Michael Paul Cortina

Brent Lowe is a financial advisor with Granite Wealth Advisors in Temecula, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Granite Wealth Advisors since 2018 and previously spent eight years with Laurel Wealth Advisors, Inc. Granite Wealth Advisors serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—trusts, estates, business entities, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm constructs diversified, risk-based portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and bonds, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management tailored to each client’s financial situation and objectives.

WHY JERRY CHOSE TO BE A FINANCIAL PLANNER: His lack of financial literacy was not by choice. It was because personal finance was not taught in school or in his community. As a first-generation wealth builder, Jerry's money journey has been shaped by a profound understanding of both cultural and financial expectations. His experiences have uniquely positioned him to empathize with the challenges faced by first-generation families, inspiring a distinctive approach to financial guidance. His moment of profound solitude occurred during his transition from the Marine Corps back to civilian life. In uniform, Jerry felt in control, with camaraderie, financial stability, and a consistent salary. However, the day he left, all that stability vanished giving way to a cascade of emotions - depression, anxiety, and fear. Jerry, who had grown up facing financial hardships, relying on food stamps, and public aid, knew it was time to stop merely talking about wanting to build wealth and start acting. The realization struck deep: He needed to make a difference not just for himself, but for others facing similar issues. Motivated by a desire to help his family and friends, Jerry decided to be the guide he wished he'd had. He obtained his license, college degree, and joined a firm not only to enhance his life but the lives of other 1st-time wealth builders. After a few years of helping high net worth individuals grow their assets, Jerry felt the firm wasn't built to help families like his. In 2024, Jerry took the leap and launched Confianza Wealth Management as a guide for aspiring wealth builders. Jerry is on a mission to empower 1st-time wealth building families. Jerry wants to bridge the financial planning accessibility gap by helping these millennial families take control of their financial futures.

Terrence Gustafson is a CFP® with over 22 years at Gustafson Financial Solutions and five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 designation and operates his independent firm in Oceanside, CA. Gustafson also prepares client tax returns as an Enrolled Agent. Gustafson Financial Solutions provides fee-only financial planning and tax services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes quantitative screening of mutual funds and ETFs, asset allocation, diversification, and low-expense investments while focusing significantly on tax preparation and broader financial planning.

Scott Weber is a financial advisor at WealthLynk, Inc. with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and Tollminder. In addition to his advisory role, Weber is an independent insurance agent. WealthLynk, Inc. provides non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients, managing over $112 million in assets. The firm emphasizes client-directed strategies with periodic account reviews and operates under detailed Investment Policy Statements.

Brad Reinard is a financial advisor with QTR Capital Management LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and five years of industry experience. He has been with QTR Capital Management since 2020 and also serves as an adjunct professor of management science at Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics. Additionally, he is the chief publisher of an investment newsletter operated by MCTO Capital Management LLC DBA Upside Options. QTR Capital Management is an independent, state-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a research-intensive process combining technical, fundamental, and quantitative analysis across diverse equity and options-based strategies.

Rick Alvarado is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 35 years of industry experience. He has been the principal advisor at Wealth One Advisors since 2000 and previously worked with LPL Financial (formerly Linsco/Private Ledger Corp.) starting in 1993. Wealth One Advisors provides financial planning and consulting to individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, estates, and certain pension or profit-sharing plans, focusing on retirement, estate, and protection planning. The firm offers written plans and consulting engagements without managing client assets or accepting custody, using both fundamental and technical analysis to recommend tailored strategies emphasizing long-term asset allocation and periodic rebalancing.