George Berla is a CFA® charterholder and principal at Berla Investment Consulting with over 40 years of industry experience. He previously operated as a sole proprietor under the name George Alexander Berla DBA Berla Investment Consulting before the firm’s reorganization in 2026. In addition to his advisory work, he maintains part-time public sector employment in information systems. Berla Investment Consulting provides investment consulting to institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on investment policy, asset allocation, and manager evaluation. The firm delivers non-discretionary advice without managing client accounts or participating in wrap fee programs, and it distinguishes itself by using negotiated fixed or hourly fees rather than percentage-of-AUM charges.

Atul Dubal is a CFP® with over 21 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Prudent Prospera Planning, Inc. since 2015 and also works as a licensed insurance agent through SaveOnTerms.com. Additionally, he has involvement in tax planning services through Professional Tax Planners America. Prudent Prospera Planning offers financial planning and advisory services to individuals and businesses, including high-net-worth clients. The firm focuses on written financial plans, asset-allocation analysis, and third-party investment adviser recommendations, with a distinctive approach that includes insurance sales and sharing of management fees disclosed as potential conflicts of interest.

Zheng Wan is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Sierra Pacific Private Wealth, LLC. He has been with Sierra Pacific Financial Advisors, LLC since 2005. Sierra Pacific Private Wealth provides wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and corporate retirement plan advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and plan sponsors. The firm manages approximately $212.7 million in assets for about 122 clients, offering individualized asset management with regular reviews and rebalancing, and supports plan participant education through seminars and workshops.

Thomas Swift is a financial advisor with Financial Avengers, Inc. in Oakland, CA, holding a Series 63 designation and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Financial Avengers since 2000. Outside of advising, Mr. Swift writes plays, scripts, and books, and works as a producer through Tom Swift & His Amazing Productions LLC. Financial Avengers serves individuals and families with discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm manages $488.4 million in discretionary assets, emphasizing long-term, value-oriented, buy-and-hold strategies focused on income and low turnover, combined with a behavioral approach to client relationships.

Jason Stankowski is a CFA® charterholder with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Clayton Partners LLC since 2010, where he is part of a four-advisor team based in Berkeley, CA. Clayton Partners LLC provides discretionary investment management to high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and limited partners through separately managed accounts and a pooled private fund. The firm employs a long-term investment approach focused on equity and equity-related securities, with additional strategies including short sales, options, arbitrage, and leverage for its pooled fund.

Jethro Townsend is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with Nia Impact Capital, where he has worked since 2024, following a nine-year tenure at Addend Capital Management. Nia Impact Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, trusts, nonprofit organizations, registered investment companies, and other financial advisers. The firm employs a gender-lens and thematic investment approach, combining quantitative and venture-style analysis, and engages in active shareholder advocacy while managing its own registered mutual fund alongside UMA/model delivery and sub-advisory relationships.

Erick Ormsby is the sole advisor at Alcosta Capital Management, Inc. in San Ramon, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Alcosta Capital Management since 2002. Alcosta Capital Management serves individual clients, trusts, and pension plans through discretionary portfolio management and limited financial planning. The firm employs a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis to select U.S.-listed equities for diversified portfolios tailored to various risk profiles.

Sudeep Goel is a financial advisor with Lucerna Capital Management LLC, holding a Series 65 registration and beginning his advisory career in 2026. He has been involved in residential real estate brokerage through Greenfield Realty since 2015. Lucerna Capital Management LLC serves individuals and high-net-worth households, including technology professionals with equity compensation. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and integrated wealth management with a focus on diversified, low-cost index funds and ETFs, alongside tactical strategies to address concentrated stock positions.

Salim Reshwan is a financial advisor at Auxi Asset Management, LLC with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Mutual Securities, Inc from 2012 to 2020 before continuing his tenure at Auxi Asset Management since 2005. Auxi Asset Management provides investment and portfolio management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations and institutions. The firm employs an active, multi-strategy approach across various asset classes and sectors, managing approximately $99.4 million for a diverse client base through discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services.

John Kim is a financial advisor with Giving Tree Wealth Advisors in San Ramon, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 32 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial and ownership of Kim Financial Advisors, Inc. He also operates as a sole proprietor. Giving Tree Wealth Advisors manages approximately $138 million for around 217 clients, including individuals, qualified retirement plans, and charitable institutions. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive and hourly financial planning, and limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary services, utilizing model-based asset allocations across various custodial platforms.

Benjamin Packard is a financial advisor at Lula Financial in Oakland, CA, holding a Series 65 credential with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Lula Financial since 2018 and has been self-employed since 2010. Outside of advising, he produces videos for non-profits, dedicating a small portion of his time to this activity. Lula Financial provides financial planning and portfolio management services to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm emphasizes passive investment strategies using index funds and ETFs, and offers a fee model based on fixed, hourly, and subscription arrangements rather than asset-based fees.

Deepesh Srivastava is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as an advisor at Lucerna Capital Management LLC. He joined the firm in 2026 after a 12-year tenure at Nuveen, a TIAA company, and a brief career transition. Deepesh is based in Dublin, California. Lucerna Capital Management LLC is a California-registered investment adviser that serves individuals and high-net-worth households, including technology professionals with equity compensation. The firm employs a diversified, low-cost core investment approach supplemented by tactical strategies to address concentrated stock and equity compensation issues, offering both portfolio management and financial planning services.

Gerald Fegler is a financial advisor at Contango Wealth Management LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Contango in 2025, he has been associated with Marin Wealth Advisors LLC since 2016. Contango Wealth Management provides investment advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on discretionary portfolio management and tailored financial planning. The firm integrates fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods to create personalized investment strategies.

Christopher Gallagher is a financial advisor at Gallagher Wealth Management in Danville, CA, holding a Series 63 designation with 28 years of industry experience. He has led Gallagher Wealth Management since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a co-trustee for the James Gallagher 2008 Trust. Gallagher Wealth Management provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, trusts, corporations, and employer-sponsored plans. The firm employs a blend of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various investment strategies and uses options and margin borrowing as part of its portfolio construction.

John Spees is a financial advisor with Granite Capital, holding a Series 65 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Granite Capital Management since 2000 and previously worked at Banc of America Securities. Granite Capital Management is an independent advisory firm managing approximately $315 million for about 76 clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm focuses on discretionary portfolio management with an emphasis on diversified equity exposure and fixed-income investments, utilizing a range of analytical approaches and tailored strategies.

Calum Cunningham is a financial advisor with Silicon Private Wealth, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Silicon Private Wealth since 2016 and previously worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Viant Capital, LLC. Silicon Private Wealth, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $177.8 million in assets across about 83 relationships. The firm offers a range of investment options and employs multiple analysis methods, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management tailored to client objectives.

Dale Haithcock is a financial advisor at Auxi Asset Management, LLC with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Auxi Asset Management since 2005, also working at Triad Advisors and Mutual Securities, Inc. His professional background includes managing investment portfolios of equities, ETFs, and mutual funds for high-net-worth clients. Auxi Asset Management provides investment and portfolio management services to individuals, corporations, and institutions, employing an active, multi-strategy approach across various asset classes. The firm manages approximately $99.4 million for 58 clients and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services, including private pooled investment vehicles.

Christopher Dodds is a financial advisor with Crown Oak Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has five years of industry experience and has worked with firms including Coinbase Global, The Cynosure Group, Baron Capital Group, and The Charles Schwab Corporation. Dodds serves on the boards of directors for The Charles Schwab Corporation and Charles Schwab Bank and acts as a consultant to Baron Capital Group and The Cynosure Group. Crown Oak Advisors provides discretionary investment management and institutional consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, endowments, and other institutions. The firm employs an equity-focused investment approach combining fundamental, cyclical, and behavioral finance analysis to identify undervalued businesses for long-term ownership.

Nicholas Tognoli is a financial advisor at Bass Rocks Asset Management with a Series 65 designation and no prior industry experience before beginning his advisory career in 2023. His work history includes a year at Brookwood Investment Group and five years at Arizona State University. Bass Rocks Asset Management provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and other advisers, focusing on equities, ETFs, and options-related strategies. The firm emphasizes the use of margin and both fundamental and technical analysis, with client accounts custodied at Schwab Institutional.

Michael Castro is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience. He is currently with Contango Wealth Management LLC and has previously worked at Marin Wealth Advisors LLC and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2012. Contango Wealth Management provides ongoing portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, tailoring investment strategies to each client’s goals, income, taxes, and risk tolerance. The firm employs a long-term trading approach that combines fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods.