David Samuel Grodin

Daren Blonski is a financial advisor at Fermata Advisors in Sonoma, CA, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials with 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Fermata Advisory, LLC since 2019 and was previously with Enso Wealth Management from 2016 to 2020. Fermata Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting primarily to individuals, small businesses, and plan fiduciaries. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services using a combination of behavioral, charting, cyclical, fundamental, and technical analysis to guide portfolio allocations.

James Stein is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Sonoma, CA, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license with 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2006. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 23,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Most people in their 40s and 50s are doing well financially—but aren’t completely sure they’re on track for retirement. They’ve built careers, accumulated savings, and are making good money… But questions start to surface: Am I saving enough? When can I realistically retire? How do I turn what I’ve built into income later? Am I being tax-efficient? That’s where I come in. I work with professionals in their peak earning years to help them create a clear, realistic path to retirement—one that connects their income, investments, and long-term goals. Together, we focus on: Building a structured retirement plan Aligning investments with real-life goals Creating future income strategies Improving tax efficiency over time Bringing clarity and confidence to big decisions My approach is straightforward and practical. No jargon. No overcomplication. Just a plan that makes sense for your life. If you’re within 10–15 years of retirement and want a clearer picture of where you stand—and what to do next—I’m happy to connect. I am a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services based in Napa, CA.

WHAT I DO: I help Locum Tenens physicians and advanced practice providers gain clarity about their finances, identify opportunities and pitfalls, and stay on track with a trusted accountability partner. WHY IT MATTERS: Three recurring concerns stand out in my conversations with Active Duty Military and Civilian physicians and advanced practice providers: Skill Atrophy – Concerns about staying clinically sharp and staying competitive due to limited patient volume or exposure to diverse clinical settings. Financial Catch-Up – After years of training, many feel the pressure to fast-track savings and build long-term financial security. Time Flexibility – A deep desire for greater control over one’s schedule to prioritize family, entrepreneurship, or personal goals. These pressures often lead physicians to pursue Locum Tenens work—part-time or full-time—for its higher earning potential and flexible structure. But with that flexibility comes greater financial complexity, making a clear strategy and support system more important than ever. HOW I DO IT: Together, we assess your strengths and gaps across the six pillars of financial planning: Cash Flow Management, Risk Management, Estate Planning, Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, and Investment Management. Then, we develop action items over 3 months to strengthen your financial foundation. Clients are empowered to self implement recommendations or collaborate with us for efficiency and accountability. NEXT STEPS: Ready to take control of your financial future? Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out directly at [email protected]—I’d love to learn more about your goals and how I can help. MORE ABOUT ME: I rediscovered my love for running three years ago thanks to one of my sons, starting with local 5Ks around the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, I’ve become especially fond of the half-marathon distance, with races like the Oakland and San Francisco Half under my belt. Marathon training is next on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I also love exploring new places—favorites so far include Ilocos Sur (Philippines), Tokyo, Seoul, Busan, Barcelona, Lisbon, and London.

John Cruse is the principal of Cruse Investments in Petaluma, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has led Cruse Investments since 2013. Cruse Investments provides investment management and written financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm customizes portfolios using stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds, operates primarily on a non-discretionary basis, and offers advice on retirement rollovers and employer plan distributions.

John Baughman is a financial advisor with Baughman Financial Group in Novato, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at First Allied Securities, Inc. from 2008 to 2018 and has been with Baughman Wealth Advisors Inc. and Baughman Financial Group since 2008 and 1999, respectively. Baughman Wealth Advisors, operating as Baughman Financial Group, provides portfolio management, financial planning, retirement and estate planning, and consulting services to individuals, families, trusts, foundations, charitable organizations, and various institutional clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, modern portfolio theory, technical, and cyclical analysis to create customized portfolios and offers discretionary management, insurance product sales, and educational seminars.