Experience

That inspires confidence

Our team of professionals distinguishes itself with both financial experience and personal service. We strive to earn your loyalty through hard work, the right advice and a dedication to developing long-term relationships.

Ronald Ewing

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Wealth Advisor

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

Registered States:
  • 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

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • 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.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Credentials

  • Wealth Advisor
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Investing
Retirement planning
401(k) plan services
Sustainable investing
Long-term care planning
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Timothy Pistoresi

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

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

Registered States:
  • 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

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • 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.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • University of Santa Clara, B.S.C. in Finance

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Long-term care planning
Investing
Professional athletes
Multi-generational families
Women investors
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Edward Macha

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

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

Registered States:
  • 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

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • 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.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Retirement planning
Investing
Asset allocation
401(k) plan services
Women investors
Corporate executives
Long-term care planning
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Alex Pittz, AAMS

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

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

Registered States:
  • 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

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • 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.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • Brown University, B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Management

Credentials

  • Accredited Asset Management Specialist
  • Portfolio Manager

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Investing
Custom portfolios
Asset allocation
Alternative investments
Sustainable investing
Professional athletes
Women investors
Business owners
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Clinton Moore

Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Registered States:
  • 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

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • 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.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Retirement planning
Legacy planning
Investing
Asset allocation
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Melissa Frazier

Senior Client Associate

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

Registered States:
  • CA
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Brian Gudgel, CFP, CRPC

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • MI
  • NV
  • OR
  • TX
  • VA

Recognized as an industry leader:

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

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • Azusa Pacific University , M.B.A., B.S. in Marketing

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Long-term care planning
Retirement planning
Estate planning strategies
Retirement Plan consulting
401(k) plan services
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Andres "Andrew" Curiel IV

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • NJ
  • NV

Education

  • University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, B.S. in Finance

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Suzanne Smith

Wealth Management Associate

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

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • NV
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Thomas Ochinero

Wealth Strategy Associate

Registered States:
  • CA
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Nicholas Pistoresi

Wealth Strategy Associate

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

Registered States:
  • CA

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Investing
Retirement Plan consulting
401(k) plan services
Cash management
Women investors
Professionals
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Holly Jeppesen

Client Associate

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

Registered States:
  • CA
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

David Rogina

Director

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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

Registered States:
  • CA

Education

  • Cal State - Chico, B.A. - concentrations in social sciences/education
860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me

Araseli Navarro

Client Associate

860 W Olive Street
Suite B
Merced, CA 95348

Email Me