Top business succession planning financial advisors in Watsonville, CA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you own a business and are thinking about stepping back or retiring, you need a business succession planning advisor to help you transfer ownership smoothly. Without expert guidance, you might overlook tax implications or undervalue your business, which can cost you and your heirs.

  • Tax impact awareness. California's high income taxes and Proposition 13's property tax limits affect succession choices; ask how they navigate these rules.
  • Valuation approach. Confirm how they determine your business's worth to avoid surprises during the transfer.
  • Ownership transition options. Explore whether they discuss selling, gifting, or passing ownership within family or to partners.
  • Legacy and continuity. See if they help plan for your business's ongoing success beyond your involvement.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Abraham R

Series 66

Watsonville, CA

Merrill

Abraham Rivera is a financial advisor with Merrill in Watsonville, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2024 and was previously employed at Hartnell College for 14 years. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management

Diana B

Series 66

Watsonville, CA

Edward Jones

Diana Brenneise is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Watsonville, CA. She has nine years of industry experience, all with Edward Jones. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, tax-efficient services, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Multi-generational wealth transfer Retirement income strategy Wealth management Technology Professional Intergenerational Families
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Jose C

Series 63, Series 66

Watsonville, CA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Jose Cerda is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Watsonville, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and six years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2019. Prior to his current roles, his work history includes positions at Target Corporation, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., and San Jose State University. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm delivers its program on a non-discretionary basis, combining institutional advisory operations with affiliated brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Matthew L

Series 66

Soquel, CA

OSAIC

Matthew Lopez is a financial advisor with OSAIC who holds a Series 66 designation and has 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Securities America Advisors and Questar Asset Management. Outside of advising, Lopez is a member of Rotary International, where he participates in community service activities. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers, offering integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers and wrap programs. The firm uses various asset-allocation tools and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Annuities Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jacqueline C

Series 66

Freedom, CA

LPL Financial

Jacqueline Carrillo is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Bay Federal Credit Union, Edward Jones, RBC Capital Markets, Merrill, B|O|S, and National Planning Corporation. She currently provides investment services in connection with Bay Federal Credit Union as part of her practice at LPL Financial. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment solutions, including model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by advanced advisor tools and oversight of substantial discretionary assets.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Ethan S

CFP®, Series 65

Auburn Hills, MI

Plante Moran financial advisors

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as a financial advisor with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management and operated Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate planning services to a diverse client base including individual households, institutional clients, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, manager search, and tax-lot accounting services.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Michael I

Series 63, Series 65

Livingston, NJ

Raymond James Financial

Michael Ipp is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors since 2010 and serves as an independent contractor for 1792 Wealth Advisors. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making, while also maintaining specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jeffrey M

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Greenville, DE

Investment Management & Planning LLC

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Investment Management & Planning LLC and LPL Financial since 2010, following two years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing fundamental analysis and continuous supervision, and operates as both a wrap program sponsor and affiliated registered representatives of LPL Financial.

General retirement planning Business succession planning Tax strategies for small businesses Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive Mid-Career Professionals Approaching retirement
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Patrick F

Series 66

New Market, MD

Intentional

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, and LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed agent involved in the sales of fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm offers pension consulting, estate planning support, business exit planning, and due diligence on alternative investments, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and economic analysis within a fiduciary framework.

Business exit / sale strategy Multi-generational wealth transfer Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner
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Jerald L

Series 63

San Antonio, TX

Frost Investment Services

Jerald Liesman is a financial advisor at Frost Investment Services with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. and Frost Bank since 1993 and 1987, respectively. Frost Investment Services is a retail-focused, SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and managed account programs that integrate model portfolios from its affiliate with third-party managers, utilizing a research-driven investment process and providing optional tax and ESG overlay services.

Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Retirement income strategy General estate planning guidance Business succession planning Founder/Business Owner Executive

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