Avalan, LLC

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Client assets under management

$425,252,000

Clients

265

46% high-net worth

Advisors

of 11 employees

Firm type

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

Very Low

Average account size

$1,604,725

About

Avalan, LLC provides asset management, financial planning and consulting, and referrals to independent money managers for individuals, trusts, pension and profit‑sharing plans and corporate clients; the firm also counts a private fund organized as a client. Services described in the Brochure include tailored portfolio management (discretionary and non‑discretionary), written financial plans or consultations, and insurance analysis as part of broader planning work.

Portfolios are constructed from individual stocks and bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, options and private securities and are reviewed at least quarterly with rebalancing as needed; the firm notes use of fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis and employs strategies from long‑term buy‑and‑hold to trading, short sales, margin and option writing. Avalan frequently uses independent sub‑advisors or third‑party money managers and discloses that both Avalan and any sub‑advisor may bill management fees separately.

Noteworthy items in the Brochure that distinguish Avalan from many peers are its role as manager to a private fund (Avalan Opportunity Fund I, LLC) that acquired a minority interest in a general insurance agency and the firm’s disclosure that executives hold Fund equity and that the Fund has specified management fees and distribution waterfalls. The Brochure also discloses that advisers may be licensed insurance agents and could earn commissions on insurance products, and that the firm’s private‑fund and insurance‑sector arrangements create conflicts of interest the firm describes and addresses.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Fee options

Fixed

Flat fees for financial planning and consulting range from $500 to $10,000 or higher depending on complexity; business services also available on flat fee basis.

Percentage

Maximum annual fee will not exceed 2.0% of Assets under Management

Project-based

Hourly fees for financial planning and consulting range from $250 to $500 per hour.

Performance-based

Performance-based fees may apply to limited partnerships/private funds as described in fund governing documents.

Other

Account minimum: $10,000 Minimum fee: Minimum annual management fee of $10,000 for new clients as of January 1, 2020; minimum fee may be lower or waived for some clients. Fee-only: Financial planning and consulting charged on hourly ($250 to $500/hour) or flat fee basis ($500 to $10,000 or more depending on complexity). Business services bundled and normally flat fee based.

Main office location

Avalan, LLC

233 E Carillo, Suite B

Santa Barbara CA 93101, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

California · Florida · Illinois · Michigan · Texas · Utah · Washington

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Is not active or affiliated with:

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

Website 805-962-7725

Advisors at this firm

Casey S

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Casey Slemmons is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Avalan, LLC since 2019 and previously spent 11 years with Gwfs Equities Inc/Great West Life & Annuity Ins Co. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services for individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolios and continuous account supervision, employing a variety of investment strategies and occasionally delegating management to independent sub-advisors.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Jeffrey J

Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Jeffrey Jagard is a financial advisor at Avalan, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has previously worked at Miracle Mile Advisors, BNY Mellon, and RLG Capital. He serves as a board member and operating partner at RLG Capital Private Equity, providing strategic advice. Avalan, LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm tailors portfolios using a mix of securities and employs regular account supervision, fundamental and technical analysis, and independent sub-advisors when appropriate.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Sean M

Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Sean Madlem is a financial advisor at Avalan, LLC in Santa Barbara, CA, holding a Series 65 designation with three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at multiple wineries and a cruise-related business prior to joining Avalan in 2020. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm manages customized portfolios using a variety of securities and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, with regular account reviews and rebalancing.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Rick W

Series 63, Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Rick Weber is a financial advisor at Avalan, LLC with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. He previously worked at Motecito Bank and Trust and P. Schoenfeld Asset Management, where he spent twelve years. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolios using a variety of securities and employs continuous account supervision, quarterly rebalancing, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Jeffrey H

Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Jeffrey Hall is a financial advisor with Avalan, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Green Hills Software, Inc. since 1998. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolio management using a variety of securities and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, while also serving as adviser to a private fund with interests in an insurance agency.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Richard S

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Richard Schuette is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at Avalan, LLC since 2011. He has also been affiliated with Girard Securities, Inc. since 2005. Outside of his advisory work, Schuette holds roles as treasurer for a church endowment and has served as president of Ensemble Theatre and as a board member of the University Club of Santa Barbara. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients, emphasizing tailored portfolios and continuous account supervision. The firm also manages a private fund and utilizes a mix of investment strategies, including fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, sometimes delegating to independent sub-advisors.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Peter M

CFA®, Series 63, Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Peter Madlem is a CFA® charterholder with four years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Avalan, LLC since 2021. Prior to joining Avalan, he worked for nine years at Montecito Bank & Trust. Avalan, LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and consulting services for individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients, emphasizing individualized account supervision and a diversified portfolio approach that includes stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and private securities. The firm also manages a private fund with unique ownership interests and employs both in-house and independent sub-advisors as part of its investment strategy.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Kathryn C

Series 63, Series 66

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Kathryn Courain is a financial advisor at Avalan, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Avalan since 2016. Outside of Avalan, she serves as Operations Manager for FFR Financial & Insurance Services, LLC, doing business as The JR Baker Group. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolios and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, with regular account reviews and rebalancing.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Elizabeth S

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Elizabeth Saghi is a CFP® professional with 10 years of experience in financial advising. She has been with Avalan, LLC since 2017 and also serves as President and Investment Advisor Representative at InAlliance Financial Planning. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm emphasizes individualized account supervision with diversified portfolios and also advises a private fund that holds ownership interests in an insurance agency.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Valeria C

Series 65

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Valeria Chepilev is a financial advisor at Avalan, LLC in Santa Barbara, CA, holding a Series 65 credential. She has been with Avalan Wealth since 2025 and has prior experience at firms including Aviso Wealth and Vivid Money. Outside of her advisory work, she operates Lera Gallery, an art business. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolios and continuous account supervision, utilizing a variety of investment strategies and occasionally delegating management to independent sub-advisors.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

Jeffery T

CFP®, Series 66

Santa Barbara, CA

Avalan, LLC

Jeffery Thompson is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at Avalan, LLC since 2021 and previously held roles at Miracle Mile Advisors, LLC and Fidelity Investments. Avalan, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business clients. The firm offers tailored portfolios using a range of securities, conducts quarterly account reviews, and serves as adviser to a private fund with interests in an insurance agency.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Business sale tax planning General tax planning

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