Michael Cortina

Brent Lowe is a financial advisor with Granite Wealth Advisors in Temecula, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Granite Wealth Advisors since 2018 and previously spent eight years with Laurel Wealth Advisors, Inc. Granite Wealth Advisors serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—trusts, estates, business entities, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm constructs diversified, risk-based portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and bonds, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management tailored to each client’s financial situation and objectives.

WHY JERRY CHOSE TO BE A FINANCIAL PLANNER: His lack of financial literacy was not by choice. It was because personal finance was not taught in school or in his community. As a first-generation wealth builder, Jerry's money journey has been shaped by a profound understanding of both cultural and financial expectations. His experiences have uniquely positioned him to empathize with the challenges faced by first-generation families, inspiring a distinctive approach to financial guidance. His moment of profound solitude occurred during his transition from the Marine Corps back to civilian life. In uniform, Jerry felt in control, with camaraderie, financial stability, and a consistent salary. However, the day he left, all that stability vanished giving way to a cascade of emotions - depression, anxiety, and fear. Jerry, who had grown up facing financial hardships, relying on food stamps, and public aid, knew it was time to stop merely talking about wanting to build wealth and start acting. The realization struck deep: He needed to make a difference not just for himself, but for others facing similar issues. Motivated by a desire to help his family and friends, Jerry decided to be the guide he wished he'd had. He obtained his license, college degree, and joined a firm not only to enhance his life but the lives of other 1st-time wealth builders. After a few years of helping high net worth individuals grow their assets, Jerry felt the firm wasn't built to help families like his. In 2024, Jerry took the leap and launched Confianza Wealth Management as a guide for aspiring wealth builders. Jerry is on a mission to empower 1st-time wealth building families. Jerry wants to bridge the financial planning accessibility gap by helping these millennial families take control of their financial futures.

Terrence Gustafson is the principal of Gustafson Financial Solutions in Oceanside, CA, and holds the CFP® and Series 63 designations. He has 22 years of experience at his independent firm and also holds credentials as an Enrolled Agent, preparing client tax returns alongside financial advising. Gustafson Financial Solutions serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, offering financial, retirement, and estate planning, as well as risk reviews and tax planning. The firm focuses on portfolio analysis and commission-free mutual fund and ETF recommendations, using a proprietary database and computerized screening to develop asset allocations and fund selections.

Scott Weber is a financial advisor with WealthLynk, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Tollminder before joining WealthLynk. In addition to his advisory role, he is an independent insurance agent. WealthLynk provides ongoing portfolio management and financial planning to individual, high-net-worth, and charitable organization clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary investment recommendations based on long-term strategies and multiple analytical methods, conducting at least quarterly account reviews and implementing trades only with client consent.

Brad Reinard is the sole advisor at QTR Capital Management LLC in Oceanside, CA, holding a Series 65 license with five years of industry experience. He has been with QTR Capital Management since 2020 and serves as an adjunct professor of Management Science at Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics. Additionally, he is the chief publisher of an investment newsletter through MCTO Capital Management LLC, a role he has held since 2008. QTR Capital Management provides discretionary investment management primarily to high-net-worth individuals through separately managed accounts. The firm employs a range of equity, ETF, and options strategies that combine technical, fundamental, and quantitative analysis, offering both long/short equity trades and non-directional options strategies tailored to client preferences.

Rick Alvarado is a CFP® professional with 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Wealth One Advisors since 2000 and has also worked with LPL Financial (formerly Linsco/Private Ledger Corp.) since 1993. His practice includes providing financial planning services and occasional work related to fixed annuities. Wealth One Advisors offers financial planning and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth households, and certain pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm does not manage client assets or accept custody, instead focusing on written financial plans and hourly consulting, using both fundamental and technical analysis to support long-term asset allocation and other strategies.