The YBR Team

John Ohmer, CFP®

Founder and CEO read more show less

John is the advisory team’s Principal CFO, and has been serving clients as their Personal CFO since 1987. He has the primary responsibility for the quality of the financial advice delivered to every client on every issue every day.  He consults with the Personal CFO team on advice strategy in every facet of our work in clients’ financial lives. He’s also responsible for leading and coordinating the efforts of the portfolio management team to ensure investment portfolios align with their intended purpose. John holds a B.S. in Economics.

Away from work, John can often be found enjoying the incredibly diverse outdoor activities of the San Francisco Bay Area with his family and friends.

Bret Butcher

Bret Butcher

DIRECTOR OF PORTFOLIO ADMINISTRATION read more show less

Bret monitors asset allocation and investment selections for all investment portfolios. He also ensures that each client investment portfolio is continually aligned with the prescribed model portfolio within selected discipline. Bret also manages all other portfolio administration operations. Prior to joining YBR, Bret worked in a financial advisory firm for seven years as the Advisory Services Manager. Bret was responsible for portfolio analysis and trading as well as supervision of back office operations. Bret is FINRA Series 66 licensed, has B.A. in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino and an MBA in Finance from University of California, Riverside.

When not working, Bret enjoys playing golf, exploring everything in the Bay Area, and spending quality time with his wife, Jackie, and their two dogs, Phyllis and Miller.

Thomas Peninger

Portfolio Administrator Associate read more show less

Thomas is a recent graduate of The University of California Davis with a degree in Economics and a Specialization in Data Analytics and Economic Analysis. Thomas began at YBR as an intern where he aided in back office operations and investment research. Now as the Portfolio Administrator Associate, Thomas helps conduct investment research, trading, and back office operations. Originally from Portland, OR Thomas enjoys weight lifting, cooking, and reading while not at work.

Stephanie Motzkus

Stephanie Motzkus, CFP®

Personal CFO Associate read more show less

Stephanie has been passionately involved in the financial services industry since 2008, when she started her career as a junior advisor with an independent advisory firm, and then during her subsequent work in Client Services at TD Ameritrade. At YBR she is actively involved in the creation of comprehensive financial plans for new clients, and in the detailed work we perform as part of the ongoing financial reviews we prepare for our clients. She also manages much of the follow-up activity that results from client meetings. Stephanie has a B.A. in Economics.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time hiking on Mt. Tam, doing yoga, and taking leisurely bike rides around town.

Paul Austin

Paul A. Austin, MPA, WMS

Personal CFO Associate read more show less

Paul was born in the Midwest and raised on the East Coast. Paul moved to the Bay Area from New York City to pursue a lifelong career in financial planning and a more tropical climate. Paul joined YellowBrickRoad Financial Advisors in October of 2018 to be more involved in personal financial life management and grow within the firm. Paul graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He also holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus in Finance and Fiscal Policy from Cornell University.

Outside of the office Paul enjoys wine tasting, the beautiful views of Marin county, and spending time with friends around the bay area.

Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson

CLIENT ADMINISTRATOR and LICENSED NOTARY read more show less

Jamie joined YBR with a deep background in client services. She assists new clients with all the necessary paperwork, opens new accounts, transfers money between accounts, sets up our 529 plan accounts, and enjoys speaking with clients throughout the day as they need assistance with a wide range of tasks.

Away from work, Jamie enjoys running, hiking, cooking, and savoring the great outdoors. She has run numerous marathons, and has the blisters to prove it!

Mary Miranda

Mary Miranda, FPQP

CLIENT ADMINISTRATOR read more show less

As one of our Client Administrators, Mary ensures that we provide stellar service with all the administrative tasks we perform for our clients. Her work includes opening new accounts, assisting clients with questions they may have about any administrative aspect of their accounts, preparing custom performance reports, and responding to general calls. She has a B.A. in psychology, and prior to joining the YBR team Mary had worked for 8 years at Bank of America.

In her free time, Mary enjoys cooking, working out (to counteract the cooking!) and spending time with her family.