Our Team

The Kocen Financial Group, Inc. was founded by Bryan Kocen and the late Gail Kocen. Our firm specializes in the wealth management needs of successful working individuals and retirees. With more than 28 years of experience, we have helped hundreds of individuals and families clearly define their financial goals, evaluate their income needs and investment resources, identify potential tax savings, coordinate estate plans, and implement and manage personalized investment strategies. We strive to build long-term relationships with our clients and their families by providing professional service, proactive financial solutions, and straightforward advice now and in the years to come.

Bryan S. Kocen, MBA (Finance), CFP®

Bryan has an MBA in Finance (Dean's Honor List) from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.  He is also a graduate of Union College where he earned his BA in Managerial Economics (Magna Cum Laude). 

Bryan is a Certified Financial Planner™. He is licensed as a FINRA General Securities Principal, FINRA Financial and Operations Principal, and FINRA General Securities Representative, and Investment Adviser Representative.  He is also the President and Registered Principal of Financial Goal Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Bryan is past President of The Alliance of Independent Broker Dealers.

Prior to founding The Kocen Financial Group, Bryan was an Institutional Credit Analyst with Bear Stearns and Company, General Partner Associate with The Cerulean Fund, and Vice President of The Bankers Consulting Group, Inc.  Bryan is on the Executive Board of Directors of The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and has previously served on the board of The Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and Desert Area.  He is a member of the UCR Business Leaders Round table and a member of the Lions Club International.  He has taught finance, investing, and entrepreneurship at the business school and college level.  In addition, Bryan enjoys teaching finance and investments at local schools.  He is President elect of California Inland Empire Council Boy Scouts of America. He is also Assistant Scout Master and Personal Management Merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scout Troop 707. Bryan enjoys skiing, hiking, and teaching.

John Wills, Investment Advisor Representative / Operations Manager

John joined The Kocen Financial Group, Inc. in 2007. He is licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative. John is responsible for working directly with our clients and overseeing all operations. He handles Client onboarding, portfolio creation and management and all account needs including inquiries, transfers, distributions and client reporting. He earned his BA in Business Management from California State University at San Bernardino.

Penny Houseman / Investment Advisor Representative / Client Service & Compliance Manager

Penny earned a BSc. in Mathematics from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology in Cardiff, Wales. Penny is licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative. Prior to joining The Kocen Financial Group, Inc. in 2019, Penny worked in financial services in Santa Cruz, CA. She also spent several years in Software Development in Silicon Valley, CA. Penny is responsible for managing the marketing and communication program, as well as managing the compliance functions within the firm.