Dena Schwartz is a financial advisor at Independent Financial Group, LLC with 29 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at LPL Financial for 14 years. Independent Financial Group, LLC is a dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, charities, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm offers a range of brokerage, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, managing approximately $11.3 billion in regulatory assets through a national network of Investment Adviser Representatives.

Jerald Van Houten is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera and Cetera Advisor Networks for a combined 11 years before joining Independent Financial Group in 2023. Outside of his advisory role, Van Houten volunteers teaching financial biblical education and coaching through Kingdom Advisors and the John Maxwell Group, and serves as Central Valley Chapter President of the Main Street Chamber. Independent Financial Group, LLC is a dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, charities, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and brokerage services, utilizing risk-tolerance profiles to manage client assets across multiple platforms and third-party managers.

Michael Tallon is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2021. His prior roles include positions at JP Morgan Securities, Strategic Advisers, Inc., and Fidelity Investments. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm combines in-house research with third-party managers and provides integrated tax and accounting services alongside traditional portfolio management.

Samuel Ramirez is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Hightower Advisors in 2025, he worked at Kelly & Wohlner Group and Northrop Grumman, and served ten years in the US Navy. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of Advisor Practices. The firm’s approach includes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers, as well as proprietary research and diverse portfolio construction techniques.

Nathanael Posada is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory in San Diego, CA, bringing seven years of industry experience. He has worked with Schwab Wealth Advisory since 2021 and has been associated with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Grand Canyon Education and Paradise Valley Country Club. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering services such as annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and diversified investment recommendations. The firm operates within the Schwab ecosystem, using standard asset allocation models and research tools, while leaving final trading decisions to clients.

Edwin Van Es is a financial advisor with Citigroup Global Markets in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2007. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across multiple wealth segments, offering a range of investment advisory programs and execution services. The firm implements multi-asset, multi-manager strategies using robust internal standards and oversight, combining large institutional scale with specialized market roles and arrangements.

Brandon Wissinger is a CFP® advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in San Diego, CA, with nine years of industry experience. He has been with Mercer Global Advisors since 2016. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments by providing investment advisory services along with financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios implemented through a variety of investment vehicles and specialized programs.

Suzette Lawrence is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. She previously worked at D.A. Davidson & Co. for 11 years before joining Independent Financial Group in 2024. Outside of her advisory role, Lawrence serves as a Girl Scout leader for Troop 4751 in Greater Los Angeles. Independent Financial Group, LLC is a dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides brokerage, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, charities, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs through its AccessPoint platform and third-party asset managers, serving a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals and institutions.

Kim Mahoney is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 13 years of industry experience and has worked with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2015. Mahoney serves as a board member for the Exit Planning Institute San Diego Chapter and volunteers as an advisor for the Owners in Honor Veteran Charity Board. He is also a member of the US Marine Corps Reserves. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, offering both brokerage and advisory services, including financial planning and business consulting. The firm employs a range of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party portfolios and supports various account-level services such as lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Rod Crews is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked extensively with Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, and retirement and business consulting, utilizing proprietary model portfolios, third-party managers, and a digital advice platform.

Brock Biesel is a financial advisor at AE Wealth Management, LLC with a Series 65 credential and less than one year of industry experience. He has previously worked at Bergen Financial Group and held roles outside finance at Ace Parking and Walmart. AE Wealth Management serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers model portfolio solutions, discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting through a platform that combines internally managed, third-party, and advisor-managed models.

Hakim Dysart is a financial advisor at Mariner with six years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at several firms, including UBS Financial Services, Raymond James Financial, and Mission Federal Credit Union. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolios supported by an internal team and third-party managers, and it provides integrated tax, accounting, and financial wellness solutions alongside traditional portfolio management.

Jalyn Lupo is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Triad Components Group. Jalyn was also a full-time student for ten years prior to her advisory career. Guardian Life’s subsidiary, Park Avenue Wealth Management, serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutional clients through brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs that include both proprietary and third-party investment strategies.

Michael Mayer is a CFP®-certified financial advisor at Corient with four years of industry experience. He previously worked at Willow Creek Financial, SNS Financial Group, Vector Wealth Management, and Pacific Life. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses a goals-based, team investment approach combining in-house strategies with third-party managers and employs risk management tools and alternative investment options where appropriate.

Rachel Dennenberg is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has worked with these firms since 2011. Dennenberg also operates Dennenberg Consulting Inc., a business entity established for tax and investment purposes. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of financial planning, model-portfolio advisory programs, and third-party asset management solutions, supported by an in-house research team and a broad platform accommodating various investment strategies and service needs.

Lane Hustead is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Corient, having joined the firm in 2024. Prior to Corient, he worked at Bordeaux Wealth Advisors from 2020 to 2024 and spent two years at Ernst & Young. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers, continuous portfolio monitoring, and risk management tools, including alternative investments and private fund options.

Michael Gallion is a CFP® professional with 19 years of experience in financial advisory. He is currently affiliated with Osaic Advisory Services, LLC and has held prior roles at Arbor Point Advisors and One Degree Advisors, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Gallion teaches financial planning and investing courses at a local adult school in Poway, CA. Osaic Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive investment management and financial planning services through multiple program models, utilizing both proprietary and third-party platforms.

John Paladino is a financial advisor with Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He serves as Executive Director and Managing Partner of Sterling Global Strategies/Sterling Wealth Management and is also owner of TerraGear Products, a company specializing in bike travel bags and gear. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC supports individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent advisors. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and consulting services, employing a primarily long-term investment approach with customized portfolio construction and oversight of third-party managers.

Katherine Evans is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory in San Diego, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc., Barton Associates, and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Outside finance, she has been involved with organizations including The Salvation Army Kroc Center-San Diego and Sun Devil Athletics. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice through the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, utilizing standard asset allocation models and Schwab research tools. The firm serves individual clients with investment recommendations and financial planning, while maintaining a distinct structure within the Schwab ecosystem and limiting discretionary trading authority.

Kurt Cecconi is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 31 years of industry experience. He has worked with Principal Securities Inc. since 2016 and Principal Life Insurance Co. since 1998. Outside of financial advising, he serves as a board member of LETIP of El Cajon, a local networking organization. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager programs under various advisory and promoter arrangements.