, or in support of, the United States military. He later taught leadership, Bridge Team Management, and professional maritime courses to senior ship officers. Those years reinforced a belief Eric still carries into wealth management: leadership is not about holding the title. It is about accepting responsibility for people, decisions, and outcomes.
That same standard guides his work with clients. Eric helps families bring together investment management, retirement planning, business and farm succession, estate and legacy considerations, tax-aware strategies, charitable giving, and risk management. When decisions cross disciplines, he works alongside clients’ accountants, attorneys, and other professionals to keep the pieces moving as one plan.
More Than a Bigger Number
Eric believes wealth management is ultimately about stewardship.
The goal is not simply to accumulate more. It is to understand what those resources are meant to accomplish. That might mean retiring with greater confidence, passing a farm or business to the next generation, helping family, giving generously, pursuing an opportunity, or finally taking a trip that has spent too many years on the someday list.
Some of Eric’s client relationships now span decades and multiple generations. He considers it a privilege to know the families behind the finances and to be one of the people they call when an important decision needs to be made.
A Bucket-List Kind of Life
Service runs deep in Eric’s family. His two sons graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, continuing four consecutive generations of family military service. Eric also served more than 13 years on the Hull, Iowa City Council and has spent decades involved with civic, charitable, church, and community organizations.
Eric and his wife, Lora, have made Hull home since 1996. Outside the office, he tends to live what he calls a “bucket-list kind of life.” He has climbed more than 20 of America’s 14,000-foot peaks, is a qualified diver, and enjoys sailing, travel, cooking, history, agriculture, land stewardship, and the outdoors.