About Roy Y. Gagaza

After nearly 25 years in the United States Army, retired officer Roy Y. Gagaza recognized he needed a retirement plan. Yet he had no idea that his journey to retirement would assist his clients in accomplishing the same goal. With a professional purpose of assisting others in receiving the financial resources they require and the solid financial advice they deserve, he has had a unique financial planning and advising expertise. "After over 25 years of service, I retired from the military on September 30, 2008. But, approximately ten years into my career, my wife and I began to consider our options outside of the military, "the officer with two Bronze Stars remarked in an interview. Realizing the need for a profession outside of the military, he began delivering individual financial counselling and educational seminars during his final ten years in the service.

 

His military experience has been beneficial, offering a solid foundation for hard work and a pragmatic attitude to schooling and business. Recently, he noted, "I enjoy working with senior clients—those aged 55 and up. I get along better with folks my own age. They've been through a lot and seen a lot in their lives." He has helped his clients work towards their dream retirement by establishing well-thought-out financial strategies that take a personal approach to their objectives and goals by capitalizing on his experience and rolling it into gains. Simultaneously, he has taken the time to design unique techniques for each client and get to know each individual and their family, resulting in long-lasting partnerships that provide great outcomes.

 

He is proud to assist the community by offering financial education to people from all walks of life. He has a long history of working with local school districts, CPAs, the highway patrol, Chambers of Commerce, and others. Roy Y. Gagaza earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from San Jose State University and is also a Financial Professional, Certified Estate Planner, and Registered Financial Counselor with insurance licenses in Hawaii and California. He developed an interest in the Hawaiian market due to his military experiences there, and he decided to test the market by presenting a lecture on the island.

 

He has also observed a considerable difference between these two major markets. Hawaiian clientele is more conservative, whereas northern Californians in the tech sector like to play stocks and take on excessive risk. These diverse groupings necessitate a delicate touch, urging conservative planners to take on a little more risk while attempting to mitigate risk for others who believe that investing in high-risk equities is not Gagaza's area of expertise. In an interview, he stated, "The objective for me is to help my clients keep their money and have everlasting income."

 

In addition to his military honours, he has received several civilian awards, including the Advisors Excel Elite Advisor Award every year since 2018, the Allianz Century Award - 100 million in premium, and the Security Benefit Elite Advisor Award in 2018 and 2020. Most recently, Roy and his wife, Patricia, were inducted into the Advisors Excel Hall of Fame. Roy Y. Gagaza has led several instructional seminars that have reached hundreds of people nearing retirement. His financial advice enables them to conserve their assets, adopt tax-efficient ways to lower their tax liability and build retirement income solutions, allowing them to enjoy their golden years with peace of mind. But, he advises his clients to build spending plans that are both realistic and well-founded, in addition to simply investing for retirement. He discovers that many people fall into difficulty roughly five years before and after retirement. "People reach their "red zone" when they assume they have arrived. And they start saying: "Let's take that cruise. Or how about 12 of them?" Nonetheless, a delicate balance and a plan must be in place before proceeding."

 

He believes in community building outside the office and delivering a robust, holistic approach to planning for many persons through asset preservation, risk reduction, and principal protection. In an on-demand, fast-paced society, he establishes long-term relationships with his customers and their families, distinguishing himself from many financial advisers. This tight relationship with his client base has put him in a solid position for long-term, sustainable financial growth; as he states, "I'd rather establish a business of referrals than a few huge clients." He often matches customer contributions to philanthropic organizations, particularly those centred on the military, such as US Vets and Folds of Honor. Because they understand the challenges that military families face daily, his family recognizes the importance of assisting military personnel as they transition from active duty and military life back into civilian life, including housing, mental health, wellness, workforce development, and support that is tailored to each veteran's specific needs.

 

But he's had a full and fulfilling life outside of the office. Patricia, his wife, business partner, and co-founder has been by his side for the past 24 years and many years as a military wife. After graduating from the University of Pacific with a Business Finance degree and obtaining his Life and Health Insurance license, their son, Grant, wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. Mackenzie, their middle child, recently married and holds a Master of Education in Literacy. She teaches high school English. Kyrie, the eldest child, is also married and has just given birth to Roy and Patricia's first grandchild, Eleanor. Kyrie holds a Master of Business Administration and is the Senior Team Lead, Marketing Operations at Yardi Systems, a real estate software company.

 

Roy Y. Gagaza enjoys spending time in the sea, paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving, refining his golf game, snowboarding, and unwinding with a good book when he is not with his family.