ABOUT US
Keith M. Forster
President, Co-Founder
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Keith is the President and one of the Co-Founders of Friends & Finances. Keith retired from a 28-year law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and four years with the City of San Jose Code Enforcement.
Keith served as a board member for SARC Regional Center for Adults and Children with Disabilities. Keith is also a member of National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors and a Cop Line Volunteer. Keith served as a director for the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association for several years.
After retiring, Keith initially entered the insurance and retirement space part time to help his wife who owned a successful Salon in Silicon Valley to reduce their taxes and supplement his retirement income. Examining his own retirement program, Keith quickly realized that First Responders were being underserved when it came to their options concerning pre and post retirement.
It became his mission and passion to provide the information and education necessary to ensure all First Responders became aware of these options.
Keith was born in San Jose California and has been married to his lovely wife Lily for 22 years and has three wonderful boys.
Alexander D. Holguin
Vice President, Co-Founder
Alex is the Vice-President and one of the co-founders of Friends and Finances. Alex served as a Managing Director Executive for Illyria Security Company, a Parks Commissioner and Crime Stoppers board member for the City of Tracy.
Alex retired from a 23-year law enforcement career with Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
After retirement, Alex attended several funerals from his law enforcement family and observed their family's financial struggles.
He quickly realized a Go Fund Me account was not enough! This inspired him to start analyzing and studying Benefits and Retirement options, specifically for First Responders. He found a huge gaping hole in financial education and money management. He quickly realized that everyone is not aware of all their options!
Shortly thereafter, Alex along with his partner Keith Forster created Friends and Finances. Alex is on a mission to empower all Americans with Game-Changing strategies that are changing the way people are looking at retirement, the way they bank, and how they are protecting their income.
Alex realizes that too many times in the world of finance it can often be confusing. He wants to provide options, choices, solutions, and the Financial Shield concepts to all Americans so they are protected against the enemies of wealth.
Alex was born and raised in Oakland California, attended private school, participated in the Police Olympics, was awarded the Medal of Valor at the Sheriff’s Office, and has two wonderful sons.
Joe Tu
National Director, Co-Founder
With over 25 years of experience in the investment and financial services industry, Joe Tu has worked alongside leading institutions such as Starwood Capital and Invesco.
He is a Certified Tax and Business Advisor (CTBA) and now focuses on helping small business owners and families make strategic financial and health-related decisions.
Joe specializes in tax-advantaged, risk-managed wealth-building solutions, with expertise in retirement planning, estate strategies, and generational wealth transfer.
Joe holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from New York University.
He served with distinction as an Auxiliary Police Officer for more than 17 years with the New York Police Department. After relocating to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, he has continued his commitment to public service as a long-standing Board Member of the Friends of Dallas Police for over ten years.
Outside of his professional and civic responsibilities, Joe has been married to his wife Debbie for over 25 years. They are proud parents of four children—all accomplished black belt martial artists and National Gold Medal Champions.
Leon Wilcher
Director of Military and Veteran Operations
Leon is serving as Director of Military and Veterans Operations for Friends and
Finances. Leon started his careers off by joining the United States Marine Corp in 1990 and had served faithfully over 27 years before retiring in United States Marine Corps
Reserves in 2017.
During his time in the Military, he advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. Where he was placed in charge of three USMCR units over the course of his career. His units provided support for the Global War on Terrorism, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 1995, Leon started a second career working for the Georgia Department of Corrections. Leon worked as a Correctional Officer for over 11 years before retiring
early. During his tenure with GA Department of Corrections he worked in several positions, starting with inmate housing units, an inmate detail officer overseeing a vehicle maintenance shop and an inmate industrial factory. He was also a member of the GDC Tactical Team that help provide security for the Atlanta 1996 Olympic games.
Shortly thereafter, Leon started a career working for Southern Nuclear Company in 2006, which he is currently working as a Shift Captain providing security for Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power Station in Waynesboro, GA. Leon entered this profession as a Nuclear Security Officer and over the years advanced to the supervisory ranks as a Lieutenant, followed by Captain. He has 19 plus years with the company and is continuing to be a contributor by keeping the plant safe.
Recently, Leon was given an opportunity to work for Friends and Finances after receiving his insurance license. Leon expressed the need to be a part of an organization which supports giving First Responder, Military, and Veterans information and education on retirement options.
Darwin Aguilera
Head of the Annuity Department
I was born and raised in Sunnyvale, right here in the Bay Area. So when I talk about helping families in this community, I mean the one I grew up in.I started my career in tech, but I always knew I wanted to be in finance. Two things pushed me there for good.
The first was watching how little financial education existed in my own community and culture — smart, hardworking people who were never taught how money actually works. The second was personal: my father had a heart attack, and he didn't have the kind of protection in place that a moment like that demands. He survived, thank God, and our family has been by his side ever since. But it showed me, up close, why having a plan matters before you need it.That's the work I do now. I help people understand their options clearly — without the pressure, the jargon, or the fear tactics — so they can protect their income and build toward a retirement that actually holds up. My faith grounds how I do this: I believe in treating people honestly and looking out for them like family, because to me, that's not a strategy, it's just right.If you're trying to make sense of your financial future and want someone who'll be straight with you, I'd be glad to talk.
We are licensed and contracted with the top rated financial companies in the United States. These companies have billions in net worth and have been in business for hundreds of years.
We do business with some of the top CPAs and Attorneys.
Contact US
1500 E. Hamilton Avenue
Suite 211,
Campbell, CA 95008
1-800-217-1270
Our Team.
We have surrounded ourselves with some of the top professionals in the industry.
