Keith Kitagawa is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a role he assumed in 2020. He has over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. Keith holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Keith specializes in comprehensive financial planning for high net worth individuals and corporate executives, focusing on areas such as executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning. He provides tailored advice that considers clients' time horizons, liquidity needs, investment goals, and tax mitigation strategies. Keith often collaborates with tax and legal advisors to address advanced retirement and estate planning, charitable giving, and complex issues related to equity compensation and concentrated stock positions.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA Anderson. Before entering financial services, Keith served five years as a submarine officer in the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Keith is involved in community organizations including the San Diego Military Advisory Council Foundation and Life Science Cares San Diego, and he serves as a United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer supporting local students.