Meet Our Team
We are pleased to introduce the Life&Wealth Advisors team of professionals.
Gary P. Gardner - President
Mr. Gary P. Gardner's dynamic and impressive career is built on his commitment to improving the lives of his clients and community. Helping people plan and prepare for a wide range of Life's Events for 30 years, and as President of Life&Wealth Advisors®, Gary has created a business which thrives on long-term client relationships.
Upon graduating from UCSB, Gary volunteered for the Peace Corps for two years in West Africa. He returned to the U.S. to enter the financial services industry and helped pioneer the fledgling financial planning movement. Gary is a Certified Financial Planner®, Registered Investment Advisor, and a Director of the Hospice of the East Bay Foundation. He also serves as Industry Advisor to the UC Berkeley Extension Personal Financial Planning Student Advisory Board. He is the past president of the Financial Planning Association of the East Bay. He has sat on national advisory panels for institutional money management firms, provided analysis for television and radio programs, written articles and been interviewed for industry publications.
Gary and his wife Trish are devoted to their five children and six grandchildren. Gary enjoys church, travel, a lifelong love of volleyball, and an occasional game of golf.
J. Illana Weisman - Planner
Illana joined the Life&Wealth team in July 2005 and currently serves as Planner for the firm.
After receiving her MBA in Accounting from the University of California at Berkeley, Illana worked as an internal auditor at Blue Cross and the Office of Thrift Supervision for 11 years. She then took a career detour, returning to San Francisco State University to get a teaching credential.
She recently received the Certified Financial Planner® designation having completed all educational requirements.
Janice Kelso - Client Communications Coordinator
Janice has worked part-time with Life&Wealth Advisors since joining the team in June 2005. Her primary responsibilities include client services and marketing.
Previous to her tenure with Life&Wealth Advisors, she has had the privilege of being a "stay-at-home mom" and active school, church, and sports program volunteer. Prior to and in concert with those volunteer experiences, Janice managed a small technology firm and worked full-time for a Fortune 500 insurance firm as a Project Manager - managing various business units, telecom, and design and build-out of corporate offices.
Elaine Baker - Client Relationship Manager
Elaine has managed office administration and special projects for Life&Wealth Advisors since joining the team in June 2007.
For the past 8 years, she has enjoyed being a "stay-at-home mom" and active school volunteer as the chairman of many school programs and as PTA President. Prior to those volunteer experiences, Elaine worked full-time in the legal sector for 20 years as a litigation secretary, IT training manager, and records manager.
Primary responsibilities include client services, while learning and gaining experience in the financial planning industry. Elaine's outside interests include spending time with her family and friends.