Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. , which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Towneley Staff

Wesley McCain, Ph.D., CFA is the founder and chairman of Towneley Capital Management Inc. Prior to founding Towneley in 1971, he was an assistant professor of finance at Columbia University 's Graduate School of Business Administration.  He received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan , an M.B.A. from Columbia University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University .  He is the founder and former chairman of Eclipse Financial Asset Trust and a former senior managing director of New York Life Investment Management LLC.  He has also served as a director of two insurance companies, one industrial company and several mutual funds.  He is a past public governor and independent director of the PCX Stock & Options Exchange, PCX Equities, NYSE Arca Inc. and the NYSE Arca Equities Inc. Dr. McCain is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Institute.

Tracy Thatcher Kuntz, MBA, CFP^̉ President, oversees the management of all client portfolios and office operations, including client relations and marketing functions. Ms. Kuntz has been a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant since 1993. She received her B.S. from the University of Southern California in 1982, and her M.B.A. from University of California , Irvine in 1997.  Ms. Kuntz is an active member of both the Orange County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and the Investment Management Consultants Association. She has been with Towneley since 1985.

Lisa Tomlinson, CFP^̉ Portfolio Manager, is the primary contact person overseeing the day-to-day management of her clients' accounts, trading their portfolios and addressing any questions they may have. She is also responsible for the overall coordination of the Multiple Mutual Fund Program (MMFP), acting as Towneley's liaison to the mutual fund companies.  Ms. Tomlinson has been a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant since 1993. She received her B.A. from UCLA in 1980. She is an active member of the Orange County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and has been with Towneley since 1987.

Heidi Haynes, CFP^̉ Portfolio Manager, is the primary contact person overseeing the day-to-day management of her clients' accounts, trading their portfolios and addressing any questions they may have. Ms. Haynes has extensive past financial experience as a business manager, a bookkeeper and a contract auditor.  Ms. Haynes has been a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant since 1995. She studied at MTI Business College , receiving a certificate in 1974.  She also attended University of La Verne in La Verne , CA and the University of California , Irvine .  Ms. Haynes participates actively in the Orange County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. She has been with Towneley since 1990.

Ernie Garrett, CFP^̉ Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, provides information and analyses to the portfolio managers. He monitors our Exchange Traded Fund accounts and researches the investment philosophy and monitors several thousand mutual funds.  Mr. Garrett has been a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant since 2004. He received his B.A. from California State University , Fullerton in 1996.  Mr. Garrett actively participates in the Orange County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and has been with Towneley since 2001.

Shu Chin Li, M.B.A, CFA Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, specializes in international equity analysis and the development of quantitative global asset allocation strategies. Prior to joining TCM in 2003, she was a research consultant to TCM and an emerging markets equity research analyst for Newgate LLP, a Connecticut-based global money management firm. During her employment with Newgate LLP, the firm won 2000 Best Money Manager surveyed by Emerging Markets Week. Previously, she had accumulated international banking and finance experiences in currency trading and risk management for Taiwanese firms. She received an M.S. in statistics from University of Toronto and an M.B.A. in finance and international business from Stern School of New York University. Ms. Li is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the Association for Investment Management and Research.

Robyn Bahlinger, J.D., CFP, Chief Compliance Officer and Financial Planner, provides research and responds to client questions about cash flow and budgeting, insurance coverage, retirement savings and withdrawals, college savings and financial aid, estate planning, taxes and employee benefits. She also oversees firm compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Ms. Bahlinger received an A.B. from Occidental College in 1982, her J.D. degree from the University of California , Davis in 1987, and has been a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant since 2005. Ms. Bahlinger is an active member and former secretary of the Orange County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. She joined Towneley in 2001.

Marnie Cesarini, M.B.A  Programmer and Performance Analyst, provides programming support for the mutual fund trading program. In addition, she provides performance and cost basis analysis and maintains the portfolio management system. She received her B.S. from California Baptist University in 1985 and her M.B.A. from Pepperdine University in 1989.

Christina Elmore, Portfolio Administrator, assists with account reconciliation, fund communication and trading. She also coordinates the quarterly and annual reporting to clients and provides administrative support. Ms. Elmore received her B.S. from California State University , Fullerton in 2003.  Ms. Elmore joined Towneley in 2004.  

Robert Seaman, M.S.,  Business Development Manager, is responsible for sales and marketing activities. He has over twenty years experience in management and financial consulting. He received a B.A. degree in Management Engineering from Claremont Men's College, and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and a M.S. in Economic Systems Planning from Stanford University . Mr. Seaman holds a Series 65 securities license.  As a former Registered Representative, he also earned his Series 7, and 63 securities licenses. He is active in several organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Planned Giving Round Table, and the California Society of Association Executives. In addition, Mr. Seaman has served as an Ambassador of the South County Chamber of Commerce for the past five years. Mr. Seaman joined Towneley in 2005.

Sheila Lagrand, Ph.D.,  Operations Manager, oversees operations in the Towneley west coast office and leads special projects in support of administrative, marketing, and client service functions. She completed her B.A. degree at the University of California , San Diego and her M.A. and Ph.D. at UCLA. Dr. Lagrand joined Towneley in 2006

Gretchen Gibson, Special Projects Coordinator, provides marketing and client service support for Towneley Capital Management.  She also coordinates internal projects.  Ms. Gibson received her B.F.A. from the California College of Arts and Crafts in 1977.  In 1997 she completed the Asset Management Education Program offered by the College for Financial Planning.  Ms. Gibson joined Towneley in 1992.

Thy Dang, Administrative Assistant, provides support with administrative duties such as collecting information, preparing reports and correspondence for the president and portfolio managers. She assists in marketing support and also maintains office equipment and supplies.  Ms. Dang is working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Finance from California State University , Fullerton .  Ms. Dang joined Towneley in 2006.

Alma Ramos, Office Manager, oversees all the daily operating aspects of the Towneley east coast office and acts as liaison between the east and west coast offices.  Ms. Ramos joined Towneley in 1988.