Chandler-area Edward Jones advisors urge Arizonans to plan ahead
Courtesy of Edwards Jones advisors
Three Edward Jones financial advisors from the Chandler area say it's more than their family connections that keep them excited about helping East Valley residents plan for the future. From the left are Stephen Phair, Christine Lobdell Raney and Brad Sonoda.
A family business of financial advisors in the Chandler area were recently asked how they got into that business and what elements of personal finance often go overlooked.
Here are the responses of Christine Lobdell Raney; her son, Brad Sonoda and her nephew, Stephen Phair.
Christine Lobdell Raney
Lobdell Raney is a financial advisor with AAMS and CRPC certifications. She works out of the 10325 E. Riggs Rd, Suite 107 office in Sun Lakes.
What are the basics of how you got to where you are today?
I moved my office to Sun Lakes in 2010 when I chose to focus on serving retired women and the many unique financial challenges they face.
In 2018 my nephew, Stephen Phair, joined the business with me and he subsequently took the Edward Jones office at Riggs and Dobson roads in Sun Lakes.
In 2022 my son, Brad Sonoda, joined me as my business partner and we currently work in the Alma School and Riggs office together.
How did you come to be under the Edward Jones umbrella?
I came to Edward Jones in a rather unexpected way. I had been a client for 10 years and in the early 2000s I found myself, unexpectedly, a single mom.
I had been a college teacher and run my own consulting company — but it was time to transition into a more permanent career.
My Edward Jones financial advisor had been recruiting me for several years — and I finally listened. Starting a business from scratch in 2004, with two kids counting on me, failure was not an option.
I found that I could approach my financial services business with a teacher’s heart, and that I was able to educate and help my clients in an area of their lives that truly made a difference.
Not only have I been able to grow a thriving business that impacts lives and stays hyper-local — right in Sun Lakes —also, I am able to pass on a legacy to my family.
Ultimately, I have been able to live out my personal family values in my professional life. We are a multi-generational family helping the generations of families in our local community.
In further service to our community, I am past-president of Neighbors Who Care, and I support Women’s Money Matters, a monthly women’s financial education club in Sun Lakes.
What types of clients do you serve?
Edward Jones exclusively serves the individual investor. We help individuals, families and business owners navigate the full financial challenges across the arc of their lives.
From buying a new home, to planning for college, preparing for retirement, navigating the sale of a business, planning an estate, and ultimately preparing and passing wealth to the next generation.
We are full-service financial advisors, helping to identify client goals and creating a strategic plan to achieve their unique goals.
Each advisor tends to focus on a particular type of client and my focus is primarily helping women navigate major financial transitions in the second half of life.
What’s an element of personal finance many people overlook?
From my experience, I think the one thing people overlook in amassing wealth is their own bias. If they think their wealth will grow, or they think they will end up losing money, they are right.
Our greatest service as a financial advisor is partnering with people when markets and the economy are rough and empowering them to have the confidence to stay with their long-term plan.
There will always be ups and downs — it’s having someone to weather the storms together that makes all the difference.
Brad Sonoda
Sonoda is a financial advisor who’s CFP and CEPA certified. Like his mother, Sonoda is also at 10325 E. Riggs Road, No. 107 in Sun Lakes.
What are the basics of how you got to where you are today?
I came to Edward Jones in 2022 after serving eight years in the U.S. Army. I have always been fascinated with the stock market ever since I was a kid.
My mother, being in the industry, introduced me to investing at the age of 11 when we bought my first stock together, Lockheed Martin.
I found it amazing that I could make more money through investing and was hooked. I continued to learn about the market, and throughout my military career I found myself helping my fellow soldiers make smart decisions around their money.
How did you come to be under the Edward Jones umbrella?
When I left the Army, I wanted to find a way I could continue to help my community and after exploring different avenues, I found Edward Jones to be the place where I can have the most positive impact.
What types of clients do you serve?
The beauty of Edward Jones is that we are equipped to serve a broad range of clientele. Clients come to Edward Jones to help them make smart decisions around their money.
Every situation is unique, and each client receives a tailored solution that fits them. In our office, we focus on generational strategies that expand across entire families — serving all stages of life.
We help our clients navigate complex financial situations primarily around estate planning, tax-smart investing decisions, retirement income planning, and protecting the savings they have worked a lifetime to build.
What’s an element of personal finance many people overlook?
One of the biggest gaps I see when working with clients is that their finances are not appropriately coordinated to work as efficiently as possible.
This is not just investment portfolios, but all aspects of someone’s financial life such as savings, spending, life insurance, long-term care insurance, estate plans, and tax decisions.
As people’s lives progress, their investments and strategies need to evolve with them. The financial industry has improved significantly and many approaches that worked 10, 20, 30 years ago may no longer be the most effective option today.
The other place where I see there is a significant gap is with business succession and business exit planning. We are in the middle of the country’s largest generational wealth transfer and a substantial component of that is the millions of small businesses that will change hands in the next decade.
Many business owners are under-prepared for the transition and as a result they either leave money on the table during a sale or are forced to shut down operations. This is where working with the right advisor — far enough in advance — can help avoid either situation.
Stephen Phair
Phair is a financial advisor whose office is at 9666 E. Riggs Road, Suite 106, Sun Lakes.
What are the basics of how you got to where you are today?
I’m the sole financial advisor in my Edward Jones office. I’ve been with Edward Jones for nearly eight years, but my career in financial services spans more than 25 years.
I got my start on the trade desk at Merrill Lynch, where I developed a strong appreciation for the role thoughtful financial guidance can play in people’s lives.
How did you come to be under the Edward Jones umbrella?
Over the years, I worked in both banking and finance before joining Edward Jones, where I found a business model that allows me to focus on building long-term relationships and helping clients achieve what is most important to them.
Just as important to me as my professional career is my commitment to the Chandler community. My family has called this area home since 1983 and I believe strongly in giving back to the community that has given so much to us.
I was honored to be named a Men of Chandler Honoree in 2025, and I am deeply involved in Rotary. My home club is the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, and in 2024 I was humbled to be named Rotarian of the Year for Rotary District 5495.
What types of clients do you serve?
I serve a wide variety of clients, and one of the things I enjoy most about my work is that no two situations are exactly alike.
A large portion of my practice is dedicated to helping retirees navigate complex financial decisions, particularly around estate planning, wealth transfer, and developing strategies designed to help them preserve the assets they’ve worked so hard to build.
These conversations often involve coordinating family goals, charitable interests, and legacy planning.
I also enjoy working with individuals and families who are preparing for retirement. Many people are unsure whether they are on track, how much they should be saving, or how to transition from accumulating wealth to living off it.
At the end of the day, the common thread among my clients is not necessarily how much money they have, but their desire to be intentional about their financial future.
What’s an element of personal finance many people overlook?
One principle I don’t think gets discussed enough is that everyone deserves access to quality financial guidance, regardless of where they are in life or where they are starting financially.
Many people believe they need to have already accumulated significant wealth before seeking advice, but I believe the opposite is true. The earlier someone begins working toward their goals with a plan in place, the better positioned they may be over the long term.
That’s why I don’t have account minimums. Instead, I have what I like to call activity minimums: if you’re willing to engage in the process and work toward your goals, I’m willing to work with you.
Whether someone is just beginning their financial journey, approaching retirement, or dealing with complex wealth-transfer challenges, I believe they should have access to professional guidance that can help them make informed decisions.
Ultimately, building wealth isn’t about finding the perfect investment — it’s about consistently making thoughtful decisions, staying focused on your goals, and having a trusted partner to help keep you on track along the way.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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