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Irvine, CA Office

Team
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First Foundation Advisors logo

First Foundation Advisors

Multi-team

Firm-wide stats for First Foundation Advisors

Total advisors

29

Across 4 offices

Clients per advisor

36 Low

Avg AUM per client

$3,542,093 Very High

HNW client ratio

59% Very High

About

First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non‑discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses and retirement plans, and it also accepts engagements from investment companies. The firm serves as a sub‑adviser to registered mutual funds, can recommend private funds on a non‑discretionary basis, and, through its corporate parent FirstSun Capital Bancorp, coordinates referrals for banking, trust and insurance services.

The firm manages client assets using an open‑architecture, multi‑asset approach that draws on equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, interval and alternative investments and, where appropriate, independent managers; it employs tactical asset allocation and may use options strategies and separate account managers for specialized exposures. First Foundation typically charges asset‑based fees but will consider performance‑based fee arrangements for qualified clients and will not exercise discretionary authority to purchase cryptocurrencies without client authorization.

What is distinctive about the firm is its bank holding company affiliation and operating model: it is owned by FirstSun (and integrated with Sunflower Bank), which results in banking and other financial product relationships, referral arrangements and conflicts of interest that the firm discloses and manages. The firm’s business also includes relatively uncommon activities for peers — acting as a sub‑adviser to mutual funds, servicing investment company clients, and facilitating sales or referrals for other financial products and private funds — alongside documented policies on conflicts, custody and the limited use of AI tools in support of advisory services.

Based on First Foundation Advisors

Expertise

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management

Based on First Foundation Advisors

Occupation focus

Founder/Business Owner Retired

Based on First Foundation Advisors

Location

18101 Von Karman Ave, Suite 700

Irvine CA 92612-1051

Advisors at this office

21

Advisors at this office

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Roger P

CFA®, Series 63, Series 66

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Roger Palley is a CFA® charterholder with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors since 2009. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, and acts as a sub-adviser to registered mutual funds. The firm employs a multi-asset, open-architecture investment approach and is affiliated with a bank holding company, offering integrated financial product relationships and specialized services.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Eric S

CFA®, Series 63

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Eric Speron is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors in Irvine, CA. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an independent director for Keweenaw Land Association, Limited, Tejon Ranch Co., and Alico, Inc., engaging in board-level oversight for companies involved in mineral exploration, real estate development, agribusiness, and land management. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm uses an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and operates within a bank holding company structure that integrates banking, trust, and insurance services.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Mark A

CFP®

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Mark Arblaster is a CFP® professional with 29 years of industry experience. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 1996. First Foundation Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, as well as sub-advisory services to registered mutual funds. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and is affiliated with its bank holding company FirstSun, which enables integrated banking and financial product referrals.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Roger S

CFP®, PFS™, Series 65

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Roger Stinnett II is a CFP® and PFS™ credentialed financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with First Foundation Advisors and has previously worked at Ernst & Young Investment Advisers LLP and Westmount Asset Management, LLC. He is also the managing member and chief compliance officer of Stinnett Wealth Planning, LLC, a financial planning firm on which he spends limited time while employed at First Foundation Advisors. First Foundation Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, retirement plans, and investment companies. The firm employs a multi-asset, open-architecture investment approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Sunflower Bank, providing a range of financial product referrals and sub-advisory services.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Joseph R

Series 65

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Joseph Raszewski is a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors with 9 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with First Foundation Advisors since 2014. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, as well as accepting engagements from investment companies. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Sunflower Bank, which support a range of banking, trust, and insurance services alongside advisory offerings.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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William A

CFA®, Series 63

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

William Arechiga is a CFA® charterholder currently with First Foundation Advisors in Irvine, CA. He joined the firm in 2026 and previously worked at City National Bank and Wells Fargo Private Bank, with a combined 14 years of experience in the financial services industry. Arechiga holds a Series 63 license. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, as well as engagements with investment companies. The firm uses an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and operates within a bank holding company structure, allowing it to coordinate referrals for banking, trust, and insurance services alongside its investment management activities.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Troy M

Series 63, Series 66

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Troy Mc Swain III is a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has prior work experience at Morgan Stanley and Skinner Fouch & Olson LLP. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, integrating banking and other financial services.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Benjamin T

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Benjamin Thornhill is a CFP® professional with over 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 1998. First Foundation Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm utilizes an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and is notable for its affiliation with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, which enables integrated banking and financial product referral services.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Andrea M

CFA®, Series 66

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Andrea Matolo is a CFA® charterholder with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors since 2011. She holds the Series 66 license and is based in Irvine, CA. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, as well as sub-advisory services to registered mutual funds. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, integrating banking, trust, and insurance services with its advisory offerings.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Ricardo R

CFP®, Series 65

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Ricardo Ribeiro is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with six years of industry experience. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 2013, based in Irvine, CA. Ricardo holds a Series 65 license. First Foundation Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, and also serves investment companies. The firm uses a multi-asset, open-architecture approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, integrating banking and other financial services into its offerings.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
user avatar

Neil A

CFA®, Series 63

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Neil Amor is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with First Foundation Advisors in Irvine, CA, for 29 years. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, retirement plans, and investment companies. The firm uses an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and benefits from its affiliation with bank holding company FirstSun Capital Bancorp, which integrates banking, trust, and insurance services alongside its investment offerings.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Stephen W

CFP®, Series 63

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Stephen Wiechert is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 2014. First Foundation Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, as well as serving investment companies. The firm uses an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and is affiliated with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, enabling integrated banking, trust, and insurance referrals.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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John H

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

John Hakopian is a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors in Irvine, CA, with 29 years of industry experience. He has been with First Foundation Advisors since 1990. First Foundation Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, and also serves investment companies. The firm utilizes an open-architecture, multi-asset approach and is notable for its affiliation with parent company FirstSun Capital Bancorp, which integrates banking and other financial services with its advisory practice.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
user avatar

Rachel R

CFP®, Series 63

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Rachel Ribeiro is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience and has been with First Foundation Advisors since 2013. She holds a Series 63 license and is based in Irvine, CA. First Foundation Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and is notable for its affiliation with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, integrating banking, trust, and insurance services alongside advisory functions.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Marc C

Series 63, Series 65

Irvine, CA

First Foundation Advisors

Marc Cosico is a financial advisor at First Foundation Advisors with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Mariner Wealth Advisors, Shuster Advisory Group, Teacher's Pension, Disruptive Technology Advisors LLC, and US Bank. First Foundation Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-asset investment approach and operates under a bank holding company structure, providing access to banking, trust, and insurance services through its parent company.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
View complete list of advisors at this office
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