Lyman Howard brings decades of financial experience to his appearance on Jeopardy, shaped by a career that spans portfolio management, institutional fixed income trading, and high-net-worth advisory work. Based in Mill Valley, California, he is a Partner at Cerity Partners in San Francisco, one of the country’s major independent wealth advisory firms. His work centers on designing and managing customized investment portfolios for individuals and families, especially those with five million dollars or more in investable assets. His fixed-income expertise makes him a valuable resource within the firm, and his advisory approach emphasizes disciplined planning, market awareness, and long-term financial health.

At Cerity Partners, he is known for integrating technical investment knowledge with personalized guidance. He works closely with clients to understand their family dynamics, financial history, and future goals. His work goes beyond assembling portfolios; it also includes helping clients make major life decisions, manage generational wealth, and avoid common financial pitfalls. His perspective reflects experience gained across multiple sectors of finance, along with a commitment to grounded, fiduciary-driven client service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPCZIUGtUZI

Extensive Career Across Portfolio Management and Institutional Finance

Before joining Cerity Partners, Lyman spent nine years as a Portfolio Manager at Ashfield Capital Partners, where he managed investments for high-net-worth clients and institutions. This role further refined his understanding of asset allocation, risk management, and market cycles, while also expanding his exposure to equity and fixed-income research.

Earlier in his career, he helped co-lead Point Bonita Wealth Advisors as a Partner before transitioning into larger advisory and asset management firms. Prior to that, he spent more than a decade building a strong foundation in institutional finance. At Wedbush Securities, he served as Vice President of Institutional Bond Sales, working with large fixed-income clients and developing a reputation for analytical depth. Before Wedbush, he held the role of Associate Vice President in Institutional Fixed Income Sales at RBC Dain Rauscher. These positions allowed him to develop deep knowledge of bond markets, trading environments, and institutional investor needs—experience that today strengthens his advisory work with families and individuals.

His transition from institutional finance to personal wealth management demonstrates both versatility and leadership. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for thoughtful financial planning and clear communication, grounded in more than two decades of experience across markets and economic cycles.

From the U.S. Navy to the Financial Sector

Long before entering the world of finance, Lyman served as a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy. For eight years, he operated aboard strategic communications aircraft, gaining rigorous training in navigation, mission execution, and operational decision-making. Military service shaped his leadership style and instilled a disciplined, analytical approach—one that later translated naturally into fixed-income analysis and portfolio construction.

His time in the Navy also strengthened his capacity to work under pressure and manage complex systems, traits that continue to define his work in financial planning. The transition from aviation and military strategy to investment management may seem unusual, but for Lyman it represented a shift from national mission-readiness to long-term financial preparedness for the clients he serves.

Academic Background and Professional Credentials

Lyman’s educational background mirrors the depth of his professional training. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA, where he studied public policy, international relations, and governance systems—fields that complement his strategic thinking and analytical skills. He later earned an MBA from Oklahoma City University, completing graduate coursework that broadened his understanding of finance, economics, and business leadership.

His early education began at Cathedral School and continued through St. Paul’s School, institutions known for strong academic preparation. Over the course of his career, he has earned both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) certification. Holding both is rare, and the combination signals mastery of investment analysis, ethics, portfolio theory, tax strategy, and long-term financial planning. Together, these credentials place Lyman among the most technically trained and academically qualified professionals in the wealth management field.

Professional Philosophy, Community Engagement, and Personal Identity

On LinkedIn, Lyman describes a personal philosophy centered on understanding each client’s circumstances deeply and helping them make informed decisions. He emphasizes collaborative planning, realistic goal-setting, and avoiding avoidable mistakes—an approach shaped by decades of working in both institutional and personal finance. His network includes more than five hundred professional connections, reflecting active engagement with financial professionals across the Bay Area and beyond.

He is American, and given his name and regional background he is likely of American ancestry with European roots. While his personal details are mostly private, his public professional identity is defined by a combination of analytical rigor, military discipline, and a client-first approach to wealth management. His long-standing presence in the San Francisco Bay Area further grounds his work within a region known for entrepreneurial wealth, market innovation, and complex financial planning needs.

Lyman Howard — Profile Summary Table