Let's move forward. Together.

Golden State Wealth Management

We make a real impact in the lives of our clients by guiding them through major life events and helping them preserve and pass on their wealth. Our customized approach focuses on thoughtful financial planning and wealth management that looks beyond your investments and encompasses all aspects of your financial life.

Three generations in front yard

Pursuing your goals together

Our mission is to provide quality strategies customized to your needs. Our goal is to be your primary source of financial advice. To this end, we concentrate our efforts on developing long-term relationships through a commitment to quality client service.

  • Ronald Ewing Profile Photo

    Ronald Ewing

    Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

    Wealth Advisor

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    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • HI
    • ID
    • IL
    • KS
    • KY
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MO
    • MS
    • NC
    • ND
    • NE
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • OK
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • UT
    • VA
    • WA
    • WY

    Ron began his financial services career in 2003 as an Account Executive in the residential mortgage division of HSBC before transitioning to UBS in 2007. In 2017, Ron was promoted to Branch Manager of the Merced branch.

    When not at work, Ron enjoys playing competitive golf, water and snow skiing, and spending time with his wife and two children.

    Ron holds Series 7, 9, 10, and 66 securities licenses as well as life and health insurance

    Agent License #0G07278

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

      • Wealth Advisor
      • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
      Financial planning
      Investing
      Retirement planning
      401(k) plan services
      Sustainable investing
      Long-term care planning
      767 E. Yosemite Ave
      1st Floor
      Merced, CA 95340
      ronald.ewing@ubs.com
      Ronald Ewing
      767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
    • Timothy Pistoresi Profile Photo

      Timothy Pistoresi

      Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

      Financial Advisor

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      • AL
      • AR
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • CT
      • DE
      • FL
      • GA
      • HI
      • ID
      • IL
      • KS
      • KY
      • LA
      • MA
      • MD
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MS
      • NC
      • ND
      • NE
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NV
      • NY
      • OH
      • OK
      • OR
      • PA
      • SC
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • WA
      • WY

      A model of consistency and dedication, Tim has worked as a financial advisor in Merced since 1983. In that time, Tim has helped countless clients plan for and achieve their financial goals.

      Drawing on his vast experience, Timothy emphasizes time-tested approaches to investing. He is committed to client service and believes that client relationships are his most important asset.

      He earned his B.S.C. in finance from the University of Santa Clara. He is FINRA-registered and holds Series 7, 9, 10, and 66 securities licenses as well as licenses for life insurance and annuities

      Agent License #0A67623

      • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

      • University of Santa Clara, B.S.C. in Finance
        Financial planning
        Long-term care planning
        Investing
        Professional athletes
        Multi-generational families
        Women investors
        767 E. Yosemite Ave
        1st Floor
        Merced, CA 95340
        tim.pistoresi@ubs.com
        Timothy Pistoresi
        767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
      • Edward Macha Profile Photo

        Edward Macha

        Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

        Financial Advisor

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        • AL
        • AR
        • AZ
        • CA
        • CO
        • CT
        • DE
        • FL
        • GA
        • HI
        • ID
        • IL
        • KS
        • KY
        • MA
        • MD
        • MI
        • MN
        • MO
        • ND
        • NE
        • NJ
        • NM
        • NV
        • NY
        • OK
        • OR
        • SC
        • TN
        • TX
        • UT
        • VA
        • WA
        • WY

        For Ed, being a Financial Advisor is more than just providing financial plans. It's a way to guide clients on the path to realizing their goals. He primarily services small business owners, individuals, and their families in the areas of fixed income, equities, and estate and retirement planning.

        Ed began his financial services career in 2003 as Associate District Manager of GMAC Mortgage. He moved to RPM Mortgage as a Vice President/Partner in 2006 before transitioning to UBS in 2007.

        He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as life and health insurance licenses.

        Agent License #0G14632

        • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2022, 2023, 2024The 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.
        • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

            Retirement planning
            Investing
            Asset allocation
            401(k) plan services
            Women investors
            Corporate executives
            Long-term care planning
            767 E. Yosemite Ave
            1st Floor
            Merced, CA 95340
            edward.macha@ubs.com
            Edward Macha
            767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
          • Alex Pittz Profile Photo

            Alex Pittz, AAMS

            Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

            Financial Advisor

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            • AL
            • AR
            • AZ
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • HI
            • ID
            • IL
            • KS
            • KY
            • MA
            • MD
            • MI
            • MN
            • MO
            • MS
            • NC
            • NJ
            • NM
            • NV
            • NY
            • OK
            • OR
            • PA
            • SC
            • TN
            • TX
            • UT
            • VA
            • WA
            • WY

            Alex joined the firm in 2000 and currently excels as the team's primary Portfolio Manager. An Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®), he has developed and continues to improve our proprietary models for analyzing stock and mutual performance.

            Alex is the Founder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Chowchilla Athletic Foundation. He is also the Head Coach of the Chowchilla High School Varsity Football Team.

            Alex earned his B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Management from Brown University. He is FINRA-registered and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as licenses for life insurance and annuities.

            Agent License #0D18944

            • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

            • Brown University, B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Management
            • Accredited Asset Management Specialist
            • Portfolio Manager
            Investing
            Custom portfolios
            Asset allocation
            Alternative investments
            Sustainable investing
            Professional athletes
            Women investors
            Business owners
            767 E. Yosemite Ave
            1st Floor
            Merced, CA 95340
            alex.pittz@ubs.com
            Alex Pittz, AAMS
            767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
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            Clinton Moore

            Vice President–Wealth Management

            Financial Advisor

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            • AL
            • AR
            • AZ
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • HI
            • ID
            • IL
            • KS
            • KY
            • LA
            • MA
            • MD
            • MI
            • MN
            • MO
            • MS
            • MT
            • NC
            • NJ
            • NM
            • NV
            • NY
            • OK
            • OR
            • PA
            • SC
            • TN
            • TX
            • UT
            • VA
            • WA
            • WI
            • WY
            • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

                Retirement planning
                Legacy planning
                Investing
                Asset allocation
                767 E. Yosemite Ave
                1st Floor
                Merced, CA 95340
                clint.moore@ubs.com
                Clinton Moore
                767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
              • Melissa Frazier Profile Photo

                Melissa Frazier

                Senior Client Associate

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                • CA

                Missy joined the team in January of 2012. Prior to joining the team, she already had twelve years of experience in the financial services industry working in various capacities. It is her goal to deliver service at the highest level to our clients.

                Missy volunteers with several non-profit organizations and is a member of the local Ag Boosters Board of Directors.

                She holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as licenses for life insurance and annuities.

                Agent License #0F56327

                      767 E. Yosemite Ave
                      1st Floor
                      Merced, CA 95340
                      melissa.frazier@ubs.com
                      Melissa Frazier
                      767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                    • Brian Gudgel Profile Photo

                      Brian Gudgel, CFP, CRPC

                      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                      • AZ
                      • CA
                      • MI
                      • NV
                      • OR
                      • TX
                      • VA

                      Brian joined UBS in January of 2007, and since then he has helped many clients manage their wealth through extraordinarily volatile times.

                      As a Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, he is uniquely equipped to develop both large and small scale financial plans for clients of all sizes. Brian also guides businesses in the establishment and management of corporate retirement plans.

                      He received his M.B.A. from Azusa Pacific University as well as a B.S. in Marketing. He is FINRA-registered and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

                      Agent License #0F72702

                      • PLANADVISER Top Retirement Plan Advisers, 2023The PLANADVISOR rating is awarded in Q1 based on information from Q1 of the award year.

                      • Azusa Pacific University , M.B.A., B.S. in Marketing
                      • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
                      • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
                      Financial planning
                      Long-term care planning
                      Retirement planning
                      Estate planning strategies
                      Retirement Plan consulting
                      401(k) plan services
                      767 E. Yosemite Ave
                      1st Floor
                      Merced, CA 95340
                      brian.gudgel@ubs.com
                      Brian Gudgel, CFP, CRPC
                      767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                    • Andres Andrew Curiel Profile Photo

                      Andres "Andrew" Curiel IV

                      Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                      • AZ
                      • CA
                      • NJ
                      • NV

                      Andrew first joined UBS in 2017 in the Silicon Valley leading Business Owners, Corporate Executives, and Individual Families through the Financial Planning Process , guiding them through their current financial stage and setting them on a path to where they wanted to be in their near, immediate and long term future.

                      Andrew has obtained his B.S. in Finance from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, the Certified Financial Planner® designation from the CFP Board, The Certified Exit Planning Advisor from the Exit Planning Institute, and The Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® designation from the College for Financial Planning. He is FINRA-registered and holds Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as life, health and long-term care insurance licenses.

                      Agent License #0K94791

                        • University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, B.S. in Finance
                        • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
                        • Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠
                        767 E. Yosemite Ave
                        1st Floor
                        Merced, CA 95340
                        andrew.curiel@ubs.com
                        Andres "Andrew" Curiel IV
                        767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                      • Suzanne Smith Profile Photo

                        Suzanne Smith

                        Wealth Management Associate

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                        • AZ
                        • CA
                        • NV

                        Sue began her career with UBS over 25 years ago as a Wire Operator before becoming a Client Service Associate and eventually Operations Manager. She then transitioned to her current role as a Wealth Management Associate. Sue assists the team and its clients by providing and delivering premium services.

                        In addition to being a notary public, Sue holds Series 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses as well as life, variable life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses

                              767 E. Yosemite Ave
                              1st Floor
                              Merced, CA 95340
                              suzanne.smith@ubs.com
                              Suzanne Smith
                              767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
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                              Thomas Ochinero

                              Wealth Strategy Associate

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                              • CA

                                    767 E. Yosemite Ave
                                    1st Floor
                                    Merced, CA 95340
                                    thomas.ochinero@ubs.com
                                    Thomas Ochinero
                                    767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                                  • Nicholas Pistoresi Profile Photo

                                    Nicholas Pistoresi

                                    Wealth Strategy Associate

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                                    • CA

                                    A graduate of Azusa Pacific University in 2014, Nick has been with our team since that time. As a Relationship Manager, he provides support to our Financial Advisors and assists on various tasks ranging from financial planning to equity and fixed income trading.

                                    He holds Series 6, 7, and 63 securities licenses.

                                    Agent License #0M83990

                                          Investing
                                          Retirement Plan consulting
                                          401(k) plan services
                                          Cash management
                                          Women investors
                                          Professionals
                                          767 E. Yosemite Ave
                                          1st Floor
                                          Merced, CA 95340
                                          nicholas.pistoresi@ubs.com
                                          Nicholas Pistoresi
                                          767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                                        • Holly Jeppesen Profile Photo

                                          Holly Jeppesen

                                          Client Associate

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                                          • CA

                                          Holly began her financial services career in 2002 with Washington Mutual Bank, later merging to Chase Bank as a Licensed Personal Financial Representative before transitioning to UBS in 2015. Holly assists the team and clients in providing superior service from start to finish. In addition to being a Notary Public, Holly holds Series 6, 63 and California life insurance license. Holly and her husband, Robby, stay busy with their 3 active sons in sports and racing.

                                          Agent License #0G47111

                                                767 E. Yosemite Ave
                                                1st Floor
                                                Merced, CA 95340
                                                holly.jeppesen@ubs.com
                                                Holly Jeppesen
                                                767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                                              • David Rogina Profile Photo

                                                David Rogina

                                                Director

                                                Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                                                • CA

                                                With more than 30 years in the financial services industry, David advises individuals, families, and businesses on techniques to help them accumulate, protect, and transfer wealth. David leverages his knowledge of and experience with financial and retirement planning, fixed income, equities, and structured products to help his clients pursue their financial goals.

                                                David earned a B.A. from Cal State - Chico with concentrations in social sciences/education and has received his secondary teaching credential. He holds Series 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses as well as life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses.

                                                Agent License #0A46725

                                                  • Cal State - Chico, B.A. - concentrations in social sciences/education
                                                    767 E. Yosemite Ave
                                                    1st Floor
                                                    Merced, CA 95340
                                                    david.rogina@ubs.com
                                                    David Rogina
                                                    767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                                                  • Cheli 2022

                                                    Araseli Navarro

                                                    Client Associate

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                                                            767 E. Yosemite Ave
                                                            1st Floor
                                                            Merced, CA 95340
                                                            araseli.navarro@ubs.com
                                                            Araseli Navarro
                                                            767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340

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                                                          Election day is fast approaching and the outcome could impact your portfolio. Connect with us for election insights and investment strategies that may be right for you.

                                                          The latest ElectionWatch report from our Chief Investment Office answers 24 of investors' frequently asked questions. Covering a range of concerns from taxes and inflation to investment considerations and monetary policy, this report can help inform your decisions regardless of the election's outcome.

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