planningperspectives

Charles D. Gibson - AAMS®, AWMA(SM), CFP®, ChFC®, CRPS®, MBA Chuck is the founder and President of Financial Perspectives. He was recognized as one of America's Best Financial Planners 2006 & 2009 by the Consumers' Research Council of America. With more than a thirteen years in the investment management/financial planning industry, Chuck combines a wealth of experience with an extensive emphasis on ongoing research and education. Chuck's passion and day-to-day responsibilities is the creation of custom investment strategies enabling his clients meet their financial goals. The global financial crisis has forced dramatic changes to once believed sacred investment philosophies and Chuck is at the forefront of developing unique, risk balanced solutions to insure ongoing investment success.

Before starting into the investment advisory business and founding Financial Perspectives, Chuck worked for 20+ years in the electronics industry. He held various management positions with multiple companies in the Silicon Valley, the last being Director of Hi-Rel Business Unit at Actel Corporation in Sunnyvale, CA.

Education and Credentials

BS Chemical Eng. - UC Santa Barbara
Masters Business Admin. - Pepperdine University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) - CFP® Board of Standards, Inc.
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) - American College
Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) - College for Financial Planning
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) - College for Financial Planning
Accreditied Wealth Management Advisor [AWMA(SM)] - College for Financial Planning

Melanie A. Pelayo - CFP®, CRPC® Melanie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. She has worked as a financial advisor for over seven years, all at Financial Perspectives. Melanie’s main responsibility is handling the financial planning needs of clients. She works with them either on an hourly basis or as part of the full-service asset management program, providing solutions in areas such as cash flow/budgeting, debt management, insurance needs, tax analysis, investments, education funding and estate planning. In particular, she specializes in retirement planning, and is instrumental in counseling clients heading into and living in retirement to ensure they have financial security for their lifetime. Melanie has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor credential to further her knowledge, understanding and problem-solving ability when it comes to the challenges facing retirees.

Melanie’s particular interest is in developing planning strategies for pre- and post-retirees that will provide them secure income through retirement. She is passionate about making people aware of the necessity of saving for retirement, given the uncertainties surrounding Social Security and employer provided benefits. Ultimately, it is her goal to improve people’s preparedness to face the imminent challenges retirement presents. She was named one of America’s Top Financial Planners for 2008-2009 by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. In addition she volunteers her time to programs like NAPFA-Kiplinger’s Retirement Hotline and the Money Bus, as well as to her local community parishes, providing free financial advice to those needing assistance.

A native Californian, Melanie braved the more extreme weather of Central New York to attend Syracuse University, where she graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude - Syracuse University
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) - CFP® Board of Standards, Inc.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) – College for Financial Planning