Advisors

Alex Gangl, CFP^®

As an advisor with Private Ocean, Alex helps clients make thoughtful and informed decisions about all aspects of their finances. His position includes reviewing and rebalancing portfolios, developing investment recommendations and conducting software-based capital needs analysis. Alex joined Friedman & Associates as a portfolio specialist in 2007. His responsibilities have grown to encompass serving clients in all areas of financial planning. Prior to joining Private Ocean, Alex worked in the technology sector in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Education

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada
• Certified Financial Planner, University of California, Berkeley

David Homan, MS, CFP^®

Dave provides clients with the strategic advice and creative solutions required to navigate today's financial waters; from day-to-day decisions to achievement of long-term goals. Always looking for an opportunity to improve a client's financial well-being, Dave leverages a vast network of resources and continually scans the financial landscape for the latest thinking. Before joining Salient in 2004, Dave worked directly with institutional traders and development teams in London as a Research Analyst for Capco. At Capco, he provided data management, solution services, and consulting for global financial institutions.

Education

• MS in Financial Planning, Golden Gate University
• BA in Business, California State University at Chico
• Certified Financial Planner

Ralph Latza, JD, LLM, CFP^®, CPCC

Ralph helps Private Ocean clients engage in family-centric, values-based planning. His communication skills allow him to capture the family story and individual desires of multiple generations. His business skills, including expertise in tax and estate planning, allow him to tailor wealth preservation solutions in an ever-changing legal and financial environment. Ralph’s vast experience includes representing clients before the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board. Ralph is president-elect and serves on the board of directors for the San Francisco Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He has participated as a board member for the McCullum Youth Court, a not-for-profit dedicated to restorative peer justice, volunteered with Students Run Oakland, where high school students train to run a marathon, and currently serves as adjunct professor at Golden Gate University.

Education

• JD, University of Minnesota
• LLM in Taxation, Golden Gate University
• AB, Stanford University

Chip Pyfer, JD, CIMA^®

Chip is an expert at helping high-net-worth families and individuals integrate sophisticated investment strategies with intelligent tax and estate planning. He brings to the task a wealth of experience at leading investment advisory and tax firms. Prior to joining Private Ocean, Chip was director of private client wealth management at BDO Seidman. Previously, as west region manager of the Investment Advisory Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chip was responsible for relationship management, concentrated equity analysis, portfolio optimization and investment manager due diligence. Chip has also held senior positions at Presidio Financial Partners, and at Hambrecht & Quist and Volpe, Brown Whelen & Co. on Wall Street. Chip is active in the Bay Area philanthropic community as a senior member of The Guardsmen, a volunteer organization focused on advancing the lives of at-risk youth.

Education

• JD, Willamette University College of Law
• BA, University of Oregon
• Certified Investment Management Analyst SM (CIMA)

Tamela Smith, MBA, MS

Tamela takes a lead role in developing client investment plans and rebalancing portfolios. She serves as central point of contact for all client questions and requests large and small. She's a member of Private Ocean’s financial planning committee, which develops innovative ways to help clients match their investment and lifestyle goals to their available resources. Before joining Private Ocean, Tamela held positions in trust administration at Northern Trust and tax preparation at Moss-Adams. She has ten years of management and development experience with Federal Express.

Education

• MBA in Strategic Leadership, Dominican University of California
• MS in Financial Planning, Golden Gate University
• BS in Organizational Behavior, University of San Francisco

Sarah Wotherspoon, MS, CFP^®

Sarah supports Private Ocean clients in all areas of financial planning and wealth management. She brings an exceptional level of caring and commitment to relationships, making sure clients know they’re being heard and are in great hands. Before joining Private Ocean, Sarah worked with a financial planning firm in Minneapolis. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Education

• MS in Financial Planning, Golden Gate University
• BA in Communications, University of Arizona
• Certified Financial Planner

Zach Mangels, CFP^®

Zach supports the team in all facets of financial planning and wealth management. His work includes preparing capital needs models for new and existing clients. Previously, Zach worked for The Glowacki Group in Southern California, where he handled general financial planning and worked with clients to define and achieve their charitable giving objectives.

Education

• BA in Psychology, University of California at San Diego
• Certified Financial Planner