Sean Cullen, MBA, FRCSM
Director of Operations/Wealth Advisor
Sean brings more than two decades of strategic leadership, operational discipline, and mission-focused decision-making to Prestige Wealth Management, where he serves as Wealth Advisor and Director of Operations. He works with military officers, executives, and pre-retirees navigating the most consequential financial decisions of their careers — sequencing pensions and deferred compensation, retirement accounts, Social Security, tax strategy, and estate planning into a single coordinated approach.
Sean retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel after 22+ years of service. He served as Homeland Division Chief in J5 on the Joint Staff, as Division Chief of Strategic Assessments on the Air Force Staff, and as a squadron commander earlier in his career. His operational background is in aviation as an Air Battle Manager. The leadership, analytical rigor, and crisis decision-making developed in those roles inform his approach to client work today.
Alongside his military career, Sean built a track record in multifamily real estate, managing properties, raising capital, and guiding investor relationships. That work gave him a practical understanding of private markets, cash flow, and how real assets fit into a broader wealth strategy.
At Prestige, Sean shapes firm strategy, operational structure, compliance, and client engagement — ensuring the systems behind the scenes match the high standard of service clients expect. He is passionate about leadership development and financial education, and brings integrity, accountability, and clarity to every client relationship.
A retired military officer and longtime real estate investor, Sean lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and their two children. They enjoy travel, sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Fun Fact: Sean is big on continuous improvement — whether that's studying for another certification, building investment models, or coaching youth hockey. He believes growth happens when you stay curious and show up consistently.
Sean graduated from East Carolina University and holds an MBA, MPhil, MSS, MOAS, and FRCSM designation.
Sean's Designations:
FRCSM — Federal Retirement Consultant
The Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC) designation is awarded to financial professionals who complete specialized training in the unique retirement systems serving federal employees, service members, and military retirees. The program covers the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) decisions, VA disability coordination, and the tax treatment of military and federal retired pay. FRC professionals are trained to address the planning questions that determine whether a federal or military career translates into a confident retirement.
MBA — Master of Business Administration
Sean holds a Master of Business Administration, with coursework spanning finance, strategy, operations, and leadership. The MBA provides the analytical foundation for evaluating client portfolios, business decisions, and the strategic dimensions of wealth and tax planning.
MPhil — Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy
The Master of Philosophy is a graduate-level research degree awarded through advanced military education programs. It signifies the ability to conduct independent analysis of strategic problems and contribute original thinking to complex, multi-variable decisions — the same kind of analytical rigor required to evaluate client situations involving multiple income streams, tax considerations, and long-term financial goals.
MSS — Master of Strategic Studies
The Master of Strategic Studies is awarded to senior military officers who complete advanced studies at a U.S. War College. The program develops expertise in strategic-level planning, decision-making under uncertainty, and the integration of complex systems — disciplines that translate directly into coordinating the multiple components of a client's wealth plan.
MOAS — Master of Operational Arts and Sciences
The Master of Operational Arts and Sciences is awarded through Air Command and Staff College, focusing on operational-level planning, leadership, and the application of strategy to complex problem-solving. The program emphasizes the discipline of translating high-level objectives into actionable, sequenced plans — the same approach Sean brings to client retirement and wealth strategies.