Experience

Jim serves as a Senior Partner for Newport Center Wealth Management.  He has worked in the financial services industry since 1991 and has been managing private client wealth since 1994.  Jim worked at Merrill Lynch for over 20 years as a Senior Financial Advisor and prior to that he worked as an accountant with one of the largest CPA firms in the country. Jim is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with studies in communications, accounting, and finance.  He also served over four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Jim is a sportsman and enjoys hiking and spending time in the great-outdoors.  He also enjoys, trail running, mountain biking, and serving his community. 

CA Insurance License #0B51948

Travis is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional focusing on the team’s overall strategy and implementing various wealth management strategies for clients of Newport Center Wealth Management. His holistic approach to integrative financial planning strives to provide clients with confidence and peace of mind. He helps clients achieve their most cherished goals throughout the phases of wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution during and after life.

Travis began his career in the commercial real estate industry as an industrial and office broker representing property owners and businesses in their real estate needs. In 2011 he joined his father, Steve, at Merrill Lynch and formed the Smith Group before later joining UBS in 2016. Travis received a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball at the University of San Diego and graduated with a Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in real estate.

Travis currently resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife Lena, their daughter and son, and their two English Cream Golden Retrievers. He enjoys the great outdoors and staying active, sporting events, traveling, reading, and spending time with his friends and family. 

Adam has been a professional in the financial services industry since 2001. With a wealth of experience, Adam and his team have honed a process-driven approach to wealth management, placing financial planning at the heart of their practice. Understanding that clients' lives evolve and their needs change, Adam believes in providing holistic and personalized financial planning to instill the confidence necessary for pursuing their life goals.

Adam holds a degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton, and is a firm believer in lifelong learning. He has achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠ professional designations and continues to expand his knowledge through additional education from institutions such as UCI and Yale.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Adam finds joy in spending time with his wife, Angie, and their dog, Blue. His hobbies include reading, woodworking, golf, and various other interests outside the office. Adam actively contributes to the community and currently serves on the Finance and Investment Committee for the Philanthropic Foundation at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). He is a past president of the CSUF alumni association and has lent support to children's charities focused on current and former foster youth.

CA Insurance License #0G689090

Steve began his career in the financial services industry in 1981 as a pension advisor and became a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in 1983. He brings more than 40 years of financial and wealth management experience to Newport Center Wealth Management. Areas of focus include retirement and income planning, tax advantaged strategies, estate planning services - wealth structuring, transfer, and gifting.

Steve received a Division 1 scholarship to play football at Utah State and later graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. He lives in San Clemente, California with his wife. He has four sons and seven grandchildren. He enjoys beach time with family and friends, riding his bike and walking the beach trail, serving his community, and is an avid sports fan.

Dean started working as a Financial Advisor in the Intergenerational Advisor Program (IGAP) in July 2021 at UBS’s Weehawken, NJ office. Before joining UBS, he worked in Commercial Real Estate at Lee & Associates for three years, specializing in the central Los Angeles Market. Dean is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and enjoyed his free time skiing and spending time in the mountains of Colorado. Dean and his wife live in Newport Beach and enjoy skiing, hiking, and spending time in the outdoors.

CA Insurance License # 4275742

Casey is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who focuses on wealth management and planning, as well as overseeing the day-to-day team management and operational service for clients of Newport Center Wealth Management. Casey has over 16 years of industry experience and began his career with Merrill Lynch in 2007 and began working with Steve in 2008.

With his passion for helping clients achieve financial security, Casey is committed to providing personalized solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. He understands the importance of building long-lasting relationships with clients based on trust and communication and always strives to deliver exceptional service using a goals-based approach.

Casey graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy while focusing on business ethics and law. He lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, California with his wife and daughter, Amanda and Avery, and two rescue dogs. In addition to his professional life, he enjoys playing guitar, playing soccer, reading, and spending quality time with his family.

Karin focuses on the administrative side of the business and providing excellent service to both clients and the team. With a full license and extensive experience in financial services, she brings a deep understanding of the industry and a passion for helping clients and building relationships. She has been married to her husband for 25 years and has raised two wonderful sons. Outside of the office, Karin enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Brelynn is a Client Associate for Newport Center Wealth Management. Her primary focus is providing administrative support to the team with an emphasis on client experience and executing exceptional service. Bre’s previous work experience includes positions in marketing and educating young children.

Brelynn recently completed her degree in Psychology and is pursuing a degree in Sociology at Cal State Fullerton. She was born, raised and currently resides on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, puzzles and spending time with family.