Meet Our Advisory Team
Our Newport Beach–based financial advisors provide tailored financial planning and investment management services for individuals, families, and business owners. We empower our clients to make confident, informed decisions about their financial futures, whether they’re preparing for retirement, planning their estates, or focused on growing and preserving generational wealth.
Beyond individual planning, our team brings deep experience in working with local professionals, business owners, and philanthropic organizations. We specialize in guiding business owners through key financial transitions such as succession planning, liquidity events, and tax-efficient exit strategies. We also support multigenerational families with comprehensive wealth transfer planning and financial education to ensure a lasting legacy. From navigating complex estate strategies to helping families align their values with their financial goals, we are committed to serving as a long-term partner in your financial journey.
If you’re looking for a trusted financial advisor in Newport Beach, CA, our team is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Connect with Us
Managing Directors
Darin Simonian, CFP®
Partner, Managing Director
Darin Simonian is a Partner and Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for working with clients to meet their planning, investment, and income goals. With more than three decades of industry experience, Darin specializes in sophisticated investment design, business and tax planning, asset protection and estate planning for families and individuals. He discovered his passion for financial and tax business while attending Whittier College and majoring in Business and Accounting and working for three years at the local CPA firm. Over time, he worked at Arthur Young & Co. (Now Ernst & Young), as an auditor and in their Mergers and Acquisitions department and became a CPA. Darin transitioned to financial services in 1989, working for sophisticated investor David Murdock (Pacific Holding Company) as a financial analyst on acquisitions and reporting before venturing out on his own in 1991 to form what evolved to be Newport Wealth Strategies (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2021). Darin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), and a licensed CPA though the license is currently inactive as he is not-practicing. A California native, Darin has three grown daughters and lives with his wife of 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys playing a variety of sports and spending time with his family.
James Davenport
Partner, Managing Director
James (Jim) is responsible for counseling clients with their wealth management decisions, particularly in the area of investments. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors, Jim worked in Wells Fargo Advisor’s Private Client Group, marketing the firm’s wealth management services to new clients and enhancing existing client relationships. Jim is a Managing Director and Partner with Beacon Pointe, working out of both the Orange County and Inland Empire offices. Jim earned his MBA from Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics, and his Bachelor’s Degree from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California. He serves on the advisory board for Big Brothers Big Sisters-Inland Empire and also is a member of both the Endowment Council Chapman University and Leaders, Executives, and Directors; Advancing Philanthropy (LEAD-OC). Outside of work, Jim enjoys traveling, playing golf and spending time with his wife and two children.
Laine Ainsworth
Partner, Managing Director
Laine holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification and has been an investment professional for over 30 years. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe Advisors, Laine was a Founding Principal of Wealth Management Network, LLC. Laine is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Circle for the University of California at Irvine Paul Merage School of Business and is a Founding Executive Committee Member of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management at UC Irvine. Mr. Ainsworth is a member of the Hoag Hospital Diplomat Society and was a Charter Member of the PIMCO RIA Advisory Board. He is presently a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Orange County and has served on the Board of Directors of CASA Orange County. A California native, Laine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles. He and his wife have one daughter who resides and works in New York City.
Mark Moehlman
Partner, Managing Director
Mark Moehlman holds an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business, and has dedicated his entire business career to helping others manage their wealth. Mark was born in Los Angeles and moved to Newport Beach in 1975, and has lived in Big Canyon for the past fifteen years. Mr. Moehlman founded Wealth Management Corporation, the first of its kind, in 1987, the same year he launched his Wealth Management Forum. Mark served as a trustee of the Orange County Employees Retirement System (O.C.E.R.S.) from 1993 to 1996, helping shepherd the fund virtually unscathed through the county’s bankruptcy. Mr. Moehlman was the Founding Chair of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management (C.I.W.M) of the UC Irvine Merage School of Business, and continues to be very active in both C.I.W.M. and the UCI Chancellor’s Club. Mark is married to Dr. Cherilyn Sheets, a prominent Newport Beach dentist, and has one daughter, Melisa, who lives and works in New York City.
Wealth Advisors
Andy Rovzar
Associate Wealth Advisor
Brittany Mangrum, CFP®, MST
Senior Financial Planner
Brittany Mangrum is a Senior Financial Planner at Beacon Pointe and is responsible for working with the firm’s clients to determine the best strategies to meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Brittany spent five years working for various RIAs, financial planning for individuals in the entertainment industry, and top executives. She also spent two years preparing income tax returns for high-net-worth individuals, partnerships, S-Corps, and non-profits. Brittany graduated from California State University Northridge with a concentration in Financial Planning and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®). She also earned her Master of Science in Taxation (MST) degree from California State University Northridge focusing on the taxation of partnerships, corporations, estate taxation and planning, income taxation of estates and trusts, tax aspects of charitable giving, and the taxation of real estate. Outside of the office, Brittany enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and chasing around her fearless toddler son.
Josh Rummonds, JD
Wealth Advisor
Josh is a Wealth Advisor representing Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors in the Central Valley of California. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Josh was a financial advisor for the Principal Financial Group where he advised and assisted his clients in establishing sound financial plans which included both investment and insurance advice. With a background in the legal profession Josh has always been required to adhere to the fiduciary standard of placing the interests of the client above his own and the firm he represents. Josh received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California. While at USC, Josh played on the baseball team and signed with the Chicago Cubs organization thereafter. Outside of work, Josh enjoys traveling, running with one or both of his dogs and spending time with his wife and son.
Lauren Meixel
Director of Operations, Wealth Advisor
Lauren Meixel serves as Director of Operations and as a Wealth Advisor. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day client service needs, implementing business policies and best practices for the Beacon Pointe Advisors office in Newport Beach. She is also responsible for partnering with the firms’ advisors to assist in client meetings, document preparation and long-term planning, creating deeper client relationships and contributing to the overall growth of the office. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, she spent the last six years working at Fidelity Investments and Merrill Lynch where she held roles of increasing responsibility in client services, operations, and compliance. Lauren received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from California State University, Fullerton. In her free time, Lauren enjoys cooking, running, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Client Service & Operations
Liam Rooney
Client Service Associate
Liam is a Client Service Associate at Beacon Pointe Advisors, where he collaborates with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to deliver an exceptional service experience for our clients. A native of Connecticut, Liam earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Denison University, where he played lacrosse. Prior to Beacon Pointe, Liam previously worked in the IT Consulting industry, honing his expertise in sales and client relationship management before pursuing a career in the financial services sector. Currently residing in Costa Mesa, CA, Liam is passionate about making meaningful connections with clients and helping them achieve their financial goals. Outside the office, Liam enjoys playing golf and other outdoor activities, getting together with friends and family, and watching his favorite New York sports teams.
Maryam Khayali
Senior Relationship Manager
Maryam is a Senior Relationship Manager at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, she was a relationship manager at Newport Wealth Strategies (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2021). Maryam graduated from the University of California at Irvine and has been a financial advisor in the past. She currently resides in Irvine, CA where she enjoys playing the Harp and spending time at various charitable endeavors.
Susan Fritts
Manager, Client Service
Sue Fritts is responsible for client servicing in the Private Client Service Group of Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors Newport Beach. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Sue was with the Wealth Management Network as their Director of Operations for 3 years. Sue is very active in her children’s school and their PTA. She also is involved with Our Lady Queen of Angels as a religious education instructor. Sue enjoys reading, photography, and any sports involving her three children. She is currently enrolled at UC Irvine taking classes in financial management, coaching lacrosse, and spending time with her family.
