BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Cook, President
Chris is the owner of the Law Offices of Christopher J. Cook. After graduating with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California Christopher obtained his Juris Doctorate. He earned a Tax Concentration while in law school, focusing his studies on estate planning and tax. After law school Chris started his practice in family law and civil litigation before opening his firm in 2012 with a focus on trusts and estates.
While in law school, Chris studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, under the United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Stacy Turner, Vice president
Stacy Turner began practicing law in 2005, focusing exclusively on estate planning, estate administration, probate and special needs law. She started her own law practice in August of 2009. Her practice currently focuses on estate and tax planning, elder law and special needs/disability law, including Medi-Cal long-term care planning and special needs planning utilizing special needs trusts.
Stacy received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco). She is a member of the Probate and Estates Section of the Marin County Bar Association and served as its co-chair from 2010-2013. She is also a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Bar Association, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Academy of Special Needs Planners. Stacy volunteers as a pro bono attorney for Marin County Legal Aid, as a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association and as a horse handler for Giant Steps, a therapeutic horseback riding program for people with disabilities.
Claude Bishop, Secretary
Claude is a CPA at Friedlander Cherwon Capper LLP. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was raised in San Rafael California, and graduated from San Rafael High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and accounting from the University of California at Berkeley in 1972. Claude began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with Haskins and Sells, which is now Deloitte, LLP. He left Haskins and Sells to become a partner with John R. Dunlap in Marin County in 1974. Claude became the sole owner of Dunlap & Bishop Accountancy Corporation in 1988. He sold his practice in 2000 to concentrate on developing a comprehensive financial services practice.
Claude has been a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California State Society of Certified Public Accountants since 1975. He is a member and past president of the Marin County Estate Planning Council. He is a past president of The Rotary Club of Central Marin, and a past president of the North Bay Chapter of the Society of California Accountants. Claude has participated in many professional panel discussions and has taught courses for the California CPA Society and the Society of California Accountants. He has lectured for several professional organizations on a variety of technical subject matters.
Claude’s hobbies include hiking, computers, and a few miscellaneous collections. He has two adult children, Chris and Jen. Claude and his wife, Peggie Learning, live in San Rafael.
CHIP PYFER, TREASURER
Chip Pyfer is a Managing Director and Advisor in the San Rafael office of Wealthspire Advisors (formerly known as Private Ocean Wealth Management).
Early in his career Chip held positions in several high-profile investment advisory and tax firms and at Wealthspire he brings an extensive background in family wealth and independent financial planning, investment management, executive compensation, legacy & estate planning, retirement planning, and risk management analysis.
Chip enjoys building personal relationships with his clients and in listening to their unique experiences he is able to focus on finding the right planning solutions to help improve outcomes. His mission is to understand the client’s past, present, and future so that their financial plan supports them as they pursue a rich and fulfilling life.
Chip earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon and his law degree from Willamette University College of Law. Chip is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional (CFP®), a Certified Investment Management Analyst® professional (CIMA®), and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional (CPWA®).
Chip and his wife Susie live in Mill Valley and have three children. In his free time Chip enjoys skiing, trail running, and high-elevation mountaineering.
Homa Rassouli, speakers chair
With more than 37 years in the financial services and mortgage industry, the last 15 exclusively in the Reverse Mortgage business, Homa brings extensive knowledge and expertise to her clients. Homa’s goal is to transform and provide peace of mind to the lives of her clients with the benefits of a Reverse Mortgage. She provides the education clients deserve so they can make wise and informed decisions. Whether they are looking to have more spending power by eliminating their monthly mortgage payments, extend a retirement portfolio or simply age in place, Homa makes recommendations that suit each client’s individual needs. “The best part about my job is seeing how a client’s Reverse Mortgage allows them security and a more enjoyable life.” Homa began her career at Wells Fargo Bank, where she received the designation of “Top Producer” for more than 10 of those years. She presently works for Mutual of Omaha Homa Reverse Mortgage.
Homa is the recipient of the prestigious “President’s Club” honor. She is a board member for Financial Planners Association, San Francisco Chapter and is fully committed to help her community. She gives back to the community as a Rotarian and is involved with Novato and San Rafael Chambers of Commerce, The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors for Marin and North Bay and is an exclusive affiliate with the Marin Bar Association. Homa is also actively engaged with The Marin Realtors, North Bay Realtors, Women Council of Realtors, CAL CPA and Section on Aging just to just name a few. Homa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Finance from Gannon University in Erie, PA. She spends much of her free time with her family, especially her three grandchildren, Sofia, age 12, Ellie 8 and Sebastian 6 years old.
Nick Bucklin, meeting sponsorship Chair
Nick Bucklin is a Director and Client Advisor at Freestone Capital Management. Freestone is an independent, fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm serving high net worth families and institutions. Nick works closely with clients in a variety of ways, ranging from personalized financial planning, investment management, estate planning, concentrated stock positions, tax planning, and more. Prior to joining Freestone in 2021, Nick was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton Investments where he managed a variety of municipal bond portfolios. Nick earned his BA from Boston College, MBA from UC Berkeley – Haas School of Business, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Nick serves on the board of the Montana Land Reliance Foundation, where he helps oversee the investment portfolio for the largest private land trust in the state of Montana.
Nick lives in Mill Valley with his wife and two kids.
Mike zaidlin, MEMBErShip and Continuing education
Mike Zaidlin, J.D., is the founder of Madrone Investment Advisory, LLC, a San Rafael-based Registered Investment Advisor and financial planning firm which currently manages $105M in assets for families and individuals. He is a graduate of the U.S.F. School of Law and practiced estate planning law prior to forming Madrone in 2009.