Celeste A. Cruz

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, where she attended high school and the local community college, Celeste A. Cruz joined STARCARE Associates as the office administrative associate in September 2005. Her duties are far reaching in terms of daily responsibilities and client contact, with a focus on ensuring a positive client service experience. In addition to providing administrative office support she fulfills client requests for checks and electronic fund wires, opens new accounts and reviews paperwork to ensure that STARCARE complies with LPL Financial guidelines and securities requirements. She also supports Richard Hearn, founder and president of STARCARE, in a number of ways, including maintaining his calendar, generating reports and helping to organize the firm’s annual Women of Power Event.

Celeste has worked in the brokerage industry for nearly 23 years. She started her career with Prudential Securities as a sales assistant working with multiple brokers and also was associated in a similar capacity with brokers at other firms including A.G. Edwards and Smith Barney. Over the years, she has seen the business change dramatically, and her work has become far more interesting with new products and services, new regulations and technological advancements that keep her constantly learning. Celeste is registered with FINRA – the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority – which oversees more than 650,000 registered individuals throughout the industry. She holds both Series 7 and 63 securities registrations with LPL Financial and also serves as a notary for the office.

Trading one coastal community for another, Celeste has lived in Southern California for 19 years. She and her husband, Mike Perales, who were married in 2009 on the island of Oahu, make their home in Huntington Beach with their cats, Zeus & Bailey. Celeste and Mike enjoy walks on the beach and getting together with friends. In her spare time, she also enjoys a good book, a jog at the beach or going to the gym for exercise.