John Clifford, CFP®

Operations Manager, Research

What is most exciting about joining MCM Wealth is the commitment to offering accessibility and expertise in the field of alternative investments, a vehicle typically less available to individual investors. Having worked for over a decade at an event-driven hedge fund, I had a front row seat through two bear markets at the launch of my career. Therefore, I am excited to be part of a firm that specializes in the preservation and growth of clients’ assets. MCM Wealth’s research offers valuable insights into private investments which play a vital role in capital preservation, while also generating returns that fund life goals. As Operations Manager, I’m looking forward to working with clients to implement these strategies. My goal is to assist clients in understanding and realizing personal asset growth through key investments designed to keep their money safe.  

Experience

John served for 11 years as the Head Trader for Catalyst Investment Management, a $400MM private firm operating two hedge funds. More recently he spent six years as the Head Trader and Chief Operations Officer at Quantum Capital Management, an RIA and institutional investment manager located in San Francisco. John has a deep understanding of equity and derivatives markets, as well as macro-economic backdrops and personal finance.  

Education and Certifications

• B.S. in Biochemistry from University of California at Davis
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), San Francisco State University
• Completed the following FINRA licensing exams:
• Series 4 Registered Options Principal
• Series 7 Registered Representative
• Series 55 Equity Trader
• Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law

Highlights

• Experiencing market cycles and on the job learning through volatile markets in global crises
• Providing a reliable foundation for MCM Wealth’s daily operations
• Working closely with clients to manage their personal income requirements and growth objectives
• Monitoring portfolios to maintain balance and keep appropriate risk levels, in line with clients’ goals.

What I Love

• Spending time with my family
• Coaching youth sports in Marin
• Travel and adventure

Geoff Hakim, CFP^®

CEO, Wealth Manager and Founder

I entered wealth management, and ultimately started our firm, because of the potential and importance to better lives. I had a hunger for this body of knowledge and I hoped I had the aptitude to put it to good-use. Over time, as my education and experience deepened, my thinking about how best to invest for my clients evolved both unexpectedly and unconventionally because of the lessons learned during the recessions of 2000 and 2008. While protecting and growing client portfolios during good times was not so hard, doing so during recessions required an entirely different approach. We made it a priority to take the time to step back to learn. As a result, we evolved our practice into a safer, more productive way to invest. This was counter to the way I learned investing through schools, conferences and exchanges with colleagues. The addition of diverse hedged investments has re-shaped our practice profoundly. Most importantly, we’ve had the satisfaction of seeing this approach give our clients happier, fuller and less stressful lives.

Experience

Geoff is the founding member of MCM Wealth with over 40 years of experience in investments, finance and real estate. The first 14 years were spent in Boston’s downtown real-estate market where Geoff owned both commercial brokerage and development firms. Geoff moved to San Francisco in 1990, changed careers to broaden his investment knowledge and began working with Merrill Lynch. This was followed by work with a Marin County boutique wealth manager providing the experience to found MCM Wealth in 1997. Geoff completed his CFP credential in 2001 after completing coursework through the University of California at Berkeley.

Education and Certifications

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Berkeley 2001
• Series 7 – 1991
• University of MA
• Wentworth Institute
• Boston Architectural Center

Highlights

• Founding MCM Wealth in 1997
• First exposure in 2001 to the hedging world and ultimate decision to specialize
• 10%+ performance of our collective 10 hedged investments during the 2008 recession
• Succession completion of varied real estate development projects in Boston, MA.

What I Love

• Being a dad and husband
• Experiencing nature
• Hiking, biking and skiing
• New England sports teams

Chris Gilmor CFP^®

Senior Advisor

It is easy to identify what drew me to MCM in 2014. Having worked in the industry since 1989, I was raised on the typical asset allocation strategy of investments in stocks, bonds and cash with a splash of non-correlated assets. The problem with that model is that universally clients would get hurt when the broader markets turned down. MCM’s approach was different. I was intrigued at the prospect of working with dynamic investments that can perform well across varied market cycles (including a bear market!). As the primary point of contact with our client base, I believe that this solution helps to reduce long term risk to the client’s wealth and helps us to earn client confidence and build their trust.

Experience

Chris started his career at Prudential Bache in New York before going to business school. While in business school, he focused on international finance and, as part of his studies, worked in Budapest as Hungary emerged from a centrally planned economy to more of a free market structure. When he came to California, Chris worked with Fisher Investments and Silicon Valley Bank with both individual and institutional clients. Since joining MCM Wealth, Chris continues to work directly with clients to better understand their personal circumstances and goals across all stages of their lives whether they be in the process of wealth accumulation, retirement, buying a house or getting married… Chris’s top priority is to always help a client make the decisions that will maximize the likelihood of achieving their longer-term goals.

Education and Certifications

• M.B.A. Tulane University: AB Freeman School of Business
• B.A. in Psychology; Hobart College
• Certified Financial Planner^™

Highlights

• Working as member of the MCM Investment Committee identifying and approving managers with which to collaborate. These managers have bold new ideas that will help our clients achieve their stated long-term goals.
• Worked with wealth management firm helping clients achieve their goals as that firm grew from 4bln to 50bln in AUM
• Consulted with Central Clearing House in Budapest, Hungary and US SEC, to gain eligibility to house US Equities.

What I Love

• I actively embrace time with my family and have an 11-year-old daughter who is the apple of my eye.
• I have lived in California since 1997 largely because of the beautiful outdoors – enjoying triathlons, running, tennis, sailing and hiking with my family.

Elizabeth B. Hakim

Administrative Director

When I took a break from teaching first grade to have our son, Geoff recruited me to assist him with bookkeeping. As our firm grew and we added members to our team, I slowly took over HR, in addition to managing the office and organizing events. I am now applying my leadership skills to creating and tracking internal structures to enhance harmony and health within our firm. Geoff and I have been working together since 2000 and I love being a part of the team.

Experience

While growing up on Guam, Elizabeth traveled extensively all over the world with her family. She experienced many ways to live and was exposed to many different points of view. Elizabeth participated in an applied psychology program in HR at the University of Oregon. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, she moved to SF and worked in advertising, becoming a teacher in 1987. Now she has found her way back to HR.

Education and Certifications

• B.A. Psychology from University of Oregon, emphasis in HR, 1983
• Teaching Credential, SF State University, 1990

Highlights

• Started working with Geoff at MCM Wealth in 2000
• Teaching first and second grades for San Rafael and Mill Valley school districts
• Working at McCann Erickson Advertising Agency, SF

What I Love

• Yoga and hiking
• Having great conversations over coffee
• Spending time with family and friends (doing just about anything)
• Being a mom

Soren H. Peterson

Research Analyst

I joined MCM Wealth as an intern in the summer of 2018. After spending months researching wealth management internships, I was attracted to MCM Wealth because of the uniqueness of their offerings and the scope of their experience. It was truly rare to find a firm that specializes in hedged investments, holistic financial planning, estate planning, and more and I was excited to apply my schooling to these disciplines and learn even more along the way. I have enjoyed being a part of this incredible team as we have grown and evolved, even within the short time I have been here. My highlights have been bringing our first socially responsible investment offerings to MCM Wealth and getting to know our wonderful clients and exceptional managers.

Experience

Soren’s primary roles within MCM Wealth are in marketing and investment research. He works closely with Geoff to expand our marketing efforts (including the development of this website). He assists Chris, Rick and Geoff in maintaining and improving our investment systems as well as researching new investments focused in the realms of ESG, impact, and socially responsible investing.

Education and Certifications

• Bard College Berlin.

What I Love

• Outside of school and work, I love swimming, traveling and spending time with my amazing partner and the many dogs we have in our life.