When can you enjoy everything you’ve worked for?
Welcome to a different kind of wealth management in Kahului
We get you to think about money like you’ve never thought about it before
Has rolling up your sleeves, working hard, and building success always been part of your DNA? Then we believe Mercer Advisors is the wealth management firm for you.
Because we’re here to help you keep building on that success. But at the same time, we fundamentally believe there’s a point in life where the wealth-builder in you deserves to become the wealth-enjoyer of all you’ve attained.
We’re built differently
Because to us, helping you protect and grow your wealth is about much more than just your investment portfolio
Of course, a well-managed investment portfolio is the cornerstone to building wealth. And we strive to do that exceptionally well.
But if returns are your sole focus, those returns can quickly be offset by what happens in the other parts of your financial life. Like not preparing for major taxable events, having an incomplete estate plan, a retirement plan that’s on autopilot, or a less than ideal business succession strategy.
So, unlike most firms, we have expertise across financial planning, investing strategy, tax and estate planning, trust services, insurance coverage, and more. With specialists across each of these areas communicating with each other about you, and with you.
Put simply, we help oversee and connect all the dots of your financial life.
Meet our talented wealth advisors in the Kahului area
They’re here to help you connect all your financial dots
Alice McDermott
Wealth Advisor
Alice McDermott
Wealth Advisor
Alice joined Mercer Advisors via the acquisition of FIM Group in 2018. She began her career at FIM Group and spent 21 years there, assisting clients with their financial, tax, retirement, college, and estate planning. Alice is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. She earned an undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she studied finance and accounting. Although raised on Oahu, Alice settled on the island of Maui in 1992. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, paddling canoes, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and traveling.
David Ventura
Wealth Advisor
David Ventura
Wealth Advisor
CFP®, EA
David joined Mercer Advisors in 2018. He collaborates with clients and their families to develop and implement financial plans designed to achieve their financial goals. David is passionate about helping people navigate their financial lives by finding creative opportunities that incorporate all areas of comprehensive financial planning, including cash flow analysis, tax strategies, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management. David earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from Cal State Northridge and received his financial planning education at UCLA Extension. He proudly offers pro-bono financial guidance through the “Advisors Give Back” program sponsored by the CFP® Board. David enjoys training for ultramarathons and Ironman competitions. When not training, he enjoys spending time with his niece. David is fluent in Spanish.
Krista-Arlene Palakiko
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Krista-Arlene Palakiko
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Krista is passionate about building and maintaining strong relationships and lifelong connections with both clients and colleagues. She joined Mercer Advisors with over 11 years of client service experience in the financial industry. Born and raised in Hawaii, Krista embraces her diverse ethnicity and warm personality to aide in providing exceptional client service with Aloha. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and has three children, Krislen, Alia and Keenan. During her free time, she loves traveling, baking, and crafting. Most of all, she loves spending time and making memories with her family and friends.
Matt Cook
Managing Director
Matt Cook
Managing Director
CFP®, AEP®
Matt started working at Mercer Advisors in 2002 and has since been helping clients chart their financial futures and make important decisions that affect all aspects of their wealth. As a managing director, he oversees the Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Hawaii markets, serves on the senior leadership team and the investment committee, and is an advisor to the firm’s high-net-worth clients. Matt received his degree in economics and business from Westmont College. He is an active participant of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, serves on the board of the Page Youth Center, and is a volunteer for the local AYSO club. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and their three children.
Jeff Katz
Regional Vice President
Jeff Katz
Regional Vice President
Jeff began his career in the financial services industry in 1979, serving institutional and high-net-worth clients. His past professional experiences include institutional securities sales, fixed income bond trading, and managing the institutional brokerage unit at Union Bank and UnionBanc Investment Services. Jeff graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Finance, earned his MBA from Pepperdine University, and holds the FINRA Series 65 License. He is the published author of “Investing in Money Market Securities”.
Nicholas Ladaga
Associate RVP
Nicholas Ladaga
Associate RVP
Nicholas began his career in the financial services industry in 2019 and brings 10 years of sales, marketing, and customer services experience to the team. He was born and raised in Michigan and earned his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University. Nicholas focuses on elite customer service and works every day to make sure you reach your financial goals. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, coaching basketball, and traveling. Nicholas holds the Series 65 License.
Danny Polyakov
Manager, Sr. Financial Planner
Danny Polyakov
Manager, Sr. Financial Planner
CFP®, EA
Danny began his financial planning career in 2020 with a passion for helping clients simplify the path to their best financial life. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and an enrolled agent. As a financial planning analyst at Mercer Advisors, Danny builds strong client relationships, develops well- rounded financial plans, and delivers advice that’s in the client’s best interest. Prior to Mercer Advisors, Danny climbed the ranks of the entertainment industry. He earned a degree in economics and film studies from Claremont McKenna College and was a NCAA Division III champion in water polo. Danny is a member of the Financial Planning Association, speaks Russian, and enjoys traveling and physical activity. He lives in Westlake Village with his wife, two children, and chocolate Lab.
Brittany Doyle
Director, Client Service
Brittany Doyle
Director, Client Service
Brittany began her career in finance at Goldman Sachs working in private wealth management in their Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York offices. There she was able to hone her client service skills providing elevated support to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families with their wealth management needs. She brings that same level of expertise to her clients at Mercer Advisors by providing proactive and seamless support. Brittany earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Special Education from California State University, Northridge. Brittany enjoys the beach, the Los Angeles Dodgers and binging the latest streaming series with her husband and their cat.
Susy Gibo
Sr. Regional Sales Associate
Susy Gibo
Sr. Regional Sales Associate
Susy started her financial career with TD Ameritrade and joined Mercer Advisors in 2019. Prior to that, she spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry in various sales and marketing roles. Susy was inspired to change careers after going through the planning process for her family and her parents. She has a deep desire to help change people’s lives by helping them plan for economic success. Susy grew up in Honolulu and now calls Arizona home with her husband and three children. She has an MBA from Arizona State University and holds the FINRA Series 66 License.
Paul Seidman
SVP, Channel Sales
Paul Seidman
SVP, Channel Sales
CFP®, CRPC®
Paul began his career in the financial services industry in 2003. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, he was president at Empowerment Financial Group and a senior vice president at Alpha Cubed Investments. He was a high school football coach for 19 seasons and his foundation is built on teamwork and working together to achieve our client’s goals. Paul graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance major with an emphasis on portfolio management.
We’ll team you up
with one of our talented wealth advisors who’ll help you connect all your financial dots
We’ll touch base to discuss your individual needs so that we can connect you with a wealth advisor who’s right for you.
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Please Note: The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Mercer Advisors is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.