John works with the team to design and maintain individualized investment plans for successful clients, helping them address their short- and long-term goals according to their personal lifetime objectives. He works in conjunction with clients’ tax and legal advisors to develop an integrated approach to their overall investment plans.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2002, John worked at KPMG Peat Marwick and has also served as the CFO of both private and publicly traded companies. Through his diverse career experience, he has gained the perspective to advise clients on a wide range of challenges, such as setting up retirement plans, addressing business succession and preparing for wealth transfer.

John was ranked #25 on Forbes' list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for Southern California in 2025. He was also included on this list from 2018-2024.*

John has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation and holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations and Life and Disability Insurance licenses. He graduated magna cum laude from Lehigh University with a BS in economics and an emphasis in accounting. He lives in Lake Forest with his wife, Kelly, and outside the office he enjoys traveling, attending live concerts, and spending time at the beach.

Insurance License #0E31896. Resident State CA
 
*See awards disclosures here: https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/disclosures/awards-disclosures.htm#forbes

For more than 25 years at Wells Fargo, Horacio has helped individuals and families make confident financial decisions with a steady, thoughtful approach rooted in competence, diligence, and genuine care.

He believes that wealth management is about supporting families and the goals that matter most to them. Put simply, clients come first. Horacio takes time to understand each client’s circumstances, gathers the right information, and develops plans that are practical, clear, and aligned with their needs.

Clients value his calm demeanor and consistent follow‑through. He works to make complex situations feel manageable and strives to create a smooth, well‑coordinated experience where communication is timely and questions are answered with patience, diligence, and clarity.

Horacio designs and manages investment portfolios tailored to each client, drawing on capital‑markets insight, careful due diligence, and ongoing review.

Recognizing that sophisticated planning often requires diverse perspectives and specialized expertise, Horacio places a strong emphasis on a team‑based approach. He values collaboration and actively engages professional colleagues with deep subject‑matter knowledge—leveraging their insights to deliver comprehensive, well‑rounded solutions in the best interests of his clients.

Horacio was ranked #50 on Forbes' list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for Southern California in 2025. He was also included on this list from 2022-2024.* Horacio maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations and Life and Disability Insurance licenses. He graduated with a BA in business administration with an emphasis in personal financial planning and investment management from California State University, Fullerton.

CA Insurance License Number: 0D84276. Resident State CA
 
*See awards disclosures here: https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/disclosures/awards-disclosures.htm#forbes

Aaron works with high net worth clients to develop customized wealth plans and implement solutions based on a thorough understanding of their personal values, asset growth and wealth transfer goals, and vision for their legacy.

Aaron joined Wells Fargo & Co. in 2017 as a Regional Wealth Planning Manager with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management division for Orange County and San Diego. Aaron has an extensive background providing wealth planning services to high net-worth clients, with an emphasis on working with business owners and real estate investors.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Aaron was an estate, business, and tax planning attorney (not currently practicing) advising high net-worth clients on all aspects of their estate planning and administration with a particular focus on implementing complex estate planning strategies to minimize estate and income tax, provide asset protection, facilitate charitable giving, and preserve positive family dynamics.*

Aaron earned a JD (not currently practicing) with an emphasis in taxation, cum laude, from Chapman University of Law. Prior to law, he worked as a financial advisor and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, cum laude, from California State University, Fullerton. Aaron was ranked #45 on Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors for Southern California in 2025.**

For fun, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and their two daughters playing sports and music and watching movies. 

Insurance License #0F07431. Resident State CA

*Wells Fargo is not a legal or tax advisor.
**See awards disclosures here: https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/disclosures/awards-disclosures.htm#forbes

Melinda Woodell is a Managing Director - Investments in the San Diego region of Wells Fargo Advisors. Mrs. Woodell specializes in managing the complex financial needs of high-net-worth clients. With over 30 years of experience, Melinda has guided many of Southern California’s most prominent families through trust and estate planning strategies, credit solutions through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and business succession strategies.*

Prior to joining Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in 2011, Melinda worked at US Trust for 20 years, where she was a Senior Private Client Advisor, primarily focusing her practice on executives and family-owned businesses.

Melinda earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from University of Phoenix. Melinda’s professional achievements have included being recognized as one of Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors as well as Best-in-State Women Advisors for Southern CA in 2025, attending Barron’s Top 100 Female Financial Advisor’s Summit in 2010.**

Melinda has been married to her husband for over 18 years. Her husband is a 27-year veteran Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department. They have a 12-year-old son who loves lacrosse and football.

Melinda and her family love to travel and - when work, school, and sports schedules allow - they take an international trip together each year.

Insurance License #0D17357. Resident State CA

*See awards disclosures here: https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/disclosures/awards-disclosures.htm#forbes

Elizabeth serves as a trusted advisor to successful individuals, multi-generational families and business owners in Texas, leading the Austin Office for Corepoint Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. She and her dedicated team provide holistic advice and strategies that address clients’ unique needs, guiding them through complex issues and opportunities related to investments, wealth, tax, business transitions and family legacy planning. Elizabeth’s background as an estate and tax attorney with deep advanced planning expertise uniquely positions her to lead and proactively coordinate her clients’ full team of advisors efficiently.

Elizabeth began her career advising philanthropists and large nonprofit organizations on charitable giving techniques and other tax matters. She spent the next ten years with Wells Fargo Private Bank as an advanced planning expert before relocating her family to Texas to lead private client relationships for Northern Trust’s Austin office.  She holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® designation as well as FINRA Series 7, 63 and 66 registrations. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Pepperdine University School of Law, where she earned her JD* (not currently practicing).

Elizabeth currently serves as an Executive Board member for both Texas Water Trade (focused on securing the requisite water resources needed to sustain the State’s anticipated growth over the coming decades) and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce Foundation (supporting the community’s educational programming for the financial empowerment of women). She’s a long-standing Community Advisory Board member of Helping Hand Home of Austin and regular volunteer. She is an active member of the Estate Planning Council of Central Texas and coaches for Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association. The rest of her time is happily spent with her husband and three children, playing as many sports as possible and enjoying the extended family she convinced to join her here in Texas.

*Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide tax or legal advice

TX Insurance License: 3405693, Resident State: TX

Sang builds and maintains trusted client relationships by taking a prompt, personalized and proactive approach to managing clients’ service needs, including updating and managing the details of their wealth plan. He works diligently on the front lines and behind the scenes to deliver exceptional client service. Sang earned a BA in Economics from the University of California, Irvine and holds the Series 7 and 66 registrations and Life and Disability Insurance licenses.

He lives in Irvine with his wife, Lin, and their two children Hunter and Hailey. In his free time, he loves to go fishing with his family and friends.

Insurance License #0G47644. Resident State CA

Richard is often the first person our clients call when they have a question or need account assistance. His attention to detail, combined with his investment knowledge and understanding of the financial industry, make him a respected go-to client resource and an integral part of our team since joining in 2005. Richard graduated from the University of California, Irvine and holds the Series 7 and 66 registrations and Life and Disability Insurance licenses.

When Richard and his wife, Caroline, are not chauffeuring their kids between baseball and basketball practices, he enjoys watching Dodgers’ and Lakers’ games.

Insurance License #0F18830. Resident State CA

Kelley assists clients with a full scope of services, including onboarding, monetary transactions, and service inquiries. Her administrative and operational responsibilities are wide ranging: she establishes new accounts, coordinates online services, maintains records and reports, and addresses client needs with precision and efficiency. After receiving her BA from Cal Poly Pomona, she worked at Crowell, Weeden & Co. as a Sales Assistant before joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2013, and she holds the Series 7, 66, 9 and 10 registrations, as well as Life and Disability Insurance licenses. Kelley lives in Altaloma with her husband, son, and two dogs.

Outside the office, she enjoys scuba diving and attending country music concerts.

Insurance License #0I49027. Resident State CA

Merrianne is dedicated to creating an exemplary client service experience by seeking out and implementing practices tailored specifically for each client. She began her career at Banc of America/Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor specializing in client retention and later joined Wells Fargo Private Bank as a Wealth Analyst before transitioning to the team at Wells Fargo Advisors in 2021. Merrianne earned a BS and BA from the University of Southern California and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. In addition, she holds the Series 7 and 66 registrations and Life and Disability Insurance licenses.

Merrianne lives in Laguna Niguel with her husband, their young daughter, Evie, and a cadre of cats.

Insurance License #0F84193. Resident State CA

Josie is a recent addition to the Client Support Team, bringing with her a wealth of experience from a career at Wells Fargo that began in 1999. Recently transitioning from Commercial Banking to Wells Fargo Advisors, she now works closely with clients to anticipate their needs and address potential challenges proactively.  Known for her strong organizational skills, sharp attention to detail, and practical approach to problem-solving, Josie has quickly become a valued and trusted member of the team.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the California State University, Long Beach and is working toward becoming a licensed member of the team. On weekends, Josie and her husband Matt can usually be found on the sidelines of soccer tournaments, lacrosse games, flag football—or the occasional youth golf tournament—cheering on their two very active sons.