Donald E. Garcia

With a successful financial service industry career spanning 25 years, Donald is recognized as a business leader throughout Orange County, California. He has developed unique processes and designs and implements financial strategies for affluent business owners, highly compensated executives, and those who have inherited wealth, as well as providing retirement solutions.

Don is dedicated to helping children grow up to be proud and productive Americans. His leadership of and involvement with children is clearly demonstrated in his community outreach achievements. He strongly believes that the involvement of business leaders in their communities is essential to the economic growth and strength needed to ensure a prosperous future for America’s youth. Highlights of some of Don’s most notable achievements are:

Business Leadership

• President and owner of Pinnacle Consulting Group.
• Prior to forming Pinnacle Consulting Group, was an investment advisor for John Hancock Financial Services and ranked in the top 1% of all John Hancock associates in the nation for high achievements in overall performance and production.
• Past President of National Association of Professional Insurance and Financial Advisors of Orange County.
• Past President of the Walnut Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1997. Under his leadership and with his continuing support, the chamber achieved its goals for that year and beyond.
• Past President of the Achievers Club of Toastmasters International.
• Inducted as one of Orange Counties most influential business leaders.

Public Service

• Appointed by President George W. Bush to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
• Chairman of Audit and Finance committee for Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
• Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger to the State Workman's Compensation Board, where he serves on the Investment Committee.
• Mexico Advisory Board.
• Assisted in authoring a youth retirement bill considered by the U. S. Congress and Senate.
• Member of the Executive Board of the Alliance of Central Orange County.
• Actively involved in the New Majority, one of Orange County’s most prestigious and influential organizations. Through this affiliation and others, helps the County plan for its continuing growth.
• Board member of the Orange County Hispanic 100, an organization that recognizes the top Hispanic business leaders in the County.
• Member of the Lincoln Club
• Co-Chairman, National Latino Coalition, Por Mi Futuro, Washington, D.C.

Community Outreach

• Past member and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Orange County.
• Past Chairman of the Fundraising and Sponsorship Committee, American Cancer Society.
• Past involvement in Santa Ana's Project P.R.I.D.E. program as a mentor to individual gang members.
• Past member of the Board of Directors of New Beginnings Foundation - an organization dedicated to restoring hope, dignity, and independence to children with missing limbs.

Financial Development/Fundraising Experience

• Served on the finance committees for Assemblyman Bob Pacheco, candidate for Congress Gloria Matta Tuchman, and candidate for State Senate Araceli Gonzales.
• As Vice President of Legislation for the California Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, raised the most PAC funds in the history of the organization.

Education and Training

• Graduate of California State University, Long Beach; Dean's List and the President’s Honor Roll.
• American College CFP course study
• LUTC course study
• Strategic Coach, Dan Sullivan's Master's Class
• Sagemark University, advanced estate planning and investment planning course study.
• FINRA registrations: Series 7, Series 63, Series 65
• California Department of Insurance License
• Perpetually continues education to amplify the ability to provide the utmost service to the community as well as clients. Through advanced course work, earns and maintains the high level of standards demanded by the professional financial advisors industry, clients, and himself.

Awards and Honors

• 2016 OC500 Directory of Influence for Our Community - Orange County Business Journal¹
• 2017 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Nominee - February 2017, Orange County Business Journal²
• Million-Dollar Round Table - Top of Table - Consistent national qualifier³
• Premier Partners⁴
• The Resource Group (TRG)⁵

¹ The OC500 Directory of Influence for Our Community is independently produced by Orange County Business Journal and nomination criteria based on community involvement, engagement and growth as well as credibility in professional field, assets under management and professional recognition. No organization membership required, and no fee was required for nomination, receipt or promotion of this award which was independently granted. Working with a OC500 Directory of Influence for Our Community is no guarantee of investment success.
² The Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Nominee is independently produced by Orange County Business Journal and nomination based on integrity and experience in professional field. No organization membership required, and no fee was required for nomination, receipt or promotion of this award which was independently granted. Working with an Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Nominee is no guarantee of investment success.
³ The Top of Table qualifier is independently produced by Million Dollar Round Table. To qualify for a MDRT lifetime membership, a representative must achieve a certain level of premium, commission or income over the course of 10 years. We re-applied and are a continuing member for 2023. A fee of $1,150 is paid for membership each year. Membership in NAIFA-Orange County California organization is required. Working with a Million Dollar Round Table Top of Table qualifier is no guarantee of investment success.
⁴ The Premier Partners® Program represents a superior level of achievement earned by financial professionals and field managers for their commitment to client service, professionalism and business production.
⁵ The Resource Group (TRG) is an internal invitation-only, nationwide network of the top planners within Lincoln Financial Advisors.