Trusted Advisors Alliance

The Trusted Advisors Alliance is a group of professionals who have demonstrated the highest level of character and accomplishment in their life and in their work. They put service above self, and integrity at the core of every exchange. Their superior knowledge and proficiency in their respective fields, combined with their exemplary code of ethics, makes them ideal sources of trusted information and professional advice.

Typically, Advisor members are invited into the group based upon a long relationship in business or in private life with another Alliance member. In addition, the nature of the Advisor/Client relationship also tends to create lasting relationships. Because trust is developed over time and as one observes and experiences another's actions, the central theme shared by Alliance members is one of "history" -- long-lasting associations built upon honesty, fairness, and concern for the other's well being.

For the Client of a Trusted Advisors Alliance member, the benefits run deep. Not only can the member's Client count on highest quality advice and service delivered with honesty from their own Advisor, but if need be, they can tap into the Alliance member's network for even greater assistance.

In the same vein, Alliance members work collaboratively to assure that the needs of their Clients are fully met. When appropriate, Alliance members make professional referrals to others within the Alliance. In this way, a member's Client can benefit from the Alliance as a "whole" -- a unique concept that multiplies the Alliance's effectiveness and value to Alliance members as well as Alliance member Clients. The collective goal of Alliance members is to help Alliance Clients achieve the positive results they're looking for.

The Trusted Advisors Alliance was established in 2003 by Jim Slay, JS Professional Coaching, Palos Verdes, CA

© Jim Slay 2003 to present

Jim Slay President of JS Professional Coaching and Founder of the Trusted Advisors Alliance.

How the

Trusted Advisors Alliance™

Came Into Being

Early In 2002 I decided to enter into a third career, Professional and Business Coaching. In the process of my preparation for this work I realized that I needed access to at least three major resources: 1) a community of inspiring, forward looking and supportive people to work with, 2) business owners, executives and entrepreneurs to serve, and 3) a reservoir of professionals who were honest, caring and competent who had made these qualities the center and core of their life and work. I found all three of these in what has become the Trusted Advisors Alliance.

I had just read David Maister’s book, The Trusted Advisor.  As I looked back on my long history of working in all shapes and sizes of organizations, profit and not for profit, I remembered the one common thread that was found in each of those which were successful… it was Trust and Trustworthiness up and down and at all levels of each organization.

I remembered that when Trust was present things went exceptionally well! When Trust was absent not only did things go badly, often there existed a palpable toxicity that caused workers to be fearful, apprehensive and dread going into their places of work..

So I decided to shape my Professional Coaching business around helping in the creation of healthy workplaces and healthy organizations where Trust and Trustworthiness are deeply woven into the fabric of each organizations culture.I began a search to find leaders who were leading organizations of this kind. I came up with seventeen exceptional business and organizational leaders. Most of them I already knew, others I met along the way from 2003 to the present time.

I invited them to become a part of what we call the Trusted Advisors Alliance. Each and every one of them are rare exceptions in the way in which they conduct their life and work. A good example is Chris Marlow, a brilliant writer who crafted a statement of purpose which we continue to use. Chris is one of our Trusted Advisors and now is a most successful Copywriters Coach.

Now in 2007 I find myself reaching out to one or more of the members on a daily basis, finding for my self and my clients a reservoir of indispensable insight, information and Advice that can not only be Trusted but can be put into constructive use.

         This has been and is one of those grand ideas that really works!

The following is a list of some of our members along with how each has found the Alliance useful in the conduct of their life and work.

Members

Jim Slay, Professional and Personal Business Coach and Founder of Trusted Advisors Alliance

“My greatest career satisfaction is working with people and seeing them reach level’s of success that they thought were impossible. I help them to see that now is the time…and it’s never too late”!

Jim Slay helps his clients – in business and as individuals – clarify their strengths and values. He then helps them develop plans that support their values and enable their goals to come to life. In his role as a professional coach, Jim says that what he wants most is “to be known as a ‘trusted advisor’ to those I serve!”

Jim’s greatest passion is to “help people learn how to work together, in a collaborative style, to create Life/Work that is meaningful, purposeful, profitable and most important of all, joyful.”

Jim Slay, age 72, brings 45 years of professional executive management and coaching experience to his clients. Jim is a founder of the Affiliation of Professional Coaches of South Bay, and a member of the Professional Coaching and Mentoring Association, Los Angeles. He completed a Mentor/Coach Training program and earned a Certificate in Professional Coaching and Mentoring from California State University, Long Beach. Jim holds several academic degrees, including a Masters from Emory University and his Doctorate from Claremont School of Theology.

In his corporate career, Jim planned and directed significant organizational change and executive development projects, brought teams together, facilitated their effective collaboration, and kept the participants organized, motivated and productive. Significant accomplishments include the development of two Behavioral Health departments, and the development of a Collaborative Care/Primary Care delivery system.

In 1999 the American Medical Group Association nationally recognized and honored this innovation with the prestigious Acclaim Award. Jim also designed and developed a program for Professional Development to recruit, train, and retain physicians and other allied professionals.

Jim is a contributing author to two books on the Clinical integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care. His corporate affiliations include three multi-specialty medical groups: Redondo Beach Medical Group, Bay Shores Medical Group, and Healthcare Partners Medical Group.

In addition to his Professional Coaching, Jim is teaching other Professional Coaches in what he calls the Coaching Practicum.

Jerry Bottomly, D.D.S.

I was introduced to the concept of a Trusted Advisors Alliance by my good long term friend, Dr. Jim Slay.  Jim has been a source of personal and business support for myself and my family since our first meeting in the early 1970’s.  Jim has gathered together an exemplary group of professionals with the true purpose of supporting each other in our personal and business dealings.  The group is a resource for my personal and professional needs and those of my friends and colleagues.  To have a trusted group of highly qualified individuals of tremendous integrity has been invaluable in developing my dental practice, and creating the reputation we now have in the professional and local community.  The dedication to caring and excellence we strive to provide for our patients is reflected by each and every member of the Trusted Advisors Alliance.

Jerry Bottomley completed his undergraduate training at UCLA and graduate degree in dentistry at University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Dr. Bottomley has extensive postgraduate training in cosmetic, reconstructive, and implant dentistry. He has been practicing at the same location in Rolling Hills Estates since 1971. His practice is dedicated to excellence and utilizes state of the art technology.  Dr. Bottomly's personal philisophy is a holistic integrated approach to dental care that includes understandings of both Eastern and Western medical knowledge.

John Johnson, M.D.

Dr. John Johnson, a Gastroenterolgist, is currently a Medical Director for Health Care Partners in Torrance, California. John has been in practice since 1969 and has served in leadership roles at Redondo Beach Medical Group, Bay Shores Medical Group and since 1995 in his present position. He was president of Bay Shores LLC and CEO of both RBMG and Bay Shores.

John Johnson has been a leader in the development of Collaborative Care since the very beginning of his professional career. Collaborative Care is the discipline of integrating medical and behavioral health. It is referred to as the biopsychosocial model of health care. John was both editor and contributor to two books on Collaborative Care and was instrumental in the development of a Collaborative Care delivery model at both Bay Shores and Health Care Partners. John has always been highly respected as a leader and Trusted Advisor to physicians. His advice to them has always been consistent…”just do the right thing!” It is by this principle that John lives and it was on this principle that he helped to shape the medical cultures that he was and is now a part of.

John Johnson and Jim Slay began working together in 1973 at Redondo Beach Medical Group. As the years went by they formed a very close working relationship. Jim has said of John, “ he has been one of the most significant and positive influences in my entire life.” When Jim began to think about the Trusted Advisors Alliance, John was among the first that he invited to join. John is a towering example of what it means to be a Trusted Advisor.

Joann Moser, R.N. and Chief Operating Officer of Torrance Hospital Independent Practice Association.

Joann has held this position for the last seven years. Prior to this Joann has worked in leadership positions at Bay Shores Medical Group and Health Care Partners.

In her work in Health Care, she has been instrumental in advancing the quality of care being delivered by physicians to their patients. She was one of the first persons at Bay Shores to be qualified by Matthew Budd M.D. to teach the Harvard Personal Health Improvement Program. She was also involved in the development of the Organizational Health Improvement Program the Leadership Team at Bay Shores along with numerous other Innovative programs.

Joann Moser has a nurses heart which always prevails when she is at work as an Operations Officer. Jim and Joann have worked together since 1985 in both formal and informal relationships. With the formation of the Trusted Advisors Alliance, it was quite an obvious and natural choice to have her become a part of it. Joann is a principle centered leader who is always looking for the best way to see that all who are involved in her organization are being treated fairly and have for themselves an atmosphere of trust and goodwill.

Marc Moser, CEO of Torrance Hospital Independent Practice Association.

Marc has held this position for the last eight years. Previous to this Marc has been and still is a prominent leader in Medical Health Care in California for over 30 years. He was Administrator for Redondo Beach Medical Group and Bay Shores Medical Group. After the merger of Bay Shores with Health Care Partners Marc became the Chief Operations Officer.

Since his departure from Health Care Partners Marc has served in top level administrative positions at Little Company of Mary, the City of Hope and others before coming to his present position with THIPA.

Throughout his career, Marc has been committed to the highest quality of medical care. He has been an innovator in helping to develop a program of Collaborative Care, Organizational Health Improvement Programs, the Personal Health Improvement Program and numerous programs to make connections between patients and their physicians run smoothly to advance the process of healing and health.

Jim Slay and Marc worked together at Redondo Beach Medical Group, Bay Shores and Health Care Partners between 1980 and 1997. A solid bond was established which has lasted until the present time. When the Alliance was being formed, it was a natural choice that Marc be included since he believes in and practices the principles of the Trusted Advisors Alliance. Whenever there are questions about the best advice to acquire excellent medical care, Marc is a person that Alliance members can call on.

John Finn, founder of Finn Communications, is the world's leading agent for the top direct-response copywriters and graphic designers.  With more than 35 years experience in direct response, John creates marketing teams that have helped his clients increase their sales and profits by tens of millions of dollars.  He's the person to contact when you need to hire the most talented and successful people in the direct-response business.

Kevin McKinney, C.P.A. and President of McKinney and Company

Kevin McKinney, President of McKinney and Company, has been in the Business of Certified Public Accounting for over 30 years. Although his offices are located in Los Alamitos, California, his practice extends both north into Los Angeles county and south into Orange county. Kevin works with business owners as well as individuals. He has special expertise in business development and in bringing solutions to business owners who have complex business problems. Kevin works collaboratively and interdependently with other professionals to assure that the total needs of his clients are met. The initial consultation with him is complimentary.

Jim Slay secured the services of Kevin in 1980. As a result of an unwise choice of a business partner, Jim found himself in a very difficult financial position in which bankruptcy might well have been the outcome. With the help and advice of Kevin, Jim was able to develop and implement effective solutions to this disruptive and most difficult life situation.  This important life lesson re-enforced for Jim that the most important ingredient in any personal or business relationship is the character of the individuals involved. Ever since this principle centered experience with Kevin, Jim has relied on him as his Trusted Advisor. Jim continues to use Kevin as source of referral for family, friends, patients, clients and business associates.

Kevin was one of the first that Jim invited to be a member of his Trusted Advisors Alliance in 2003. Kevin continues to work with Jim and other   members of the Alliance.

George Hicks, Licensed Business Broker

George Hicks was introduced to the esteemed Dr. Jim Slay through a mutual friend and was invited to join the Trusted Advisors group in 2003. He has experienced the highest level of professionalism and ethics with the members of the Trusted Advisors Alliance.

George is a recognized leader in the Business Brokerage industry. He leads the 2006, #1 transaction team here at Sunbelt Business Sales and Acquisitions. The team consists of his partner Hazel Hofsess, CBI and Wendy Miller, Customer Care Manager.

His team’s philosophy is to be the industry’s premier informational resource, providing liquidity for business owners and fulfilling the ownership dreams of buyers.

George is a sought after speaker and author on subjects like “Buying, Selling and Valuing a Small Business”. He has been interviewed on  KNX radio and spoken, authored or given educational seminars for the International Business Broker Association, the California Association of Business Brokers, UCLA Extension’s Entrepreneurial Program and numerous other professional trade associations and special interest groups. He is very active in community and charitable organizations and is President of Torrance Rotary 2007-2008.

George is a licensed Business Broker and has been awarded two coveted industry designations: the Certified Business Intermediary designation (CBI) by the International Business Brokerage Association (IBBA) and the Certified Business Broker (CBB) awarded by the California  Association of Business Brokers (CABB). He has met or exceeded requirements for these designations and shown a high degree of knowledge in business brokerage by completing college courses and passing rigorous proficiency testing.

Bob Jonas, Family Law Attorney

Bob became a Trusted Advisor to Jim in 1977. Jim sought a change of custody for his son Andy. After that task was completed successfully, Jim and Bob formed a personal and professional bond that has grown stronger and stronger through the years. Their work together has always been based on trust. Each knows that the other will deal both honestly and fairly with each other and with every client.

Bob has been in the practice of law for over 36 years. Although his offices have been located in Manhattan Beach, he has gained a unique and enviable reputation throughout the South Bay area as one who works for fair and equitable solutions for his clients. He is especially diligent in seeking the best solutions for his clients when there are children involved.

When Jim began to invite people into the Trusted Advisors Alliance, Bob was one of the first persons he called. Now when legal questions arise in Jim's Professional Coaching practice, Bob is the person he calls for advice. Other members of the alliance often use his advice as well.

I met Jim Slay in 2003 while at John Finn's office in Redondo Beach, California.  As one of the world's leading copywriter's agents (Kevin Finn is the other), I have great respect and admiration for John, and over a series of visits to his office, began to know Jim also. During this time I noticed an electrifying dynamic.  As John's business coach, Jim was the catalyst for a sea change throughout the Finn offices. The impact of Jim's coaching was felt at all levels, and I was so influenced by the positive energy and business inroads I witnessed, that I decided to model Jim, and become a business coach for copywriters. In this endeavor, Jim became my coach, and about the same time, invited me into his Trusted Advisors circle.

As a business coach for copywriters, I'm acutely aware that I have an enormous responsibility to not only teach and protect my coaching students, but to also operate from the most honest of all vantage points. Fortunately this is easy for me, as integrity has been my core value since my teenage years. However, as a direct marketing copywriter and coach, whose business is 100 percent online, I'm never far away from carnival barkers, tricksters, and just plain liars who place their own financial gain ahead of the welfare of those teach.

Although this angers and saddens me, I'm thankful to be a part of a group of professionals who have come together, under Jim's banner, to support ethics in the workplace, and especially as their role as "advisor to others.  In the world of business, you find very little emphasis on trust and honesty. The Trusted Advisors Alliance not only keeps me in the company of those I can trust and respect, but it also offers me an incredibly valuable resource for my own business needs, as well as the needs of those I serve.

Larry Moore joined the Trusted Advisors Alliance in 2004. Since then he has been a valuable resource to a number of our members. Larry’s vast experience has become, for members of the Alliance and their clients, a reservoir of knowledge and Trusted Advice which he generously and graciously shares.

Those who have worked closely with Larry as he works with business associates, clients and acquaintances observe that most of these folks ultimately become his good friends. In business and in his personal life he is known as one of the most ethical, truthful, caring and understanding men in his industry.

 He is a trusted and respected member of the Real Estate industry as well as in many other community organizations with which he is involved.  When Larry founded Moore & Associates Inc., Realtors, in 1982 he knew there was a better way.  He envisioned a local, independent company that could deliver all the support and amenities of the large corporate-owned companies while also providing the intimacy, friendliness and local insight that only comes from years of local experience.

Donna M.Phelan is Vice President of Investments at Phelan-Difley Advisory Group and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Connecticut. She is currently registered as a Securities Representative, with clients coast to coast. She also holds Life and Variable Annuity Licenses in numerous states. Donna has taught securities and insurance law for licensing purposes in the state of California. She is past-president of the American Association of Individual Investors (CT) and has sat on various boards, including the Westchester Childcare Council (NY) and the 24 Karat Club of Southern California. She has been an active member of the Financial Women's Association and Trusted Advisors Alliance. Donna is the author of many articles and regularly speaks on investment topic at national conferences.

Malinda S. Diffley of Phelan-Difley Advisory Group is a Certified Financial Planner™ and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA™). She also holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University, and is a charter member of Pepperdine's Estate Planning Network.  She holds Series 7, 63, 65, Life, and Variable Annuity Licenses. Malinda incorporates long-term financial planning with a structured approach to help clients build and manage their wealth. She specializes in retirement planning, estate planning and gifting, tax strategies and risk management.  Her expertise includes equities, fixed income, mutual funds, insurance and annuities. Her research employs both fundamental and technical analysis.

Mike Gray, Senior Loan Officer/Partner of Bay Cities Funding Corp.

Mike Gray is an original member of Bay Cities Funding Corporation, established in 1996.  He is a Southern California native and a resident of Hermosa Beach.  Mike is a partner in Bay Cities Funding Corporation, bringing more than 20 years of knowledge in the mortgage industry.

 Mike’s commitment to client service and mortgage management has resulted in his team experiencing overall growth year after year.  Mike’s personal service team consists of himself and his Client Service Coordinator, Lupe Soto.

Mike’s previous experience includes underwriting at the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and auditing at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board.  Mike is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and a graduate of the University of Southern California.  

Debbie Stanley, Direct Marketing Consultant

Debbie prides herself on her one-to-one client service, one of the signature hallmarks of a Trusted Advisor.  Her service-oriented work ethic helps her to provide her clients with excellent service while leading those clients in providing excellent service to their clients and customers. If someone was to write a book on client and customer service, Debbie would be an excellent example of “how to do it”! In addition to her integrity, she is inspiring to those who work with her, always forward looking and is probably one of the most competent in her field. She establishes deep, long term and trusted business relationships in which her clients come to her again and again for her Trusted Advice.

Debbie was invited to join the Trusted Advisors Alliance in 2007. She will prove to be a valuable addition to the group.

Dawn Jonas, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer

Dawn Jonas is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer who works in her “for women only” private studio on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. She is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council of Exercise, Cancer Wellness and Medical Health and Fitness. Dawn works with her clients to create personalized, realistic workable programs to meet each individuals special needs. She is enthusiastic about her work and is an inspiration to her clients because she lives out what she teaches to others. Dawn is one of the founding members of the Trusted Advisors Alliance having joined in 2003. She works collaboratively with other members of the Alliance and is genuinely interested in seeing that the “total needs” of our members and their clients are met.

Cristy Brewer met Jim Slay when he became her Clinical Supervisor when she was an Intern, working together in an innovative Collaborative Care Program. During that time, they developed a mutual respect and trust for each other and a commitment to always put the needs of the patient and his family first. Since being a member of the Trusted Advisors Alliance, Cristy continues to collaborate through referral to other members of the group who share this idea and practice it with integrity.

Janet Johnson, Chair of Leadership Redondo Beach

Janet Johnson is one of the of the newest members of the Trusted Advisors Alliance having joined in 2007. Janet became the recipient of the First Annual  Servant Leadership Award which was presented on January 26, 2006. The Award was given for outstanding and exemplary service as a leader in the South Bay community.

The Citation read as follows:  “Our recipient possesses the five characteristics of a great leader: Integrity, Inspirational, Caring, Forward Looking and Competent. And as she serves, those around her grow as persons, and while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, autonomous and more likely themselves to become servant leaders