My Story

Early Lessons in Money

Growing up, money was an open topic in our household. I still remember my father sharing how he invested in a mix of stocks, bonds, gold, real estate, and bank deposits. I didn’t know the term "diversification" at the time, but I understood early on the value of not putting all your eggs in one basket.

That foundation, combined with my formal education in economics and accounting during my MBA, set the stage for a lifelong interest in personal finance and investing. I started investing in the stock market soon after beginning my full-time career (just before the 2009 financial crisis). Watching the equity portion of my portfolio drop by nearly half was a tough but incredibly valuable experience. It taught me early lessons about market cycles, discipline, and long-term thinking.

A Growing Passion

Since then, I’ve been constantly learning, reading countless finance and investment books, diving into financial journals and research papers, exploring strategies, and continuing to invest my own money. When people ask what I’ve been reading lately, I often dodge the question because, truthfully, it’s almost always something finance- or investment-related, and I know not everyone shares that same passion.

After some time, I found myself helping others informally, discussing strategies with friends, offering suggestions to family, and even reviewing my parents' portfolios with them. My father-in-law, who had a long and respected career in financial planning and investment, was someone I deeply respected. I often ran ideas by him and read a few books he recommended.

Realizing a Deeper Calling

Over the years, more friends and acquaintances began asking for advice. We had thoughtful conversations and discussed solid strategies, but many hesitated to take action. That’s when I realized that even with the right information, people often need a trusted professional to guide them and to help them follow through.

I always figured I would help people more actively after retirement, when I’d have more time and fewer financial pressures. But these experiences started to change me. When my father-in-law passed away, I saw firsthand how much support my mother-in-law needed with financial planning and investment decisions. I began to recognize a real need for sound, trustworthy investment advice, and realized I not only have the passion, but also the skill set to provide it. Helping others navigate these challenges became something I could no longer put off.

I often talked all of this through with my wife. During one of those conversations, she asked a simple but powerful question:
“Why wait until retirement to do what you love?”

That one question changed everything. It helped me see that I didn’t have to wait.

Starting Trusted Path

That realization led me to start Trusted Path Wealth Management, LLC, an independent, fiduciary, fee-only firm where I could bring my passion for investing and planning to life. I now work with a small number of clients, with no pressure and no sales quotas, just thoughtful, personalized guidance.

In my free time I enjoy running. I’ve paced the Santa Rosa Half Marathon for many years. As a pacer, my role is to run the race consistently at a given pace. The runners who want to finish the race at the time I am pacing will only have to stick with me, knowing that I can be trusted to guide them to the finish line at their desired speed with confidence, adjusting for things like weather, hills, and fatigue along the way. I love encouraging them mile after mile and seeing the joy on their faces when they cross that finish line.

In many ways, pacing a lot like what I do for my clients. Planning and investing aren’t just about spreadsheets and markets, they’re about helping people stay focused, adapt to change, and move forward with clarity. I’m here to guide you through the ups and downs so you can reach your financial finish line with confidence.

This isn’t just a business. It’s a meaningful way for me to help others walk a more confident financial path, grounded in experience, integrity, and care.