Mark Hebner is the founder and President of Index Funds Advisors, Inc., author of the ifa.com and indexfunds.com web sites, and the book, Index Funds: The 12-Step Program for Active Investors. He has been nominated as the author of one of the three all-time greatest investment books, along with Warren Buffett and John Bogle. He is a frequent lecturer and has attended over thirty investment conferences and is considered the leading internet provider of information on index funds and especially information on Dimensional Funds Advisors mutual funds and portfolios of the research indexes used by DFA. He is an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 7 and 65) and has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California at Irvine and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of New Mexico with a specialization in Nuclear Pharmacy.

Mr. Hebner was a member of the Young Presidents' Organization for over 20 years and is currently a member of the Worlds' President Organization and the Chief Executives Organization.

From 1975 to 1985, Mark was President, CEO and co-founder of Syncor International (previously a public company - SCOR). In Jan. 2003, Syncor was acquired by Cardinal Health for approximately $850 million. As a Cardinal Health division, Syncor is the world's leading provider of nuclear pharmacy services. Through an integrated network of over 150 nuclear pharmacies, Syncor compounds, dispenses and distributes patient-specific, unit-dose radiopharmaceuticals to more than 7,000 hospitals and outpatient clinics. Through his experience at Syncor, Mr. Hebner gained insight as to how public companies operate, raise capital, and promote their securities.

Mr. Hebner has been the Chairman of two Global Financial Seminars, is a respected speaker and is a frequent attendee of investment conferences so that he can keep up with the latest research for his books and web site. He has met and learned from some of the brightest minds in the business. He has attended lectures by William Sharpe, Paul Samuelson, John Bogle, Warren Buffett, Eugene Fama, Sr. and Jr., Kenneth French, Rex Sinquefield, Roger Ibbottson, David Booth, Burton Malkiel, Jeremy Siegel, Terrance Odean, Brad Barber, Robert Arnott, Campbell Harvey, William Bernstein, Larry Swedroe, Paul Merriman, Michael Mauboussin, James Surowiecki, Daniel Solin, Sunil Wahal, James L. Davis, Weston Wellington and many more.

Dan has appeared on CBS’s The Early Show, Fox Television’s The O’Reilly Factor and Fox and Friends, MSNBC’s Weekend Economic Review, CNN’s Money, and Bloomberg Television. Dan is a frequent speaker on investment-related topics and presents before large corporate audiences and topic-oriented interest groups. He has testified before a congressional subcommittee investigating the fairness of the mandatory arbitration system imposed on all investors by the securities industry.

Dan is a Senior Vice President for Index Funds Advisors (IFA). Dan is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65), and he resides in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Gordon Shuler has been an investment services professional for over 10 years and is an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65). He has completed two Dimensional Fund Advisors Conferences for Investment Advisors and is an expert in Index Funds investing.

He has presented a variety of investment topics to hundreds of seminar attendees and has periodically provided commentary and interviews on local radio stations. Previously in the computer industry for 25 years, his experience provides a solid background for the highly technical investment methodology offered by IFA.

He was previously employed at large high technology firms including General Electric Co. and Hewlett-Packard, as well as several small start-up firms in the high technology area of computer-aided engineering.

He has a B.S. Degree in Production Management from the California State University, Long Beach, with a specialization in Operations Research & Statistics.

Dave Mertz is an attorney licensed in Arizona and a Certified Financial Planner.

He has published over fifty articles on insurance, savings, and investing.

He has served on the faculty at The University of California at San Diego, Extension Education Department of Business and Management where he has taught ‘Risk Management’ and ‘Managing Your Money’.

He has consulted for the City of San Diego Retirement System, has been a designated expert witness on insurance in civil court and consulted on securities regulatory matters for investment advisers.

He has been offering financial advice to clients since 1983.

Brendan's varied financial services industry experience began in 1989 as Wall Street District Manager for Dale Carnegie & Assoc., Inc.  He now manages our Midwest regional office in Madison, Wisconsin.

At Allen Capital Markets he helped initiate the effort to create a secondary market for private equity through Offroad Capital and the NYPPe. With Green Cay Asset Management, a hedge fund headed by a Sir John Templeton protégé, he led business development functions. He also served as an advisor with estate planning firm Legacy Financial, specializing in small to medium-sized business owners. This direct experience with the folly of active money management led to his conviction in risk quantification through globally diversified index funds as key to proper investment strategy.

Brendan lives in Madison with his wife and four children, three of which were adopted in 2008.  He received a B.A. from Connecticut State University and today is an avid triathlete, sailor and advocate for worthy causes.

Carla Free is the Portfolio Administrator in the Madison office.

Denise Delaney has been a Certified Financial Planner® since 1992 and has served in the financial services industry since 1988. As an Investment Advisor Representative with IFA, she has brought a Private Client value added strategy to this fast growing internet based advisory firm. Denise specializes in serving high net worth investors.  She enjoys the challenges and works to create investment solutions for the often complex situations that high net worth investors must consider as they make investment decisions to optimize the benefits of estate planning and tax planning while achieving market returns.  Denise’s experience in dealing with these issues has given her the ability to navigate through the overall process to create well thought out investment solutions tailored to each individual’s specific and unique circumstances.  She strives to create lifelong relationships with her clients and their families.

Her strategy is to understand every client’s financial goals and objectives which can change over time. Denise’s comprehensive knowledge of the overall financial planning process coupled with the strategic alliances she shares with other professionals, such as CPA’s, Estate Planning Attorneys, and Third Party Administrators of retirement plans, increases the confidence and trust of investors that need advice on issues that pertain to their financial decisions.

Becky Vasquez has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry advising high net worth clients, foundations and pension plans.  Becky is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65).

Becky’s vast financial expertise includes investment advice, retirement planning, real estate investing, and mortgage lending.

Becky enjoys assisting her clients in establishing sound financial plans through carefully selected global index portfolios.  She realizes that client communication and service are critical in achieving long-term investment success.

Becky lives in Huntington  Beach with her husband and their two children.  She volunteers in her community and at her children’s schools.

Brad has been in the investment industry since 1999 and as a traditional stock broker / Investment Advisor Representative since 2002. Brad started with American Express Financial Advisors; then as the owner of VON GROTE Financial & Insurances services in Huntington Beach has extensive experience with all forms of stock market investing and advanced financial planning.

“I have traded everything from pork bellies to bonds. I do not wish my roller-coaster ride with futures trading on anybody. The reason I have become a part of Index Funds Advisors is, I have seen first hand the wrong way to invest in the stock market then the right way, which is index investing long term. Nobody provides as much education to the consumer as we do, because they do not have the statistics to back them up”

Brad is married with two teenage boys, living in Huntington Beach, CA.

David Porter is an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65) and has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Redlands and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University with a specialization in Security Analysis and Portfolio Management.  David’s background includes serving as President of two $100 million companies for Hub Group, Inc.  He has also served in various capacities in logistics, real estate, banking, and as a business owner.

David has a passion for sharing the benefits of the scientific method of investing through the use of portfolios of globally diversified index funds.  His objective is to fully understand each client’s goals and risk tolerance and to fully explain risk and return characteristics in order to arrive at an optimum plan for each client’s specific circumstance.  His goal is to provide incomparable communication, follow-up, and service.

David is married with three boys and is active with his boys’ school, sporting, and Scouting activities and enjoys time with his family and friends in the mountains. 

Ted Fischer manages IFA’s Westlake Village, California office. With more than 17 years of experience, Ted advises clients regarding risk-appropriate investments for long-term wealth management. Prior to joining IFA, Ted assisted private clients in the formation of financial strategies to maximize their investments. Additionally, he served as a Senior Investment Consultant and a Life/Health agent for both Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo Securities.

Ted has particular expertise in retirement planning, estate planning and investment analysis. He is devoted to learning the unique needs of each client and providing them with an individualized investment plan to achieve their personal goals.

Ted graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, with a minor in Finance. Ted is an Investment Advisor Representative with a Series 65 license.   

Ted is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys mountain biking, snow skiing, coaching soccer, and spending time with his family. He lives in Newbury Park with his wife and two daughters.

Ben Brinkerhoff, Assistant to the President and Investment Advisor Representative, began his career as a quantitative and economic consultant for Fortune 500 firms, most recently for the Qatar Economic Zones in the Middle East. It was Ben’s love of economics and statistics that attracted him to IFA.

Ben excels at helping clients from all backgrounds understand the key concepts embodied in IFA’s investing approach. His primary goal is to provide clients with the most appropriate financial plan while ensuring they enjoy a carefree and positive investing experience.

Ben received B.A. degrees in both Economics and History from the University of California at San Diego. He became an Accredited Investment Fiduciary AIF® in 2008 in order to continue and expand the pattern of fiduciary excellence offered by IFA and requested by today’s investment committees. Ben is active in his community and enjoys sports and his family. He lives in Tustin, California with his wife Elissa and their son Ari.  

Mary Brunson is the Director of Marketing and an Investment Advisor Representative for Index Funds Advisors. A former marketing writer/consultant to financial services providers, Mary learned firsthand the significant advantages of passive investing and shares the company’s high level of commitment to educate all investors on the Science of Investing.

As a marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience, Mary specializes in business to business referral relationships and individual investor education. Specifically, Mary seeks to assist corporations, foundations and individuals to implement risk-appropriate and passively managed index portfolios that will significantly enhance their long-term outlooks and their peace of mind.

Mary earned her B.A. from the University of California, Irvine. She lives in Irvine with her husband John and their four children.

Matt Cooper is a Marketing Specialist and Investment Advisor Representative. His goal is to educate clients to help them make the best decisions for their investments. Matt is a firm believer in the important roles that education and understanding play in the longevity and consistency of the investment plan and the comfort level of the investor.

Prior to joining IFA, Matt worked as a research analyst for the Georgetown Endowment Fund where he developed a clear understanding of institutional investing. Through this experience, Matt plans to further advance IFA’s foundations and endowments division.

Matt is a graduate of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. He earned a B.S. in Finance, and a minor in Theology. An avid sports fan and accomplished athlete, Matt played the positions of tightend and fullback for four years on the Georgetown football team.

As the regional manager for IFA’s San Diego, California office, Brent possesses more than 14 years of experience in the financial services industry. Brent has specific expertise in business development and exemplary client service. Prior to managing more than 100 investor client relationships for a financial services provider, Brent worked for Charles Schwab’s Private Client and Signature Advice division where he focused on the Schwab Advisor Network. A former U.S. Marine, Brent’s discipline and determination led him to earn the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designation from the College for Financial Planning.

Ted brings more than 20 years of professional and financial industry experience to IFA. He incorporates his experience