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About Us

Guided by Purpose. Focused on You.

Meet Our Team

David Sylvester, CFA, CFP®

Founding Principal

Hilary Disher, CPA (not in public practice), CFP Tax Stratgist and Wealth Advisor

Hilary Disher, CPA (Not in Public Practice), CFP®

Tax Strategist and Wealth Advisor

Matt Walker

Financial Planner

Expert Guidance, Mile After Mile

CAVU in the Community

Since our founding in 2009, CAVU has contributed 10% of our revenue to dozens of charitable organizations that operate on a local and global level.

We give based on our revenue (not our profit) so that we constantly make substantial donations, even when we are investing in our business. Plus, we like using the same principles that we teach our kids: spend less than you earn, give, save, and invest the rest. 

Some Organizations We Support

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 115 million people worldwide. The organization works with churches, businesses, government agencies and other nonprofits to provide help and hope to those who are impoverished, hungry and hurting. CAVU gives 5% of its annual revenues to support Convoy of Hope’s mission.

The Bay Area Rescue Mission serves the homeless and those in need in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the Bay Area. In 2016, the Rescue Mission provided more than 77,000 nights of shelter and more than 788,000 meals. In addition to providing emergency shelter and meals, they offer comprehensive help, including recovery programs, job and life-skills trainings, and “food” for the mind and soul. CAVU teaches a financial skills class to participants soon to graduate from the organization’s 18-month recovery program.

Children Rising is on a mission to, among other things, teach kids how to read. Did you know that if you can’t read by the 3rd grade, you’ve probably missed the “teacher support” window? The majority of these students end up dropping out of school. One of their primary missions is to mobilize volunteer tutors and mentors to help youth develop their reading skills while gaining positive self-esteem.

Project Peace mobilizes volunteers and resources to serve trusted and vetted community partners in the pursuit of justice in the East Bay.

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David Sylvester, CFA, CFP®
Founding Principal

David spent his early career serving institutional clients while working for Wall Street firms.  He participated in three major functions: investment research, institutional sales, and portfolio management.  David followed his interest in aviation and became a noted airline analyst while working for Hambrecht & Quist, Montgomery Securities (now Bank of America – Merrill) and Kidder Peabody.  He specialized in the emerging airlines that started after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.  That expertise eventually led to David working for Polaris Aircraft Leasing, America West Airlines, and Harmony Airways as their first president. 

In 2005 David learned of the emerging industry of Independent Registered Investment Advisors – an industry that provides individuals with unbiased financial advice rather than a sales pitch.  Shortly after, CAVU Wealth Advisors was born.  [The CAVU name draws on David’s experience in the aviation field.] In 2009 CAVU opened its doors offering a modern, holistic, client-focused wealth management service with deep industry knowledge that had been earned from a 25-year career on Wall Street.

David earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1985 and the Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2009. Fewer than 4% of CFP® practitioners hold both important designations. David attended the University of Richmond on a football scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. 

He is a past board member of the national board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As a volunteer, David teaches classes on Lifetime Financial Skills at the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, CA and helps to lead the Financial Peace University course hosted by his church.

David and his wife Terry have been married since 1978 and have four grown daughters and eight grandchildren. They reside in Moraga, CA and are active members of Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church.

David enjoys outdoor activities including golf, running, and backpacking. 

Contact David
Hilary Disher, CPA (not in public practice), CFP Tax Stratgist and Wealth Advisor
Hilary Disher, CPA (not in Public Practice), CFP®
Tax Strategist and Wealth Advisor

Hilary joined CAVU Wealth Advisors in 2014. Prior to joining CAVU, Hilary worked with Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Advisors and their high net worth clients, consulting on strategic income tax planning and estate tax matters.

Before her time with Goldman, Hilary spent nearly 8 years at Deloitte Tax LLP. There, she worked with clients and internal teams on consulting and compliance projects for both businesses and individuals. During her later years at Deloitte, Hilary realized the value that sound tax planning can bring to all aspects of life and decided to redirect her career to focus on tax planning for individuals. 

In 2007, Hilary earned the Certified Public Accountant designation.

In 2018, Hilary earned the Certified Financial Planning designation. Though you will be hard pressed to find someone as excited about taxes as Hilary, she thoroughly enjoys now offering broader financial guidance to the CAVU family of clients.

Hilary attended University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, where she received a B.S. in Business Administration: Professional Accounting. She graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.

Hilary has been married since 2005 and has two children. She’s one of David’s four daughters. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and, due to her husband’s career, has lived many places in the world including Hawaii, Virginia, and Africa. No matter where she resides, Hilary enjoys returning to the City by the Bay each summer.

Contact Hilary
Matt Walker
Financial Planner

Matt graduated from Duke University in 1999 with degrees in Economics and Public Policy, launching his career in management consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers and later a boutique real estate consulting firm.

After five years in the for-profit world, he spent nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership with Young Life, earning a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary along the way. That uncommon blend of business rigor and pastoral perspective shapes how he serves clients today—bringing both analytical clarity and deep purpose to every financial decision.

Matt’s passion is simple: to help people flourish, in part by helping bring clarity and excellence to their finances so they can be bold and joyful (and tax-efficient!) in their generosity. He currently serves on the boards of Project Peace, Leadership Edge, and Young Life (California), and is an active member of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church.

Above all, Matt is grateful to be married to Amy and to be the dad of two great kids, who keep him grounded, laughing, and focused on what matters most.

Contact MATT