Raymond M. Clark

Ray Clark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner with more than four decades of experience helping individuals, executives, and families navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Known for his highly personalized approach and commitment to client service, Ray has built his career around long-term relationships, thoughtful planning, and disciplined investment management.

Ray began his career in 1981 at Paine Webber before joining Drexel Burnham Lambert in Beverly Hills in 1986, one of the premier high-yield bond firms of its era. He later continued developing his financial planning practice at Sutro & Co. in Los Angeles, where he specialized in working with executives from leading aerospace and defense organizations including Lockheed Martin, TRW, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Hughes Aircraft, and NASA. During this period, Ray became known for his exceptional level of personal service, even creating a private transportation service for clients traveling to and from his downtown Los Angeles office.

In 1990, Ray received the prestigious “Broker of the Year” award from Registered Representative, recognizing his accomplishments and leadership within the financial services industry.

In 1993, Ray joined Alex. Brown & Sons, the oldest investment banking firm in the United States and a firm recognized for bringing companies such as Microsoft and Starbucks public. As a Managing Director, Ray led a team of eight professionals focused on retirement and wealth planning for aerospace executives and high-net-worth families. He also worked closely with pre-IPO executives on sophisticated planning strategies involving estate planning, Rule 10b5-1 plans, executive compensation, ESOPs, ESPPs, and other employee benefit programs. In addition, Ray was selected to mentor emerging venture capital-backed companies through a startup incubator in Salt Lake City.

In 2005, Ray founded The Clark Group Asset Management to create an independent advisory firm dedicated to objective advice and fiduciary-based wealth management. Headquartered in Dana Point, the firm serves clients throughout the country with a focus on retirement planning, investment management, and long-term financial stewardship. In 2022, The Clark Group was featured in The Wall Street Journal for moves the firm made within its fixed income allocation strategy during one of the worst years for bonds in U.S. history.

Ray lives in San Clemente, California with his wife, Melissa. He has three grown children he is very proud of, and a granddaughter who is the sunshine of his life. Outside of work, he enjoys working on his tractor in Northeast Washington. He also enjoys training in Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu, traveling, snow skiing, reading, and developing tactical investment strategies.