Dave Penniall, CFP®
President, CEO & CIO
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President, CEO & CIO
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Nickname – “DP”
Bachelor of Arts, in Political Science, UCLA; CFP
Dave became an investment manager in 1982 after a seven-year career in major league baseball. Traveling from game to game, he talked with fellow players and saw that they needed help with their money. So many of them came into fast fortunes and lost them to disreputable, or just plain dumb, managers.
Armed with a degree in (WHAT) from UCLA and an obsession with financial markets, Dave set out to build a safe-haven for fellow athletes and their money. He joined Morgan P. Underwood & Co. in Pasadena in 1982 and opened a practice for all investors. He struck out on his own in 1997, then bought out the Underwood firm in 2000. The grandchildren of many early Underwood clients are still with Bridge today.
David holds licenses in securities, insurance, and real estate. He earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification in 1985. During his 37 years in finance, he has worked with individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Dave and his wife have three children. His son played baseball for UCLA just like his dad, who was captain of the team in 1976.
What are two interesting facts about you?
I played professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers organizations for 7 years, and I cut my own hair.
What is something people in the financial world have to deal with that you want to fix?
My goal has always been to bring together the various disciplines within our industry (such tax, investments, retirement, legal, insurance, etc.) providing better solutions for clients.
What do you do at Bridge?
I founded the firm and am still involved in the strategic growth and mission of Bridge, however, I thoroughly enjoy watching my new partners and the team implement our vision.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
Being a CFP® and providing financial advice to thousands of individuals, households, and business owners have allowed me the ability to lead Bridge Advisory.
What’s your Archetype?
Commander-ENTJ-A
What do you like about working at Bridge?
Seeing my team work so well together and our wonderful clients.
What’s your background?
I’ve been married 42 years to my high school sweetheart, with 3 incredible children and now 2 wonderful grandchildren. I grew up always wanting to play major league baseball. I ate, drank, and literally slept at the local park playing sports of all kinds. Having reached a very high level in baseball but not my ultimate goal of the major leagues, I turned to financial planning. I was extremely fortunate to have found a fantastic mentor in Morgan Underwood. For all I have accomplished today in my financial career, Morgan deserves much of that credit. I have found over the years that financial advising and leading our firm to be much more rewarding than my original goal of playing major league baseball. I am passionate, engaged, and so proud and honored in all that has been accomplished with Bridge and my team.
What are the Bridge Advisory Core Values that drive you?
This firm has been built on trust and integrity for helping clients. The core values that began with my mentor have been passed along and are part of the DNA of this firm.
Your top three favorite Podcasts/Books?
Free to Choose (Milton Freidman), Hunt for Red October (Tom Clancy), “Gold – The Story of Man’s 6,000 Year Obsession (Grant Williams podcast)
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Golf, following baseball, and reading financial history