David M. Culler

ChFC®, CExP®, CLU®

I’ve spent the last 40 years helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate the complexities of financial planning. Early in my career, one of my first roles was working with retired Teamsters in Northern California to help them secure Medicare benefits. I was shocked to see how many hardworking people, people who had done everything “right” and were still struggling financially in retirement. It was like pulling up to the scene of a “financial accident. That experience created a desire in me to help individuals and families plan successfully so they could avoid that lack of financial freedom and enjoy the retirement life they had earned.

At SummitOne, my focus is helping clients build coordinated, comprehensive financial plans that will help allow them to maximize their wealth, reduce unnecessary risk, and maintain financial freedom throughout their lives. There’s a flawed, common understanding of financial decision-making that leaves people exposed to higher taxes, increased market risk, and reduced cash flow. My mission is to dispel that harmful belief.

In addition to my work with clients, I’ve spent years educating others in the industry. I’m a past president of the San Jose Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and a former director of the CPA/Law Forum of Silicon Valley, and I’ve taught macro-economic financial planning at West Valley College in Saratoga. I believe that financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools people can have. I’m passionate about helping my clients make informed, strategic, and confident decisions about their money.

Outside of work, I’m a dedicated judo instructor. I’ve coached kids who are now adults, and it's one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I also have two adult children, both adopted from foster care. I have a deep appreciation for the people and institutions that supported them along the way

At the end of the day, life is about the people you help and the impact you leave behind. That’s the perspective I bring to my work every day.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities and Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License #0674584.

These awards are not issued by Guardian or its subsidiaries. The annual Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Financial Securities List 2024 is based on criteria developed and obtained by SHOOK Research, LLC.  No compensation was provided in connection with obtaining this rating; however, advisors may choose to pay fees to Forbes and Shook for premium listing features; including, usage rights of the ranking logo. Past performance is not an indication of future results. https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-culler/