Meet The Team
IWM Partners is all about personal service and really knowing who you’ve entrusted with your financial future. The most important aspect in choosing a financial advisor is trust and we invite you to discover more about who we’ve chosen to build our team.
Michael Hernandez, CFP®
LPL Wealth Advisor
714.962-7853
In addition to being registered over 20 years in the financial services industry, Michael is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and former compliance officer. His well-rounded approach includes investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning.
Michael’s main objective is to help his clients address all of their financial challenges. Although each area is important individually, he believes that managing them collectively is one of the most important considerations in overall financial success. His planning methods are aimed at helping his clients invest conservatively, reducing exposure to taxes, addressing their insurance needs, and providing a plan to transfer wealth to their children and grandchildren.
Some of his specialized areas include:
Estate Planning - Emphasizing the importance of protecting his clients’ assets when transferring them to loved ones.
Cash Flow Analysis - Everyday budgeting to pursue short-term financial goals.
College Planning - Long-term investing so his clients’ can be ready for college when their children are.
Corporate Bonds - Researching companies to provide the foundation for a portfolio.
Portfolio Review - Evaluating current holdings and economic conditions to make any necessary changes or adjustments.
Cash Management for Small Businesses - Developing strategies to seek increasing the efficiency of small business owners’ current cash flow.
When Michael isn’t at the office, he enjoys spending time with his two children. On the weekends he likes to revitalize himself for the week ahead on the golf course, soccer field, or exploring the outdoors.
Investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. LPL Financial does not offer tax or legal advice.
Shawn Hochuli
LPL Wealth Advisor
714.962-7853
Shawn Hochuli has been a Professional Financial Consultant for over 17 years. Focusing on capital preservation and growth strategies for individuals, families, and business owners, part of his full-service approach to comprehensive retirement planning includes:
An initial thorough analysis of a client’s personal financial situation to help determine his/her long-term goals and objectives.
Construction of a properly diversified* investment portfolio that both fits his/her current life stage and directs him/her towards those goals and objectives.
The implementation of the investment portfolio through techniques that may include dollar cost averaging.**
Constant monitoring of the portfolio and rebalancing*** as necessary to be sure the initial asset allocation strategy both reflects the original goals and any life changes that may have altered the client’s long term objectives.
Shawn works tirelessly at both managing client portfolios and maintaining client relationships so they are always on the same page with regard to the investment performance and direction.
*There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not ensure against market risk.
**Such a plan involves continuous investing in securities regardless of fluctuations in price levels of such securities. An investor should consider their ability to continue purchasing through periods of low price levels. Such a plan does not ensure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.
***Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.
No strategy, including asset allocation, assures success or protects against loss.
Barbara Stowell
LPL Financial Advisor
714.962-7853
Barbara Stowell has worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years. As an experienced advisor, she is committed to providing caring, personalized financial guidance and service. She truly understands that every person is a distinct individual and that the only way to make a difference in other people’s lives is to listen. In this way, she learns about her clients’ needs and goals, and builds a successful long-term relationship based on trust.
Barbara graduated Cum Laude from National University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a Minor in Business Administration. She has taught retirement classes at several community colleges, and loves educating others about the importance of managing money, investing wisely, and building a portfolio with a strong foundation.
As a native Californian living in Orange County for most of her life, she is very active in the community and with her family.
Jim Jones
LPL Wealth Advisor
714.962-7853
Jim Jones has been a Professional Financial Advisor for over 39 years. He is a graduate of Trinity College, CT as well as an officer in the USAF. He first entered into the financial services and sales back in 1976. In 1986, he and three partners founded the TriEqua Group focusing on providing financial services and advise to privately owned businesses. Jim specializes in tax and financial planning and in addition has experience assisting in the design and servicing retirement plans including 401(k), profit sharing and other plans designed specifically for owner benefits. His clients also benefit from his experience in estate planning, legacy trusts, business succession and wealth transfer planning.
As a resident of Laguna Beach for over 42 years, Jim is active in community service, youth sports and has been a trustee for the Laguna Beach Schoolpower Endowment, acting as Chairman of the Endowment Investment Committee for the last 12 years.
Vienna Gusha
Operations Manager
714.962-7853
Working with LPL advisors for over 7 years, Vienna joined the IWM Partners team in early 2011. She has been an immense asset - ensuring client accounts are opened, funded, and maintained in a compliant and efficient manner.
If an advisor is not available immediately, Vienna is a consistently reliable source of information and customer service. Superior administration of investment accounts is another way she assists the team in delivering above client expectations.
Vienna enjoys spending her free time assisting at her church nursery, repairing computers, and rescuing animals.