Our Team Members

Michael O'Brien is a Managing Director - Investments and Senior PIM Portfolio Manager.  Having worked in the securities industry since 1984, Michael provides comprehensive portfolio management to a diversified group of both institutional and individual investors.  In 2023 Michael qualified as a Private Wealth Management Advisor. The Private Wealth Financial Advisor (PWFA) title is held by a select group of advisors within the firm and recognizes their success working with ultra-high-net-worth clients. PWFAs are focused on managing the complex, multidimensional wealth management needs of individuals, families, foundations, and institutions with the goal of preserving and growing wealth for current and future generations.


Before joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2011, Michael was a Senior Vice President-Investments and Senior Portfolio Manager for UBS Financial Services, his employer of 13 years.  Michael holds a BS from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from Santa Clara University.  He is also Series 3, Series 7, Series 8 and Series 66 securities registered.  Michael also maintains a CA Insurance License number 0A34478, resident state CA. 

Away from the office, Michael also enjoys reading, biking, travel, and gold.  Michael and his wife, Georgette are residents of Del Mar and have two children Joshua and Jennifer.

Robert Palatella is a Managing Director-Investments and Senior PIM Portfolio Manager in the Wells Fargo Advisors La Jolla office. Having worked in the securities industry for 30 years, Robert provides comprehensive portfolio management to a diversified group of investors. Robert has been recognized as a Platinum Council Advisor. The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.

Robert’s primary objective is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management – delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity. Robert believes that a one-to-one relationship with his clients is the cornerstone of his success. He believes his extensive experience in the securities industry has demonstrated that sophisticated investors require personalized and local access to their Portfolio Manager.
CA Insurance License Number: 0A49341 & Resident State CA

Josh O'Brien carried diversified experience in the financial services industry which includes holding positions in wealth management, investment banking, and equity research.  Using this diverse skill-set, Josh aims to provide targeted portfolio strategies in concert with a detailed investment plan.  Josh has been recognized as a Premier Advisor, a distinction reserved for the firm's top producers as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on either of the past two years, and professionalism.  Additional criteria, including length of service, may also be used to determine recipients. 

Prior to joining the La Jolla Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Josh worked as an investment banking associate in the Global Energy Group at UBS in both Houston and New York City, assisting with both M&A and corporate finance needs for energy companies around the globe. Later, Josh joined Jefferies as a Senior Equity Research Associate in New York City, assisting with coverage of 30+ companies spanning across US Natural Gas, energy Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), and US Independent Refiners. 

Josh completed an MBA in Finance from the New York University Stern Graduate School of Business, where he was president of the Langone Stern Investment Club.  He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management from San Diego State University, where he was a member of the Varsity football team throughout his entire collegiate career and graduated following the Aztecs 2010 Poinsettia Bowl victory (SDSU's first bowl victory since 1969).  Josh is series 7 and series 66 securities registered and was also awarded the Certified Financial Planner™ and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ designations. Josh also holds his California Insurance License 0H77360, CA Resident

With over twenty years of professional experience in the securities industry, Melanie is passionate about helping individuals and families chart a path towards the type of life they want to live throughout retirement.  Whether it’s traveling, purchasing a vacation home, or beginning the transition of wealth to heirs, Melanie develops specific strategies to help achieve these goals.  In 2018 - 2020, Melanie attended the College for Financial Planning, where she completed two masters level programs in personal financial planning and was awarded the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ designations. 

Melanie lives in La Jolla, CA with her husband Matt and two young children Milo and Maci.  She is a competitive tennis player, and her family enjoys spending time at the beach, visiting family in Sacramento and weekend trips to Palm Springs.

Marisa Clayton is a Private Wealth Senior Registered Client Associate and brings more than 20 years of experience to the La Jolla Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

Marisa began her career in 1998 as a trading assistant at a small regional firm in San Diego. In 2000, she joined the UBS Financial Services / PaineWebber La Jolla office, where she obtained her FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations. Marisa became a Senior Registered Client Associate and joined Michael O'Brien's business at UBS in 2003.

Providing clients with exceptional service is Marisa's primary objective. She takes a thoughtful approach to each client's individual needs and works efficiently to meet them.

Outside of the office Marisa enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, and travel. Marisa lives in La Jolla with her two daughters, Lola and Elsie.

Emily Hughey is a Private Wealth Senior Registered Client Associate and Assistant Vice President in Wells Fargo Advisors' La Jolla Office. With over 20 years in the securities industry, she has the experience, resources, and capabilities to provide clients with a full spectrum of administrative and operational services.

Prior to joining the La Jolla Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Emily worked with senior financial advisors at UBS and other distinguished financial institutions. Her passion and dedication carries forth in her exceptional client services and she is excited to be a part of the La Jolla Private Wealth Group.

Away from the office, Emily is actively involved in her community soccer leagues and enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children. She is a native of San Diego and comes from a large and loving family.

Emily is FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities registered.

In her role as Senior Registered Client Associate, Associate Vice President, Catherine Tate works with the La Jolla Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in handling the operational aspects of the practice.  Catherine strives to understand a client’s needs and wishes and provide outstanding service to all.

Working with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2009, Catherine brings a far-ranging breadth of experience in her personal and professional life that helps her to understand each client’s own unique path.   Growing up in San Diego, she went on to earn a BS Business Administration at USC. After living in many other cities and countries, she is grateful to call this beautiful place home. When out of the office, Catherine enjoys pickleball, hiking, skiing and diving into a good book. She uses time off to visit her sons living in South Carolina and Arizona.