Meet Our Team

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. 

Richard DeSantis

Director of Operations

Richard DeSantis has been born and raised in Southern California.  He graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a BA in Business Finance.  Richard joined the team at Classic Financial after spending 13 plus years in the banking industry.  Richard previously worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank, Wells Fargo Private Bank, and was most recently with The Private Bank at Union Bank.

Throughout his banking career, Richard has worked with high-net-worth clients, non-profit organizations, business owners, corporate executives, and professional service firms to build, sustain, and transfer wealth based on their distinct financial goals.  He has passed his Series 7, Series 6, Series 63, and California State Life Insurance Exams.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his identical twin boys.  Richard also enjoys playing hockey, golf, and lifting weights.

Michael Russo

It/Security Director

Michael has a degree in Business from Moorpark College, where he also minored in computer science. He pursued a career in professional baseball for over 19 years, when a serious injury and several surgeries got him thinking about his own financial future. Michael began working with Classic Financial in 2012, where he attained his California Insurance License. For several years, he helped manage internal operations and client relations, until he inevitably wanted to pursue a venture of his own.

In addition to business, Michael vigorously studied nutrition and endocrinology for over a decade. He went on to start his own health food business named Symmetree Bar. When the 2020 pandemic hit, Symmetree lost access to vital supply chains, forcing him to close the business altogether. Soon after, he decided to return to Classic Financial, where he knew his newly developed skills could be put to good use. He now runs the entire IT & security division, while also managing their proprietary financial planning software. He plays a pivotal role in protecting Classic Financial from physical and online threats, as well as ensuring all the firm’s technology runs seamlessly.

Bella Salinas

Associate Vice President

Bella graduated in 2023 from Biola University with a B.S. in Business Management and achieved her dream of playing collegiate softball on a full scholarship. Bella joined Classic Financial as an administrative assistant in 2022 and was quickly promoted to Associate Vice President for her hard work ethic and valuable insight. She has her California State Life Insurance license and is planning on receiving her Certified Financial Planner designation this year. After, Bella will begin the process to pass the Series 65 exam. In her free time, she enjoys running, lifting weights, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Reviews From Our Clients

Thomas Gridd Manager

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Alan Houston Employee

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Ricky Franses Company CEO

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Get In Touch With Us

Address

370 North Westlake Blvd, Suite 130 Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Phone

800-750-PLAN

Email

support@classicfinancial.net