The partners at Pacific Capital Associates, John Simon, Rich Toscano, and Jose Lopez, are independent advisors offering a unique and valuable combination of experience and qualifications.

Pacific Capital Associates manages over $95 million for individuals, companies, and trusts. We specialize in active investment management and comprehensive financial planning. Other services include insurance, home loans, real estate, and estate planning.

By bringing a unique range of experience and expertise to each client's entire financial situation, Pacific Capital Associates provides the advice necessary to ensure that all components of a sound financial plan are in place and working together. Our goal is to maximize wealth and protect it as much as possible from market risk, inflation risk, taxes, probate, and litigation.

John M. Simon, JD, CFP®

John has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA (class of 1996) and a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law (class of 1999) where he won the James D. Angelo award for Outstanding Children’s Advocate of his graduating class. After graduating from law school, John married his wife Jennifer and began his career as a financial planner and investment manager.

John is a Certified Financial PlannerTM , Certified Estate Advisor, CA Real Estate Broker, and holds FINRA series 7, 66, and 24 licenses. He also has licenses in life, health, disability, and long term care insurance. John’s diverse background enables him to both manage clients’ investments and to provide them with comprehensive financial advice to be sure that the various components of a client’s financial life are in place and working together in the most efficient manner possible.

John has been married to his wife Jennifer for 8 years and they have two children, Ryan and Noah. John enjoys golfing, hockey, philosophy, church, and spending time with his family. His charitable endeavors include being trustee of a family non-profit foundation that donates over $500,000 each year to various youth oriented charitable causes. John has also been a member of the La Jolla Rotary Club since 2000 where he served as Treasurer from 2003-2005.

E-Mail John: jsimonpcasd.com

Richard E. Toscano

After attaining a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, San Diego, in 1994, Rich began a career in the software industry that would include stints at academic research institutions, startups, and large enterprises. As a side interest, he eventually began closely (some might say obsessively) following financial markets and managing money for family members.

In mid-2004, frustrated by the lack of good analysis of what he thought was an obvious speculative bubble in San Diego housing, he started a website through which to publish his research on the topic. As Piggington’s Econo-Almanac grew in popularity, Rich became recognized as an expert in the economics of the real estate bubble. His opinions on housing and other economic matters have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and numerous other publications. He has also been an occasional guest on National Public Radio and on local television news programs. In addition to the Econo- Almanac, Rich writes a column on housing and economics at VoiceofSanDiego.org, a local non-profit news publication.

In 2006, Rich decided to leave his successful software career in order to make his interest in finance and investing a full-time pursuit. After some discussions with John Simon, a long-time Econo-Almanac reader, it quickly became clear that PCA was a perfect fit for Rich’s analytical, independent, and value-oriented investment approach. Rich officially joined the firm in mid-2006.

Rich holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 designations. He has been married to his wife, Brooke, for four years. His favorite hobby by far is reading – non-fiction, fiction, and everything in between. This is to the chagrin of Brooke, who (for reasons that remain a mystery to Rich) actually likes to put down the books and leave the house from time to time.

E-Mail Rich: rtoscanopcasd.com

Jose M. Lopez

Jose is the Founder of Pacific Capital Associates and has been among the most respected financial advisors in the South Bay for over 20 years. Prior to becoming a financial advisor, Jose was a teacher and teacher’s union president.

A dedicated student of economics and world stock markets, Jose pioneered PCA’s investment management style by combining the discipline and independence of traditional value investing with a focus on global macroeconomic trends. PCA’s abundance of long-time clients is a tribute to his success.

While retired from the day-to-day aspects of the business, Jose is still actively involved with developing PCA’s ongoing investment strategies.

Jose is married to his wife Maite and has one son, Benjamin. He lives in Spain and enjoys spending time with family, traveling, history, art, exercising, and studying world markets.

Our Talented Support Staff

The staff at Pacific Capital Associates prides itself on providing a pleasant experience for our clients and making the administrative process as smooth and easy as possible. Our staff knows our clients and they are available to personally assist clients in any way possible.

Caroline Lee

Caroline joined Pacific Capital in 2004 and has developed into a highly effective manager of the office. Caroline happily handles all of the day to day administrative duties including processing account forms, client communication relating to administrative matters, scheduling of appointments, certain trading and liquidation requests, and insurance quoting and enrollment support. She is FINRA Series 11 licensed and also holds a CA Life, Health, and Long Term Care insurance license.

E-Mail Caroline: carolinepcasd.com

Sandra Sanchez

Sandra has worked for Pacific Capital Associates for 11 years and provides highly efficient support for the principals and a friendly helpful experience for the clients. Clients have come to know her as a pleasure to deal with as she always provides knowledgeable and friendly assistance.

Sandra has been married to her husband Frank for 10 years and they have 2 children, Sebastian and Bella.

E-Mail Sandra: sandrapcasd.com