About Us

Byron Harlan had an award-winning career in broadcast journalism that spanned 30-years, before he decided to fulfill a dream to become an independent Financial Planner.

Byron has a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCSD, a master’s degree in journalism from USC as well as an MBA from UC Irvine. He holds the ChFC® and RICP® planning designation and has earned his CFP® certification and has also acquired the CLU® designation.

Byron has finished eight marathons and is in his high school hall-of-fame for basketball and baseball. He enjoys extended, spirited bike rides and is not afraid to break-out a yoga pose, or two. He plays a five-string upright bass and a five-string fretless bass and the mandolin. He’s recorded many songs, which he will happily share with you. His tiny, high-rise home overlooks San Diego Bay.

He’s married to Judi Harlan, who he readily admits, is smarter than him. They have a son, August Cash Harlan, who is a Tae-Kwon-Do martial artist, a soccer stand-out and a gamer. He attends a German language school and is also learning to speak Spanish. His English is pretty good too.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP®  in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Judi Harlan is a partner at August Financial Alliance, a boutique financial planning practice in San Diego, CA.  She and her husband, Byron Harlan, have worked together in the financial services industry since 2013 and in 2019 they started their own independent practice.

Judi manages daily operations and financial planning support alongside Byron, to create a unique, intimate and professional client experience focused on a holistic approach to planning.

Judi earned her ChFC® planning designation in 2017.  In 2019 she earned a BFA™ designation and became a CFP® professional.  She earned her CDFA® designation in the spring of 2022.

Judi was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in English. She moved to Chicago after her graduation and worked as an advertising associate and later a real estate professional in Chicago for 15 years before moving to San Diego in 2011. 

She and Byron have one son, August Cash Harlan, who is the center of their universe and the namesake of their company.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP®  in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.