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Private Wealth Management

California Shoreline

Private Wealth Advisors. Advocates. Financial quarterbacks. As your team, we provide the individualized attention of a boutique practice backed by the strength and stability of UBS, one of the largest wealth management firms in the world. Our process starts with a deep understanding of you, your family and your values.

We are a highly experienced team of Private Wealth Advisors who have worked closely together for more than 20 years. Louie Sampedro’s background in philanthropy and Chris Barra’s extensive military service provide us with the leadership and global perspective to offer wise advice, guidance, or tactical solutions.

Whether we’re working with entrepreneurs looking for creative solutions for exiting a venture or exceptional, multigenerational families requiring access to the firm’s top financial minds, we are driven to place integrity, transparency and trust at the center of our practice. We strive to consistently put your best interests first and keep you moving forward with comprehensive wealth management that answers your immediate needs and addresses your long-term goals.

“ For many of our clients, managing wealth means managing risk. We look at each client’s situation holistically, providing the industry experience, firm access and global savvy to help provide innovative solutions.”

– Chris Barra, Managing Director–Wealth Management

  • Christopher Barra

    Chris Barra, CFA

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Private Wealth Advisor

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    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • IA
    • IL
    • IN
    • LA
    • MA
    • MN
    • NH
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WY

    Chris joined UBS in 2007. He launched his financial planning career at Goldman Sachs in 1998. Shortly after starting at UBS, Chris took a leave of absence, from 2008 to 2009, to serve a combat tour in Iraq. Serving clients as a Private Wealth Advisor at UBS, where he is known as the “Army guy,” Chris leverages his unique military experience as an Airborne Ranger. Clients tend to trust him readily because of that experience serving his country.

    At UBS, the team focuses on a small number of very wealthy clients, offering custom solutions and high-touch service. Chris favors a clientcentric model. He and the team serve as your “CFO,” trusted Advisors who integrate solid tax and estate planning into the wealth management conversation.

    Chris attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he obtained a B.S. degree in general engineering. He earned an M.B.A. from UCLA, where he also won the Weston Award for academic excellence in finance. He earned a master’s degree (with honors) in military studies, with a focus on the Civil War, from American Military University in West Virginia. Chris has Series 3, 7 and 63 securities licenses, is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) and a Member of the Western Finance Association.

    Chris is involved in several clubs and organizations, and is Adjunct Professor of Military Science at UCLA. In his military career, he is a Brigadier General U.S. Army Reserve . Chris is also a member of the Bel-Air Country Club, The Plantation Golf Club and Army-Navy Country Club. He and his wife, Lory, have three children, Tanner, London, and Hannah. His hobbies are golf and running.

    California Insurance License: 0G23864

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.

      • Private Wealth Advisor
      • Chartered Financial Analyst®
      • Senior Portfolio Manager
      2121 Rosecrans Avenue
      Suite 1300
      El Segundo, CA 90245
    • Louie Sampedro

      Louie Sampedro

      Managing Director–Wealth Management

      Private Wealth Advisor

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      • AR
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • CT
      • DC
      • DE
      • FL
      • IA
      • ID
      • LA
      • MA
      • MN
      • MO
      • NH
      • NV
      • NY
      • OH
      • OR
      • PA
      • SC
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • WA
      • WY

      Louie joined UBS in 2007, and launched his career in the financial services industry in 1998 at Goldman Sachs. At UBS, he serves high net worth individuals and families and tax-exempt entities. Within clients’ overall wealth management, he provides more specialized guidance on asset allocation and alternative investments as well as on concentrated single stock and restricted stock issues.

      Louie gives top consideration to understanding clients’ risk tolerance in order to develop long-term relationships with them. Once a relationship is established, he moves forward into other aspects of client service. Louie focuses on preserving capital and managing risk for his highly successful clients. He uses an adaptive model, one that is flexible and serves his clients as needed.

      Louie, who is fluent in Spanish, obtained a B.S. in engineering from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He acquired an M.B.A. from Anderson School of Management at UCLA. He has Series 3, 7, and 66 securities licenses. Louie is a member of The Department of Finance Advisory Board at The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

      As a volunteer, Louie supports local organizations such as American Youth Soccer Organization, Little League, and City of Torrance. He is also involved with his children’s school, St. Lawrence Martyr School in Redondo Beach, and St. Lawrence Martyr Church.

          • Private Wealth Advisor
          2121 Rosecrans Avenue
          Suite 1300
          El Segundo, CA 90245
        • MBL 1

          Margarita Borshukova Lohbrunner

          Associate Director

          Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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          • AZ
          • CA
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          • DC
          • DE
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          • ID
          • LA
          • MA
          • MN
          • MO
          • NH
          • NJ
          • NV
          • NY
          • OH
          • OR
          • PA
          • SD
          • TN
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          • VA
          • WA
          • WY

          Margarita Borshukova Lohbrunner is a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate and offers over 15 years of experience within the Private Banking and Ultra High Net Worth Wealth Management environments.

          She plays an important role in managing existing client relationships through holistic financial planning, portfolio construction and investment management.  Within her role, Margarita works with clients to identify short and long- term goals and supports clients with trust and estate planning, investments, lending and philanthropy in order to develop customized solutions.

           Margarita is also responsible for equity and fixed income trading and supports the Private Wealth Advisors with portfolio rebalancing and investment execution.

          She also specializes in complex transactions, including structuring lending solutions, foreign asset transfers, multi – currency loans, lending against concentrated stock positions and physical metals.

          Margarita has worked at Credit Suisse, UBS Private Bank, Bank of America and Citibank. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management. She holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

          Margarita is originally from Sofia, Bulgaria and currently resides with her husband and two sons in Redondo Beach, CA. They are avid travelers and are also active in various charitable organizations.

                2121 Rosecrans Avenue
                Suite 1300
                El Segundo, CA 90245
              • Violeta  Mollova

                Violeta Mollova

                Client Associate Senior

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                • AR
                • AZ
                • CA
                • CO
                • CT
                • DC
                • DE
                • FL
                • ID
                • LA
                • MA
                • MN
                • MO
                • NH
                • NV
                • NY
                • OH
                • OR
                • PA
                • SD
                • TX
                • UT
                • VA
                • WA
                • WY

                Violeta ensures that the daily business operations run smoothly and that the team provides clients with a tailored, comprehensive Private Wealth Management experience. She prides herself on trying her best to be there for clients by understanding their personal needs and assisting with delivering on their goals for the short and long term.

                As the logistics lead for the team, Violeta takes accountability regarding compliance and regulatory issues for the team’s business operations. With a role that fits her personality, Violeta brings enthusiasm, care and concern for each client’s well-being.

                “People are what makes everything worth it to me. I am passionate about working with a team that is committed to helping with the success of our clients and doing this with integrity, intensity and commitment."

                Past experience

                • Background in banking and finance operations

                Education and credentials

                • International Baccalaureate program
                • Series 6, 7, 63 and 66 securities licenses
                • Notary Public
                • CA Life Insurance License

                Life

                • Violeta enjoys spending time with family in La Quinta, CA.
                • Outside of work, she likes to play tennis, hike, travel, and practice photography

                      2121 Rosecrans Avenue
                      Suite 1300
                      El Segundo, CA 90245
                    • Peter Harano

                      Peter Harano

                      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                      • AR
                      • AZ
                      • CA
                      • CO
                      • CT
                      • DC
                      • DE
                      • FL
                      • ID
                      • LA
                      • MA
                      • MN
                      • MO
                      • MT
                      • NH
                      • NV
                      • NY
                      • OH
                      • OR
                      • PA
                      • SD
                      • TN
                      • TX
                      • UT
                      • VA
                      • WA
                      • WY

                      Peter Harano is an essential member of the Barra Sampedro Group in UBS Private Wealth Management. He assists the team’s investment research & analysis, client reporting capabilities, and client interfacing to ensure that each client receives the best experience possible. His meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful approach to analysis help carefully deliver the Barra-Sampedro Group’s world-class investment advice.

                      Past experience

                      • Peter joined UBS in 2020.
                      • Previously worked as a Tax Associate at Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner, and Morrissett CPAs, from Feb 2019 to Nov 2020.

                      Education and credentials

                      • B.A. degree, Economics, University of California Santa Barbara
                      • Certificate, Finance, London School of Economics
                      • FINRA SIE, Series 7

                            2121 Rosecrans Avenue
                            Suite 1300
                            El Segundo, CA 90245

                          “ We’ve built long-lasting relationships by being resourceful, flexible and consistently reliable. We engage with each generation to help educate and support the values and vision of your whole family.”

                          – Louie Sampedro, Managing Director–Wealth Management

                          Stopwatch

                          Your business: Growing. Transitioning. Liquidity planning.

                          Your estate: Planning focused on the needs of each generation

                          Your legacy: Helping you sustain family wealth

                          Access: The resources and network of UBS

                          Investment management: Solutions based on careful analysis

                          UBS: A global wealth manager

                          Legacy—Wealth for others

                          For needs that go beyond your own—to help you improve the lives of others

                          What will your legacy be?
                          It’s never too early to plan ahead. A Legacy strategy can help you gain more control over your financial future and what you leave behind, so you can move forward with confidence.

                          Learn more at ubs.com/wealthway.

                          Backed by the strength of UBS

                          A global leader in wealth management

                          Global leader

                          UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

                          More than 150 years

                          offering financial advice

                          $3.9 trillion

                          In invested assets globally 
                          As of 12/31/2022