JAMES FINANCIAL GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Branch Principal & Financial Adviser Rep
Carey A. James graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 and began his investment career locally 30 years ago with Bateman Eichler Hill Richards Inc., which at the time was the largest investment banking firm west of Chicago. Carey founded his firm, the James Finanical Group, Inc. in 1996 with the philosophy that its clients would be best served by an independent firm whose recommendations were not affected by corporate pressure to offer "in house" products. Mr. James' office serves as a registered principal providing supervisor duties for Centaurus Financial, Inc., one of the top 50 largest independent broker/dealers in the country. He is also a registered Investment Adviser Representative through Centaurus Financial and is able to provide fee only services for clients. Mr. James has received numerous awards from the investment community and is ranked within the top 20% of investment professional in the country by his peers. Carey is married and has two children. He enjoys traveling, scuba diving, snow skiing, and classic movies. Mr. James' California life insurance license is 0A47337.
Denise joined James Financial Group in 2019 as a Client Service Associate and has served as the Office Manager since 2022. In her role, Denise is responsible for providing a wide range of administrative and operational client support along with managing the day to day operations of the office. She has a passion for client interfacing and providing detailed service.
Denise has a background in banking and office administration, and she is committed to providing the best possible service to each and every client. She serves as a point of contact for scheduling meetings and administrative needs as they arise from our clients. Denise has two grown children and is married to a retired police officer. She enjoys spending time with her husband camping, enjoying the beach and entertaining friends and family at her home.
Job Titles:
- Investment Adviser
- Representative
Diane L. James began her financial career in 1985 in banking as a Financial Representative at Great Western Bank. In 1998 Diane received her California Real Estates sales license and worked as a Mortgage Loan Broker at Midstate Bank throughout the central coast until she joined her husband at the James Financial group as Vice-President. She is currently a licensed Investment Adviser Representative with Centaurus Financial. Diane has a passion for truly listening and helping her clients achieve their financial goals and dreams. Diane's 29 years of experience and in-depth knowledge of business has prepared her to be an excellent Adviser to the firms clients. Diane enjoys spending time with her family---especially her multiple grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Executive Administrative Assistant
As Executive Administrative Assistant Evelynn strives to provide the James Financial Group clients and team with the utmost respect and support to ensure efficient operations. It is her focus to assist in client relations by providing each with the most professional environment while working with the team. It is her pleasure to be a part of your financial journey and she is happy to help you with any of your needs as they arise.
Job Titles:
- Financial Adviser
- Representative
Jaquelyn L. James originally joined Carey James & Associates over a decade ago as marketing director and paraplanner. She quickly pursued getting her series 7 and series 66 licenses and then reestablished and rebranded the firm as the James Financial Group in partnership with her father. Jaquelyn has embraced the family tradition of providing independent financial advisory service to muti-generational families, high net worth individuals & woman. She works with clients on retirement planning, including social security maximization, and on developing comprehensive financial plans based on access to cutting edge technology. She serves her clients in conjunction with partners & outside professionals to ensure financial goals are achieved in a seamless manner. She has a passion for education and acts as instructor for the Modern Retirement Planning workshop held biannually at Cuesta College. Her clients have shown appreciation for her listening skills, her approachability and for the care and individual attention she provides. She always strives to keep up with demands of the ever-changing financial and technological landscape of the modern era.
Jaquelyn is a Cal State Long Beach alumni and has an educational background in psychology and neuroscience. Jaquelyn's strong analytical background has proved to be a great asset to her career in the financial planning industry. Jaquelyn holds her Series 7 License and 66 License through Centaurus Financial. Jaquelyn has also practiced as a Volunteer Income Tax Preparer through VITA The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Jaquelyn belongs to the Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce and has also volunteered with different charitable organizations, acting as Treasurer, Event Director, and Member at Large for various non-profits such as the SLO Noor Clinic, Surfrider Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and local faith-based groups. Jaquelyn also loves to perform and outside the office you can find her acting, singing, and dancing in local community theater productions and writing and recording music. She has a 14-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son and enjoys the challenges and rewards of motherhood.
Job Titles:
- Financial Services Assistant
Nicole Mendoza presently works as a Financial Services Assistant in person at the James Financial Group main office part-time.
She began her financial career in 1991as a Bank Teller at Union Bank of California. In 1995 Nicole switched to managing her and her husband's Concrete Construction business which grew into a very successful enterprise within the Central Valley region. Their construction company quite literally laid the foundations of hundreds of residential developments and commercial expansions in the region and helped inspire her and her husband's own first real estate investments. In 2009 this further motivated Nicole to pass the Real Estate License examination earning her a real estate license in the state of California, which she continues to hold and keep up to date though continuing education.
In 2010 Nicole became a Registered Tax Preparer through the California Tax Education Council and provided services professionally with appropriate bonding. She is currently working to reactivate her license for the 2023/2024 tax season so that she can offer tax prep services to the James Financial Group clients and so she can contribute specialized tax knowledge as a value add to our comprehensive financial expertise.
Though Nicole mainly works behind the scenes, when she can she loves assisting clients with their financial needs and administrative requests. With her unique skill set Nicole is a great addition to the James Financial Group team.