Human-centered wealth management
Platform Wealth Management Advisors is a team of seasoned industry experts who love the art meets science of wealth management.
Reyes Florez
CEO, Location
(510) 333-4598
Reyes “grew-up” in his father’s boutique CPA firm where he developed a love for small business and client services. Between two different s
Natalee Harris
Managing Partner / Director Salt Lake City, UT
(510) 333-4598
Natalee is Platform’s resident tax and accounting expert overseeing training, development and compliance for the entire firm. She started her career at a big firm, o,
Kirk Stovesand, CPA/PFS, CPWA®, CFP®, MST
Partner, Wealth Advisor
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While still at the University of California Santa Barbara, Kirk Stovesand started working for the company which grew into Walpole & Co., LLP the predecessor to Platform Wealth Advisors. . That combination of work and study continued once he joined the company as a full-time employee and later, a partner. Among his accomplishments, Kirk earned a BA in Business Economics from UCSB, a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University, a Master Certificate in Global Business Management from George Washington University. Kirk is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Private Wealth Advisor and a Personal Financial Specialist.
Kirk’s interest in finance and financial planning issues facing his clients was a main driver in cocreating Walpole Financial Advisors, LLC. (Now Platform Wealth Advisors). He spends his time helping clients make smart decisions about their money and their major concerns in the areas of wealth enhancement, wealth protection, wealth transfer, charitable giving and Trustee work. In addition to his involvement with this company, Kirk has served on many boards both non profit and for profit. He has a member of a local bank, Community West Bank since May 2003. Kirk served as Chairman of CWBC’s Audit Committee and is on the Technology and Governance Committees.
Kirk, his wife Donna and their two grown sons, Marlin and Spencer, live in Santa Barbara where they enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Kirk enjoys spending time with family, piloting and traveling.
Yusuf A. Balogun, CPA/PFS, MST
Partner, Wealth Advisor
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Yusuf is one of sixteen siblings to whom their parents promised a college education, with the condition that they study outside their native Nigeria. This commitment became a financial planning challenge when, one by one, fourteen of the children took up the parents’ offer and did go to college. As the youngest of the family, Yusuf is particularly grateful that his parent’s careful planning provided for everyone.
Committed to making the most of the opportunities open to him, Yusuf enrolled at UCSB in 1985, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science. He pursued further education, earning an Accounting Certification from UCSB Extension and a master’s in taxation from Golden Gate University
Yusuf joined Walpole & Co., LLP in 2000, becoming a partner in 2008. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the California Society of CPAs (Channel Counties Chapter) and New Directions For People With Disabilities, Inc.
Yusuf and his wife Toyosi have two daughters. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer, traveling and the theater.
Because the life Yusuf enjoys was made possible by his parents’ careful financial planning, he understands the importance of helping his clients lay the groundwork for their own financial goals. Adding the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential to his CPA qualifications demonstrates his commitment to this service.
[The PFS credential is available only to CPAs who meet selective requirements for financial planning education and experience.]
Anita Peca, CPA/PFS
Wealth Advisor
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Anita lived in Ragusa, Sicily with her brother and parents from six weeks to six years of age and attributes her sentiment about appreciating different points of view to that early education.
She earned her Elementary Teaching Credentials from UCSB, after obtaining her BA in Psychology from UC Davis. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Personal Financial Specialist and holds the Series 65 license. She has worked in the areas of public accounting and finance since 1994, and is a former partner of Walpole & Co.
Anita’s experience assisting her parents in their later years gives her an ability to help clients with eldercare issues. She is a current board member of Transition House.
Anita and her husband, John love the great outdoors and feel at home backpacking in California Sierra Nevada. In addition to hiking, Anita enjoys Balkan Folk Dancing and Country Western Swing Dancing.
Paul Mannion, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
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Paul has been helping clients achieve their financial goals since 2003. His current position of Wealth Advisor allows him to provide in depth financial planning and education to Platform Wealth Advisors’ clients.
Paul has always had a passion for financial planning, which led him to obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has educated clients in the areas of investments, insurance, retirement planning, college planning and personal cash flows. His goal is to provide unbiased advice to clients that will assist them in obtaining their short and long term financial goals. Paul currently holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.
Paul currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and three young daughters. In addition to spending his time taking advantage of the many activities Santa Barbara offers with his family, he enjoys soccer, swimming and snowboarding.
Marlin B. Stovesand, CFP®, CPFA, CRPS, QFOP
Retirement Plan Consultant
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Marlin has worked at Walpole/Platform for the past 8 years working on individual and trust tax returns, as well as financial planning within the wealth management department. Marlin’s field of expertise includes individual tax planning, company sponsored retirement plan design, implementation, and investment, and financial planning for clients.
Among his accomplishments, Marlin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Enrolled Agent, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM, Certified Prudent Fiduciary Advisor, and Qualified Family Office Professional. Marlin also holds the Series 65 license and the Series 63 license. Excited to further help clients with their tax and financial concerns, Marlin is currently working through the master’s in taxation program.
Marlin currently lives in Santa Barbara where he enjoys BBQing, golfing and boating.
Donovan Roberson, CFP®
Associate Wealth Advisor
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Donovan comes from the humble town of Bakersfield, CA. With a passion for building relationships and interest in the financial markets, working with Platform Financial Advisors allows Donovan to assist clients with developing an actionable plan towards achieving their ultimate financial goals and living life to it’s fullest.
A graduate of San Diego State University with an emphasis in Finance, Donovan holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation, and is an Enrolled Agent. Donovan is dedicated to continuing his education, attending numerous conferences and educational seminars each year and ensuring that clients best interests are at the forefront of every interaction.
Outside of the office, Donovan enjoys getting active through running, biking, or playing tennis.
Ryan Gibbons, EA
Associate Wealth Advisor
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Ryan identified a career in financial planning as the best life path to form new relationships and improve the lives of those around him.
His passion for investing and personal finance led him to obtain his BS in Finance and UCERT of Investments from Northern Arizona University. Additionally, he is an Enrolled Agent, a candidate for CFP® certification, and a CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute.
His desire to help others achieve their goals comes from an understanding of what it means to have a dream, and the practical skills it will take to get there.
Outside of finance/tax, Ryan enjoys tennis, running, traveling, and getting coffee with friends.