Meet James
James is a Sr. Wealth Advisor based in Orange County, California. He joined Mercer Advisors in 2019 through the acquisition of Jackson Financial Management which he co-built and ran. He was an investment advisor representative of Jackson Financial Management since January of 1998 and served as a member of the executive management team and stockholder. He graduated from California State University-Fullerton with a B.A. degree in business administration / finance. James has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional since 2001. James currently serves on the board of trustees for Premiere Christian Education Group.
James’s specialties
At Mercer Advisors, all of our wealth advisors provide a highly personalized approach, backed by a team of specialists that ensure every part of your financial list is addressed. Additionally, James has focused experience in these areas:
- Multi-generational planning that aligns with your values and minimizes tax impact
- Support for business owners, from growth and succession to liquidity events and legacy planning
- For corporate executives, guidance on equity comp, concentrated stock, and evolving financial complexity
- Family businesses navigating succession, liquidity, and legacy goals
- Advising physicians with insurance, debt, and investment strategies
His working style
James is known to be a hard-working individual who asks thoughtful questions, displays a calm presence, and has the ability to simplify complex decisions. He loves building long-term partnerships grounded in trust, transparency, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. He has a no-nonsense approach —politely telling you what you need to know, not only what you want to hear.
James in real life
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I enjoy surfing, skiing, soccer, golf, basketball, volunteering, and relaxing with family and friends.
Any words you try to live by?
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Favorite thing about where you live?
I love the weather and access to the beautiful beaches and mountains in Southern California.
Meet James’s Teammates
Tracy O. Jackson
Sr. Wealth Advisor, Director
What James Says
Tracy has a wealth of knowledge and we work great as a team building plans and relationships with our clients.
Pamela Brown
Client Service Specialist
What James Says
Pam makes sure we maintain our promise of high-quality service for every family we work with.
Rudolph Brandes
Sr. Wealth Advisor
What James Says
Rudolph is a pleasure to work with and is well-versed in advanced planning techniques and details.
Ready to learn more?
Explore More
The Economic and Market Impact of the Iran War After One Month: Insights From Our CIO
April 2, 2026