ABOUT lOWERY THOMAS
Our team of advisors are ready to assist in making sound financial decisions
Our FIRM
CPAs, Certified Financial Planners, Registered Investment Advisors under One Roof
Lowery Thomas was established in 1999 and has provided outstanding investment advisory services, wealth management and comprehensive financial planning services ever since. The emphasis of our investment advisory and financial planning services is always on our clients. We are Employee Stock Option Specialists and experts in Retirement Planning. Lowery Thomas has three Registered Investment Advisors including two CPAs and one Certified Financial Planner with a Masters in Taxation as principals of the firm. With our firm wide expertise, the investment and financial planning process is more efficient and effective which results in better advice.
Our Expertise
Investments, Financial Planning, and Taxes
Lowery Thomas focuses on investment advisory services, wealth management and comprehensive financial planning. We are professionals with expertise in financial planning, taxes and investments. The foundation of our investment philosophy is based on a system that won the Nobel Prize. This philosophy has been validated over time and has been emphasized in our firm since day one. The core of our approach is strategic asset allocation and disciplined portfolio management while customizing to an appropriate level of risk for each client.
Our Approach
Provide Clients the Best Opportunity to Accumulate Wealth and Prosper Financially by Implementing a Personalized Plan
We develop customized plans that are unique for you. Plans are adapted to your ongoing needs and goals providing a welcome change from the one-size fits all approach so common with others. Our team is excellent problem solvers and decision makers. We use these skills to complement our training and experience to develop well designed financial plans and investment portfolios. Explaining and understanding our thought process increases the probability of financial success while providing an opportunity for your input.
Meet the Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals who drive the success of Lowery Thomas LLC.
Mark T. Vicencio, Cpa
Co-Founder & President
Mark is a founding partner of Lowery Thomas, LLC, serving as a Certified Public Accountant and Registered Investment Advisor. With more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry, he has played a pivotal role in integrating tax and investment planning under one organization to provide comprehensive financial solutions for clients. By adopting a holistic approach from the outset, Lowery Thomas established itself as a leader in delivering thorough and value-driven advice to its clientele.
Prior to co-founding Lowery Thomas, Mark developed his expertise at two prominent CPA firms in Oakland and San Francisco. In 1996, he launched his individual CPA practice and, by 1999, became one of the original partners in establishing Lowery Thomas, LLC.
Mark is also dedicated to community involvement, particularly with youth athletics in Lamorinda. Since 2004, he has coached football and baseball teams, and in 2010 founded the Lamorinda Passing League to prepare local athletes for high school football. He served as a varsity football coach at Acalanes High School beginning in 2016 and contributed to the school's baseball program between 2014 and 2018. Outside of his professional and coaching roles, Mark enjoys golf, outdoor cooking, driving sports cars, and visiting Lake Tahoe. He values spending quality time with his family and their pets: dogs Sammy and Charlie, and cat Pebbles.
Mark resides in Pebble Beach with his wife, Shannon. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating in 1989.
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University of California, Santa Barbara, BA (Business Economics)
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Certified Public Account, State of California, since 1992
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Registered Investment Advisor, since 1999
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California Society of CPAs, San Francisco Chapter
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American Institute of CPAs
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National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
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Series 65, Uniform Investment Advisor
Kenneth g. Cala, cpa, m.s., cfp
Co-Founder & Director of Planning
Ken Cala is a Founder and Principal of Lowery Thomas, LLC. Ken, who holds a Masters in Taxation in addition to being a CPA and CFP, integrates financial planning, tax and investment advice to a select group of high net worth individuals. Ken advises clients on their company stock plans including employee stock options, ESPP and restricted stock. With his vast experience in multiple disciplines, Ken heads our financial planning division.
Prior to Lowery Thomas, Ken worked at Ernst & Young, Kenneth Leventhal & Co. and Hood & Strong CPAs in San Francisco before starting his own CPA practice in 1996.
Ken graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Business Economics in 1989. In addition, Ken received a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 1995 and earned a Certified Financial Planners designation in 2003.
Ken enjoys playing golf, coaching, traveling, camping and spending time with his family. He generously volunteers much of his free-time to youth sports in Alameda. Ken also serves on the Board of the Alameda Boys and Girls Club and the Alameda Babe Ruth Association. Ken and his wife, Donna, live in Alameda.
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University of California, Santa Barbara, BA (Business Economics)
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Golden Gate University, San Francisco, MS (Taxation)
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Certified Financial Planner, since 2003
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Certified Public Account, State of California, since 1991
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Registered Investment Advisor, since 2001
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California Society of CPAs, San Francisco Chapter
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Series 65, Uniform Investment Advisor
David J. Lowery
Co-Founder & Director of Investments
Dave Lowery was a founding partner of Lowery Thomas, LLC in 1999 and is Director of Investments for the firm. He is in charge of investment research and technical analysis for Lowery Thomas.
He began his career at Prudential Securities and Piper Jaffray in San Francisco after graduating from San Diego State University with a BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing in 1994.
In college, Dave played Quarterback for the San Diego State Aztecs from 1989-93 and holds the school record for most passing yards in game with 568 against BYU in 1991.
He is also active in youth sports in Pleasant Hill and is the Junior Varsity head coach for baseball at College Park High School. Dave is an avid golfer, enjoys cooking and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Walnut Creek.
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California State University, San Diego, BA (Business Administration)
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Registered Investment Advisor, since 1999
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Series 65, Uniform Investment Advisor
Founding partner Dave Lowery holds the passing record at San Diego State for most yards (568) in a single game against BYU in 1991. Click on logo to see the video:
michael t. vicencio
Financial Advisor
Mike is the third University of California, Santa Barbara graduate to join Lowery Thomas, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government in September 2018.
He began his tenure at Lowery Thomas as an intern in 2013, where he developed a strong interest in investment advisory services. Upon completing his degree at UCSB, Mike accepted a position as a financial advisor with the firm.
During high school, Mike distinguished himself by earning varsity letters in both golf and baseball throughout all four years and graduated from Acalanes High School in 2014. He actively volunteers as a coach with the Lamorinda Passing League, providing mentorship to students in grades seven and eight. Outside of his professional commitments, Mike enjoys snowboarding, playing golf, and socializing with friends.
He currently resides in Lafayette with his girlfriend, Katelynn and their black Labrador, Stella.
matthew b. vicencio
Financial Advisor Assistant
Matty graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising in 2022.
Over the past three years, he has acquired experience in the wealth management industry, concentrating on financial planning as well as the firm's investment philosophy and strategy. Matty is detail-oriented and excels within structured environments that value objective decision-making under pressure.
Matty was a collegiate baseball player for four years, until an injury to his UCL and the impact of COVID-19 on Division 1 athletics interrupted his pitching career. Throughout his academic and athletic pursuits, he demonstrated strong work ethic, perseverance, and dedication to achieving his objectives.
He has recently returned to his hometown of Lafayette with his fiancée and their dog, Posey. Outside of his professional interests, Matty enjoys golfing and skiing. He shares a passion for sports with his family and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Giants, Warriors, and 49ers.
steven t. epstein, mba
Registered Investment Advisor
He started his career as a Senior Finance Analyst at Gap, Inc. His first position as an investment professional was at Miller Anderson and Sherrerd. After they were acquired by Morgan Stanley in 1999, Steve was promoted to Executive Director and Portfolio Manager in charge of over $12 billion in assets. In 2004, Steve moved to Defiance Asset Management, LLC as a Principal and Portfolio Manager.
Steve attended San Mateo High School graduating in 1985 and currently resides in San Mateo with his wife, Jane, and two boys.
Steve has been with Lowery Thomas, LLC since 2016. He graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Economics and then earned a Masters in Business Administration at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1996.