Beach Fin Rising

Wade Perry is a Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Stonemark Wealth Management. In addition to overseeing Stonemark’s compliance with SEC regulations, Wade is focused on working with clients to implement comprehensive, customized solutions for asset allocation, estate planning and philanthropic strategies.

Wade began his financial career with Putnam Investments as a Retirement Plan Specialist. He then moved to American Express Financial Advisors where he was named a Managing Principal and Branch Manager. Prior to co-founding Stonemark (formerly WESPAC Advisors SoCal, LLC), Wade was a Vice President at Tower Asset Management, where he developed a client practice of high-net-worth individuals as well as several corporate retirement plan clients. He has held Securities Licenses: 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65 and a California Life and Health Insurance Producers license and has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies®, the standards-setting body for Fi360. The AIF designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care. The Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) credential – developed by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and demonstrates knowledge, expertise and commitment to working with retirement plans.

Wade earned a cum laude bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and has provided market, economic and financial planning commentary to media outlets including CNN, CNBC, FOX NEWS, and KCAL9. He is a Director on the Board of The Fisher House Foundation of Southern California.

Wade served honorably in the United States Marine Corps deploying multiple times including active participation in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He is also a member of the Newport Beach American Legion, Newport Beach Post 291 and their Ceremonial Honor Guard. The Honor Guard provides military funeral ceremonies for veterans who have served honorably in the United States Military and provides support services for community events with numerous variations of Color Guard teams.

He is a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at his church. Wade lives with his wife and family in Long Beach.

Melda Mergen, CFA, CAIA

Melda Mergen is the founder of Credo Investment Partners, an investment management firm. She brings 25 years of experience in equity investing, most recently as Managing Director and Global Head of Equities at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, where she oversaw equity portfolio management teams responsible for more than $300 billion in assets across 31 U.S. and international strategies. Earlier in her career, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Investment Oversight, where she led a team of analysts monitoring investment strategies representing over $500 billion in assets across equities, fixed income, and asset allocation. Her background spans both fundamental and quantitative investing across US and international equities. Melda has been recognized among Pensions & Investments' Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing and as Global Equities Leader of the Year by Women in Asset Management. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Melda holds an MBA in Quantitative Finance from UMass Amherst and a BS in Economics from Bogazici University. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Winchester, Massachusetts