Mark Mertsoc

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 who do not have sufficient assets to get the help from industry giants. Jerry wants to bridge the financial planning accessibility gap by helping these families take control of their financial futures.

Helping you organize and simplify your finances, build steady income, and retire with clarity and confidence. Over the last decade, I’ve worked at different wealth management firms, gaining valuable experience alongside some incredibly smart, kind people. My biggest takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to personal finances. Customized financial planning works. And that’s what makes this work so rewarding. That’s why I created JRO Wealth Management. I built this firm for people who want to cut through the jargon and complexity and get real guidance from someone in their corner. Someone who understands how all the pieces of your financial life fit together — retirement income, taxes, investments, healthcare, legacy — and helps you make decisions across the board that actually work for you. My job isn’t to sell products or try to time the market. It’s to help you weigh the tradeoffs, see the bigger picture, and make smart, informed decisions with someone you trust by your side.

25+ years of working for hardworking folks in or quickly approaching retirement. →You will work with me as I value one on one relationships with my clients. →I only work with kind people who believe in delegating services to specialists. →My services work best for those with investable assets over $3,000,000 (excluding real estate). →My office is in Carlsbad, CA but I work with clients across the country. ☎️ You can schedule an Initial Consultation by texting INTRO to my office at 760-602-5091 or giving me a call. A little about me . . . ⛳️ aspiring bogey golfer 🧘‍♀️ hot yoga enthusiast 🇺🇸 grateful for this wonderful country of ours 🛫 avid traveler I offer one time financial planning engagements or ongoing, comprehensive services that include financial planning, investment management and tax planning. Here are just some of the topics I advise my clients on: ✔️Roth Conversion Strategies ✔️Net Unrealized Appreciation Strategies ✔️401(k) Rollover Planning ✔️Required Minimum Distribution Planning ✔️Social Security Planning ✔️Pension vs Lump Sum Analysis ✔️Exit Planning for Small Business Owners ✔️Asset Division After a Divorce ✔️Reinvestment of an Inheritance

Stephen Nelson is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who has spent his career in the investment management and financial planning profession. He helps clients manage their portfolios and plan for retirement, legacy and lifetime goals. His desire to more personally serve clients led to the creation of Birchwood Capital in 2020. Stephen serves individuals and families throughout North County San Diego and across the country. Stephen received a Master of Science in Finance along with a B.B.A of Finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, and is a member of XY Planning Network. Lastly, he serves as a committee member for the Rancho Del Sol area of Young Life. Originally from Oregon, Stephen traveled to Texas to study business and play football. He and his wife met at school and now live in North County San Diego with their twin daughter and son, Rylynn & Brayden. Together, the Nelson’s enjoy spending time with each other and their extended family, having friends over, getting outside, cooking up a new recipe, watching movies, reading, and savoring each of life’s moments. Read Stephen's blog here: https://birchwoodcapital.com/writings/

Alex Wanerman is the Vice President and Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments, where he leads the local Investor Center. In this role, he focuses on fostering a high-performance work culture by empowering associates to maximize their talents and assist clients in planning for long-term financial well-being. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President and Regional Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2018 to 2024. Before joining Fidelity, Alex worked at UBS Financial Services as a Financial Advisor from 2017 to 2018 and as a Wealth Planning Analyst from 2015 to 2017. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional duties, Alex enjoys golf, skiing, traveling, and volunteering. He is also engaged in parenthood.

Anthony Lafrano is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services with Morgan Stanley in 1999 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2004. Anthony works with corporate clients, executives, and individuals, focusing on areas such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, equity compensation services, liquidity management, managing new wealth, and retirement income. With experience in navigating challenging markets, Anthony develops investment plans tailored to clients' personal goals and monitors performance over time. He utilizes the resources of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management alongside a personalized wealth management process to support his clients. Additionally, Anthony participates in client education through seminars on global political and economic trends offered by the LM Team. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the California State University system. Outside of his professional work, Anthony enjoys camping, surfing, watching movies, and practicing yoga.