President, Relationship Manager
Gary founded and manages Financial Advocates, working closely with our clients. As an LPL Financial OSJ Branch Manager, he is responsible for the supervision of many advisors in the western United States. Gary has been a licensed broker since 1987. He is a Certified Estate Planner, Certified Funds Specialist and board certified in annuities, providing guidance to advisors for their financial planning practices.

Gary earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington. He started his financial services career in 1987, earning repeated top performance awards. In 1995, Gary founded the service organization now known as Financial Advocates.

Gary and his wife, Tina reside in Olympia, WA with their two sons. Gary plays competitive tennis and recreational golf. He is an active member of the Thurston County Food Bank Board of Managers—its mission is to eliminate hunger in the community.

Licenses
FINRA Series 7, 24, 31, 53, 63, 65, AP, in all 50 states held with LPL Financial.
Life/Accident/Health Insurance in WA, OR, and AZ.

Principal, Relationship Manager
Matt joined forces with Financial Advocates and LPL Financial in 2010. As a wealth management principal, he has proven success in advisor leadership, revenue growth, brokerage culture integration and risk management through compliance and legal experience. He has grown a single $12.5 mm hub into a 3 hub complex grossing over $46 mm. At the same time, he effectively manages through mergers and platform changes.

Matt brings a wealth of experience, connections and high energy to support the advisors and institutions he serves. Matt earned Bachelor degrees in Economics and Business from the University of Washington. Matt and his family live in Seattle. He enjoys all “Northwest” sports (skiing, snowboarding, sailing, water skiing) and will suffer through the occasional triathlon. As a member of the Alliance for Education’s board of directors, he is passionate about helping to improve K-12 education.

COO
Angela Vlach joined Financial Advocates in 2009. Angie performs compliance review, surveillance and supervision. She audits non-OSJ offices and satellite locations, and monitors the compliance of imaged documents. She provides information, research and support to advisors and FIS management. Angie works closely with the operations and development of primary operations and with our subsidiaries, emphasizing efficient processes for the greatest organizational benefits.

Angie graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and has worked in the investment industry for over twelve years. She has significant experience in operations, client sales and service. Angie is learning to play golf and enjoys running marathons and spending time outdoors.

Chief Investment Officer
A native of NYC, Brian’s initiation to the Pacific Northwest began as a volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. in Portland, OR. He managed a non-profit grocery store, which instilled in him the desire to run his own firm someday. Gaining knowledge in public accounting (Arthur Andersen) and investment entities (Washington State Investment Board, Frank Russell Company and Principal Capital Management) allowed Brian to fulfill his dream and launch his own investment firm in 2004.

Brian joined LPL Financial in 2006 and partners with Financial Advocates as their active Chief Investment Officer. He currently performs due diligence and provides recommendations in all asset classes, as well as advises individuals, companies and endowments in all aspects of financial planning offered through LPL Financial.

VP of Branch Development
Ross helps advisors build on their success in independence through recruiting, practice-management consulting and asset management consulting. A native of Eastern Oregon, Ross graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1986 and earned a Masters in Business Administration at Wright State University. He started his financial services career 17 years ago at Morgan Stanley, joined LPL Financial in 2006 and became part of the Financial Advocates team in 2009.

Ross helps advisors through the detailed process of research and evaluation of broker dealers and LPL Financial. Having recruited advisors to LPL Financial from 21 different firms including banks, other independents and wire-house channels, Ross is uniquely qualified to help advisors understand and make the move to independence.

When he is not recruiting advisors or working with clients, Ross can usually be found with his wife, Anne, chasing after their young children, Katherine and Andrew.

Compliance Officer
Brenda joined Financial Advocates in 2010 as an LPL Financial Registered Principal. She brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to the team. Her experience covers many areas of investment services including time as a registered assistant, advisor and principal. In addition, Brenda’s experience includes commercial and personal banking. Brenda’s years of experience enable her to see situations from many different perspectives and provide in-depth support.

Brenda was born and raised in Canada but now calls Lacey, Washington home. She and her two teenage sons enjoy traveling and seeing their favorite bands in concert. She is just learning to play golf and is training to run her first half marathon.

LPL Registered Principal
Reza joined Financial Advocates in 2011 as an LPL Financial Registered Principal. He brings over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry to our team. His experience covers many areas of investment services including time as a financial advisor and principal. In addition, Reza has been involved in consumer banking, operations, client sales and service, and the hospitality industry. Reza's years of experience enable him to see situations from many different perspectives and provide in-depth support to advisors, clients and back office staff.

Reza was born and raised in India and lived in Switzerland prior to settling in Bellevue, Washington. He likes to travel, hike and spend time with his wife, Maheen and two sons, Jaffary and Adel.

Operations & Compliance Officer
Tiffany Ferko came aboard Financial Advocates in 2010 and acts as the Operations and Compliance Coordinator. She assists with the transition of new advisors to our branch, provides information, research and support to the clients and advisors of Financial Advocates, works with marketing and advertising compliance and provides efficient office management.

Before joining Financial Advocates, Tiffany worked for fourteen years at Russell Investment Group in sales and client service. She then moved to Symetra Financial Group and dedicated herself to trading and operations management for their advisory program. She specializes in client service and has over 5 years of experience with separate accounts.

Tiffany lives in Tacoma, Washington and enjoys golfing, camping, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Compliance Officer
Jason joined Financial Advocates in January 2012 as an LPL Financial Registered Principal. He brings over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry to the team, including 10 years in the independent broker/dealer space in compliance, registration, transitions, and recruiting. Jason currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations with LPL Financial and has also held the FINRA Series 4, 27, 53 and 55 registrations and the Texas Life, Health & HMO agent license.

Jason was born and raised in west Texas and has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Management from Abilene Christian University. Jason enjoys spending time with his wife (a native of the Northwest) and two young children, and his love for Dallas' professional sports teams borders on the irrational.

LPL Registered Principal
Heather joined Financial Advocates in 2012. She brings over 10 years of experience in the financial service and banking industry to the team with a majority of that time working with LPL Financial as a Broker/Dealer.

Heather holds her Series 7, Series 66, and Insurance registrations with LPL Financial. She has earned her LUTCF designation and is working on her Series 24 License which will allow her to take on all the duties required of a Compliance Officer with Financial Advocates.

Heather lives in Yelm Washington with her husband, Joe and their two teenage daughters, Bryce and Rylee. Heather is a member of NAIFA and enjoys volunteering in the Yelm Community Schools.

LPL Registered Associate
Jena works as the Virtual Assistant, providing administrative assistance as well as a variety of support to our Financial Advisors. Jena also provides operational support to the FA executive team. Jena’s licensing and her background in service allow her to take on a variety of responsibilities, including direct support to compliance, operations and marketing on a daily basis.

Jena has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University, where she graduated with a double major in Finance and Management. She holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensed registrations through LPL Financial along with a Life and Health license in the State of Washington. Prior to joining Financial Advocates, Jena worked as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones.

Virtual Assistant
Rosie joined Financial Advocates as a Virtual Assistant in July 2011. She offers administrative assistance to individual advisors and institutions and supports the operational staff at Financial Advocates. Prior to joining the Financial Advocates team, Rosie worked as an assistant to an LPL advisor in Seattle. Rosie's background working with client accounts allows her to provide operational support within the office as well as work remotely with advisors to cater to their individual needs.

Rosie has a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Washington, where she graduated with a major in English Language and Literature. She holds her Life and Disability (Health) Insurance licenses and is working toward obtaining her FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses in the State of Washington. When not working, Rosie enjoys spending time with her family, attending concerts with friends, playing violin and swimming.

Accountant
Gail Gateley joined Financial Advocates in March of 2008 and is responsible for the internal accounting functions of the organization. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Gail has over 30 years of experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors and also volunteers her accounting services within the community.

Gail is a native of the Pacific Northwest and enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling with her husband and daughter.