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, 2024, 2025The 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 / Suite D
      Merced, CA 95340
      ronald.ewing@ubs.com
      Ronald Ewing
      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, 2024, 2025The 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, 2024, 2025The 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 / Suite D
          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
          • NJ
          • NM
          • NV
          • NY
          • OK
          • OR
          • 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, 2024, 2025The 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 / Suite D
          Merced, CA 95340
          alex.pittz@ubs.com
          Alex Pittz, AAMS
          767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
        • Brian Gudgel Profile Photo

          Brian Gudgel, CFP, CRPC

          Financial 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
          • NJ
          • NM
          • NV
          • NY
          • OH
          • OK
          • OR
          • PA
          • SC
          • SD
          • TN
          • TX
          • UT
          • VA
          • WA
          • WY

          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® 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, 2023, 2025The 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®
          Financial planning
          Long-term care planning
          Retirement planning
          Estate planning strategies
          Retirement Plan consulting
          401(k) plan services
          767 E. Yosemite Ave
          1st Floor / Suite D
          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

          Financial Advisor

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

          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 / Suite D
            Merced, CA 95340
            andrew.curiel@ubs.com
            Andres "Andrew" Curiel IV
            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 / Suite D
                Merced, CA 95340
                clint.moore@ubs.com
                Clinton Moore
                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 / Suite D
                      Merced, CA 95340
                      nicholas.pistoresi@ubs.com
                      Nicholas Pistoresi
                      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 / Suite D
                            Merced, CA 95340
                            thomas.ochinero@ubs.com
                            Thomas Ochinero
                            767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                          • Melissa Frazier Profile Photo

                            Melissa Frazier

                            Senior Registered 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.  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 / Suite D
                                  Merced, CA 95340
                                  melissa.frazier@ubs.com
                                  Melissa Frazier
                                  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 / Suite D
                                        Merced, CA 95340
                                        holly.jeppesen@ubs.com
                                        Holly Jeppesen
                                        767 E. Yosemite Ave,Merced,CA,95340
                                      • Cheli 2022

                                        Araseli Navarro

                                        Client Associate

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

                                              Connecting you to the deep resources of UBS

                                              By seeing the big picture, we provide access to the global platforms and the financial and intellectual strengths of UBS’s experts in Wealth Management, Asset Management and our Private and Investment Banks.

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                                              Insurance planning

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                                              Turn possibilities into a plan

                                              Fausto

                                              Tariffs, volatility and your portfolio

                                              Are you ready?

                                              In the first 100 days of a second Trump administration, policy uncertainty continues to dominate. Do you have questions about the impact of tariffs, inflation and geopolitical developments on your investment strategy?

                                              We’re here to help you make sense of it all and move forward with confidence. Make sure your portfolio is prepared for ongoing market volatility.

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                                              Backed by the strength of our parent company, UBS AG

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                                              UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager

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