Financial Alternatives Advisory Team
Financial Alternatives has provided fee-only fiduciary wealth management and financial planning services since 1991. Our advisory team includes CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, a Chartered Financial Analyst® professional, investment specialists, and operations professionals dedicated to helping successful families and professionals make informed financial decisions.
The firm's advisors and staff bring expertise in financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning coordination, client service, and business operations.
Lead Advisors & Partners
Jim Freeman, CFP®
Lead Advisor, Partner
Jim Freeman founded Financial Alternatives in 1991 after recognizing the conflicts of interest common within the financial services industry. He established the firm on a fee-only fiduciary model so clients could receive objective financial advice free from product sales incentives.
Jim oversees both the firm's financial planning and investment management divisions. Throughout his career, he has been recognized multiple times by Robb Report Worth as one of the top wealth advisors in the United States.
Education & Professional Credentials
BA in Psychology, Point Loma Nazarene University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Member, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Areas of Expertise
Wealth Management
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Investment Management
Fiduciary Advice
Andrew Hoffarth, CFP®
Lead Advisor, Partner
Andrew Hoffarth developed a passion for financial planning while studying finance in college and discovering the impact comprehensive planning can have on individuals and families. He joined Financial Alternatives in 2021 after spending more than a decade with another fee-only advisory firm and later became a partner.
Andrew is particularly passionate about financial education, multigenerational planning, and helping clients evaluate complex financial decisions through scenario modeling and long-term planning analysis.
Education & Professional Credentials
BS in Finance, San Diego State University
Certificate in Personal Financial Planning, San Diego State University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Wealth Management
Multigenerational Planning
Financial Scenario Modeling
Chris Jaccard, CFP®, CFA
Lead Advisor, Partner
Chris Jaccard entered the financial planning profession in 1998 after discovering the fee-only fiduciary model and its alignment with client interests. He joined Financial Alternatives in 2002 and became a partner of the firm. Chris helps oversee both financial planning and investment management initiatives.
His experience bridges comprehensive planning and disciplined investment management, helping successful families make informed decisions about retirement, investment portfolios, taxation, and long-term wealth preservation.
Education & Professional Credentials
BS in Finance, San Diego State University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA Charterholder)
Member, NAPFA
Member, CFA Society San Diego
Member, AICPA
Member, San Diego Estate Planning Council
Areas of Expertise
Wealth Management
Investment Management
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning Coordination
Tax-Aware Investment Strategies
Ellen Li, MSBA, CFP®
Lead Advisor, Partner
Ellen Li is a partner and lead advisor at Financial Alternatives with a special emphasis on financial planning. After beginning her career with the firm as an intern, she gained additional experience with another fee-only advisory firm before returning to Financial Alternatives in 2010.
Ellen's multilingual background and extensive planning expertise allow her to help clients navigate complex financial decisions with confidence and clarity.
Education & Professional Credentials
MSBA in Financial and Tax Planning, San Diego State University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Languages
English
Mandarin
Japanese
Cantonese
Taiwanese
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Wealth Management
Multigenerational Planning
Associate Advisors and Investment Management
Marcelle Kako
Associate Advisor
Marcelle Kako joined Financial Alternatives in 2024 and assists senior advisors in the financial planning process. She is passionate about financial literacy and helping individuals develop the knowledge and confidence necessary to achieve their long-term financial goals.
Born and raised in San Diego, Marcelle brings a commitment to financial education along with strong analytical skills developed through her finance studies.
Education & Professional Credentials
BS in Finance, San Diego State University
CFP® Candidate
Languages
English
Chaldean
Arabic
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning Support
Financial Literacy
Client Education
Retirement Planning Analysis
Goal-Based Planning
Damon Robertson, CFP®
Associate Advisor
Damon Robertson joined Financial Alternatives in 2024 and supports clients with their financial planning needs. With more than a decade of experience in banking and financial services, he focuses on helping clients align their financial decisions with their values, goals, and aspirations.
Damon is committed to building long-term client relationships and providing guidance that supports financial confidence and well-being.
Education & Professional Credentials
BA in Economics, California State University San Marcos
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Client Relationship Management
Wealth Management
Goal-Based Planning
John Chapra, MBA, MSBA, CFP®
Advisor
John Chapra combines extensive financial planning expertise with a background in technology, analytics, and research. Since entering the financial planning profession in 2005, he has helped support client planning, financial modeling, and investment research.
John's unique combination of finance, business, computer science, and language studies provides a broad perspective when evaluating complex financial challenges.
Education & Professional Credentials
MBA, Finance, University of San Diego
MSBA in Financial and Tax Planning, San Diego State University
BS Computer Science, UC San Diego
BA French, SUNY Albany
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning
Investment Research
Retirement Planning
Financial Modeling
Wealth Management
Connor MacKenzie
Associate Portfolio Manager
Connor MacKenzie began his career with Financial Alternatives while attending UC San Diego and transitioned to a full-time role following graduation. As Associate Portfolio Manager, he supports portfolio management, investment research, and trading execution.
Connor works closely with the firm's advisors and partners to help ensure client portfolios are managed consistently and in accordance with established investment principles.
Education & Professional Credentials
BA Economics, University of California San Diego
CFA Program Level I Passed
CFA Program Level II Candidate
Series 65 Licensed
Areas of Expertise
Portfolio Management
Investment Research
Trading Execution
Asset Allocation
Investment Analysis
Client Service & Operations
Adrienne Barnett Jones
Senior Client Service and Operations Specialist
20+ years of financial services experience supporting client account administration, service, and operational execution. Formerly with Charles Schwab and other San Diego wealth management firms.
Will Lakstutis
Operations Associate
Operations professional with more than a decade of experience improving business processes, workflow automation, technology integration, and organizational efficiency.
Marilynn Miller
Senior Client Service and Operations Specialist
Supports client account administration, CRM management, and operational processes. Has been part of Financial Alternatives since 2006.
Yasbeth Salgado
Operations Lead
Oversees client account administration, compliance support, database management, reporting, and operations coordination. Joined Financial Alternatives in 2018.
Mary Rose Schwartz
Marketing and Operations Specialist
Supports firm marketing, communications, and operations initiatives. Previously held marketing and management roles with major financial firms.
Jennifer Rangel Tom
Administrative Coordinator
Supports day-to-day firm operations and client experience initiatives while helping coordinate administrative activities across the organization.