SONOMA WEALTH ADVISORS - Key Persons
Alison has lived in Sonoma for almost 25 years and has raised four boys in the valley. She has worked in administration for a few organizations while homeschooling her children and running a small business. With most of her children now out on their own, she is adding new adventures into her schedule. Alison has always appreciated the personal touch provided by the team at Sonoma Wealth Advisors and looks forward to adding to the positive atmosphere provided for clients.
Alison and her husband, Steve, are proud new grandparents and enjoy any time they get to gather with family. When not with her granddaughters, you can find Alison hiking the beautiful Sonoma hillsides.
Raised by his mom, Ben learned at an early age the importance of building a solid financial foundation. Growing up in the Central Valley of California, much of Ben's childhood was spent working to contribute to the household finances. In fact, a core memory for Ben is of him punching a clock for his grandparents when he was in elementary school to earn money to buy school clothes. This kind of responsibility taught him about the value of working hard, setting goals, and supporting loved ones.
Ben is a talented songwriter, a lucky husband to his wife, Mia, and proud father to Grace (13), Ava (8), and Donovan (3). He cherishes his family and creating moments with them. Whether it's traveling, camping, or enjoying Sonoma County where he has lived since 2009, Ben sees his family as the center of his universe.
Through a thoughtful and empathetic perspective, Ben works with his clients to address the many challenges they face when building, maintaining, and transferring wealth. Ben's skilled at identifying and addressing his client's needs with careful planning, diligent market research, and a passionate curiosity for the many idiosyncrasies of his clients' lives.
Bryanna currently serves as an Executive Assistant at Sonoma Wealth Advisors sharing a wealth of talents gleaned from years of combined experience in sports, lifestyle events, and business.
Bryanna first moved to Sonoma Valley in 2011 when she was hired to coach women's soccer for Santa Rosa Junior College. She spent seven seasons coaching the Bearcubs, while also serving as Event Manager for Ram's Gate Winery. She continued her soccer coaching career at Dominican University. Later, she served as Operations Manager for University of California, Berkeley sports, where she managed team travel for over 16 sports.
This unique combination of experiences gives Bryanna insight into logistics and execution. She loves organization and the sense of success that comes from making things happen "behind the scenes". Away from the office, Bryanna loves spending time with her young son camping, going on trips, and hanging out with friends in the great town of Sonoma. Bryanna graduated from the University of California, Davis.
Chris brings over 13 years of experience in the financial industry to Sonoma Wealth Advisors. As a co-founder of Sonoma Wealth Advisors he operates as the Chief Compliance and Investment Officer. Chris is passionate about investing and is always exploring proven strategies and techniques to assist clients in reaching their financial goals
Chris previously worked for a large national bank serving business owners and high net worth individuals. During that time, he developed a reputation as a trusted partner for his many long-term clients. He began his career in 2006 with a large, family-owned commercial insurance agency, working with business owners to identify their risks and secure customized coverage from a wide range of insurance companies.
Chris relocated from Ohio to California in 2008 to seek sun and adventure in the West. As an avid reader, Chris enjoys the stories and the personalities behind the numbers. He understands that the best plan won't work if it's not a plan that will work for you, and that the decisions you're facing can be approached in a thoughtful, strategic way. Chris believes the best advice is the advice you'll implement and see through life's inevitable ups and downs.
Chris and his wife, Sandra, have two daughters and a son and live in Sonoma. He's a graduate of The Ohio State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and hiking with his family.
Chris has worked in the financial services industry since 2006. He spent his first few years in the insurance business, then became a banker with Wells Fargo in Sonoma and Napa Counties. After a decade of experience working with families and businesses in a private banking capacity, Chris joined Daren Blonski as an advisor in 2018. They founded Sonoma Wealth Advisors in 2019 to provide boutique, customized financial advice to families, businesses, and nonprofits in Sonoma County and across the United States.
Clay was born and raised in Sonoma about a mile from our home office. Having grown up here playing baseball, basketball, and soccer, he has gotten to know many of the local families that make our town so special. Now, as a financial advisor and a youth baseball coach, he is strengthening those relationships and building many new ones.
Clay's interest in investing began in his early teens when his grandmother gave him a book of Warren Buffet quotes. He became enamored with the investing legend's life story and investing style. This was the beginning of his endless love of education on all things investing.
Clay holds his Series 65 securities license with Sonoma Wealth Advisors, and serves in the capacity of an investment advisor representative. He is also an Accredited Asset Management Specialist SM (AAMS®) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary TM (AIF®). With a passion for continuing education, Clay strives to further develop his skillset in the industry and recently became a Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP®).
When he's not hard at work, Clay is somewhere outside with his friends and family, either exercising, playing golf, camping, adventuring the globe, or at a baseball tournament.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing
- Marketing Director
Dano Weir values an organized, clean and clear approach. As Marketing Director for Sonoma Wealth Advisors, he ensures that our values are represented in everything we do in advertising, social media and community partnerships. With over 15 years experience as an on-air media personality and digital director, Dano brings confidence and stage presence to all of our communications. He also ensures that our client experience is thoughtful and seamless.
Dano lives in Petaluma with his wife and 2 sons. Believe it or not, he really enjoys watching Paw Patrol with them. Dano is also an avid trail runner, and once ran an ultra-marathon in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Daren Blonski, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®, CDAA is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Sonoma Wealth Advisors. He is a learner, educator, entrepreneur, and life coach. With a Master of Arts in Psychology from Sonoma State University, he is deeply connected to helping clients take their lives to the next level. His clients see him as an educator and coach, operating in the realm of financial planning.
Working with clients across the life-stage spectrum, he focuses particularly on assisting entrepreneurs looking to soak up life and maximize their fulfillment. He is an advocate of Dave Ramsey's approach to organizing and prioritizing one's finances.
A life-long learner. Daren is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™, a Certified Retirement Planner Specialist™, a Certified Retirement Planning Counselor™, an Accredited Asset Management Specialist™, a Smartvestor Pro™ with Dave Ramsey, a Certified Digital Asset Advisor™, and has received his certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets SM from the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals. He is deeply committed to the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Multi-dimensional in his interests, he facilitates leadership training with non-profits, particularly those in Sonoma Valley. He has worked extensively internationally with the curriculum based on The Leadership Challenge framework. As an avid reader, he is always exploring new ideas and themes to incorporate into his life.
As a lifelong resident of Sonoma County, if there is a race to be run, a weight to be lifted, a mountain to be climbed, Daren is all in. He loves the outdoors. He spends his spare time pursuing his physical and mental agility through various outdoor and physical health-related activities. With all this said, Daren's greatest joys are his three children: Brooklyn, Bryton, and Brady.
Frankie has worked in the financial industry for over 18 years and is passionate about providing excellent service to clients. Being born and raised in Napa, CA, one of his favorite pastimes is exploring new local restaurants. In his spare time, Frankie collects baseball and trading cards. He is an avid traveler and is frequently looking for the next venture.
Gaetano was born and raised in Napa Valley where his family resided for five generations. Growing up in the small community of Saint Helena taught him many life lessons, including the values of hard work, loyalty, staying true to your word, and handling all situations with integrity.
Gaetano has always felt called to serve others, which led him to serve his country in the Armed Forces. He attended the United States Naval Academy and commissioned into the United States Marine Corps where he served for 8 years. After the Marine Corps, he transitioned into finance where he could continue to serve others in a new capacity as a financial advisor. He is now dedicated to leveraging his passion, energy, and expertise to help others achieve their personal financial goals.
Gaetano knows that successful outcomes are rarely the result of a single individual's effort. His individual "highlight reel" moments such as playing college football, completing multiple marathons and double marathons, running an Ironman Triathlon, going on multiple military deployments, and finishing his master's in business administration, support his two life pillars. First, success starts with a well thought out and intentional plan. Anything is possible when you dedicate yourself to a series of small and intentional steps that build on one another. Second, no accomplishment is achieved in isolation. Experts, mentors, coaches, and advisors (including financial advisors), who truly have your best interest at heart, significantly increase your probability of success.
Gaetano holds a Series 65 securities license with Sonoma Wealth Advisors, a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Naval Academy, and a master's in business administration with a focus on finance from University of California, Davis.
Gaetano lives in Napa with his wife and three children. He is blessed to live close to family including his parents, siblings, and many nieces and nephews. When he is not working or with his family, he is volunteering at church, hiking in the mountains, or planning his next outdoor adventure.
A California native, Jackie grew up on the Central Coast with a passion for the outdoors, ocean waves, and viticulture. She brings over 20 years of experience in strategy management, finance and accounting. Jackie has lived in Sonoma since 2002, where her career focused on small family owned wineries and vineyards. Jackie started working with Sonoma Wealth Advisors in October of 2019 when the firm originated and has enjoyed building and supporting a dynamic team. She received her MBA in 2009 from John F. Kennedy University in Concord, CA. When Jackie is not in the office, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and exploring sandy beaches with her husband Matt, and son, Ben.
Kevin has worked in the financial services industry since 1987. He spent his first decade in the insurance business, then became a bank-based Financial Advisor in Sonoma and Napa Counties. After a long career in with his previous institution, Kevin has decided to join Sonoma Wealth Advisors to continue to grow his business with Todd Gomes, Ben Sedillo and the Sonoma Wealth Advisors team.
Kevin grew up on a large dairy farm in River Falls Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls where he studied Agricultural Economics. After moving to Sonoma County in the early 1980s, Kevin became very interested in the wine industry. While pursuing his passion as a winemaker, he met Wendy, now his wife of 31 years. He has two stepchildren, Kopavi and Rachel, and a son, Dillon.
Kevin is the winemaker and owner of Tara Bella Winery in the Russian River Valley, a producer of Gold Medal winning Cabernets. When he's not hard at work, Kevin spends his time with family and friends at their winery. He loves all outdoor activities: softball, golf, hiking, camping and traveling the world with Wendy. He enjoys reading about people overcoming adversities and success stories. Being from Wisconsin, he describes himself as a huge fan of all Wisconsin sports teams and is a proud owner/shareholder of the Green Bay Packers.
Kim brings many years of experience to her role as a Client Services Associate. She's held service, support and management roles with major health insurance and financial services firms. Kim has also spent time in real estate as a project manager and owner/principal designer at a local home staging design company. No matter the category, all of Kim's work experiences have had the customer as the center of her focus.
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Stockton, California by an attorney father and schoolteacher mother, in the summers between school years, Kim and her family had the opportunity to visit almost all 50 states, camping most of the way. Kim checked off the last two states on her list, Alaska and Hawaii, as an adult and, while the tent was ditched a long time ago, she plans for more travels in the future.
Kim and her family have lived in Sonoma County since 2011 and feel fortunate to have family and friends nearby. When she's not working, you'll find Kim and her family motoring around Sonoma County's backroads or out "conducting research" on the area's best bakeries. Please feel free to share your favorites with her!
Rachel is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in the financial services sector, showcasing a steadfast dedication to advisors' success. Her career journey commenced in asset management at esteemed firms such as Lord Abbett and Invesco, where she honed invaluable insights to empower advisors for success.
Rachel spent the last three and a half years as the Head of Advisor Experience at Zoe Financial. While there, she broadened her advisor-facing skillset, further equipping herself with the expertise needed to help advisors form, develop, and grow their businesses on the RIA side.
With a remarkable 12-year track record closely collaborating with advisors and clients in wealth management, Rachel embarked on a new phase in 2023 by joining Sonoma Wealth Advisors. A Connecticut native, she pursued her education at Villanova University, earning a B.S. in Psychology and leaving an enduring impact as a four-year player on the Women's Division 1 Soccer Team.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Rachel finds fulfillment in engaging in various competitive activities. A passionate Premier League fanatic, she recently embraced cooking as a hobby. Rachel, alongside her husband, Joe, and their two French Bulldogs, Henri and Leroy, proudly call Pittsburgh, PA, their home.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Relations
Rose has served clients in the financial services industry for over 40 years. She has extensive experience helping clients navigate their financial planning needs. As the Director of Client Service, she is responsible for crafting the experience for Sonoma Wealth Advisor clients. Our clients get to know Rose well, as she is the go-to lead for day-to-day account operations.
Rose lives with her husband, Mike, in Rohnert Park. She is the proud mother of two, Rachael and Joe, and a proud grandmother. Anytime she finds herself baking in the kitchen surrounded by her children, she is happily at home. Rose has great relationships with her kids and loves to support them in their life. If not with her kids, she is often found wandering the many antique stores found in Sonoma County.
As a child, I remember talking to a stranger about her life as a physician. She beamed as she spoke of her patients, experiences and making a difference; the passion with which she spoke drove straight into me. I knew I wanted to live a life of service to others and I wanted to be a doctor. After high school, I was privileged to serve a two-year mission. I directly aided many different communities helping people move, cleaning houses for those that could not, praying with those who were sick; witnessing the joy as well as the suffering of others. This strengthened my desire to help.
Sarah Hallas has over 19 years of experience in the financial services. She previously worked with a large bank in Sonoma County, supporting their advisor services group. As an avid runner, she recently completed her 37th marathon. Her tenacity and attention to detail make her an ideal client partner. Sarah works with Sonoma Wealth Advisors clients to assist them with their financial planning and investment portfolios. She enjoys working with her clients and hearing about their travels and life experiences. She lives in Cotati, California, with her boyfriend, Tom, and their son, Tommy Jr. When not running or working, she is taking care of her four dogs, three horses, two pet pigs, and a handful of other animals.
Shelby has enjoyed a dynamic career in the realm of corporate executive management, encompassing more than a decade of service with internationally renowned Fortune 500 companies. Over the course of her career, Shelby has developed a distinct affinity for leadership and talent development, ensuring that both peers and subordinates are able to maximize their full professional potential. Through that experience, Shelby honed her lifelong passion for helping people realize their personal ambitions, and brings to SWA a wealth of knowledge that enables her to walk beside clients in achieving their business, financial, and retirement goals.
Shelby was born and raised in San Diego, but has long made Sonoma her permanent home. Shelby attended Sonoma State University where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration, a B.A. in Spanish Language Studies, and holds numerous professional certifications and accreditations. Shelby is active in the Sonoma community - residing only three short blocks from our home office - and is a member of a centennial Sonoma County ranching family.
When Shelby is not working, she is volunteering at her church, enjoying the diverse offerings of Sonoma living, traveling, and enjoying time with her husband, two children, and two black labs at Lake Almanor.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Certified Financial Planner
Steve Murray is a Certified Financial Planner™ CFP® and has been a licensed agent for over 25 years. He joined Sonoma Wealth Advisors in 2023 in order to expand services available to his clients. In addition to financial advising, Steve specializes in Medicare and Health Insurance. He helps clients enroll into traditional health insurance plans and to understand what the plan covers and the financial aspects of their choices. His approach is to "Do What Is Best For The Client". Steve taught "Welcome to Medicare" classes at Queen of the Valley hospital for two years and has helped many clients understand how Medicare works, select the correct plan, and help them to enroll.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Investment Advisor
- Representative
Terri Updegraff is a licensed investment advisor representative dedicated to helping individuals and couples thrive financially. Her vision is a world where she can assist her clients in finding financial peace throughout various phases of their lives. She is committed to contributing to this vision by working with people, especially women, to improve their financial well-being.
Terri works with a team of savvy investment advisors who aspire to have clients' best interest in mind. Her holistic approach starts with discovering what is most meaningful to her clients and creating a plan to get there. Whether it's planning for retirement, saving for college, or fulfilling a personal dream, Terri's goal is to help foster those dreams into becoming a reality.
Prior to finding her passion for helping others with their finances, Terri spent 12 years in leadership development. She also founded and ran a small business in Sonoma. Terri received her B.S. in Business Administration and Masters in Organizational Development. She is a trained coach in the co-active coaching method through the Co-Active Training Institute and has completed the Ramsey Financial Coach Master Training.
On the weekends, Terri is likely hiking in the hills, working on a home improvement project, or trying out a new recipe to be enjoyed with family and friends.
With a financial advisory practice rooted in tried-and-true money management principles, Todd approaches wealth management from a customized planning perspective.
Todd Gomes is a Sonoma County native. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife, Jessie, and their two children, Keeley, age 10, and Kaleho, age 6.
Educationally, Todd has his Bachelor of Arts from Cal State East Bay, and he's spent years studying modern portfolio theory and asset allocation strategies in a professional capacity. In his spare time, Todd enjoys hiking, playing guitar well, and playing golf poorly.