Seasoned and engaged professionals
Over the years we have worked with people in all stages of life and economic backgrounds: pre-retirees concerned about outliving their retirement assets, successful entrepreneurs and business leaders in the prime of their earning years, even, through our mentoring program, teens just learning how to manage money. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you.
As a Registered Investment Adviser, we offer objective, independent advice. Unlike commission-based firms,we are held to a fiduciary standard that legally binds us to serve in the best interest of our clients. Gradient Capital Advisors is registered and overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission
Rodney A. Simms, ChFC®, CFP® | Senior Partner and Managing Principal
Rodney has 30 years of experience in wealth management. Prior to joining Gradient Capital Advisors, he served as a private wealth consultant with Ameriprise Financial. During his tenure with the firm, he was recognized consistently with the President’s Advisor Award and as a Private Wealth Group member. He graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in Business Administration and received a Master of Science in Financial Services through the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Rodney holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Fermanian School of Business and has been a member of numerous nonprofit and foundation boards. Rodney is married with one adult daughter. He enjoys spending time at his vacation home in Zihuatanejo, surfing, studying design in all its forms, and traveling off the beaten path. His volunteer activities include mentoring college students.
Eric E. Simms, AAMS®, CRPC® | Senior Partner and Director of Wealth Management
Eric’s experience in the financial services industry spans over 25 years. Before joining Gradient Capital Advisors, he was a financial planner with Ameriprise Financial where he managed investment portfolios and provided financial consulting to a large number of wealthy individuals and families. Eric holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning. He graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Eric is married with three children. He is an avid surfer who enjoys photography and cooking.
Timothy A. Sagawa, CFA®, CFP® | Senior Partner and Director of Asset Management
Prior to joining Gradient Capital Advisors, Timothy worked as a financial consultant with Ameriprise Financial. During the 12 years he spent with Ameriprise he was responsible for trading, investment research and portfolio management for a large number of High Net Worth families within the Private Wealth Group. He holds the Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP) and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Timothy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is married with three children. Timothy enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He is an avid Padre fan.
Eric Hans Yeager, CFP®, AWMA®, AAMS® | Senior Wealth Advisor and Director of Retirement Planning Strategies
For the past 21 years, Eric has provided financial advice to High Net Worth and sophisticated clients. Prior to joining Gradient Capital Advisors, Eric worked with Ameriprise Financial, receiving 100% client satisfaction scores from his surveyed clients. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), and Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designations. Eric earned his Business Degree with an emphasis in accounting from San Marcos State University. Additionally, he graduated from the College of Financial Planning at San Diego State University. Before serving clients in his current role, Eric served his country in the US Marines and is a distinguished veteran of the Persian Gulf War (1990-91). Eric has been married to his wife Judi for 28 years, and they have two children. Eric’s interests include reading, being in the outdoors, traveling, golfing, and scuba diving.
Trevor Shaw | Portfolio Analyst
Prior to joining Gradient Capital Advisors, Trevor served as an analyst intern for HCAP Partners, a private equity firm providing growth capital to lower-middle market companies in the Western US. He graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University where he earned dual majors in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management. During his senior year, Trevor served as President for the Finance and Investment Club and competed on the school’s winning CFA Equity Research Challenge team, beating local schools UCSD, SDSU, and USD in order to compete at the America’s Regional Final in Atlanta, Georgia. Trevor is an outdoor enthusiast who loves rock-climbing, mountain-biking, and camping with family.
