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 and Patricia Solin work as a team to provide investors with superior investment education and service.

Dan Solin is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is the author of the best selling book, "The Smartest 401(k) Book You'll Ever Read", and “The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever Read”. He is also the author of “Does Your Broker Owe You Money?”. Additionally, Dan is the financial columnist for The Huffington Post and AOL's Walletpop.

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.

Patricia is a graduate of California State University, Fresno. She also has Certificate of Legal Studies from U.C.L.A.

Her employment history includes serving as a Manager with Price Waterhouse in San Francisco  and as President and Chief Operating officer of a manufacturer.

Patricia is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (series 65). She resides in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Click the image below to watch a video about Dan Solin's Smartest Investment book:

Dan Speaks at authors@google event:

"Securities attorney and investment adviser Daniel R. Solin has saved our bacon once again, just as he did at this time last year..."
Invest for your future, not for the financial services industry, Daily Herald

10 Toughest Retirement Questions from AOL Money and Finance

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 such as the DuRunRun, now a nine-event State-wide duathlon for kids as a fundraiser for Special Olympics that he started from scratch in 2003.

Denise Delaney has been a Certified Financial Planner® since 1992 and has served in the financial services industry since 1988.  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 including all aspects of investing.  Areas of focus range from personal portfolio construction to company 401(k) plans, and planned giving through charitable organizations such as an Endowment or Foundation. 

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 using a “globally diversified portfolio of index funds” tailored to each individual’s specific and unique circumstances such as minimizing unnecessary costs due to high fees and taxes which often result with an active management strategy. 

She strives to create lifelong relationships with her clients and their families to create the most optimal investment solutions.


a gift to Denise from a client who did her portrait (click to enlarge)

Becky has 23 years of experience in the financial services industry.  She received her Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation from University of California, Irvine.  She is also an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65).
 
Becky specializes in advising high net worth clients.  With her expertise in asset allocation, retirement planning and tax efficiencies, she is able to assist investors in achieving their investment and retirement objectives.
 
Becky also has many years of experience in advising Investment Committees for Endowments, Foundations, and Pension Plans.  Through IFA Institutional, Becky enables trustees and fiduciaries to fulfill their responsibilities by adhering to the principles outlined in the Prudent Investor Rule.
 
Becky works with companies to construct globally diversified, low-cost 401(k) solutions for their employees.  High management costs and mutual fund fees erode employees’ returns and retirement security.  Becky strives diligently to ensure that employees are offered the best investment choices.
 
Becky lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband and two teenage children.  She volunteers in her community, at her church, and at her children’s schools.

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.

Brad has been in the investment industry since 1999 as a traditional stock broker and as an Investment Advisor Representative. Brad started with American Express Financial Advisors. Then as the owner of VON GROTE Financial & Insurances services in Huntington Beach, CA acquired extensive experience with all forms of stock market investing and financial planning. As a former active trader and stock broker, “I have seen first hand the wrong way to invest in the stock market. Index investing provides appropriate risk and long term return on a very low cost platform.”

Brad is married with two teenage boys, lives in Huntington Beach, CA. He is the past Event Chair and current Registration Chair for “The Relay for Life” which benefits the American Cancer Society. He says, “Please check your local area for a Relay near you - it will truly do your heart good.

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.  

Matt Cooper is a 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 tight end 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.

Venkat Yarlagadda is an Investment Advisor Representative (series 65) and is located in IFA’s Manhattan branch office. A seasoned financial professional, Venkat is committed to servicing the financial services needs of the New York tri- state area. Venkat specializes in offering customized and personalized investment advisory services to individuals, 401(k) plans, pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and other business entities.

Venkat was previously employed and consulted at Fortune 500 firms, including Bell South, Honeywell, McGraw-Hill and Oracle, as well as several technology start-up firms. Venkat has a B.S. Degree in Computer Sciences & Engineering from Bangalore University, India, with a specialization in Operations Research & Statistics.

Venkat lives in Queens, NY with his wife and son.

Portfolio Administrator for Mark Hebner, Matt Cooper, and Venkat Yarlagadda

Portfolio Administrator for Denise Delaney and Becky Vasquez

Portfolio Administrator for Dan Solin, Gordon Shuler, Brad von Grote, and Ted Fischer

Portfolio Administrator for Dave Mertz, Brendan Connelly, Ben Brinkerhoff, and Brent DeVore