Pacific Capital Associates is an independent investment management and financial planning firm that has been serving San Diego and beyond since 2003.
We are fiduciaries who always put our clients’ interests first. We’re committed to providing straightforward, candid advice and to doing our best to prudently invest our clients’ savings.
At PCA, we strive for a small company feel. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, no-pressure experience, with real people answering the phone and any of us an email away. Our focus on client service, together with our deep and varied expertise, make for a great overall client experience. Meet the team below…
John M. Simon, JD, CFP®
John has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification as well as licenses in securities, real estate, and multiple forms of insurance.
John has managed client investment accounts since 2000 and managed or co-managed accounts as part of Pacific Capital Associates since 2003. His diverse background enables him both to manage clients’ investments and to provide them with comprehensive financial advice, ensuring that the various components of their financial lives are in place and working together in the most efficient manner possible.
John married his wife Jennifer in 1999 and they have two children, Ryan and Noah. He enjoys playing golf and hockey, coaching hockey, philosophy, church, charity, and spending time with his family. He is particularly concerned with child welfare, and was awarded the James D. Angelo award for Outstanding Children’s Advocate of his graduating class at USD Law. John has also been a member of the La Jolla Rotary Club, and currently serves as the trustee of a family non-profit foundation that donates to multiple youth-oriented charitable causes.
Rich Toscano
After graduating from the University of California, San Diego in 1994, Rich began a career in the technology industry that would include stints at academic research institutions, startups, and large enterprises. As a side interest, he eventually began closely following financial markets and managing money for family members.
In 2004, frustrated by the lack of good analysis of San Diego’s housing bubble, he started the website Piggington’s Econo-Almanac to publish his housing research. This site became quite popular, despite its name, and Rich became recognized as an expert in the economics of the real estate bubble. His analysis on housing and other market topics has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and numerous other publications.
In 2006, Rich decided to leave the software industry 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, value-oriented investment approach. He joined the firm later that year.
Rich is an avid exerciser, which is good, because he is also an avid eater. He likes reading, cooking, laughing with friends, and good fiction in any medium. He believes that all of these activities are better when paired with a nicely aged single malt scotch, except, in some cases, the exercising. Rich and his wife Jessica, a software development manager, live in Bay Park with an exceedingly spoiled pit bull mutt named Maggie.
Kevin B. Stone, CFP®
Kevin spent the first years of his life in the suburbs of Chicago. At age 18 he sought the opportunity to live in San Diego and attend San Diego State University. He graduated, 1990, with a B. S. Degree in Business Administration. His focus while at SDSU was in the area of Financial Services and Real Estate. He says, “The Financial Services Major at SDSU was targeted to provide the knowledge for those wanting to help individuals/couples/families and small business manage their financial lives. It was a brilliant program. I felt lucky to have had the experience as many colleges did not offer such a tailored education in this area.”
During college he began his career, 1989, by working with a Fee Only financial planning company. After graduation he was offered a full time position. He says, “My title was Case Writer. I basically conducted all of the research for the comprehensive financial plans then organized the results into a nice easy to understand report. The clients received a great value. Unlike most of the industry, we weren’t selling financial products. Our advice and planning was objective and right to the point.”
Readied to have an increased role working directly with clients, Kevin decided to make a change. Timing was perfect as he was introduced to Lee Crawford, President of Crawford Capital Management. “We hit it off instantly. Lee specifically designed Crawford Capital Management to eliminate all conflicts of interest with his clients. We spoke the same language. A few decades, plus, later we still enjoy helping our clients manage, organize and fine tune their financial lives.” In 2017, Crawford Capital joined forces with Pacific Capital Associates.
Outside of PCA, Kevin has spent years volunteering for local children’s charities as well as enjoying his membership in the local Kiwanis service club. He’s an avid outdoorsman, enjoying the natural beauty of our world whenever he has a free moment.
Kevin also holds the Certified Financial Planner™ certification, since 1992.
Caroline Kottas
Caroline has been with PCA since 2004. She is our Operations Manager, having responsibility for many of PCA’s back-office functions, and takes the lead on all insurance-related business. She holds licenses in securities as well as a CA Life, Health, and Long Term Care insurance license. Caroline lives with her husband, Kyle.
Sandra Sanchez
Sandra has worked with PCA for many years, most recently having returned in 2006 after taking a few years off to be with her young children. She is the friendly voice clients hear when they call the office. She provides efficient, knowledgeable support to clients and her colleagues at PCA, and clients have come to know her as a pleasure to work with. Sandra has been married to her husband Frank since 1997; they have 2 children, Sebastian and Bella.
Victoria Hooker
Victoria joined PCA in 2018 and brings over 10 years of financial industry experience. Victoria is the compliance manager with PCA and oversees the execution of the firm’s regulation policies, as well as many other operational duties. Prior to joining PCA, Victoria worked at Girard Securities as a Senior Operations Associate. In 2012 she was awarded Employee of the Year.
Victoria was born and raised in San Diego. She and her husband Alek have 2 sons, AJ and Camden. She also serves on the board of directors for her son’s little league baseball team.