Louis Windawi, M.S., CFP®, MPAS®, AWMA®
President | LPL Registered Principal
As President of the firm, Louis Windawi personally guides clients through all stages of their financial lives. With over 25 years of planning experience, he has dedicated his career to providing sophisticated strategies and guidance to help individuals, families, and business owners pursue greater financial independence. While he thrives in a number of disciplines, Louis specializes in wealth management and retirement income strategies with a careful focus on tax management strategies.
Prior to founding Windawi & Associates, Louis was affiliated with leading financial institutions, including Ameriprise Financial and Waddell & Reed. Louis earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning, the highest level of education available with a broader context in asset management, including taxation, retirement, estate planning, insurance and more.
Louis holds many of the industry’s most respected designations, including the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation and the Master Planner Advanced Studies℠ (MPAS®) certification, the most advanced professional designation in the financial services industry. As the only graduate-level credential in the discipline, the MPAS® certification affirms Louis’ unparalleled commitment to excellence. He also obtained the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠ (AWMA®), which recognizes a high-level of wealth management expertise to help clients maintain and grow their assets.
To maintain cutting-edge knowledge of retirement, tax laws, and IRA distribution planning, Louis frequently attends Ed Slott courses. He has been recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager in Orange County from 2012-2019* and has been featured in Orange Coast Magazine, Orange County Register and Wall Street Journal. Louis holds his FINRA Series 6, 7, 22, 24 & 63 securities registrations held with LPL Financial and holds his CA Insurance Lic #0A95847.
Beyond his achievements in the financial realm, Louis brings a history of discipline and leadership to the firm. As a United States Air Force veteran, Louis served in Germany and across the USA as a member of the U.S. Strategic Air Command. Following his service, he worked in the aerospace industry, where he gained extensive experience in working with detail-oriented professionals including engineers and executives in all departments.
When Louis isn’t at the office, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching a good movie, dining, traveling abroad, and serving his local community. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, reading financial articles (even on weekends!) and looks forward to supporting his daughter’s dance team as a prop dad and his local ice hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks.
* Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012-2019 Five Star Wealth Managers.