Gary Fournier is a Los Angeles-based money manager with over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. A member of the family that founded the legacy circle supporting the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, Gary Fournier is actively involved in the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.

Since its beginning in 1988, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) has acquired more than 1,600 acres of the Portuguese Bend region and its 42 miles of public hiking trails. In addition, the PVPLC supports two nature centers, which host educational programs for more than 4,000 students each year, as well as a plant nursery housing over 60 native species.

In order to celebrate the efforts of the PVPLC and to raise funds for educational and conservation programs, the PVPLC hosts an annual Palos Verdes Pastoral: A Garden-to-Table Dining Experience for special guests. This year’s event will be held in partnership with Terranea Resorts and Whole Foods Torrance, featuring organic ingredients prepared by world-renowned chef Bernard Ibarra. Hand-picked wines from the region will be served with the various courses under a full moon. Space is limited to 200 guests, so those wishing to attend should purchase tickets as early as possible. They are available online at www.pvplc.org.                             

Since 2006, Gary Fournier has served as a managing director of JP Morgan in Los Angeles. An active philanthropist, Gary Fournier has lent his support to several children’s organizations in Long Beach, such as the Miller Children’s Hospital, where he formerly served as a member of the board of directors.

Fewer than 5 percent of hospitals nationwide are children’s hospitals, which is why the Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach is such a crucial resource for the more than 8,000 children who receive treatment there each year. As a not-for-profit pediatric teaching hospital, it relies on fundraisers such as the annual iWalk … 4 Kids event. The next one is coming up on October 18, 2015.

Launched in 2012, iWalk … 4 Kids has become a premier fundraising event for people of all ages in the community. In addition to the featured 2.85-mile social walk circling through Queen Mary Events Park and Shoreline Aquatic Park, the event includes a Family FunFest with games and live entertainment.

Proceeds from the event directly support all departments of the Miller Children’s Hospital, and in the past three years they have funded music therapy and fit teen programs, breast milk cooler bags, and an in-house educational specialist. Online registration will be open through October 15, 2015, or until capacity is reached.                             

Over the course of his career as a private wealth management executive, Gary Fournier has continually ranked high in his profession. In 2014, Gary Fournier earned a place among the top 100 advisors in California, according to Barron’s. And in both 2014 and 2015, he was listed among the top 1,200 advisors nationwide. A widely recognized industry publication, Barron’s publishes four financial advisor rankings each year.

Barron’s begins the ranking process by collecting advisor data from a wide variety of sources, from regulatory databases and conversations with individual advisors to cross-checks with securities firms. The ranking methodology, which includes core components such as revenue produced and assets managed, provides a holistic view of the advisor’s overall quality of practice. Because the risk tolerance of clients plays such a major role in returns, total investment returns are not considered during the ranking process. Interested individuals can submit their data for ranking by completing a comprehensive online survey.