Meet Your Team
John Chavez, CFP®
Chief Executive Officer
A graduate of the University of Washington School of Business, John began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1994, where he built a planning-based team dedicated to serving affluent families & business owners. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, reflecting his dedication to excellence in financial planning and client service. With decades of experience in the wealth management industry, John brings deep expertise and strategic leadership to WaFd Wealth Management and knows what it takes to develop and deploy talent. Outside of work, he enjoys developing innovative solutions to everyday problems, plays golf, and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
Bobby Campbell
President
Bobby started his career at JPMorgan Chase & Co., gaining experience in both retail banking and investment services. In 2010, Bobby joined Merrill Lynch where he built a successful practice serving affluent families & business owners. Bobby attended California State University, Monterey Bay, where he golfed competitively & earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a 4th generation Bainbridge Island native and now lives in Seattle with his wife, Sativa, and their two young daughters. Outside of work, Bobby is an active Dad, still enjoys golf & socializing with friends.
Shane Parris
Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Shane oversees the operational and financial health of our Firm. A Washington native, Shane earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Management from Occidental College & his MBA from the University of Washington. He launched his investment banking career at Credit Suisse and gained private equity experience with time at Blue Point Capital Partners. Shane has held Director positions at Intellectual Ventures & Identity Digital and was recently named Vice President of Finance and Head of FP&A at Enlyte before joining WaFd Wealth Management. Shane lives in Kirkland with his wife, son, and daughter. He's a proud father, sports enthusiast, and lover of statistics.
Michael Thompson
Chief Investment Officer
As Chief Investment Officer, Michael brings more than 15 years of investment industry experience to WaFd Wealth Management. A graduate of Western Washington University, he holds a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. In his previous role, Michael worked at Morgan Stanley, where he supported tax-managed investment strategies through a multidisciplinary lens, serving as a Portfolio Manager, Quantitative Analyst, and Software Engineer. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder, underscoring his dedication to rigorous investment analysis and the highest standards of professional ethics. Michael also earned a Certificate in Computational Finance & Risk Management from the University of Washington, equipping him to integrate quantitative insight with practical, client‑focused investment management. Outside of work, Michael is an avid golfer and skier with a passion for travel. A native of the Greater Seattle Area, he lives in West Seattle with his wife, Elizabeth.
Liz Parris
Director, Executive Initiatives
Liz plays a key leadership role in driving organizational growth and ensuring the successful execution of strategic initiatives. A Washington native, Liz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington. Her career in finance began at Merrill Lynch in 2010, where she served on the management team before being recruited to join an Advisory team. She served a wide range of client service needs and further developed a strong blend of strategic insight and client-focused experience that she brings to her current role. She resides in Kirkland with her husband, son, and daughter. Liz enjoys traveling to sunny destinations, participating in her children's activities, and spending time in the kitchen. Cooking for her family is her favorite pastime.
Danny Law
Director, Relationship Management
Danny is responsible for developing strong client relationships that drive business growth, enhances client satisfaction, and supports the company's strategic goals. Danny holds a degree in Finance from the University of Washington School of Business and an MBA from Seattle University. With 20 years of relationship management experience at Merrill Lynch, Danny brings valuable industry experience and a deep understanding of client service to our team, with a proven track record of developing talent and leading by example. Danny and his wife, Fay, live in Renton with their daughter and son. Outside of work, Danny enjoys video games, snowboarding, jogging, and spending time with his family. He is fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
Emily Schwartz
Director, Client Services
A Seattle native, Emily brings over fifteen years of experience in the financial services industry to her role at WaFd Wealth Management where she serves as Director, Client Services. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, Emily began her career at Merrill Lynch in 2010 as Wealth Management Specialist, later joining Morgan Stanley in a similar capacity. With a passion for designing thoughtful processes and delivering an exceptional client experience, Emily is dedicated to building strong, lasting relationships and takes pride in helping clients feel confident and supported throughout their financial journey. Outside of work, Emily enjoys attending live theater performances, road-tripping through the Pacific Northwest, and exploring Seattle's vibrant restaurant scene.