Centaurus Management

The Centaurus Management team remains dedicated in being available to our investors and registered representatives and has systematically controlled the growth of the firm to ensure that everyone has access to whomever they need in a timely manner. Centaurus has an extensive family legacy within the financial services industry that spans over three generations and has aligned its management team and corporate objectives to continue this legacy for many years to come.

Executive Management

Ron King

Chairman & CEO

Ron King serves as Chairman and CEO of Centaurus Financial, Inc. Since founding the company in 1992, Mr. King is responsible for the overall development and implementation of companywide initiatives, strategic planning and on-going business development and operational strategies. Entering the securities industry in 1971, Mr. King is a pioneer in the Independent Contractor brokerage model and has been involved in numerous aspects of the brokerage/securities industry.  In his 40 plus years in the business, he has enjoyed success as a producing registered representative, branch manager, and senior executive at several national independent broker/dealers.  Mr. King is also Chairman and CEO of Federation of Financial Services, Inc., a financial services holding company and serves as President of Brokerage Design & Development, Inc., a company dedicated to the training and education of financial professionals. Mr. King currently holds Series 7, 24, 27, 63 and California insurance licenses.

Wes King

President & Chief Marketing Officer

Wes King is President and Chief Marketing Officer of Centaurus Financial, Inc.  As President, Mr. King oversees the daily operations of the company and acts as the primary liaison with all regulatory bodies.  As Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. King heads up the sales and marketing of mutual funds, annuities, insurance products and direct investments for Centaurus Financial, Inc. He began working with Centaurus in November 1994 in the firm’s insurance marketing department.  Since that time, Mr. King has continued to assume additional responsibilities through promotions to Vice President, Sr. Vice President, Executive Vice President in charge of sales and marketing through his current position as President and CMO.  Mr. King was promoted to President in early 2007. Prior to joining Centaurus, Mr. King was a registered representative with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. and subsequently a registered representative and branch manager with Centaurus.  Mr. King holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California in Los Angeles and he currently holds Series 3, 7, 24, 63 and California insurance licenses.

Jerry Duhovic

EVP – Chief Administrative Officer

Jerry V. Duhovic currently serves as the Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer at Centaurus Financial, Inc.  He is responsible for the evaluation, creation, implementation and oversight of administrative/operational systems and functions.  He also advises and directs Senior Management and staff on issues concerning corporate governance, SEC, FINRA and state compliance rules, regulations and procedures.  He is a member of the Executive Management Committee and also represents the company as corporate spokesman at various industry and business functions. Prior to his engagement with Centaurus, Mr. Duhovic held several key executive positions including tenures at Datek Online Holdings Corp./Ameritrade, Inc., Titan Value Equities Group, Inc., Centrum Services, Inc., and The Wellington Group among others. Mr. Duhovic is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and currently maintains affiliations with the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Division, the National Society of Compliance Professionals and holds the Series 7, 22, 24 and 63 securities licenses.

Sheri Lejman, CPA

Chief Financial Officer/FINOP

Sheri Lejman, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), is the Chief Financial Officer and Financial & Operations Principal (FINOP) for Centaurus Financial, Inc. Ms. Lejman is responsible for the overall corporate finance, accounting, and related operational functions. With over 20 years of financial and executive management experience, Ms. Lejman brings a wealth of knowledge and credibility to her role.

Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Ms. Lejman worked in public accounting specializing in the financial services industry and publicly traded SEC registrants, most notably large international entities. Ms. Lejman has also worked and lived internationally as a CPA and financial statement auditor in various Latin American countries, specializing in foreign SEC registrants.

Ms. Lejman carries two bachelor degrees from California State University at Fullerton: B.S. in Business Administration – Accounting and B.A. in Liberal studies, and a minor equivalency in Spanish. Ms. Lejman also holds the FINRA Registered Financial and Operations Principal and Series 27 registration.

Paul King, Esq.

EVP – General Counsel

Paul King serves as General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Alternative Investments for Centaurus Financial, Inc. In his role as General Counsel to the firm, Mr. King leads a legal team that advises executive management on matters related to strategic business initiatives, corporate policies and procedures, business development, regulatory compliance programs and strategic management of the firm’s dispute resolution. In addition to his role as General Counsel, Mr. King leads the Alternative Investments department of the firm. Prior to joining Centaurus in 2005, Mr. King worked with partners in the Saper Group of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a leading Silicon Valley law firm recognized as the premier legal advisor to technology and growth companies worldwide, advising on such matters as venture capital financings, initial public offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and organization. In addition, Mr. King worked as a law clerk for Edgerton & Weaver, a leading securities litigation firm, and as an Analyst in the legal department of Pacific Life. Mr. King received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Chapman University School of Law. Mr. King has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2005. Mr. King is actively involved in the securities and alternative investment industries, where he has served on several advisory boards and most recently as a member of the Board of Directors for ADISA (Alternative and Direct Investment Securities Association).

John Adams, CFP®

Chief Advisory Officer

John Adams currently serves as Chief Advisory Officer for Centaurus Financial, Inc. Mr. Adams is responsible for the advisory services and wealth management platform for the firm. In this capacity, he oversees the operational and marketing initiatives of the Centaurus CLASSIC Plus adviser directed platform and a myriad of strategic and tactical third party money managers. Prior to becoming Chief Advisory Officer, he served in various roles for the firm which included, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Trading & Operations, and SVP of Marketing. Mr. Adams also serves on the Executive Management Committee of the firm. Prior to joining Centaurus in 2000, Mr. Adams was a Sergeant and infantry Squad Leader in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a member of the prestigious 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Mr. Adams received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Marketing and currently holds the CFP® designation and the Series 6, 7, 24, 63, 66, 99 and various state insurance licenses.

Senior Management

Robert Castaneda

SVP – Chief Information Officer

Robert Castaneda serves as Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Centaurus Financial, Inc. As CIO, Mr. Castaneda oversees the daily technology/security operations and IT project execution for the company. He also serves as the firm’s designated Information Security Officer.  Mr. Castaneda has over 22 years of technology management and consulting experience in the financial services industry. He has held senior technology management positions at various firms including Bank of America, Countrywide, Washington Mutual and Great Western Bank. Mr. Castaneda is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics with Specialization in Computing.

David Fujita

SVP – National Accounts Manager

David Fujita is the National Accounts Manager and Sponsor liaison for Centaurus Financial, Inc. Mr. Fujita is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with companies who have aligned with Centaurus. Since joining Centaurus in 1996, Mr. Fujita has held numerous positions throughout the firm and has been instrumental in the success of the company. Mr. Fujita currently holds his Series 6, 63 and California insurance licenses.

Gordon Huber

Chief Technology Officer

Gordon Huber is Chief Technology Officer for Centaurus Financial, Inc. Mr. Huber has been in the financial services industry for over twenty-five years, having served as National Marketing Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Technology Officer with various broker/dealer firms. Some of the firms he has been affiliated with include: Financial InterActive, CNP Securities, Financial Marketing Corp., and Titan Value Equities Group. Mr. Huber is a Business Administration graduate of California State University, Fullerton and currently holds Series 7 and 24 securities licenses.

Tyler Shumaker

SVP, Managing Director – Wealth Management

Tyler Shumaker currently serves as SVP, Managing Director – Wealth Management. In this role, Mr. Shumaker oversees the sales, marketing, service and operational initiatives for the Wealth Management Department. Mr. Shumaker is intricately involved with the Centaurus Advisor Directed and TAMP Programs. Mr. Shumaker is also responsible for the relationship management with over 30 Third Party Money Managers.

Tyler Shumaker began his career at Centaurus in 2011. During his tenure, Mr. Shumaker has served as the Associate Director of Marketing, Director of Wealth Management, Senior Sales and Marketing Director, as well as Deputy CEO. Tyler Shumaker earned his Associate Degree from Mt. San Antonio College; a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Fullerton; and went on to receive a Master of Arts Degree from Azusa Pacific University. Mr. Shumaker currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 24 and 66 securities licenses.

Binh Nguyen

SVP – Director of Back Office Operations 

Binh Nguyen currently serves as Senior Vice President and Operations Supervisor for Centaurus Financial, Inc. Mr. Nguyen is responsible for the daily operations relating to the firms clearing arrangements and manages the firms order processing for direct business. Prior to joining Centaurus in 2006, Mr. Nguyen held various management positions at State Street Bank & Trust, Merrill Lynch and American Funds. Mr. Nguyen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management at California State University, Fullerton and currently holds the Series 11 and 63.