Date
Oct. 10
Location
the Pointe
Time
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Description
Develop skills in saving, spending and everything in between! Join Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Student Government and Beach Pride Events’ (BPE) Financial Empowerment Conference. This event is designed to help you manage and understand how to become financially independent.
Join us Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pointe to engage with financial experts. All attendees will receive FREE concessions, while supplies last, and the chance to win ASI swag! Every participant will receive a certificate of completion before the conference concludes.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of who will be presenting and what their expertise is to help you decide which activities to attend.
Welcome and Registration (10 a.m.)
Workshop Session #1 10:15 a.m.
Level: Beginner
Presenter Name: Oscar Velasco
Oscar Velasco, a seasoned professional in the financial industry, currently serves as the business development specialist II at LBS Financial Credit Union. With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, Oscar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. As a certified financial education instructor, he is dedicated to empowering and enlightening the community he serves by sharing his extensive financial knowledge.
Level: Intermediate
Presenter Name: David A. Koch
David joined Halbert Hargrove in 2011. He says of his role at HH, “My work encompasses far more problem solving and life-coaching than I ever anticipated. I enjoy the challenge and reward of helping people through life-changing decisions.” David advises a wide variety of clients, including individuals, families, corporate retirement plans, family limited partnerships, and nonprofits. David is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charter holder (CFA). He was awarded this certification, noted for its rigorous curriculum, after he passed three sequential six-hour exams and earned four years of qualifying professional investment experience. David earned a B.S. in Biopsychology and a B.A. in Global & International Studies from UC Santa Barbara. He was awarded the ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY™ designation by the University of Pittsburgh-affiliated Center for Fiduciary Studies and he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP).
Level: Advanced
Presenter Name: Wade Perry
Bio: Wade Perry is Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Stonemark Wealth Management, where he oversees SEC compliance and works with clients on customized strategies for asset allocation, estate planning, and philanthropy. He began his financial career with Putnam Investments and has since held leadership roles at American Express Financial Advisors and Tower Asset Management. Wade earned a cum laude degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and holds both the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations. Wade is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served three overseas tours, including active participation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of The Fisher House Foundation of Southern California, supporting military families in need, and remains active in the veteran community through the Newport Beach American Legion Honor Guard. He lives with his wife and family in Long Beach.
Workshop Session #2 (11 a.m.)
Level: Beginner
Presenter Name: Oscar Velasco
Oscar Velasco, a seasoned professional in the financial industry, currently serves as the business development specialist II at LBS Financial Credit Union. With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, Oscar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. As a certified financial education instructor, he is dedicated to empowering and enlightening the community he serves by sharing his extensive financial knowledge.
Level: Intermediate
Presenter Name: Laura Gonzalez
Bio: Dr. Laura Gonzalez is a professor of finance with over 15 years of experience teaching finance courses at M.S. Finance Analytics, MBA, and undergraduate levels. She is a certified Beach Mentor with extensive experience in University Honors, pre-doctoral McNair & Sally Casanova, and Undergraduate Research Office UROP and OURS programs. Media experience in financial literacy includes over 300 collaborations with Univision, WalletHub, MSNBC, KABC, Thomson Reuters, Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times, Fortune CNN Money, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, International Business Times, TV Tokyo, IE Business News in India and CCTV in China.
Level: Advanced
Presenter Name: David A. Koch
Bio: David joined Halbert Hargrove in 2011. He says of his role at HH, “My work encompasses far more problem solving and life-coaching than I ever anticipated. I enjoy the challenge and reward of helping people through life-changing decisions.” David advises a wide variety of clients, including individuals, families, corporate retirement plans, family limited partnerships, and nonprofits. David is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charter holder (CFA). He was awarded this certification, noted for its rigorous curriculum, after he passed three sequential six-hour exams and earned four years of qualifying professional investment experience. David earned a B.S. in Biopsychology and a B.A. in Global & International Studies from UC Santa Barbara. He was awarded the ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY™ designation by the University of Pittsburgh-affiliated Center for Fiduciary Studies and he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP).
Lunch: 11:45 a.m.
Workshop Session #3 (12:15 p.m.)
Level: Beginner
Presenter Name: Oscar Velasco
Oscar Velasco, a seasoned professional in the financial industry, currently serves as the business development specialist II at LBS Financial Credit Union. With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, Oscar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. As a certified financial education instructor, he is dedicated to empowering and enlightening the community he serves by sharing his extensive financial knowledge.
Level: Intermediate
Presenter Name: Laura Gonzalez
Dr. Laura Gonzalez is a professor of finance with over 15 years of experience teaching finance courses at M.S. Finance Analytics, MBA, and undergraduate levels. She is a certified Beach Mentor with extensive experience in University Honors, pre-doctoral McNair & Sally Casanova, and Undergraduate Research Office UROP and OURS programs. Media experience in financial literacy includes over 300 collaborations with Univision, WalletHub, MSNBC, KABC, Thomson Reuters, Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times, Fortune CNN Money, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, International Business Times, TV Tokyo, IE Business News in India and CCTV in China.
Level: Advanced
Presenter Name: Frank McEnulty
Frank McEnulty is an experienced financial executive with an extensive background in new business start-ups, finance and accounting. He serves on the Board of Directors for Ojai Oil Company. He also teaches Finance and Entrepreneurship classes at LBSU and is a consultant to new business start-up companies. Mr. McEnulty has a B.S. degree from LBSU in accounting and finance and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Panel Discussion with Financial Experts (1:05 p.m.)
Bio:As a seasoned financial advisor focused on helping her clients achieve financial wellness and independence, Giorgina specializes in assisting professionals and families in crafting comprehensive financial plans tailored to their unique goals and aspirations. Giorgina graduated from Long Beach State University (LBSU), earning a B.A. in financial management and a B.S. in business economics. She has maintained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation since 2014.
Title: Wade S. Perry, AIF®, CPFA® | Managing Principal, Stonemark Wealth Management
Bio: Wade Perry is Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Stonemark Wealth Management, where he oversees SEC compliance and works with clients on customized strategies for asset allocation, estate planning, and philanthropy. He began his financial career with Putnam Investments and has since held leadership roles at American Express Financial Advisors and Tower Asset Management. Wade earned a cum laude degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and holds both the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations.
Wade is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served three overseas tours, including active participation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of The Fisher House Foundation of Southern California, supporting military families in need, and remains active in the veteran community through the Newport Beach American Legion Honor Guard. He lives with his wife and family in Long Beach.
Title: Senior Staff Tax Accountant at HCVT
Bio: Simon Scherer is a tax accountant at Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP, where he has worked since 2015. He began as a summer intern during high school and continued through college before starting full time in 2022. He has since passed all four sections of the CPA exam and is in the final stages of licensure. Simon is passionate about financial literacy and helping students and young professionals build clarity and confidence in their financial lives.
Bio: Frank McEnulty is an experienced financial executive with an extensive background in new business start-ups, finance and accounting. He serves on the Board of Directors for Ojai Oil Company. He also teaches Finance and Entrepreneurship classes at LBSU and is a consultant to new business start-up companies. Mr. McEnulty has a B.S. degree from LBSU in accounting and finance and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Closing: 1:50–2 p.m.
- Certificate Presentation
- Group Photo
