Avalon Capital Management exists to empower clients to live their best lives. We empower clients through holistic financial planning and proactive portfolio management.

Clara co-founded Avalon with partners Dave Rahn and Bill Oberman in 1992. Since 2016, she has served as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and the firm’s lead Portfolio Manager. In addition to her portfolio and business responsibilities, Clara advises the firm’s clients on wealth planning.

Clara’s initial involvement at Avalon was as head of investment research. She has devoted more than 32 years to developing the models used in Avalon’s investment and research process to include Avalon Dynamic Allocation, which serves as the firm’s framework for asset allocation. Prior to co-founding Avalon, she was Vice President in charge of foreign currency strategy and asset allocation research for Bailard, Biehl and Kaiser. She currently serves on the board of the Ned Davis Research National Advisory Board, a well-respected institutional global research firm.

Clara was a musician prior to beginning her career in asset management. She continues to support the arts and humanities through her focus on philanthropy that also extends to health, education, and the greater society. Clara was educated at the University of Notre Dame and San Francisco State University.

Dave co-founded Avalon with partners Clara Basile and Bill Oberman in 1992. He has over 50 years of investment, counseling and management experience. He founded or co-founded three successful investment companies and created the first mutual funds focused exclusively on asset allocation as well as international equity. In 1970, he co-founded a major Bay Area financial advisory and counseling firm serving as Director, President and Chief Investment Officer.

His 50 years’ experience helps him unravel the economic, socioeconomic and geopolitical complexities of today’s global environment. This is beneficial for counseling individuals as well as maneuvering through the investment minefield.

Dave has a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

Bill co-founded Avalon with partners Dave Rahn and Clara Basile in 1992. Bill’s role includes comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management and counseling, compliance, and the evaluation and implementation of new technology to support the firm’s operations. He is a member of the investment strategy team.

Prior to co-founding Avalon, Bill was a Vice President at Bailard, Biehl and Kaiser, where he managed their international bond fund and was responsible for domestic and international bonds and foreign currency. Bill also served as head of research for the financial planning group, where he provided planning and counseling for hundreds of individuals and families.

Bill has a B.A. in philosophy from Stanford University and a J.D. from the University of Santa Clara Law School. Bill received his C.F.A. in 1986.

Ross joined Avalon in 2020. He is active in all aspects of the business and is a member of the investment strategy team.

Prior to Avalon, Ross led the West Coast office and was an Investment Committee member at Windward Investment Management, a pioneer in the management and implementation of index portfolios. He led the growth of the West Coast office for Windward which, in 2010, was acquired by Charles Schwab. Prior to graduate school, Ross served in the US Army as a Field Artillery officer.

Ross has a B.S. in Economics from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He serves as co-Chairman for the Bay Area Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance.

Keli joined Avalon in February of 2021 and brings with her a strong background in C-level executive support and back office operations. With a focus on technology-based platforms and process development, Keli is helping to further Avalon’s emphasis on high-efficiency workflows that ultimately enhance the client experience.

Before joining Avalon, Keli served as VP of Administration at the investment banking firm Capstone Financial Group. Prior to that, she spent time at KPMG.

Keli holds a degree in Business from Mission College. When she is not at work you can find her spending time enjoying her three daughters and writing & illustrating children’s books.