Ken Vander Kooi, CFP

Ken Vander Kooi is a seasoned Senior Financial Advisor who began his career at Smith Barney in Palo Alto, focusing on employee stock option transactions. He later joined the Portola Group, where he handled financial planning, tax reconciliations, and client relationship management. Vander Kooi further enhanced his career at Scharf Investments as a Senior Wealth Manager, developing tailored financial plans, managing customized investment allocations, and addressing clients’ tax and estate planning queries. He holds degrees in Economics and Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Outside of his professional life, Vander Kooi is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying activities such as hiking, surfing, diving, and beachcombing. He is also a passionate collector of cacti and succulents. Vander Kooi lives in the South Bay area with his wife and two children and is actively involved with the Surfrider Foundation and has been a long-time member and supporter of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.