Best Wealth Adviser

1. Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, The South Coast Complex

800 Newport Center Drive, Ste. 500, Newport Beach; 949-717-5300; advisor.morganstanley.com/south-coast-complex

Lance Million heads up the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management branch offices in Orange County, which is called The South Coast Complex. Based in Newport Beach, it consists of six branch offices with more than 350 financial advisers, client service associates and staff. The South Coast Complex Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors specializes in institutional securities, investment management and wealth management.

Million began his career in 1987 working in the mailroom while completing his business management degree. Million built a successful advisory practice and held several responsibilities; eventually becoming a complex manager. He took over the South Coast Complex covering Orange County in 2010 when Morgan Stanley consolidated with Smith Barney.

In 2020, Million became a managing director. He has served on the National Branch Manager Advisory Council, co-chaired the Branch Manager Empowerment Committee, conducted “peer-to-peer” training and currently serves on the National Recruiting Advisory Committee. Along with assistant director Robert Rettig, Million and his team of advisors adhere to Morgan Stanley’s heritage.

“We live on a proud history of trying to bring excellence to everything that we do,” James P. Gorman, chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, said on the branch’s website. “So, the essence of our culture is as you make decisions every day you come to work, are you trying to do the right thing, always.”

The company offers an investing with impact program that includes investing with 120 products aimed at advancing a sustainable world.

PAUL BERSEBACH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER More than 350 financial advisers and staff work at the complex of six branch offices.

– Jenn Tanaka

2. TABR Capital Management

TABR Capital Management, Inc., 500 N. State College Blvd., Ste. 1320, Orange; 714-704-9180; tabr.net

“Like most people, you want to make money, grow it, and keep it,” says Steven W. Medland, MBA, CFO and partner at TABR Capital Management Inc. “TABR has launched hundreds of successful financial portfolios for individuals across the nation, and steered them safely through market storms.”

With more than 35 years of experience, TABR Capital Management is focused on risk management.

President/principal Robert M. Kargenian, CMT and Steven W. Medland oversee a team of advisers who manage more than $165 million in assets.

“If you are preparing to retire, have retired, or are in financial transition, TABR can help optimize your investments,” Medland says. “Our primary objective is to develop strategies for our clients, to enable them to achieve their long-term financial goals with less risk.”

TABR Capital Management clients range from preretirees seeking advice on when to start taking Social Security benefits, women in life transition, retirees and people seeking guidance on windfall inheritance. Services range from investment/ asset management, financial planning, portfolio design to financial risk assessment.

EP Wealth Advisors in Irvine began with longtime friends Derek Holman and Brian Parker. The duo met as adolescents working together in an ice cream shop. In 1999, Holman and Parker started Premier Financial Management, a precursor to their EP Wealth Advisors.

They wanted to offer transparency to their clients. The company grew over the years. In 2004, EP Wealth Advisors hired its first employee and in 2011, Holman and Parker enlisted the expertise of Patrick Goshtigian, CFA, to serve as EP Wealth’s president.

The company has provided financial advice for entertainment professionals, athletes, retirees and members of the LGBTQ community, foundations and small business owners.

EP Wealth Advisors recently launched community initiatives to empower female financial literacy called Investing in Women, which according to the website, hopes to provide “the right tools and pathways to grow their careers, personal wealth and financial education. By working as partners, we can better elevate the EP experience for both our clients and our colleagues all while creating a diverse culture that attracts and promotes women.”

3. EP Wealth Advisors

18301 Von Karman Ave., Suite 1050, Irvine; 949-247-2067 epwealth.com

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