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