We’re steadfast advisors that help you move ahead.

Mark Anderson knows that knowledge is at the center of all good decision-making. As Founder of Pacific Sage Partners, he channels his four decades of financial analysis and business consulting experience into guiding clients, mentoring teammates and providing leadership for the firm’s financial planning and investing. He is never too busy to engage in deep discussions with clients or teach the next generation of financial sages. Because he has learned that relationships are built on trust, the fiduciary (not commission-based) structure of Pacific Sage Partners allows Mark to put client interests first.

Mark spent 19 years at Edward Jones Investments where he built the company’s Shoreline, Washington office into the firm’s third largest office (out of 12,500 offices nationwide) based on assets managed within the company. Mark made the decision to leave Edward Jones Investments and join Tradewinds Capital Management in 2012. His Edward Jones departure allowed him to leave behind the conflicted world of a commission-based brokerage and create the trusted relationships of a fiduciary advisory firm. The success that Mark and his team have experienced over the last decade inspired him to create his own firm. His plan is to bring partners along-side to share in the experience of building a business that will support both the current and future generations of clients.

Mark began his professional career as a Research Analyst at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory as a member of their economic analysis team evaluating intellectual ventures. Mark was recruited following his graduate studies (MBA) by Ernst & Young’s National Practice Group as a Senior Consultant where he gained valuable experience with corporate financial consulting, analysis and financial model building. He also spent time with Washington State University’s Small Business Development Center providing business consulting services.

Mark and his wife, Angela, live in Shoreline, Washington. They enjoy many outdoor activities perfectly suited to the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, including cycling, gardening, hiking and skiing. Mark has served as board member of World Concern, as a deacon for his local church and is a founding member of the Shoreline Rotary Club.

Credentials & Education

• MBA, Finance, Washington State University
• BA in Business Administration, Finance/Computer Science, Washington State University
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF)
• NASD Series 66
• Member – National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
• Member – Financial Planning Association (FPA)

Every organization needs a business visionary – the one who understands all the different pieces, how they fit together and how to make the whole run smoothly. For Pacific Sage Partners, that’s William Cantus. As President, Bill is responsible for leading the development of the firm into a partner-driven enterprise that will serve clients and their families for generations to come.

Bill has always been able to “see around the corner a bit” and enjoys finding the right strategic solutions quickly for virtually any business challenge. He is a Vermonter through and through, with common sense and financial awareness wonderfully suited to lead this new wealth management business. “For me, there are three steps that need to take place to do this well,” explains Bill. “One, know the big picture – the industry and the mission of the firm; two, understand, in depth, the details throughout the whole of the business and how they fit together; and three, hire and train passionate, service-oriented people as the team to get things done.”

Bill brings to Pacific Sage decades of experience in the asset and wealth management industries, where he has developed, coached and led teams to strategic, organizational and business transformation. Prior to joining Pacific Sage, Bill founded the WR Cantus Group, providing organizations with forward-thinking ideas and best practices, and helping them take the necessary steps to implement the changes needed for those clients to reach their goals.

As Principal and COO of Johnson Sterling, Inc., Bill supported the continuing transformation of the organization to a business that will outlive its founders by encouraging and implementing the long-term vision and strategy. For the Russell Investment Group, Bill applied his financial services expertise to the firm’s US mutual fund group, and eventually provided business consulting to the company’s top 25 most profitable clients in the eastern United States.

Bill firmly believes “We are blessed to be in this industry, where every day we get to go to work and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and their families.” His life revolves around his “three girls,” his wife and twin daughters. He loves golf, hockey, skiing and any sport played with a racquet.

Credentials & Education

• MBA, University of Washington
• BA in Economics, University of Vermont
• NASD Series 66
• Member – International Center for Wealth Advisory Excellence

Colin Gray guides clients through the often-complex journey of assessing their financial situations and creating multi-disciplinary plans to achieve their goals. Colin works to make sure clients understand the entirety of their financial situation, “connecting the dots” of the individual elements that drive the success of the whole. Colin finds great satisfaction in serving clients in the team-based structure at Pacific Sage Partners, helping clients simplify what can often be complex situations.

Before joining Pacific Sage Partners, Colin spent several years as a financial advisor at Tradewinds Capital Management where he began his association and mentorship with Mark Anderson. Prior to that, Colin worked for Charles Schwab, where he became deeply familiar with the needs of the independent advisor and their clients. Colin began his career as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, Colin works with new and existing clients to craft plans and strategies built to meet their goals. He also contributes to the investment strategy of the firm and is responsible for the firm’s trading and portfolio management. He works with Gen X and Millennial clients, professionals approaching retirement and recent retirees. Colin’s specific areas of expertise include cash flow planning both before and after retirement, stock option and equity award planning, college planning and insurance planning.

After growing up in Arizona, Colin attended California Lutheran University, where he studied finance and was a member of the Kingsmen baseball team for four years. Today, Colin and his wife Sarah live in Shoreline, Washington with their two young daughters and a very energetic sheepdog mix named Winnie. They enjoy spending time outdoors as a family and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Credentials & Education

• BS in Finance, California Lutheran University
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF)
• NASD Series 66
• Member – National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
• Member – Financial Planning Association (FPA)

Cory Hermes joined the Pacific Sage Partners team in the summer of 2022 as a Senior Client Service Associate. While Cory began her career in the financial planning world in the late ‘90’s, her path took an unexpected pivot in 2003 when she joined an international Christian non-profit organization.

During that time, Cory lived in Hawaii, Hungary and Germany, and traveled with her work to Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She focused primarily on training staff and students in intercultural studies, matters of faith, and mentoring and equipping leaders to better serve in their areas of responsibility.

When family matters unexpectedly brought Cory back to the Seattle area, she had the privilege of working as an HR Director for 5 ½ years at a local, family-owned senior living community.

Cory and her husband Ed, take great joy in spending time with their family and friends, exploring new places, singing in their church choir together and enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Cory has volunteered extensively and currently serves on the Board of her local church.

Education

BA in Business Administration, Finance/Marketing, University of Washington

Lexine Hillier is a familiar and reassuring voice to Pacific Sage clients. She is the official greeter and ambassador of the firm, fully focused on supporting clients and staff, and maintaining the efficient functioning office.

She brings to Pacific Sage thirty years of experience in office services, supporting organizations, management, operations and administrative services. Before joining the company, she was the Branch Office Administrator for Edwards Jones and served as Office Services Manager for MulvannyG2 Architecture.

Her great organizational skills, attention to detail and overall excellence have made Lexine the recipient of many awards for her dedication, community service and her “Voice with a Smile.” She finds satisfaction in making meaningful contributions to the firm, fostering relationships and helping to resolve challenges.

Lexine, a native of Washington State, enjoyed snow and water skiing with her husband and two sons as they were growing up. Now, she and her husband split their time between their home in Edmonds and their beach house on Hood Canal, which will eventually become their retirement home, and, where they currently enjoy boating, kayaking and entertaining family and friends.

Education

Cornish School of Allied Arts

Tressa Smith is responsible for the smooth operation of the firm. As Director of Operations, she designs procedures and policies that drive growth through efficiency and innovative cultural management. When clients or advisors present complex scenarios, she draws upon her administrative experience and organizational skills to create manageable solutions. Tressa contributes to all aspects of the business including organizational development, recruiting and HR, technology implementation, new business development, compliance and client service.

Tressa comes to Pacific Sage Partners from Tradewinds Capital Management where she held the position of Office Manager. She joined the financial services industry in 2002 as a Branch Office Administrator for Edward Jones. Tressa has been recognized for outstanding customer service while serving in several different leadership positions at Edward Jones, where she trained and mentored other branch office administrators.

Tressa and her husband Brad live in Lake Stevens, Washington. Tressa enjoys spending time with her family and friends and can be found boating on the many lakes of the Pacific Northwest.

Education

Associates Degree in Business