Raju Alluri is Vice President, Investments at Wedbush Securities, where he focuses on cultivating deep and valued relationships with his clients. With a significant track record in the industry, Raju has refined his client-first approach, emphasizing intellectual rigor, tailored solutions, and a steadfast commitment to service. His passion lies in delivering exceptional financial advice, counsel, and execution in a disciplined, proven, and transparent manner, effectively helping clients pursue their goals.
Specializing in serving busy professionals such as doctors, corporate executives, and IT leaders, Raju addresses the complex financial needs of clients who have successful careers but limited time or knowledge to plan for their financial future. His investment approach involves constructing diversified portfolios with strategies designed to manage and mitigate risk effectively. Before entering the financial services industry, Raju enjoyed a successful career with leading multinational companies, including Ashland Inc., Valvoline, and TOTAL, where he held senior business leadership roles in both India and the US.
Originally from India, Raju moved to the U.S. in 2010 and has been based in Lexington, KY, for the past 14 years. He earned his MBA from Andhra University and completed a Senior Management Program at IIM Ahmedabad in India.
Brian Violino is Vice President, Equity Research, specializing in housing and housing finance at Wedbush Securities. He began his career as a financial analyst at AON before moving to a front-facing role at Wedbush in 2019. Initially working as an associate with the banking and specialty finance groups, Brian’s aptitude and experience quickly propelled him to the position of Vice President, during which he earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management, Finance, and Marketing from Binghamton University School of Management.
Joel's financial services career is defined by a commitment to coaching and development. He firmly believes in the power of listening, enabling individuals to discover their true goals, and is dedicated to guiding advisors toward enduring success. With a philosophy grounded in teamwork, Joel recognizes the significance of cultivating dynamic teams that directly enhance the client experience.
Joel's 30-plus years in the financial services industry has seen him excel in various roles, from Financial Advisor to Branch Manager, Complex Director, and Regional Director. Currently, he serves as the Market Manager of the Southeast market for Wedbush Securities. His journey began at Merrill Lynch, where he developed a passion for helping advisors grow and thrive, culminating in his role in rewriting the training program at UBS and serving on the UBS Leadership Advisory Council. Joel's ability to attract top talent underscores his belief that excellence starts with having the best people on your team.
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Joel is a proud veteran who served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. He continues to support fellow veterans as a board member of Bastion, a non-profit organization aiding wounded veterans and their families, and has served as a trustee on the board of directors for the Greater New Orleans YMCA. Joel and his wife, Mary, have been together for 30 years and have two children, Joel and Celia.
As a Wedbush Financial Advisor, I am dedicated to serving my clients and the community. I believe my clients come first and work to help protect their financial success. With many years of experience in the securities industry, I am committed to using my experience and knowledge to educate clients to help them make informed investment decisions.
I also develop personalized investment strategies, to assist my clients in reaching their short and long-term financial goals. Whether you would like to build personal wealth, plan for retirement, minimize estate taxes or prepare for the tuition costs of your children (or grandchildren), I will help you clearly define your investment objectives and risk tolerance to determine an asset allocation strategy designed to help you achieve your financial goals.
Contact me for a complimentary portfolio review or to learn more about creating a plan to grow your financial success.
Cole Petersen excels in seamlessly merging financial planning with portfolio management to provide clients with a holistic financial perspective. His mission is to create personalized solutions that not only align with clients’ financial life goals but also inspire their enthusiastic implementation.
With an extensive background in financial services, Cole served as a dedicated financial advisor at Edward Jones where he honed his skills in crafting tailored financial solutions. Prior to this, he held pivotal roles on the corporate side at DaVita specializing in comprehensive financial analysis and reporting. In 2023 he made the strategic move to Wedbush, aiming to further enhance his robust client relationships and provide invaluable financial guidance throughout the various stages of their lives. Cole firmly believes that Wedbush’s exceptional team and resources create the ideal environment to turn his vision into reality for both current and future clients.
Originally from Atlantic, IA, Cole has been a proud Denver, CO resident for nearly a decade. Beyond his financial expertise, his life is enriched by his young daughter, Lotti, who loves swimming, art, and outdoor play. An avid outdoor enthusiast himself, Cole enjoys activities like snowboarding and hiking. His passion for sports has been a lifelong pursuit, and he also finds joy in music, concerts, comedy, and quality time with friends and family.
Chris Ellis is a dedicated financial advisor with a business philosophy that revolves around the invaluable impact of informed decision-making. Through thoughtful coaching and meticulous planning, Chris makes it his mission to equip his clients with the tools necessary to make strategic choices that drive sustained financial health.
With a distinguished background as a men's college basketball manager at Pepperdine University and as a women’s college basketball assistant coach at the University of California, Irvine Chris seamlessly pivoted to a successful career in the financial services industry. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chris combines his mentor mindset and coaching acumen to provide unparalleled guidance to clients. Honing in on his finance experience, Chris shaped his career through roles at CUSO Financial Services, LAPD Financial Credit Union and Independent Financial Group.
A California native, Chris calls Pasadena home. Outside of work, he finds fulfillment in spending quality time with his family and is a dedicated father of two who actively coaches youth volleyball, basketball and soccer.
Patricia Hirata is a seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience in the financial services business. Driven by a profound desire to improve the quality of life for her clients, her distinctive approach places an emphasis on crafting meticulous financial strategies that resonate with the unique needs and aspirations of each client.
Before joining Wedbush, Patricia spent time at Wamu Investments, Chase, U.S. Bancorp Advisors and U.S. Bank. While building her banking experience through these roles, Patricia pursued her education at Mills College in Oakland, and later earned a biology degree from the University of Southern California. Specializing in high-net-worth individuals, retirement planning and non-profit organizations, Patricia puts a strong emphasis on the planning process when crafting thoughtful solutions for her clients. Beyond the numbers, Patricia views the financial industry as a noble career, a perspective that not only remains her driving force but also fortifies her commitment.
Family values and personal connections are at the core of Patricia’s life. Born and raised in Hawaii, she now calls California home. Despite the distance, Patricia maintains strong ties, frequently visiting her son and granddaughter in Honolulu, as well as cherishing moments with her other son residing in San Jose. In addition to her professional endeavors, Patricia has a deep passion for traveling, channels her creativity into home renovations, and finds solace in gardening.