Ricardo Yanez is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise since 2019 and previously spent seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as a managing partner in LR & Associates, Inc. and owns a business named YM & Associates LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver customized, non-discretionary recommendations. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated entities.

Freddy Soza is a financial advisor with Merrill in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 2015. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Nancy Lerma is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Bakersfield, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having three years of industry experience. She has worked with PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services since 2023. Outside of her advisory role, Lerma is involved with the Holmes Family Foundation and has been associated with the Bakersfield Racquet Club for over two decades. Primerica Advisors is a large institution serving primarily individual investors, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable clients. The firm offers a wrap-fee asset management program utilizing model-delivery strategies managed by unaffiliated asset managers, supported by custody and trade execution services from Pershing and BNY Mellon Advisors.

Cori Ash is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 18 years of industry experience. She has been with UBS since 2007 and holds a Series 66 designation. Based in Bakersfield, CA, she provides advisory services through one of the largest firms in the industry. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning, portfolio management, and distribution of mutual funds and alternative products. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, using proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor strategies to clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Justin Adams is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Merrill, and affiliated Banc of America entities, spanning nearly two decades before joining LPL Financial in 2019. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of representatives to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and technology tools to support client strategies.

Ira S. Cohen is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and having 45 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS Financial Services since 2007. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and investment advisory services, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management and proprietary research to develop customized financial plans.

Rick Scott is a CFP® professional with 40 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services. His prior experience includes roles at Merrill for 23 years and Wells Fargo Clearing for 7 years. He is also the owner of Rick L. Scott, LLC, a business that supports his Ameriprise practice. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Ameriprise Premier Retirement Income service. This service provides written recommendation reports and ongoing advice focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies, supported by proprietary research and algorithmic tools.

Matthias Bellamy is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Bank of America, Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC, and diverse experience outside of finance including work at Chick Fil A and Uber Technologies. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, providing model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Patrick Bailey is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at LPL Financial since 2014. Bailey is also the owner and manager of Electric Spin Club, a fitness boutique. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Richard Valenzuela is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes over a decade at Bank of America, N.A./Merrill Edge and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. He is currently based in Bakersfield, CA. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to clients such as corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm integrates large institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis.

Oscar Barbosa is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 14 years of industry experience. His career includes tenure at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank NA before joining Charles Schwab and Co., Inc. He owns and manages two rental properties outside of his advisory work. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base primarily composed of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and related managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary advice and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by multi-asset model portfolios and research from the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

Salvador Jimenez is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Bakersfield, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 8 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, JPMorgan Chase Bank, CarMax, and service in the United States Army Reserves. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm uses quantitative asset-allocation modeling combined with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

David Ivarie is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Bakersfield, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2011 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm employs structured discovery conversations and proprietary planning tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Tate Williamson is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a consultative and goals-based approach to wealth management, focusing on understanding clients' families, needs, and financial priorities. Tate leverages his background in Agribusiness and Wealth Management alongside Merrill's resources to assist clients in pursuing their financial goals. His areas of expertise include college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Tate holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Tate earned a Bachelor's Degree from the California State University System and an Associate of Science from Bakersfield College. He is involved with the American Petroleum Institute San Joaquin Valley Chapter and participates in community activities aligned with Merrill's tradition. Tate is fluent in Spanish and English, and his personal interests include baseball, basketball, billiards, bowling, chess, cooking, football, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family.

Mario Orellana is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works directly with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies aimed at helping them achieve these objectives. Mario provides ongoing advice and adapts financial plans as clients' situations evolve. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the California State University System. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Mario assists clients with a range of financial needs, including general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected expenses. Mario emphasizes understanding what matters most to his clients and their families to create tailored strategies that align with their priorities. He invites clients to discuss their goals and concerns to receive personalized guidance through various stages of their financial journey.

Bradford Mcnaughton II is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working as a financial advisor with Merrill for the last ten years, focusing on helping clients achieve their financial goals through proper planning and wealth management. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Bradford pursued a career in finance from a young age. He completed two internships with Merrill, one during high school and another while in college. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Vanguard University of Southern California. Bradford started his career at Merrill Edge in 2014 before transitioning to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been for the past eight years. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Bradford's client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and retirement income. He is involved in the Kern River Conservancy and has personal interests in adventure sports, cooking, fishing, gardening, spending time with his family, and surfing.

Sherod Waite is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL in 2025, he worked at SCF Investment Advisors, SCF Securities, and Moneywise, Inc., where he was involved for over a decade each. Outside of his advisory work, Waite owns Woolworth's Luncheonette and The Basement at Woolworth's, both non-investment-related businesses in Bakersfield, CA. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, combining a broad advisory platform with a range of non-advisory financial services.

Barton Bussell is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo since 2016 and previously at A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. from 2002 to 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner and manager of 16GC, LP, a non-investment business based in Bakersfield, CA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Gary Sampson is a CFP® professional with 40 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2018. Prior to that, he worked at UBS Financial Services Inc. for 10 years. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Bakersfield, CA. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm’s investment approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, incorporating a broad range of financial products including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Charles Hudgins Jr. is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 20 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2011. Based in Bakersfield, CA, Hudgins focuses on wealth management services within a large institutional firm. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in assets and employs a structured planning process utilizing proprietary tools and market simulations.