Skyward Financial helps its clients understand their individual risk profiles and how to effectively plan for their short, medium, and long-term goals. This team is rooted in Houston and pays homage to the city’s legacy in space exploration and the history of explorers using astrology to navigate the high seas when naming their group Skyward Financial. They are trusted and respected in their practice; consistently providing relevant investment opportunities and navigating risk to create a holistic approach for their clients’ financial well-being.

Ross became a household name after his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. It was during the Major League Baseball offseason where he began his career in financial services at B. Riley alongside father and son team of Lynn Houston and Matthew Houston. Within a matter of months, Ross passed his series 7 exam and shortly thereafter his series 66. As his off-the-field business picked up, he also became a trusted source and voice of reason on matters of finance within the clubhouse as well as on business television like CNBC and Fox Business Network. He holds a unique distinction as being named a 2018 National League All Star while also being a Vice President and Financial Advisor at the time. Suffice it to say, Ross has become much more than an athlete.

In 2021, the trio along with Registered Client Services Associate, Zaida Gil, formed a partnership with the launch of Skyward Financial and joined the Wedbush Securities Independent Franchise Owners Network (“IFON”). The team is based in Houston, where Ross spends his off season.

Ross earned his Bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas A&M, where he was recognized as an Academic All-American while establishing himself as one of the country’s best pitchers. He lives in the Houston area with his wife Shelby and their young son. In his free time, he hosts two very well received podcasts Goats on the Bump and The Big Swing where he talks baseball with some of the greats.

Skyward Financial helps its clients understand their individual risk profiles and how to effectively plan for their short, medium, and long-term goals. This team is rooted in Houston and pays homage to the city’s legacy in space exploration and the history of explorers using astrology to navigate the high seas when naming their group Skyward Financial. They are trusted and respected in their practice; consistently providing relevant investment opportunities and navigating risk to create a holistic approach for their clients’ financial well-being.

Lynn Houston has led an esteemed 54-plus year career in finance and has become one of the most respected and experienced industry leaders in his field. Houston began his career in the financial service industry in 1965, working in the back office of a local firm, diligently working around the clock to service mutual funds and train, while also attending the University of Houston.

Houston’s career has never been one to be confined to one role in finance. Once equipped with a degree in accounting, he worked as an auditor for just a year before being enticed to lead the mutual fund and training departments of Dempsey Tegeler. Houston went on to receive his securities license in 1969, and from then, began to provide client services to his own clients.

Ever one to be in-demand in the industry, Houston then became an energy analyst with investment bankers Cowen & Co., then an investment banking analyst with the prestigious Lehman Bros., followed by becoming a branch manager with Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette, and then taking his expertise to Rauscher Pierce.

At J.C. Bradford & Co. is where Houston established one of his biggest career achievements. Starting there in 1997, as the first ever Texas employee for the long-running Nashville-based investment banking and brokerage and the regional manager, he built their Texas Region from the ground up, to an expansive five highly successful offices, employing an impressive 123 financial advisors. Upon the sale of J.C. Bradford & Co., Houston became the Texas and Louisiana regional manager for the investment management company Legg Mason.

When Legg Mason was sold, Houston started a new chapter by launching his own practice. For this next move, he kept closer to home, going into business with his son, Matthew Houston, and launching Skyward Financial.

In addition to his unrivalled expertise in financial investments, Houston is also very active in his community; including his work with the Houston Athletic Foundation, serving as Chairman of the Houston Cougar Cookers, a member of the advisory board of the Galveston Bay Foundation, and an active supporter of The Innocence Project, campaigning to put an end to wrongful convictions and to prevent future injustices in the criminal justice system.

Going above and beyond as a fiduciary, Deborah Orlando strives to provide her clients with the highest level of personal service combined with the scale and resources of a top investment firm. She is dedicated to every aspect of her clients’ financial success and takes pride in building a financial legacy for all whom entrust her with their planning needs.

Deborah has over 30 years of experience as a Financial Advisor in the Santa Rosa area and continues to serve many of the same clients since her beginning. She was trained in stock selection at PaineWebber in 1987 and received her CFP® designation shortly thereafter. Always looking for the right firm for her clients, Deborah later moved to CitiGroup Global, Wells Fargo Advisors, LPL Financial, prior to joining Wedbush Securities. Deborah distinguishes her client services and portfolio management through tax-efficient asset management strategies, with blue chip stocks. She has focused her entire career on quality stocks with strong dividend growth and a stock selection process that involves consistent three, five and 10-year returns.

Deborah’s passion for finance started at a young age thanks to the help and mentorship of her father who eventually encouraged her to become an advisor. Born and raised in Saint Paul Minnesota, Deborah moved to California to attend UC Berkeley and never looked back. She enjoys keeping an active lifestyle through a membership to The Fountaingrove Club and has raised dogs for K-9 Companions. You may also find Deborah passionately working in her garden, on a hiking trail or traveling.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• The Fountaingrove Club member
• Volunteer for K-9 Companions

Helping clients understand their individual risk profiles and defining their ideal asset allocation is critical to helping them achieve their long-term financial goals. Michael Diersen serves as a Financial Advisor at Wedbush Securities, one of the nation’s largest independent Broker-Dealers, and is President of MLD Investment Advisory, Inc., one of Nevada’s first truly independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms. He has spent the past 38-plus years building strong personal relationships with his clients, resulting in a more educated approach to providing solid financial advice relative to their risk and volatility parameters.

Michael joined Wedbush Securities, Inc. in 1983 and in 1997 he founded his own RIA firm, MLD Investment Advisory, Inc. Between the two entities he is able to offer his clients a wide array of investment options with access to multiple platforms and money managers. Michael has also served as an arbitrator for the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and has taught investment courses at his alma mater, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Michael originally began his collegiate studies in microbiology before changing direction to finance and investments. In 1987 Michael earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a specialization in Investments and in 1991 he earned his M.B.A. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Michael and his wife of more than 30 years, Nickie, have two daughters, two grandchildren, and reside in the Henderson area of Nevada. When he’s not spending time with his family, Michael enjoys working out, hiking and traveling as much as he can.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• Active in local politics and elections
• Volunteers with his local church

The job of an advisor is one of immense trust and responsibility. It involves understanding client concerns and objectives, while evaluating their tolerance for risk. With a straightforward approach, Norm Caris provides his clients with tailored advice and care for their financial wellbeing.

Norm started trading stocks at 12 years old, because it was something that was extremely interesting to him. It wasn’t until he got his financial services career started at Paine Webber Jackson and Curtis that it took off, and by the time he was in his mid-20s he was already the firm’s biggest producer. Throughout his 49-year career in finance, he worked with a number of highly regarded institutions, that also included Wedbush Morgan Securities where he ran institutional sales, when it acquired Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy & Gardner in 1988.

A big part of Norm’s career has been working with money managers and major institutional business, leveraging his contacts and their portfolios to best benefit his clients and their financial goals. His journey in financial services also includes work in Investment Banking; whether it’s helping companies from the brink of insolvency or introducing other investment opportunities for those looking to be on the ground floor of what will become world-renowned name brands in the sports, leisure, and technology industries. Suffice it to say, Norm’s isn’t your typical financial advisor, which is an extra value for his clients. His knowledge and expertise are so expansive it was acknowledged in renowned money manager/philanthropist Peter Lynch’s book “One Up On Wall Street.” Norm is incredibly excited to be back with Wedbush Securities, where he can refresh his relationships and serve as a facilitator for others to generate new opportunities.

Norm joined the Navy Reserves at the age of 17 before starting his financial services career at 20. He was enamored with the now world-renowned Seal Team Six, and has been honored for his ongoing support. Norm has six children and nine grandchildren. He, and his wife Evelin live in Kauai since 2002. On the island, he is also an active member of his community; supporting a number of organizations including local hospitals and law enforcement. In his spare time, he can be found on the tennis court and playing bridge with his neighbors.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• Top producer for five years in his mid-20’s
• Supports local institutions such as hospitals and law enforcement

Working with his clients to provide customized and tailored solutions to protect their wealth is at the core of Elan Hiutin’s advisement approach. He creates strong relationships with his clients of all income levels and breadth of portfolio to establish and maintain safe and reliable income streams that will support their respective lifestyles during their careers and throughout retirement.

Elan joined Wedbush Securities in 2021 in its Los Angeles/Pasadena office. He brings more than 19 years in financial services to the firm, where he advises clients on the best investment path for their future, with a specialization on fixed income and municipal bonds. His career as a financial advisor began in 2002 with M.L. Stern & Co., which merged into Southwest Securities in 2008, and subsequently acquired by Hilltop Securities Inc. in 2015. It was Elan’s time as a U.S. Marine stationed in Los Alamitos, that became the driving force behind his strong work ethic and code of conduct, which remains at the heart of his business philosophy to this day.

Giving back to his community is central in Elan’s personal life. He is active with a number of youth-driven health and wellness organizations and initiatives, including Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and causes related to underprivileged children and Autism research. He resides in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles with his wife, Angelica and their two boys. When not volunteering and spending time with his family, Elan enjoys watching his home teams play – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kings and Lakers. He is also passionate about chess.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• Active with the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
• Causes related to serving underprivileged children
• Causes related to Autism research

Working with her clients to help develop strategic short, medium, and long-term investment plans is at the heart of Jazmin Gabriela Carpenter’s advisement approach. Strong relationships are often defined by shared beliefs. When it comes to advising her clients on one of the most important areas of their life - their family’s financial security – it is important they know the core values and beliefs that define their advisor’s practice.

Jazmin was born in one of the poorest areas of Mexico City, Mexico. As a teen, she came to the United States and by the time she graduated High School, Jazmin was a vocal leader in her community and school. She began her career in financial services, at Smith Barney, shortly after graduating, while attending Community College at night.

Her strong work ethic and desire to help clients realize their financial goals, was the determination she needed to work her way up to being a financial advisor. Jazmin has a firm grasp on every aspect of the front and back office, having started her career in operations before becoming a Registered Client Services Associate, then a Sales Assistant. It is in each of these roles that opened up new doors and opportunity for Jazmin.

It was only when her mentor retired that she took the leap to take on the role of Financial Advisor. Her more than a decade in operations, client services and sales give her a distinct advantage in working with client portfolios, including high net-worth individuals and families.

Active in her community, Jazmin is a regular volunteer at a local homeless shelter, donates time and money to the animal humane society and serves on the School Site Council for her local high school. She and her husband, Robert, have two daughters and make their home in Eagle Rock, California.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• Volunteering for the homeless and the Humane Society
• Member of the School Site Council in Eagle Rock, CA

Dan advises families and business owners, offering tailored, comprehensive financial solutions. He analyzes client investment portfolios, balance sheet, cash flow needs and balances them with individual risk and volatility parameters. He then harnesses the vast array of the firm’s investment planning resources and thought leadership in capital markets research. The result is a custom long-term asset allocation plan, tailored to meet client-specific goals and milestones.

His 30+ years of professional experience include 20 years in business consulting and sports marketing, where he gained a deep understanding of balance sheet management and acquisition integration. Through insight and skills gained during his time in consulting, Dan formulated his approach to the capital markets. He builds trust by emphasizing long term planning and through consistent execution of an investment strategy which endeavors to meet client’s investment goals, withstand market fluctuations, and achieve your ideal lifestyle.

Dan’s professional career began in 1986 and included BCSR, Siemens, ExecutiveIQ, USA.Net, Meydenbauer Consulting, and Bensussen Deutsch Associates. His experience in Financial Services includes some of Wall Street’s premier firms; AllianceBernstein, J.P. Morgan, and currently Wedbush Securities.

Always passionate about the financial markets, Dan learned early in life that he could create his own opportunities; he worked his way through The University of Washington, earning a B.A. in Business Administration at the Foster School of Business, with a double concentration in Finance and Marketing. Dan and his wife, Mishele, live in Bellevue, Washington with their two daughters, son, and granddaughter. He enjoys golfing, skiing, travelling, and coaching youth sports.

RECOGNITION/MEMBERSHIPS

• Mentoring College Athletes and Students
• Coached Youth and High School Football
• Previous Rotary Club Member