Team

James Allen has been helping clients plan for, and work towards, their financial goals for over 30 years. As Director of Financial Planning and a Principal of Anchor Bay Capital, his mission is to use his extensive experience and knowledge to work in partnership with his clients – all the while adhering to the highest levels of fiduciary standards. Prior to joining Anchor Bay, Jim was a partner in an Orange County independent advisory firm. Jim also spent 14 years as Vice President and National Director of the Wealth Advisory Group for MetLife Investors. An accomplished speaker and writer, Jim is a three-time winner of the prestigious Kenneth Black Author Award from the Society of Financial Service Professionals. He is also a former instructor of the CFP program at the University of California Irvine, and serves on the boards of the Financial Planning Association of California and Orange County. He has extensive experience in many areas including: Retirement & Income Planning, Tax Planning and Preparation, Divorce Financial Planning & Analysis, Social Security Planning, & Charitable Planning. Jim obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cal State Fullerton and his Master’s Degree in Financial Planning & Taxation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has earned many other professional credentials including: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), and Retirement Income Certified Profession (RICP®). He is also an Enrolled Agent (EA) admitted to practice before the IRS and a registered tax preparer with the State of California. A Southern Californian native, Jim, his wife, and two children all enjoy the beauty of living in the southland. When he’s not providing financial advice or spending time with family and friends, Jim is also passionate about the great outdoors. Some of his favorite activities include: trail running, surfing, and mountain climbing.

Scott Spiering has worked in the financial services industry since 1987. He has earned impressive returns for clients as a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Prudential Securities and Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Kidder Peabody, and successfully matched a variety of corporations and high net worth individuals to independent money managers for Merrill Lynch. Mr. Spiering has also had diverse life experiences including a combat tour in Vietnam and post-graduate work at the prestigious Brooks Institute. In addition, Mr. Spiering is a speaker and an author. His book, The Frugal Investor, has been helpful to thousands of investors all over the country.   Click Here for more information on "The Frugal Investor"

Matthew Large, Chief Operations and Compliance Officer, is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Marketing emphasis and Psychology Minor. While attending SDSU, he competed on the Aztec Track and Field and Cross Country teams. After college he worked for Road Runner Sports where he developed a shoe fit, shoe analysis and selection system for customers and developed running training software and services. Matt then spent 10 years as a Merchant/Buyer for HD Supply in the Electrical and Communications categories and the final 4 developing and managing a new business/product category division, Hospitality Supply, growing it to over $75 million. Matt left in 2006 to start his own business in the surface repair field and coach Track and Cross Country at the High School and Middle School levels. Outside of the office, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly and their 3 children at their many activities and sports and coaching Track and Cross Country.

Tanner Wrisley received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University. He is originally from Carlsbad and went to Carlsbad High School where he was a Captain on the Varsity Baseball and Varsity Football teams. He then went on to play Division I football at Harvard where he and his teammates won 3 Ivy League titles, in 4 years. For Anchor Bay, Tanner works on the Investment Committee where he helps to initiate and execute portfolio strategies, along with his investment advising duties. He has multiple years of experience in the industry and is currently working to achieve the Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA designation. Outside of the office, Tanner likes to spend his free time playing sports casually as well as going to the gym. He also enjoys the beach, hiking, and in the winter, snowboarding.

Blake Pinyan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Enrolled Agent. He graduated from San Diego State University with a BS degree in Business Administration, majoring in Financial Services and minoring in communications. His degree in Financial Services was paired with a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning, to where he also earned Summa Cum Laude with a 3.86 GPA. He has been working in the industry since 2017 and serves on the boards of the Financial Planning Association of California and Orange County. For Anchor Bay, he is one of the lead Financial Planners and also prepares tax returns for our clients. Outside of the office, you can find Blake camping, snowboarding or watching football.

Danielle Ramirez is a Marine Veteran. From 2007-2012, she served as the Operations Manager in Avionics at Camp Pendleton - overseeing a division of 300 Marines. From there, she graduated from Platt College with a B.S. in Web Design and a focus on Marketing.  While she worked remotely as an Executive Assistant for a small trucking company, Starre Lines, Inc., she also worked as an independent Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer. Prior to working for Anchor Bay Capital, Danielle was the General Manager of Pacific Views - an event center on Camp Pendleton; overseeing 3 bars, a Starbucks, and a fully staffed kitchen. When Danielle isn't working, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her dogs, painting, and being outdoors.

From a young age, Brenda has had a life-long desire to create memorable experiences for her family & friends, and now clients. Brenda holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Gerontology from Cal State Long Beach, and a Professional Meeting Planner Certificate from Cal State Fullerton. Brenda is also a licensed Notary for the State of California. Brenda has a very diverse background having worked in the publishing field for AARP’s Maturity Magazine, and as an event coordinator for the City of Anaheim organizing everything from “The Taste of Anaheim” to the Southland Senior Olympics. She has also held a variety of roles in the personal financial industry including serving as an office manager and corporate event planner for an investment advisory firm and as a personal banker for a national bank. For 15 years, Ms. Allen, also owned her own event coordination and specialty décor business named “Decorating Unlimited” which proudly served business clients such as: UPS, Kraft Foods, Sony Music, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, and a number of large, major-chain hotels & private facilities all throughout Southern California. When she’s not planning her next client event, Brenda loves to spend time with her college sweetheart & husband, Jim; their 2 children, her dogs and entertaining her family & friends. An avid supporter of all live performing arts and an outdoor enthusiast, she loves travel & the theatre, and is very proud now to serve the clients of Anchor Bay Capital.