Our Company

We’re here to help you navigate the road map of life—from first steps to final days.

As a state-registered wealth advisory firm, Classic Financial is duty-bound to provide comprehensive financial planning and asset management that puts your needs first. Our professional, personable approach to finance combines the warmth of a family office with the expertise of a corporate firm.

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Meet Your Partners in Personalized Wealth Management

Charles M. Russo, CFP®

President, CEO

Ellen R. Horn

Vice President

Isaak Hernandez

Title

Sarita Monroy

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Meet Your Partners in Personalized Wealth Management

Charles M. Russo, CFP®

President, CEO
Charlie moved from New York to California in 1982 and began his career in the Financial Planning industry with Mutual of New York in Beverly Hills. In 1994, Charlie decided to extend his education and obtain his Certified Financial Planning designation.
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Ellen R. Horn

Vice President
Ellen is a native Californian and comes from a family of educators. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in Liberal Studies and an additional 30 postgraduate units in special education. Always interested in the business world, she incorporated her knowledge and background with children
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Sarita Monroy

Sarita began her career in hospitality and education, working in environments such as country clubs, hotels, and elementary schools. These early experiences shaped her passion for working with people, understanding individual needs, and building meaningful relationships grounded in trust and care.
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Isaak Hernandez

Isaak is driven by two core passions: the art of building lasting relationships and that success is built on a foundation of integrity and hard work. This unique upbringing taught him the value of precision and resilience—traits he now applies to the fast-paced world of business.
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Putting Clients First from the Beginning

Founded in 2000 by Charles M. Russo and Ellen R. Horn, Classic Financial began as an insurance firm before expanding to include financial planning and investment services. Our first clients were doctors and specialists—people who were so dedicated to caring for their patients that they had little time to meet with conventional advisors.

What To Expect?

At Classic Financial, our goal is to help you implement a plan with multiple strategies to reduce risk for all possible outcomes. There is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to planning your future, and because we’re an independent firm, we’re under no obligation to sell proprietary products or services. This means we’re objective and selective, only offering services we truly believe fit your specific needs.

Here are the 5 key stages of planning we focus on when evaluating your financial goals:

Basic Needs

1. Taxes
2. Debt Service
3. Food
4. Clothing

Financial Stability

1. Disability Insurance
2. Business Overhead Expense
3. Medical Insurance
4. 6 months Living Expenses in Cash
5. Life Insurance

Quality of Life

1. Vacations
2. Luxuries
3. Dependent's Education
4. Dream home
5. Vacation Home

Financial Security

1. Qualified Retirement Plans
2. Split Dollar Plans
3. Investment Risk Management
4. Long-Term Care Insurance
5. Asset Protection

Financial Independence

1. Capital Gains and Estate Tax Elimination
2. Inflation Protection
3. Investment Risk Elimination
4. Life Expectancy Distribution
5. Endowments

Years Experience

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Expert Team

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Worldwide Client

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24/7 Full Support

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We Know Finance Better

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Get In Touch With Us

Address

2535 Townsgate Rd. Ste 310, Westlake Village, CA 91361

Phone

800-750-PLAN

Email

support@classicfinancial.net

Let's See How We Can Help You

Building Relationships Through Honesty, Integrity and Service

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Charles M. Russo, CFP®

President, CEO

Charlie moved from New York to California in 1982 and began his career in the Financial Planning industry with Mutual of New York in Beverly Hills. In 1994, Charlie decided to extend his education and obtain his Certified Financial Planning designation. In addition to completing a comprehensive financial planning curriculum approved by the CFP Board, CFP® professionals are required to complete continuing education coursework. This includes a CFP Board-approved code of ethics course that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP® professionals must have a minimum of three years’ experience in the personal financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks.

Charlie has been helping individuals, business owners and health professionals reach their financial goals for over 30 years. In effort to provide clients with a more personalized and comprehensive approach, he began Classic Financial in 2000. Charlie is also an Investment Advisor Representative and Insurance Agent. He is a member of the MDRT’s Top of the Table and has been recognized several times for his financial aptitude.

Ellen R. Horn

Vice President

Ellen is a native Californian and comes from a family of educators. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in Liberal Studies and an additional 30 postgraduate units in special education. Always interested in the business world, she incorporated her knowledge and background with children and was the Primary Director of a Resident and Day Camp in Malibu. Her leadership skills helped grow and organize the business to make it one of the most successful Children’s Camps in Southern California.

After a decade long career as an educator, her teaching credentials enabled her to help clients understand how to reach their financial goals. Ellen has been in the financial business since 1992 and has been working with Charlie for over 25 years. One of her priority roles with Classic Financial is to help clients better understand the programs and tools they implement to reach their financial goals. She has direct contact with every client and coordinates all quarterly, semiannual and annual reviews. Ellen is a member of the MDRT’s Quarter of the Table and has received numerous acknowledgments for her financial success and professionalism. 

Sarita Monroy

Sarita grew up in Los Angeles, California, and earned her degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge. She began her career in hospitality and education, working in environments such as country clubs, hotels, and elementary schools. These early experiences shaped her passion for working with people, understanding individual needs, and building meaningful relationships grounded in trust and care.

She later transitioned into the financial services industry, joining JPMorgan Chase, where she discovered an opportunity to make a lasting impact in a new way. Finance allowed Sarita to bring together her background in service, education, and relationship-building to help clients navigate important financial decisions. Today, she focuses on building long-term relationships, earning trust, and guiding clients toward their financial goals through thoughtful, personalized support.

Outside of work, Sarita enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé, Adrian, and their family. They love discovering new restaurants, exploring the beaches throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, and visiting loved ones in Jalisco, Mexico. Their French Bulldog, Paloma, is always part of the fun.

Isaak Hernandez

Isaak a lifelong resident of California, graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a degree in Business. Raised in a military family, Isaak has always been driven by two core passions: the art of building lasting relationships and that success is built on a foundation of integrity and hard work. This unique upbringing taught him the value of precision and resilience—traits he now applies to the fast-paced world of business.

His career journey began at lululemon, where he gained a deep understanding of business operations, sales strategy, and client engagement. He later transitioned to JP Morgan Chase, as a Private Client Banker where he was recognized as a National Achiever. Further, refining his expertise through collaboration with financial partners to help clients navigate their financial goals. Now at Classic Financial, Isaak utilizes his comprehensive background to support the firm’s mission, working closely with the team to help individuals and families secure their financial futures.

Outside of the office, Isaak finds his greatest joy in his family. He loves spending quality time making new memories with his wife and their two children. They love going to parks, trying new activities, and road trips. The Hernandez household has recently become even more lively with the addition of their new dog Eevee.