Jessie M Vargas Gutierrez is a financial advisor with Merrill in Downey, CA. She holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Bank of America, TSG Wealth Management, and Tax Rise Inc, among others. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Erica Pitrone is a financial advisor at Merrill with 10 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has been with Merrill since 2015. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations.

Jesus Barboza Gonzalez is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill from 2014 to 2022. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a broader investment menu that includes insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Thomas Li is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and is also the owner of Cashow LLC, a cosmetics business focused on acrylic and gel nail products. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework to guide fund and strategy recommendations.

Alexander Lee is a financial advisor with Cetera in Pasadena, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and six years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Leaders Group Inc and Ascendant LLP, where he is a one-third owner in a law practice. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with diverse portfolio management options and a large nationwide network of advisors.

Michael Foley is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Pasadena, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at MML Investors Services and Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company since 2015. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm uses firm-approved software to analyze client goals and provides written recommendations within annual, collaborative financial planning engagements.

Henry Narvaez is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 17 years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has worked at several firms including J.P. Morgan Securities, UnionBanc Investment Services, and LPL Financial. Narvaez also serves as a financial advisor with Kinecta Wealth Management. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement income planning advice focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Brad Chi is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Pasadena, California. He works primarily with established professionals, business owners, retirees, and families throughout Southern California. His advisory approach focuses on simplifying complex financial situations, improving coordination among various decisions, and helping clients move forward with clarity during career transitions and life changes. Brad assists clients whose financial lives have grown more complex over time, often managing retirement assets, investment accounts, concentrated stock positions, cash flow needs, and family priorities that developed at different times. His process involves understanding clients' priorities, accounts, and concerns; analyzing their broader financial picture; evaluating potential recommendations; and coordinating with other professionals such as tax advisors and specialists across Merrill and Bank of America when necessary. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and has earned the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Brad is involved with several professional and community organizations, including the University of Arizona Alumni Association, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, American Cancer Society, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and Junior Achievement of South California.

Juan Martin is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing, Bank of America, and Merrill. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities, delivering recommendations through a non-discretionary program supported by an in-house manager solutions team and a centralized due-diligence framework.

Veronika Alekyan is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in offering personalized wealth management and investment guidance to professionals, entrepreneurs, and families. She aims to help clients simplify complex financial decisions and develop strategies that balance everyday demands with long-term financial and personal goals. Veronika joined Merrill in 2025 after working as a Private Client Banker at J.P. Morgan Chase and prior experience with a MassMutual affiliate. Before transitioning to her advisory career, she held roles in commercial real estate investment underwriting with real estate development and private equity firms, as well as a global real estate advisory firm. Her responsibilities included managing analytical support for sales and acquisition transactions with total annual valuations exceeding $1 billion. She holds a Master's degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University and a Bachelor's degree from Yerevan State Institute of Economics. Veronika is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and an active member of the CFA Society of Los Angeles. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, playing chess, and spending time with family and friends.

Jing Sun is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Pasadena, CA, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Prior to rejoining LPL Financial in 2023, Sun worked for Daisy Financial Group and Unity Professional Insurance Services Inc. Outside of advising, Sun is involved with Apiary Partners Inc, a real estate rental business. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers diverse advisory programs and financial planning services supported by model portfolios, research, and various portfolio management technologies.

Doo Hong is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 29 years of industry experience, currently with Cetera since 2022. His prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance, and MetLife Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he owns an insurance business focused on health and Medicare insurance and serves on the board of Hangeul Camp USA Inc. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with access to a range of portfolio management options, third-party money managers, and various program structures.

Boyuan Zhou is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has also worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2016. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to fiduciary clients of Bank of America through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional accounts, combining internal and third-party management with comprehensive trading and custody support.

Yuko Matsuo serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Yuko works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. Her approach reflects a commitment to understanding each client’s unique financial situation and priorities. Yuko’s expertise includes family wealth management, international wealth management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. She emphasizes working collaboratively with clients to tailor strategies that align with their objectives. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Yuko enjoys fishing, hiking, music, reading, singing, and spending time with her family. She also values community involvement, continuing the Merrill tradition of active participation in the communities served.

Christopher Ellis is a CFP® professional with 13 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with LPL Financial in Burbank, CA, having previously worked at Wedbush Securities and CUSO Financial Services, LP. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to a variety of investment programs and model portfolios.

Sean Hegardt is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Torrance, CA, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley since 2022, along with prior experience at the University of Arizona and Teksystems. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide array of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s financial planning process involves structured discovery and firm-approved tools, providing advisory services that do not include individual security recommendations as part of standalone planning.

Francisco Lim is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with a Series 66 credential. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked in educational roles at several schools and community organizations. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers collaborative annual financial planning engagements using firm-approved analytical tools and supports a range of event-driven planning programs.

Eddie Rivera Jr. is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2017. Prior to that, he was employed at PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, delivering services on a non-discretionary basis with an in-house due-diligence framework.

Christopher Steer is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Glendale, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2010. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches along with model portfolios and third-party research.

Cesar Garcia is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' financial goals and circumstances. He focuses on a range of client needs including executive compensation, equity compensation services, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Garcia holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern California and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is also involved in the professional community through participation in organizations such as USC Boxing. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he emphasizes understanding clients through one-on-one conversations to provide holistic solutions based on risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and associated costs. Outside of his professional role, Garcia values family and personal interests including working on building a '68 Camaro with his father and training for amateur boxing fights. He is accessible for consultations via phone or email to discuss how he can assist with wealth management.