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J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

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Client assets under management

$1,891,339,298

Clients

7,691

18% high-net worth

Advisors

12

of 12 employees

Firm type

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

641

Very High

Average account size

$245,916

About

J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. advises individuals (both non‑HNW and high‑net‑worth), pension and profit‑sharing plans, charities and businesses with discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio management focused primarily on mutual funds and ETFs, and it also provides advice on Section 529 college savings plans and third‑party manager arrangements. In its Form ADV the firm reports about $2.28 billion in regulatory AUM across roughly 7,943 accounts and operates with a team of about 12 advisors.

The firm’s process emphasizes investor profiling, a formal investment policy guideline and proprietary risk models to build mutual fund/ETF asset allocations, with implementation and custody typically handled through Charles Schwab or directly through mutual fund transfer agents. Monitoring is framed for longer‑term mutual fund and ETF holdings—annual reviews are standard with more frequent reviews as needed—and JDLA may place portions of client portfolios with third‑party managers when individualized separately managed accounts are preferred.

JDLA is atypical among multi‑team firms in several ways: it operates with a very high client‑to‑advisor load (several hundred accounts per advisor), maintains an affiliated broker‑dealer (JDLS) and an insurance agency whose licensed personnel can receive commissions (the brochure discloses fee offsets for certain 12b‑1 payments). The firm also documents use of third‑party managers and pension consulting relationships (for example, Lederer & Associates as a sub‑advisor), and discloses related conflict‑of‑interest controls rather than offering standalone comprehensive financial planning as a primary product.

Client services

Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers

Expertise

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing

Fee options

Fixed

Fixed fees reported in SEC Form ADV Part 1 but not specifically detailed in brochure.

Percentage

0.50% to 1.00% annually (exact fee specified in Investment Management Agreement)

Commissions

Commissions are charged by affiliated broker/dealer JDLS for certain mutual fund share classes (A shares) and 12b-1 fees; advisory fees are reduced accordingly.

Project-based

Hourly charges are reported in SEC Form ADV Part 1 but not specifically detailed in brochure.

Other

Account minimum: $100,000 Fee-only: Fee-only advisory services based on assets under management; advisory fees reduced by commissions received in some cases.

Main office location

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

1001 Dove Street, Suite 155

Newport Beach CA 92660-2820, United States

Number of offices

1

Most active in

Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Kansas · Kentucky · Michigan · Missouri · Montana · Nevada · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

Kathryn E

Series 63

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Kathryn Espinili is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc., holding a Series 63 designation and bringing 41 years of industry experience. She has been with J. Derek Lewis & Associates since 2006 and also serves as CFO, Secretary, and 50% owner of RKE Healthcare Consulting Inc., a healthcare informatics consulting firm. J. Derek Lewis & Associates advises individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, focusing on mutual fund and ETF allocations alongside 529 college savings plans and third-party strategies. The firm emphasizes client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset-allocation models centered on mutual fund selection, with integrated brokerage and insurance services supporting its advisory practice.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Robert K

Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Robert Knutsen is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. He has been with J. Derek Lewis & Associates and its affiliated entity, JDL Securities Corporation, since 2011. In addition to his advisory role, he is licensed as an insurance agent for accident/health, life, and fixed annuity contracts affiliated with the firm. J. Derek Lewis & Associates serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate clients, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across about 7,400 accounts. The firm focuses on mutual fund and ETF allocations, incorporating client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset-allocation models, with an integrated approach that includes brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Douglas H

ChFC®, Series 63, Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Douglas Hyepock is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 23 years of industry experience, including over 17 years with his current firm. In addition to his advisory role, he is also an insurance agent affiliated with J. Derek Lewis & Associates. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across 7,400 accounts. The firm’s investment approach centers on client profiling, formal policy guidelines, and asset allocation models focused on mutual funds and ETFs, integrating brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships within its multi-team structure.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Rion D

Series 63, Series 65

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Rion Dalby is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he worked for Kean Coffee from 2009 to 2016. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. provides portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing about $1.78 billion in assets. The firm emphasizes client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset allocation primarily through mutual funds and ETFs, integrating brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships in its multi-team approach.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Joshua H

Series 65

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Joshua Henslick is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, California, where he has worked since 2023. He has two years of industry experience, including prior roles at StackCommerce and First Allied Securities. Outside of finance, he owns and operates a pottery business, JH Pottery. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across 7,400 accounts. The firm focuses on mutual fund and ETF allocations, using client profiling and formal investment policy guidelines, and integrates brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships within its multi-team advisory model.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Andrew V

CFP®, Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Andrew Vidal is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with eight years of industry experience. He has worked at J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. and its affiliated entities since 2017, following prior roles at McCarthy Building Co and Pepperdine University. J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. advises individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across 7,400 accounts. The firm’s investment approach centers on client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and mutual fund–focused asset allocation, supported by discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Jessica V

Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Jessica Viale is a financial advisor at J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining J. Derek Lewis & Associates, she worked at Merrill for two years and has a background that includes roles at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Michigan. J. Derek Lewis & Associates advises individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across about 7,400 accounts. The firm emphasizes client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset allocation models focused on mutual fund and ETF selections, with an integrated approach that includes brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Mark F

Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Mark Ferdi is a financial advisor with J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA. He holds a Series 66 designation and has six years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at The Carlyle Group and High Rhodes Investment Group. Outside of his advisory role, he works part-time as a business consultant for Astro Pak. J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in assets across about 7,400 accounts. The firm’s investment approach centers on client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset allocation models emphasizing mutual fund and ETF selections, with integrated brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Reny Vessela G

Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Reny Vessela Greenleaf is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. based in Newport Beach, CA. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience. Greenleaf is the owner of Greenleaf & Associates DBA, a bookkeeping and financial statement preparation business unrelated to securities. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing about $1.78 billion in assets across approximately 7,400 accounts. The firm focuses on mutual fund and ETF allocations, utilizing a formal investment policy and asset-allocation models, and integrates brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships within its advisory practice.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Diana L

Series 63, Series 65

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Diana Labruna is a financial advisor at J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining JDL Securities Corporation and J. Derek Lewis & Associates in 2023, she worked at several firms including 49 Wealth Management, PKS Investments, and The Siegfried Group, LLP. Her work history also includes roles outside finance, such as at the University of Washington and All That Dance Company. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management focused on mutual funds, ETFs, 529 college savings plans, and third-party managed strategies. The firm manages approximately $1.78 billion across about 7,400 accounts and integrates brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships within its mutual-fund-centered advisory practice.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Kelly D

Series 63, Series 65

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Kelly Dunagan Jr. is a financial advisor with J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has worked with J. Derek Lewis & Associates since 2005 and has been with the affiliated entity JDL Securities Corporation since 2004. In addition to his advisory role, he is also an insurance agent affiliated with the firm, specializing in accident, health, life, disability, and variable contracts insurance. J. Derek Lewis & Associates serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities. The firm’s investment approach focuses on client profiling, formal investment policy guidelines, and asset allocation primarily through mutual funds and ETFs, supported by discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
user avatar

Pierce K

Series 65, Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

J.Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc.

Pierce Kramer is a financial advisor at J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. with Series 65 and Series 66 licenses. He has recently begun his advisory career, having joined the firm in 2025. Prior to this, his work experience includes roles outside the financial advisory industry, including positions at Pacific InterWest and Vanguard University of Southern California. J. Derek Lewis & Associates, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporate entities, managing approximately $1.78 billion in regulatory assets under management. The firm’s investment approach focuses on mutual fund and ETF allocations, client-specific asset allocation models, and integrates brokerage, insurance, and third-party manager relationships.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Passive / index investing
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