Our Team

We are a Registered Investment Advisory firm in Austin, Texas. Our team of fiduciaries works exclusively for you on a fee-only basis and doesn't earn commissions for selling products. Our actively managed equity portfolios are available domestically and internationally to individuals, independent professionals, and institutional investors.

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pic of team member Juan Gabriel Garcés

Juan Gabriel Garcés

CEO

Current CEO and Founder of 57 West Capital Advisors, Inc. with 45 years of experience in the investment services industry.

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In 1977, he founded J.G. Garcés & Co., an investment services company that grew to become Colombia’s largest Broker-Dealer. He also co-founded and served as vice president of the board of directors of a stock exchange (Bolsa de Occidente), founded a US Broker-Dealer (Investors Street), and founded a Colombian investment bank (Tecnoinversiones S.A).

He was also instrumental in modernizing the securities market in Colombia by participating in the creation of the country’s first securities depository, working to liberate commission structures, and creating an electronic trading system.

In 1999, he founded 57 West Capital Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory firm specializing in equity portfolio management, equity investments, and business consulting services. He is currently responsible for managing and developing the firm's investment strategy.

pic of team member Sebastián Caicedo

Sebastián Caicedo

Managing Director

Sebastian Caicedo is an Industrial Engineer whose career has seamlessly transitioned into finance and strategic analysis.

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With over seven years of experience, he excels in investment analysis, utilizing his strong analytical skills to evaluate companies, market trends, and economic indicators. Since moving to Austin in 2022, Sebastian has proven his expertise as a Research Analyst and Investment Adviser Representative, blending his engineering background with financial acumen to provide comprehensive solutions.

As Managing Director, Sebastian plays a crucial role in shaping investment strategy, nurturing client relationships, and driving business development at our firm. His responsibilities encompass guiding the investment process, constructing portfolios, and managing risk, all while building strong client partnerships and crafting tailored investment strategies. With a keen eye for identifying strategic opportunities, Sebastian is instrumental in expanding our business footprint and fostering sustainable growth. His dedication to innovation and client success highlights his commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals.

pic of team member Luis Giraldo

Luis Giraldo

Managing Director and CCO

Luis is one of the earliest investors and backers of 57 West Capital and has been a board member of the company for over 20 years.

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Luis has more than 30 years of experience in global engineering, operations, and product management in the technology industry. He is currently Chairman of IFS (Innovated Freezing Systems S.A.S), he was Vice President of Engineering at lntelligraphics in which he oversaw engineering and development of products and services, and created a development team in Bangalore, India.

Throughout his career, Luis has been instrumental in bringing dozens of products to market. These include but are not limited to software applications for equipment optimization of electronic assemblies , design validation (Design For Manufacturing - DFM) of PCB/PCA and mechanical assemblies. Luis has managed software development and implementation of them in multiple countries, as well as the creation of Engineering teams around the world. Luis also worked for Flextronics, Solectron, and Texas Instruments in several engineering and management positions. Luis holds a BS in Chemical Engineering as well as a master’s degree in Operations Research, and an MBA.

pic of team member Juan Jose Villegas

Juan Jose Villegas

Director of Operations

Juan Jose joined the team in March 2025 as Director of Operations to drive scalable growth by optimizing internal processes.

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He brings over 10 years of experience, including 4 years as a business owner leading Strategy & Operations, and 6 years in diverse roles across industries—developing a unique blend of skills in data analysis, project management, and client advisory.

Juan Jose is a strong believer in the power of automation and AI to unlock efficiency and drive results, and is focused on embedding these technologies across the firm.

pic of team member Daniel Garces

Daniel Garces

Relationship Manager

Joining the 57 West team in 2024 as a relationship manager, Daniel Garces is a seasoned professional in the financial industry, with 25 years of experience in various roles and domains.

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He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, where he currently resides with his family. His main goal is to serve clients in their financial needs by applying his expertise and creativity to solve complex challenges and create value for them. Daniel has extensive skills in Agile development, Active Trading Product Management, Risk Management, and Financial Products Digital Technology. He enjoys playing tennis and spending quality time with his family in his spare time. He is always eager to learn new things and challenge himself in his career.

pic of team member Jimmy Derks

Jimmy Derks

Corporate Resources Director

Jimmy Derks is the consummate people person—he has never met a stranger. He lives by the Dalai Lama's creed: "I have two kinds of people in my life—friends and those I haven't met yet."

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Jimmy began his career in the home-building industry in Louisiana before expanding into Texas in 1985. Originally from Louisiana, he attended McNeese State University, where he majored in Business Management. A lifelong entrepreneur, Jimmy founded Derks Builders, Inc. in Lake Charles, Louisiana, designing and building single-family and multifamily homes while still in college.

After completing his studies and gaining experience in home building, Jimmy moved to Texas with his family, where he built a successful career with several leading homebuilders. He worked with Nash Phillips Company until 1989, Bill Milburn Homes until 1991, and Scott Felder Homes until 1997, where he served as Corporate Resources Director, expanding sales in the southwestern region.

Jimmy then spent 12 years at Wilshire Homes as Vice President of Sales for Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. He provided vision and leadership to a team of 45 sales representatives, overseeing hiring, training, and setting sales targets. Under his leadership, the company achieved over $100 million in annual sales. During this time, he received multiple awards from the Greater Austin and Greater San Antonio Home Builders Associations, including Sales Manager of the Year for both cities.

In 2013, Jimmy founded and served as President of Symphony Builders, Inc., a high-quality, independent home-building company in Austin, Texas, where he managed all aspects of the business, from land selection to construction.

Now, as Corporate Resources Director at 57 West Capital Advisors, Jimmy brings his extensive experience and people-first approach to the Austin, Texas office.

pic of team member Monica Garza

Monica Garza

Administrative Director

Monica Garza began her career in the medical industry as the founder and owner of MediQuip DBA, a company specializing in the sale and distribution of medical equipment throughout South Texas.

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Her entrepreneurial drive and early success led to the expansion of her business within just two years, launching MediQuip Mobility and Unlimited DME Billing to further serve the region’s healthcare needs. Leveraging her extensive leadership and operational experience, Monica went on to serve as General Manager at Wheel Technologies in Dallas, Texas, where she oversaw store operations across both Texas and Oklahoma.

Currently based in Austin, Monica brings her business and financial expertise to her Office Manager for 57 West Capital Advisors.

pic of team member Taylor Tucker

Taylor Tucker

Registered Investor Advisor

Taylor Tucker joined 57 West Capital Advisors as a Registered Investor Advisor in 2017.

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He attended Texas State University in San Marcos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Finance. He began his career as a Financial Services Professional with a focus on personal, business, and estate planning through specialized investment products. Subsequently, he became an Investment Advisor Representative and Portfolio Manager to further his abilities and provide personalized service for his clients.

Office Location

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pic of Office in Austin, Texas, USA

Office in Austin, Texas, USA

address:11615 Angus Rd suite 104-k, Austin, TX 78759