The Best Professional Services in Alameda (Reader’s Choice 2025)
Behind every successful household, business, and big life decision in Alameda is a trusted professional. Whether it’s navigating finances, buying a home, protecting what matters most, or keeping technology running smoothly, Alameda’s professional service providers are known for expertise, integrity, and a deeply local approach. Each year, Alameda Magazine readers vote for the professionals they rely on most—highlighting the individuals and firms that make life on the island easier and more secure.
Here are the Best of Alameda 2025 Professional Services winners and finalists, as chosen by the community.
Best Accounting or Tax Practice
Winner: Elizabeth Kugler, EA
- Cathy Root & Associates CPA
- Elizabeth Kugler, EA
- Hewitt Jones and Fitch
- Lars G. Hansson, CPA
- Mind Your Assets Bookkeeping LLC
- SK Accountancy Corporation
Best Attorneys
Winner: Kimberly Vaughn
- Burneikis Law, P.C.
- Gina Mariani
- Kimberly Vaughn
- Patricia Scott Law
- Tseng Law Firm
Best Banks, S&Ls, or Credit Unions
Winner: 1st United Credit Union
- 1st United Credit Union
- Bank of Marin
- Chase Bank
- Patelco Credit Union
- Provident Credit Union
- U.S. Bank Branch
Best Computer Repair & IT Services
Winner: ABM Computers
- ABM Computers
- Computer Pros
- EON
- The PC Pitstop
- YY Computer
Best Financial Planners
Winner: Shum Financial Group – Cliff Shum, CFP
- Clark Cole
- E Demmler & Associates
- Ed Kofman
- Edward Jones – Dominic J. McKenna, AAMS
- Samantha N. Dinh, CFP – Paragon Financial Planning
- Shum Financial Group – Cliff Shum, CFP
- Todd Wellnitz
Best Insurance Agents
Winner: Kelly Lux – State Farm Insurance Agent
- Farmers Insurance – Leah Nishi
- Farmers, Central Ave., Alameda
- Kelly Lux – State Farm Insurance Agent
- Kerry Walker
- Ron Cain, Gurtner Insurance Solutions
- State Farm – Larry Bolton
Best Mortgage Brokers
Winner: Lena Sazo
- California Real Estate Finance
- Gil Faust
- Holmgren & Associates
- Lena Sazo
- Luke Szymanski
- Peter Holmes
- The Wyatt Team
Best Notary / Fingerprint / Live Scan
Winners: Island Notary and Livescan & Lena Sazo
- Aisha’s Mobile Notary
- Island Notary and Livescan
- Kelly Lux
- Lena Sazo
- Western Notary Services
Best Professional Coaches
Winner: Nicola Taggart
- Best Self
- Louise Goeckel
- Nicola Taggart
- Piedmont Avenue Consulting
- PolarisOne
Best Real Estate Agents
Winner: Kate McCaffrey Group
- Anne McKereghan
- Becky Cusack – Eastside West
- Guy Blume
- Kate McCaffrey Group
- Laura Meith | Realtor
Best Real Estate Brokers
Winner: Becky Cusack, Broker – Eastside West
- Becky Cusack, Broker – Eastside West
- Erik Schuler, Compass
- Kate McCaffrey Group
- Laura Meith | Realtor
- The Guy Blume Group
Best Real Estate Companies
Winner: Eastside West
- Compass
- Eastside West
- Kate McCaffrey Group
- Laura Meith | Realtor
- Team Schuler
About the Best of Alameda Professional Services
Alameda Magazine’s Best of Alameda was created to give readers throughout Alameda and the East Bay a voice in celebrating their personal “family favorite” Professional Services and standout local businesses. Over the years, the program has grown stronger with each round of community participation.
Voting for Best of Alameda Professional Services takes place in two rounds. The first round opens in March with open write-in nominations and continues through mid-April. Once nominations close, the second round begins in April and May, allowing readers to vote from among the top-nominated Professional Services.
Final winners are announced in October, honoring the professionals who help Alameda residents plan, protect, grow, and thrive.
We hope you enjoy discovering—and supporting—the Best Professional Services in Alameda.
