Dominic Valdez

Joshua is a Tenured Professor of Business who works with people across the country on their finances. He has over 20 years of financial services experience including as a credit union executive and a partner in an independent tech stock research firm during the late 90s. Joshua has been quoted in Forbes, Consumer Reports, CNBC, US News & World Report, and many other media. Joshua works with all types of people, but he does specialize in helping people navigate two of the great adventures in life: growing a business and building a family. Through comprehensive financial planning, he guides business owners, young professionals, and other clients toward living their great life, both now and in the future. From Joshua: ------------------ I believe financial planning should be a profession rather than an industry - that advisors should act more like doctors than car salesmen. When you go to a doctor, you expect the best diagnosis for your health, not to be sold a product. The same should be true of your financial planner. Before I began my journey to becoming a financial advisor, I wanted to make sure I would be entering a profession. Teaching is a profession because it is dedicated to improving the lives of the students, not enriching the professors. Sadly, what I saw in much of financial planning was an industry that created products and hired sales representatives to push the products. But I also saw a noble version of financial planning as a service profession where a trusted advisor helped guide clients toward their life goals. I take an integrated approach that considers your entire financial picture. Planning goes beyond investments and retirement to incorporate cash flow analysis, tax planning, risk management, business advising, career development, debt management, estate planning, and more. I view money as a tool to help you achieve your great life, both now and in the future. I begin by understanding your life goals and then develop your plan to help you achieve them. Every plan and every recommendation is designed with one goal in mind: to get you to your goals.

Kyle Ergas is a Financial Solutions Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their unique goals and priorities. Kyle’s approach is centered on understanding what matters most to each individual and family, allowing him to provide tailored guidance on wealth planning and investment management. His expertise includes a broad range of financial services such as general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected expenses. Kyle holds professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University.

Sinahy Luna is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role she has held since 2021. She works closely with clients and families to help them achieve their financial goals, providing access to a trusted brand and a variety of investment and planning tools. Her professional experience includes positions as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2019 to 2021, AVP and Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 2014 to 2019, and Financial Advisor at JP Morgan Securities from 2012 to 2014. She holds a California Insurance License.

Chuck Ives is a Wealth Management Advisor based in Brea, California, leading a close-knit team of professionals dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses make informed decisions about their wealth. He focuses on delivering an exceptional client experience by recognizing each client’s unique priorities and aspirations. With over 25 years of experience, Chuck offers guidance particularly during significant life transitions such as retirement planning, business sales, home acquisitions, and managing family dynamics after the death of a loved one. His expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Chuck holds multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. Outside of his professional role, Chuck enjoys playing tennis and golf. Having grown up mostly abroad, he values meeting people from diverse cultures and exploring new travel destinations with his family.

Allan Adriatico is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with everyday families and businesses to develop financial strategies tailored to their unique needs, goals, and risk tolerance. Allan provides investment planning and wealth management services focused on building, preserving, and transitioning assets through collaborative client relationships. His areas of expertise include college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and small business strategies. Allan begins each client engagement by defining and prioritizing financial goals across multiple dimensions such as healthcare, housing, family care, leisure, giving, work, and overall financial objectives. Allan holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He earned a High School Diploma from Martin Luther King High School and an Associate's Degree from Riverside City College. Outside of his professional role, Allan enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, traveling, exploring new food venues like coffee shops, and coaching basketball for local schools and youth sports teams.

Christian Cruz is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients in Los Angeles and Orange County. He focuses on helping families, including business owners, executives, and teachers, with financial strategies spanning investment and retirement planning, liability management, debt consolidation, and legacy planning. Christian collaborates with clients to understand their financial goals and concerns, tailoring strategies that often integrate tax minimization and estate planning through coordination with CPAs and attorneys. He also provides access to Bank of America N.A. for residential and securities-based lending. Christian holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He maintains several industry certifications, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA™), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™). His investment approach incorporates strategic guidance from the firm's Chief Investment Office, utilizing research to diversify client portfolios across equities, bonds, cash, and alternative investments while considering tax impacts. Raised in southern California, Christian began his financial career following mentorship from his high school soccer coach, who was also a financial advisor. His career started at Washington Mutual in 2006 before joining Merrill in 2012. Outside of work, Christian holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and values spending time with his wife Evelyn, their children Olivia and Enzo, and their dog Loki.