Daniel Andaya
Financial Counselor Prior to joining in BALANCE in 2005, Daniel worked in the financial services industry for eight years in retail banking and banking operations. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religion from San Francisco State University and is presently working toward a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from California State University, Sacramento.
Buck Austin
Financial Counselor Buck Austin joined BALANCE in 2008 because he has a strong desire to help families and individuals create better financial futures. In his years as a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor, Buck has helped thousands of people get on the right path through intake calls, one-on-one appointments and workshops. Despite having helped such a large number of people, Buck still values each interaction as an opportunity to make a difference in that person’s life. He is a strong believer in the saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Buck holds degrees in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Iowa.
Kathy Carter
Financial Counselor
Kathy Carter has been with BALANCE since 2002, and has over a decade of experience working for financial institutions. Kathy has taught financial counseling as an Adjunct Professor at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. She is an avid presenter and an active member of Toastmasters International. Kathy’s passion is helping people understand the importance of good money management so they may better handle month-to-month expenses.
Stephanie Decker
Partner Relations Manager Stephanie has over 9 years of experience with financial counseling and education. Prior to her current l position as Partner Relations Manager, Stephanie spent nine years working as a financial counselor and managed counseling programs in an agency in Jacksonville, Florida, where she currently resides. Additionally, she worked in an Area Agency on Aging for two years and was shocked at the number of elderly in financial distress that she encountered. Stephanie firmly believes that in order to meet goals a plan must be created and followed. She encourages people to save whenever she can.
Rico Delgadillo
Director of Program Services
Rico Delgadillo has over eleven years of credit and housing counseling experience, serving both English and Spanish speaking communities. His vast knowledge comes from time spent in creditor relations, counseling clients with financial and housing issues, and running a wide range of service programs. Rico’s management roles include being the Manager of Employee Development and Training, Director of Customer Service, Vice President of Customer Service and Operations, and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Rico’s true passion is directing high-quality, effective counseling programs – and he brings his considerable energy and vision to our company.
Tricia Drexel
Partner Relations Manager
Tricia Drexel comes to us from Arizona Federal Credit Union, where in her role as Community Services Manager she was responsible for expanding connections in the community through business development and financial education, outreach to underserved/emerging markets, and managing the volunteer committee and volunteer project opportunities. Before moving to North Carolina, Tricia was an active participant in the Phoenix civic and non-profit communities. She also volunteers her time teaching financial education with many non-profit organizations. Tricia enjoys empowering people to help themselves, to get to a better place in life. She strives to ensure that basic financial management skills are available to everyone. Ms. Drexel holds a Bachelor of Communication degree from Arizona State University.
Ray Easter
Financial Counselor
Ray Easter has over seven years experience in the financial counseling field. Effective and enjoyable communication comes naturally to Ray – before joining the BALANCE team, he entertained thousands as a stand-up comic in many of the country’s top comedy clubs. After helping thousands of people with financial issues, he has come to the conclusion that almost everybody needs to pay attention to the little expenditures:" $2.50 a day at Starbucks over a 20-year period equals $13,000. That is hard-earned money down the drain!" Ray holds a B.A. in Political Science from University of California at Berkeley.
Darren Edge
Financial Counselor
Darren Edge has been assisting people with money and credit issues since 2001. Before joining the BALANCE team as a financial counselor, he spent two years marketing fixed annuities for London Pacific Life and Annuity, and was a certified tax preparer for H&R Block. Darren holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento, and is currently working toward his Certified Financial Planner designation.
Thomas Faupl
Financial Counselor
Thom Faupl has been counseling people with financial issues since 2000. His focus is helping clients develop greater self-confidence and expertise in their money management skills so they can fulfill their life goals. Thom received a B.A. in Journalism from Marquette University, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. His other credentials include a Certificate in Integrative Medicine and Spirituality from the Institute for Health and Healing, California Pacific Medical Center, and a Certificate in Mind/Body Medicine from the Mind/Body Medical Clinic, Harvard University Medical School.
Rick Harper
Vice President of Program Services
Rick Harper has been a leader in the housing education and financial counseling industry since 1994, and has dedicated much of his life to ensuring that families of all income brackets have the necessary tools to become successful homeowners. Before being promoted to his current position in 2002, Rick was the company’s Director of Housing Education, where he developed an award-winning, nationally recognized housing and counseling program. Prior to joining our team, he worked for Pacific Coast Savings of San Francisco as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, and as President of Gateway Bank. He is a member of the North Carolina and Florida Bar Associations and is a real estate broker licensed by the California Department of Real Estate. Rick received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Wake Forest University.
Jay Jentoft
Partner Relations Manager
Jay Jentoft has been dedicated to helping companies be more successful for more than 30 years. From small start-ups to multi-national corporations; from companies struggling to stay afloat to hugely profitable businesses strategizing to maintain their competitive edge; from small business owners to boards of directors, Jay has worked in partnership with professionals at all levels and companies of all sizes and phases of development. Jay has owned his own successful businesses in areas as diverse as aerial photography and sales and management training. A native of Seattle, Jay is happy to be settled back in the Puget Sound area after having lived in Alaska, San Francisco and New York City. Jay was graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in both Speech Communication and English. Jay Jentoft’s public speaking experience includes workshop facilitation, corporate training and large venue motivational presentations.
Andrew Kendall
Financial Counselor
Andrew Kendall joined the BALANCE team in 2008 as a certified credit and housing counselor. With over ten years in the customer service industry, Andrew brings to BALANCE his passion for helping people reach their financial goals. He is a firm believer in the power of empathy and that with each client interaction there is an opportunity to change a life.
Andrew Kish
Housing Specialist and Financial Counselor
Andrew Kish has been counseling for the BALANCE team since 2001. He is a licensed California real estate salesperson and real estate broker who specializes in pre- and post-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, and first-time home buying. Andrew is a warm and engaging presenter. His substantial knowledge has been gained from both life experience and higher education. Andrew graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in History with an emphasis in Education.
Mariya Lyublina
Financial Counselor
Mariya Lyublina joined BALANCE because of her appreciation for sound financial management and the effect that it has on an individual’s everyday life. After working with disadvantaged populations and completing her B.A. in Economics, Mariya came to BALANCE to continue to provide people with the tools they need to succeed in achieving their financial goals. Mariya continues to expand her knowledge and is currently working on her MSBA in Finance at San Francisco State University.
Jeannine Moore
Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
Jeannine Moore has over a decade’s worth of experience in the credit counseling industry. She has counseled clients with financial difficulties, trained staff to become counselors, developed and supervised programs, and now leads the company in upper management. Jeannine is not only an expert presenter, she developed a licensed presentation skills training course and instructs credit union employees in the art of communication. As the company's key spokesperson and press representative, she has given countless interviews for local and national media outlets. Jeannine holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from Temple University.
Sandra Osborn
Director of Operations
Sandra Osborn has been in the credit counseling field since 1995, and has extensive counseling and management experience. Before joining the team in 1995, Sandra was a mortgage broker for several years and a small business owner for six years. She has conducted over thirty BALANCE workshops for Levi Strauss, both in English and Spanish, where she traveled the country helping their employees prepare financially for layoffs. Sandra holds a B.S. in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles.
Eva Palacios
Financial Counselor Eva Palacios has been helping consumers achieve their financial goals since 1998. As a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor at BALANCE, she provides one-on-one guidance to individuals and families nationwide. She says presenting our education programs is a natural fit for her since she finds herself educating people on money management and credit even after-hours. Eva's passion for personal finance education is evident in her knowledgeable and enthusiastic presentation style. She believes in providing service with a smile – motivating people to establish personal financial control with compassion and kindness.
Cassidy Ransford
Financial Counselor
Cassidy Ransford first started with Balance in 2007. As a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor taking both info line calls and conducting one-on-one phone appointments, Cassidy has gained considerable experience in discussing a wide variety personal finance issues. Cassidy holds a B.A in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Hugh Rex
Quality Improvement Trainer / Financial Counselor
Hugh Rex has been counseling people with financial issues since 2003. Before joining the BALANCE team, he worked in the Mutual Fund industry in Fund Information. His goal is to help clients develop the knowledge and skills they need to meet their financial goals. His focus is on educating people about investing. Hugh received a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Hayward.
Jose Rivas
Call Center Manager
Jose Rivas has worked in financial education since 1999. Prior to his current managerial position, Jose was a bilingual financial counselor, and he holds a special credential in credit report review through the Consumer Data Industry Association. Before joining the BALANCE team, Jose taught computer skills to children. He believes that “too often we spend our money instead of our time – when we might be better served by the opposite.” Jose is a knowledgeable and energetic presenter who truly enjoys helping people better manage their money.
Ed Roach
Partner Relations Manager
Ed has over 28 years experience in the consumer credit industry. He was acting President of the North Carolina Association of Credit Counseling Agencies and served two terms as board member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Ed is an experienced educator, having been a guest lecturer in personal finance at Guilford College, and believes that “consumers need to receive education to make knowledgeable choices in the marketplace, and establish financial strategies that promote self-sufficiency and economic well-being.” Ed holds degrees in Economics from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Ingrid Robertson
Partner Relations Coordinator
Ingrid Robertson has over a decade’s worth of experience in helping consumers achieve their financial goals. Prior to her current position she worked in creditor relations and client services for CCCS of San Francisco, where she assisted both English and Spanish Speaking clients. Ingrid believes that financial education and counseling truly makes a difference in a person’s life. “ Counseling helps to fulfill dreams and meet goals for consumers since they receive the information they need to take control of their financial lives.” Ingrid greatly enjoys helping people become financially independent.
Lizbeth Sanchez
Partner Relations Manager With a background in Financial Services, most recently within a commercial bank, and a passion for personal finance, I saw an amazing opportunity to make a difference in the financial lives of members and communities BALANCE serves throughout the country. At Merrill Lynch working with High Net Worth Individuals, it was apparent that clients had acquired such wealth through sound financial decisioning. I feel that access to sound financial decisions should be made available to people of all income levels. Many times it’s the people who need the education most have access to it least.
Graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Finance.
Karen Schwall
Director of Partner Relations
Karen Schwall has over 18 years of experience working with financial institutions. Prior to joining BALANCE, Karen was Senior Vice President of Sales and Service for Profitstar, Inc. and has held several key positions in such financial institutions as First National Bank of Atlanta and Home Federal Savings Bank. An esteemed and skilled presenter, she has been the featured speaker at many industry seminars. Karen holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Georgia State University and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Shorter College with a BSBA degree.