Welcome

Synergos is the Greek word from which synergy is derived and a fitting name for our team of financial professionals. The Bay Area Synergos Group is committed to working collaboratively to pursue even the most challenging goals. We create plans to help navigate the various stages of your life from asset accumulation through optimized distribution. Our comprehensive wealth management approach includes your investments, of course, but goes far beyond to encompass estate planning, lending, cash flow management, philanthropy, and business transition strategies – in short virtually every aspect of your financial life.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
We are a team of experienced wealth managers who believe in a balanced investment approach. Bill Vaculin brings over three decades of experience to every client. David Lu was trained as a Certified Public Accountant and has spent much of his career advising senior executives. Kris Watts is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor who directs our goals-based planning approach. Together, we implement comprehensive wealth strategies.

What We Do

Together, we strive to:

• Quantifying the minimum amount of risk needed to achieve the highest level of success.
• Identifying the resources available to attain your goals.
• Developing strategies to fill the gaps we identify.
• Utilizing active tax management strategies to reduce capital gains.
• Recommending estate planning and philanthropic solutions.
• Focusing on the long term, understanding bumps will happen along the way.

What We Are Not

• We are not traders speculating in stocks, options and commodities.
• We do not follow the recent trend or hot stock of the day.
• We do not believe in concentrated portfolios.
• We do not provide you with a generic computer-based financial plan that is never revised.
• We do not use historical market data to project future expectations.

How We Measure Success

• The Head Hit The Pillow Test
How do you feel when your head hits the pillow each night? Ready to rest or tossing and turning with anxiety?

• The Claim Victory Test
You have already won. Acknowledge it. Reassess the level of risk required to achieve your objectives.

• I Have A Plan Test
I know where I am going and how I am going to get there.
We are a true wealth management practice. Beyond your investments, we can help you:

• Retire with confidence
• Leave a meaningful legacy
• Finance a new home or other major acquisition
• Protect your family from unexpected long-term care expenses
• Provide ongoing care for a special needs child
• Adapt financially to the loss of a spouse
• Send your children to college
• Execute various business goals including acquisition, sale, succession and cash management.

We work closely with your attorney and accountant to develop a plan in concert, not at odds with each other. If you wish, we can introduce you to professionals with the experience to help you meet the specific challenges you face.
Many of our clients are successful executives, whose personal wealth is linked to the fortunes of their companies. Often, their investment portfolios consist largely of employer stock and options that are subject to a myriad of rules of which they may only be vaguely aware. At The Bay Area Synergos Group, we are committed to helping you manage your wealth and make more informed choices. We understand the risks, as well as the rewards, of employer stock ownership and the need to integrate your corporate benefits with the rest of your finances. Specifically, we can help you address such issues as:

• Avoiding Over-Concentration
Most corporate executives share an optimistic view of their company’s future and consider employer stock to be a sound investment. Perhaps it is, but would you concentrate such a substantial portion of your assets in any other stock? Our team offers objective guidance to:
Diversify your portfolio without necessarily liquidating part of your employer stock position and incurring capital gains tax.

Comply with SEC regulations, if applicable, should you choose to sell shares and reinvest the proceeds in other securities.

Implement a 10b5-1 trading plan that can help you sell employer shares even during blackout periods when you are ordinarily not allowed to sell your company’s stock.

• Understanding Your Equity Awards
RSUs, RSAs, PSUs, stock options – equity compensation is complex, and you are responsible for knowing the rules. What happens to your equity awards should you decide to retire or leave your job for another employer? If you own performance shares, how does the plan work and what is your payout if performance goals are met? Equally important, what happens if goals are not met? Do you understand the differences between non-qualified options and incentive stock options? What about restricted stock awards and restricted stock units? At The Bay Area Synergos Group, we can help you ask the right questions before making any decision that might be irrevocable.
Our practice focuses on working with musicians, bands, band managers and business managers. Our current clients have won Grammy, AMA, Billboard Music and MTV Music Awards. We understand the unique and sophisticated needs of high profile entertainers. We collaborate with your business manager, attorney and accountant to coordinate the overall management of your finances and provide you with the guidance to:

• Live within your means
• Protect yourself from fluctuations in your income
• Transition to the next stage of your career
• Incorporate estate planning and philanthropy strategies to ensure your legacy.
• Evaluate investment business opportunities
• Understand how to navigate the financial world

The music business has changed considerably in recent years. Sizable revenues from album sales have been replaced by not so sizable revenues from streaming. Many musicians who thought they had paid their dues long ago are now finding themselves touring and spending months away from home. Our cash flow optimization approach to financial planning is designed to provide you with the confidence that when you are not on the road, you will have the income needed to live and support your families.

Location

4309 Hacienda Drive
Ste 200
Pleasanton, CA 94588
US
Direct:
(925) 730-3872(925) 730-3872

Meet The Bay Area Synergos Group

About David Lu, CPWA®, CIMA®

David brings more than 20 years of combined international financial management and investment experience to every client he advises. Many of these clients are senior corporate executives who look to him for guidance in maximizing their equity compensation and managing the risk of concentrated employee stock positions.

David began his career in Tokyo, Japan as a securities analyst for an institutional fund manager. He returned to Silicon Valley in 1999 to serve as an internal audit specialist and senior analyst at such well known technology firms as McAfee and Yahoo. It was when his father asked him for retirement planning advice, however, that David found his true calling. He realized he wanted to use his analytical skills to help people achieve their fondest financial aspirations. That was when he joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 2007 and built a successful practice as a Financial Advisor. Three years later, he joined forces with Bill Vaculin to form the team that would eventually become The Bay Area Synergos Group. Today, he plays a critical role in the team’s advisory efforts, researching third party equity managers, serving as a source of guidance on tax issues and cash flow optimization, and helping clients formulate strategies that go beyond their investments to encompass virtually every aspect of their financial lives.

A non-practicing CPA, David has constantly strived to enhance his credentials. He has earned such prestigious industry designations as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) from the University of Chicago. In addition, he is a Morgan Stanley credentialed Workplace Advisor-Equity Compensation.

A graduate of Santa Clara University with a degree in Business, David received his MBA from University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is a former United States Professional Tennis Association Certified Pro and has served as a volunteer coach at his son’s high school, The Athenian School in Danville, California. His son is now a college student and David no longer coaches, but he still loves the game, playing USTA League matches whenever he’s not working with clients and spending time with his wife Hermie.
Securities Agent: NH, WI, OH, MA, NV, WA, VA, ID, MN, UT, WY, AL, GA, HI, IA, VT, TN, FL, SD, NC, NJ, MD, ME, NM, TX, MT, MS, SC, IN, LA, AZ, NY, AR, OK, CT, RI, PA, OR, MO, IL, KY, MI, CO, DE, CA, PR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1274510

About Kristopher Watts

Kris Watts is an Investment Consultant & Financial Planning Specialist at Morgan Stanley. He is the newest member of our team and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Over the past few years as an advisor, Kris has developed a holistic approach to Wealth Management by focusing on integrated goals-based financial planning. Some of his areas of focus is asset aggregation, cash-flow analysis, and comprehensive financial plan construction. He currently holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® designation administered by the College for Financial Planning, and has been a part of the “Pacesetter’s Club” within the firm for the past three consecutive years.

Kris is a bay area native and grew up in Fremont, CA with his two older siblings. He attended Santa Clara University on an athletic scholarship and in 2006 was also selected in the 16th round of the MLB amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After graduating, Kris spent 8 seasons as a catcher in professional baseball traveling up and down the eastern seaboard playing for the Pirates and the Washington Nationals.
NMLS#: 1421414

About Andrea Day

Directing our team operations

About Sujan Chyo

Consulting Group Analyst monitoring investments across platforms
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
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You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career—and your money—is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here’s how.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Bay Area Synergos Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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6Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
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The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)