Katie Johnson
Director of Field TransitionsNew Partner Transitions
Katie project manages the transition process and implementation of UCFA’s “100 Day Plan”. She serves as a liaison between the newly acquired firm and the Newport office during the transition process, overseeing the transfer of assets and operational development during the integration phase of newly acquired firms. In addition, she facilitates the New Office Orientation, Advice Academy and continuing education through UCTV web broadcasts.
Katie previously served as a client relationship manager for Signature Estate and Investment Advisors. She was an instructor at California State University, Long Beach teaching Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication and Small Group Communication.
She received her MA in Speech Communications w/ an emphasis in Social Science Research from California State University, Long Beach in 2005. She received her BA in Speech Communications from California State University, Long Beach in 2003. She is FINRA Series 7 licensed.
Katie is an avid UCLA Football fan due to her husband Ryan being alumni. They are season ticket holders and look forward to the football season every year. She also enjoys traveling internationally and has recently visited Greece and China.
Michael Capelle, MBA
Senior Vice President, Investment Management
Mr. Capelle is responsible for United Capital's investment platform and is the chairperson of the Investment Committee. In these roles he oversees portfolio development, manager review, and investment operations.
Prior to joining United Capital, Mr. Capelle worked in private asset management performing investment management and financial planning services. Prior to 2000, Mr. Capelle worked at Intel Corporation for 10 years where he held various management positions within business planning, operations, and engineering.
Mr. Capelle earned an MBA at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he also graduated with an MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, and has passed the NASAA Series 65 Investment Adviser Law exam.
Deborah Rees
Vice President, Acquisitions
Ms. Rees is responsible for managing United Capital's acquisitions process. She oversees and coordinates acquisition candidate data gathering and analysis, financial modeling and valuation, drafting and execution of agreements, and due diligence.
Through the course of her career, Ms. Rees has held key positions at investment banks and professional service firms. Prior to joining United Capital, she served as a Director at Bainbridge Capital where she primarily worked with private equity groups and public companies to identify and execute acquisition strategies. Ms. Rees also served as a Vice President at RSM EquiCo where she managed the pre-marketing due diligence and valuation of private middle-market companies considering a sale or recapitalization. She began her M&A career as a sell-side associate in Citigroup’s middle-market investment banking unit, performing business, financial and valuation analyses on numerous private companies. Prior to embarking on an investment banking career, Ms. Rees gained valuable experience working for accounting and law firms, where she performed litigation consulting services and provided both corporate law and litigation support.
Ms. Rees attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in Chicago, Illinois, where she received a Master of Business Administration in finance in 1999 and was a John E. Jeuck Scholarship recipient. She also graduated summa cum laude from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a dual focus in finance and economics.
Andrew Lin
Director of Investment Operations
Investment Management
Andrew oversees the Investment Operations of United Capital Financial Advisers. He focuses on strategic development of United Capital back office resources and the tactical needs of our nationwide network of advisers.
Andrew began his career in the financial industry as an Analyst at Signature Estate and Investment Advisors Inc., a Los Angeles based boutique registered investment adviser of 8 planners managing over 1.2 billion in assets (as of late 2006). He has worked with high net worth clients; creating client proposals, investment models and advisor marketing materials. During his tenure at Signature he managed the back office, trade desk, and client reporting for the firm.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
He holds the CMFC (Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor) designation from the College for Financial Planning, as well as FINRA Series 7 and Series 66.
Andrew is an avid motorcyclist.
Brandon Gage
Senior Vice President, Technology
Brandon Gage is currently responsible for technology. In this role, he is responsible for the development, installation, support and training of the technology platform used by individual adviser offices. He also works closely with individuals responsible for corporate technology.
Prior to joining UCFA, Mr. Gage was Network Administrator at Bommarito & Associates, Inc., a Comprehensive Financial Planning and Advisory Practice and franchise of American Express Financial Advisers, Inc. Mr. Gage is also the programmer for Boardwalk Technology Services, LLC, a technology company providing practice management software to fee-based financial advisers.