Our Team
Our Team
Paul Lightfoot
Paul Lightfoot CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®
President
Paul had always been fascinated by the investment management industry but did not consider it as a career until a mentor earlier in his career, an exceptionally intelligent and successful entrepreneur with his own family office, showed him a customized portfolio optimizing the risk-return spectrum. Paul was amazed with the science and math behind the process and quickly realized that there was more to the industry than just selling a product.
Paul chose to join Optima Asset Management in 2008 for two main reasons, 1) the reputation of the founder’s intelligence, character, and integrity and 2) Optima’s reputation and independence (since he had seen the industry’s exploitation when his parents were sold very expensive funds for all the wrong reasons by someone in a position of trust at a bank).
Paul earned an MS in Accounting and an MBA and has completed the rigorous requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a Certified Investment Management Analyst®. He lives in Preston Hollow, with his wife, Tammy, and their two sons.
Archie Ponce
Archie Ponce, CFP®
Vice President
Archie began his career in 1997 right in the midst of the dotcom era when it seemed everything was going up. What soon became apparent was how important it is to have a good plan and the proper perspective about investing.
Before joining Optima in 2007, Archie served as the point of contact between Optima and the Charles Schwab Institutional group. After several months in that role, he visited the firm for a face-to-face meeting with the Founder, Nolan Jones. They discovered that they shared similar views on investment philosophy, company culture and the importance of taking care of clients. After that meeting, Archie realized that if he were to ever leave Schwab and move from Florida, Optima would be the firm he would want to join. A couple of years later (to his surprise), Nolan asked Archie to relocate to Dallas and join him as a part of his long-term succession plan.
Archie holds a BS in Economics and Management from the University of South Florida and has completed the rigorous requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. He lives in Allen with his family.
Angela Wilson
Angela Wilson
Office Manager
Angela joined Optima Asset Management in 2017. She was drawn to the firm because of the team’s integrity and client-first focus. Prior to joining Optima, Angela spent 18 years in the website design / software industry, and 12 years in the telecommunications industry, holding a variety of financial management and financial reporting positions.
Angela earned her BBA in Finance from Baylor University. She enjoys coaching Special Olympics (Ladies Basketball and Co-Ed Volleyball) and is an avid follower of University of Oregon and Baylor University athletics. Angela has two adult children, and lives in Richardson with her husband, Michael.