Josh Koehnen, CFP®

Professional Bio

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
You must always give something of yourself first before you can expect to get anything in return. I truly believe that those who give first are rewarded the most.

Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy helping people make smart decisions about their money and it is very satisfying when I see that the guidance we provide makes a real difference in helping them achieve their goals. Each day always brings a new experience, challenge or adventure. We get to hear interesting life stories all the time and then connect as a team to provide strategies and solutions.

What do you feel most grateful for in life?
Family is the most important thing in my life. I have an amazing wife and three beautiful little girls that motivate me every day. I am so blessed and grateful to have them.

Ari Crandall, EA, CFP®

Professional Bio

Why do you do what you do?
I love to help people. Making a measurable impact that improves peace of mind and well-being in others keeps me motivated.

What do you feel most grateful for in life?
Being able to spend time with my family is what I’m most grateful for in life. After going through some health challenges the past few years, I became refocused on what’s most important. Through most struggles a person can gain the gifts of appreciation and perspective. Two things I carry with me every day.

What is your greatest passion?
My greatest passion in life is surfing; I live it, breath it, and love it. If I’m not in the office or home, chances are you’ll find me at the beach. Many things in my life outside of work revolve around surfing and being in the ocean. How I structure my nutrition, my exercise program, and even family travel plans, are geared around being able to surf better and more often.

Joe LeBlanc, EA, CFP®

Professional Bio

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Aviate, navigate, communicate, checklist, brief. No matter what else is going on or how dire an emergency you may be facing, you need to continue flying the airplane.

Why do you do what you do?
I am driven by the unspoken responsibility I accept for my clients. I strive to help create plans to bring people to their goals, however life gets in the way. Each year or two, a client experiences a loss or tragedy that permanently alters their life plans. I know my role in their life makes a difference when I can help facilitate their return to normalcy and allow them to see there is a future.

What do you love most about being part of Premier Wealth Advisors?
We have a fun office environment and believe in putting family first. We take our responsibilities seriously and work together to achieve successful relationships.

Su-Yen Kuhn, EA, AFC™

Su-Yen Kuhn joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in 2014. She is an Investment Advisor Representative offering advisory services and securities through Independent Financial Group, LLC, a registered Broker-Dealer and Investment Advisor, member FINRA and SIPC. She is securities registered in California and other states. Su-Yen is an Enrolled Agent, which qualifies her to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service including the preparation of income tax returns, audits and appeals.

She started her personal finance career in 2001 as a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor for military families. She earned her MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. In addition, she is an Accredited Financial Counselor® professional and Intuit Quickbooks Online Certified ProAdvisor.

Her experience includes servicing clients as a portfolio manager for a private wealth management firm in Palo Alto, financial counselor for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and tax preparer for H&R Block. She continues to support local military families through the Military and Family Life Counseling and Military One Source programs.

Su-Yen and her husband, Dave, an active duty Navy Captain, live in San Diego with their two children. She enjoys traveling, hiking, exploring National Parks, singing, playing in a bell choir and spending time with her children on the lovely San Diego beaches.

Jayson O’Connor

Jayson O’Connor joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in January 2017. Originally from Wisconsin, Jayson served 6 years in the United States Navy as a Rescue Swimmer. While in the Navy his orders landed him here in San Diego for most of his service. After serving our country, he is now committed to helping people with financial stability.

He is drawn to this line of work to help guide people through their lives. In his free time, he enjoys hikes with his wife and two dogs. During the summer, you can find him on the Colorado River enjoying the sun, sand, and fresh water. He also loves watching football and is a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan!

Gary D. Dennis, EA

Gary Dennis is the founder of our predecessor tax firm, GD Financial Services, in 1983. He is an Enrolled Agent, which qualifies him to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service including the preparation of income tax returns, audits and appeals.

A native San Diegan; he spent his youth in the east county, graduating from Mt. Miguel High School. Gary attended Grossmont College, Mira Costa College, and San Diego State University. Prior to becoming a tax preparer, Gary was a San Diego Police Officer as well as a regional manager for a San Diego-based lumber company.

He and his wife currently live in Paso Robles. Never one to sit still, he enjoys working on his ranch property with their horses, chickens, and garden. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

Carrie Klinger

What do you love most about being part of Premier Wealth Advisors?
It’s exciting to see Josh, Ari and Joe working together as a team. They each bring so much to the table. We all have a lot to learn from each other.

What would you be doing if you weren’t working for Premier Wealth Advisors?
Many of my friends are retired-an idea that doesn’t appeal to me at all. I love the opportunities to grow and to learn that PWA provides me, as well as the daily contact with our clients. Also, I need a place to wear the many, many shoes I’ve managed to collect. Not sure how they all found their way into my closet.

How are your personal qualities reflected at work?
Attention to detail is crucial to providing good client service and ensuring our office runs smoothly. But it’s when our clients walk through the door that I feel I contribute the most to the success of our agency. I LOVE putting people at ease and making them smile.

Kristin Moniz

Kristin joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in 2011. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Orange Coast College and Master of Fine Arts Degree from New York Film Academy.

Kristin grew up in Big Bear Lake, California. She attended college in Orange County and Los Angeles from 1998-2004. In 2006, Kristin relocated to San Diego and started a family. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and three boys. Kristin’s an avid runner and participates in fundraising races throughout the year. She also enjoys doing water sports, snowboarding, reading, and country music.

She has been an Administration Professional for more than 15 years and is a licensed Notary Public. Kristin believes quality of life is finding a happy balance between work, family and friends.

Mary Beth Gassmann

Mary Beth joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in 2005 as their office assistant primarily during the tax season. She is a licensed Notary Public. Mary Beth previously was a Purchasing Agent and Warranty Service Manager for a housing developer and an Historical Testing Researcher for the United States Marine Corps on the Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

Mary Beth grew up traveling a lot with her family, but eventually settled in the Oceanside, California area. After graduating high school, she attended college at Mira Costa College in Oceanside, California, majoring in business and purchasing. Mary Beth is married to her husband of 24 years and they have three daughters. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys her life with her husband and traveling throughout southern California taking their youngest daughter to volleyball and lacrosse tournaments. She also enjoys playing softball, riding horses, walking, baking and reading.

Angela Lammi

Angela Lammi joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in June 2018. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Rock Valley College and is currently attending Miramar College where she is working towards an Associate’s Degree in General Business along with a Certificate in Accountancy. She will transfer in the fall of 2019 in order to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree.

Angela grew up in Rockford, Illinois and moved to California in 2001. After high school graduation, she attended college in Illinois from 1997-2000. She has previous experience as a preschool teacher, a nanny, an instructional aide, a receptionist at a law firm in downtown San Diego, and has also performed bookkeeping for a small business. In 2015 she decided to go back to college in order to further her education. When Angela is not in the office she is quite busy taking care of her two teenage sons. She enjoys camping, hiking, baking, spending time with friends, and attending church.

Sara Harelson

Sara Harelson joined the Premier Wealth Advisors team in July of 2019. Prior to this, she graduated from the University of Arizona with a journalism degree in May of 2018. After graduation, she moved back home to San Diego and worked in the non-profit world for a year before starting here at PWA.

Sara now lives in Pacific Beach with her dog, Stevie. She spends most of her free time running the beach, eating good food and spending time with her friends and family. She’s also a die-hard Chargers fan and a Wildcat for life. Bear Down!