Ryan A. Hughes, MBA
We help you do more with what you've earned. Fee-Only. Fiduciary.
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Serving Clients Nationwide
We help you do more with what you've earned. Fee-Only. Fiduciary.
Areas of Focus
- Financial Planning
- High Net Worth Retirement Planning
- Investment Management
- Legacy Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Roth Conversion Strategies
- Tax-Efficient Planning
- Wealth Management
About Ryan A. Hughes, MBA
Bull Oak Financial Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor in San Diego, helping high-net-worth individuals and families navigate the transition into retirement through integrated financial planning, investment management, and tax planning.Since launching the firm in 2014, I've been named to InvestmentNews' 40 Under 40, and Bull Oak has been recognized by Wealth Management magazine as one of the fastest-growing firms in the industry.
I built the firm I would want to hire myself: independent, pragmatic, and data-driven, designed to simplify the most complex parts of clients' financial lives. I bring experience from both the institutional and private-wealth sides of the industry, including equity research at Wedbush Securities and advisory roles at Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Charles Schwab. I am also a proud U.S. Navy veteran, having completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf as a member of the VBSS team aboard the USS Jarrett.
I earned my MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, where I was a GAP Fellow, served as Chief Investment Officer of the Anderson Student Asset Management program, and received the J. Fred Weston Award for excellence in finance.
I was born and raised by my grandparents in Pueblo, CO. After graduating from high school in 2000, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Jarrett, completing two deployments to the Persian Gulf as a member of the ship's Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team, conducting high-risk maritime boarding operations. After separating from the Navy, I attended the University of Southern California, where I studied business and entrepreneurship and came of age during the Pete Carroll era, a time when USC football was unavoidable, and optimism still existed in the financial system.
My first job after graduation in 2008 was at Merrill Lynch, just as the Global Financial Crisis was unfolding. I later worked at Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, and Wedbush Securities long enough to know that while finance was the right field, the Wall Street culture wasn't. In 2012, I left the industry to pursue an MBA at UCLA Anderson, where I immersed myself in academic finance and portfolio construction. The result was Bull Oak, founded in 2014 to build the kind of independent, fiduciary firm I would want to hire myself: thoughtful, disciplined, and free of the conventional Wall Street vibe.
I live in the Del Sur community of San Diego with my wife and our two children. When I'm not working, you'll usually find me juggling youth sports schedules, keeping up with USC football, or trying (and failing) to convince my family that my music playlists are still relevant.
Professional Designations
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Affiliations
- Fee Only Network
Primary Location
16236 San Dieguito Rd, Ste 4-21, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Only
- Flat Fee
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a 45-min introductory conversation with our Head of Advice, Peter Campbell, CFP®, to see if working with us makes sense. We’ll walk through your priorities, explain our approach, and outline what the next steps would be. We look forward to speaking with you.Offers Investment Management
Yes
About Bull Oak Financial Advisors
Bull Oak Financial Advisors is a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisory firm founded in 2014 and based in Rancho Santa Fe, California, serving clients in San Diego and nationwide.Who We Serve
We work best with near retirees and current retirees looking to delegate their ongoing financial planning and investing needs. You’ve achieved great things and are too busy to manage the complexity of your finances. You also understand the benefit of an experienced human advisor.
Most importantly, genuinely nice people. We value kindness and mutual respect.
Our Services
Bull Oak is an all-in-one financial partner that brings together financial planning, investment management, and tax strategy. Being successful with money is about pragmatism. We help you separate emotion from reality and keep you on track with your financial goals so you can enjoy your money stress-free. Our team takes the time to carefully understand your needs so we can construct a thoughtful plan to help you retire as soon as possible and spend more time doing what you love most.
Transparent Pricing
Our fee structure is designed to be simple and transparent, with no commissions, hidden fees, or product sales. Services begin with a flat annual fee, plus a separate asset-based management fee for clients who also engage us for portfolio management. Together, these fees cover financial planning, investment management, and tax planning.
Investment advisory services are provided through Bull Oak Capital, LLC, which is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Education
UCLA Anderson School of Management, Master of Business Administration | University of Southern California, Bachelor's Degree
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Football
- Music
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Dual Income Family
- Families
- Gen X
- Gen Y / Millennials
- High Net Worth
- Individuals
- Living in Retirement
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