About Roy Gagaza

Roy Gagaza is the president and chief executive officer of Journey Wealth Management, LLC, where he focuses on helping people transition from their working years into retirement with clarity and realistic expectations. He entered the financial services profession after a long military career and wanted to continue serving others differently. From offices in Manteca, California, and the communities of Aiea and Honolulu, Hawaii, he meets with individuals and families who want to organize their savings, plan for income, and build long-term strategies that reflect what matters most to them.

Military Career – Early Years

Roy began his service in the U.S. Army Reserve before transitioning to active duty as an Armor Officer, ultimately spending about two decades in uniform. He completed demanding Airborne and Ranger training, learning early in his career that careful preparation and teamwork are essential in both training and combat. As he advanced, he took on leadership roles that required him to guide soldiers through complex exercises and real-world missions, always keeping their safety and readiness at the center of his efforts while balancing the mission's needs with the needs of the people he led.

Military Career – Leadership and Deployments

Gagaza served as a Tank Platoon Leader with the 1st Armored Division during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and later commanded a cavalry troop in South Korea with the 5/17 Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Infantry Division. He also worked as an Operations and Training Officer, helping units from company to brigade levels prepare for deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Over multiple combat tours, he earned the Bronze Star for his service during both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, recognition that reflected his steady leadership, planning, and commitment to those under his command.

Path into Financial Services

Roy Gagaza began preparing for a second career while still on active duty, drawing on his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from San Jose State University and a growing interest in financial education. Even during a year-long deployment to Kuwait in 2004, he used available time to meet with people, host educational seminars, and study for professional designations. Through sustained effort, he earned credentials as a Certified Estate Planner (CEP®) and Registered Financial Consultant (RFC™). When he retired from the Army in 2008, he carried forward his sense of duty, choosing to serve individuals and families by helping them plan for retirement and long-term financial security.

Leadership at Journey Wealth Management

Roy now leads Journey Wealth Management, LLC, a firm that provides retirement planning, investment and wealth management, tax planning, health care strategies, and legacy and estate services. He works to ensure that each plan is grounded in the client’s goals rather than in a one-size-fits-all approach, taking time to explain options in clear, straightforward language. His work has been recognized by industry partners through induction into the Advisors Excel Hall of Fame, annual Advisors Excel Elite Advisor Awards since 2018, Security Benefit Elite Advisor Awards in 2018 and 2020, and the Allianz Century Award for achieving $100 million in premium on behalf of the clients he serves.

Client Philosophy and Approach

Gagaza views every client relationship as a long-term partnership based on trust, education, and readiness for change. He encourages people to imagine what a meaningful life after full-time work might look like, then helps them build step-by-step plans to protect assets, create dependable income streams, and leave room for life’s uncertainties. He draws on habits formed during his military service, such as discipline, adaptability, and calm leadership, to guide clients through market shifts, personal transitions, and the many decisions that arise on the way to and through retirement, always aiming to keep them informed and supported.

Community Engagement and Giving Back

Roy Gagaza extends his commitment to service into the broader community by working with the highway patrol, local school districts, certified public accountants, several Chambers of Commerce, and many individuals who attend his educational seminars. He regularly speaks with pre-retirees and retirees who want guidance on preserving assets, developing retirement income strategies, and using tax-efficient approaches to reduce their overall tax burden. He and his firm support organizations such as Second Harvest of the Greater Valley and the Hawaii Food Bank, encouraging contributions of funds and canned goods, and they also back The Golden State German Shepherd Rescue and the Backcountry Horseman of CA, reflecting his appreciation for animals and the outdoors.

Education, Family, and Personal Life

Roy is originally from Livermore, California, on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, and he places great value on family. He is married to a spouse who serves as his life partner and as the chief financial officer and co-founder of Journey Wealth Management, LLC. Together, they have three children and two grandchildren; one child works as an economic consultant in the family business, another serves in education with a focus on literacy, and the oldest manages marketing operations at a real estate software firm. In his free time, he enjoys being in the water, playing golf, traveling, paddleboarding, snorkeling, diving, and reading, while balancing professional responsibilities, community service, and time with those he loves.