Advanced Planning Consultant

Anne joined Commonwealth in July 2022 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, her responsibilities include reviewing and summarizing plan and legal documents, identifying potential issues on a variety of wealth management projects, and reviewing clients’ planning objectives to help identify opportunities to meet their needs. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Anne was an associate attorney at Gosselin & Kyriakidis and a law clerk for a criminal defense attorney at the James J. Coviello Law Office. She spent two years at the University College Dublin in Ireland and the Université Paris Panthéon-Assas in France pursuing a double degree in comparative law and international law, earning the French and Irish equivalent of an American JD. She then earned an LLM in U.S. and international law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is also a licensed attorney in the state of New York. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking (sometimes with her cat), trail running, photography, skiing, reading, and DIY projects.

Advanced Planning Consultant

Aric joined Commonwealth in August 2020 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, he provides financial planning support for advisors, including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Aric was a financial educator and subject matter expert at Edelman Financial Engines and Financial Knowledge. He earned his BS in biology from Tulane University and his JD from Tulane University School of Law. Aric then went on to earn his LLM in taxation from New York University School of Law. He currently holds his FINRA Series 6, 63, and 66 securities registrations and CFP certification and is a member of the New York State Bar. Outside of work, Aric enjoys hiking, doing the New York Times crosswords, studying ancient Roman history, and spending time with his wife, Alicia, and their black lab mix, Tosh. Aric also enjoys traveling and biking; he has biked across the U.S. twice as part of a charitable fundraising event and in 2018 he spent a month in Iran as a tourist.

Paraplanner

Brian joined Commonwealth in January 2022 as a paraplanner in the Advanced Planning department. In this role, his primary responsibilities include providing financial planning support by assisting with plan creation, analysis, and recommendations for advisors' clients. Brian conducts data gathering calls and virtual meetings with advisors and clients to obtain information required to develop or update the financial plan. Before joining Commonwealth, Brian worked as a client service specialist at Raskin Planning Group. He earned his BSBA and MS in finance from Suffolk University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation and FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. Outside of work, Brian enjoys running, going to the gym, and both playing and watching sports. He has played hockey and baseball all his life and tries to get out on the ice whenever he can.

Team Lead, Advanced Planning

David joined Commonwealth in March 2018 as an advanced planning consultant, and, in March 2022, he was promoted to team lead, advanced planning. In this role, he provides financial planning support for advisors, including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies. He also plays a key role in tracking and interpreting legislation affecting individual taxation and financial planning. Prior to joining Commonwealth, David was an attorney in private practice for eight years in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. He has experience representing individuals and companies in bankruptcy, as well as engaging with many other general practice areas. In the past few years, he has exclusively practiced in the areas of elder law and estate planning and administration. David graduated with a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and earned his JD at the Massachusetts School of Law. He is admitted to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire bar, as well as the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire. David is an avid Boston sports fan. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends

Associate Paraplanner

Eli joined Commonwealth in September 2022 as an associate paraplanner. In this role, he works collaboratively with advisors, helping with the development, implementation, and updating of financial plans, and assisting with client delivery as needed. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Eli worked as an advice intern in the Financial Advisor Development Program at Vanguard. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, with a concentration in financial planning, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in finance from Bentley University. Outside of work, Eli enjoys golfing, traveling, learning to cook, and watching Formula 1 and hockey. He hopes to get involved with pro bono financial planning work when he’s eligible.

Advanced Planning Consultant

Elizabeth joined Commonwealth in January 2022 as an advanced planning consultant. She acts as a resource for our advisors on issues involving elder care planning, estate planning, charitable, education, and social security planning. Before joining Commonwealth, Elizabeth worked as an estate and elder law attorney for Clougherty & Associates and Falco & Associates. She is a graduate of Merrimack College and Suffolk Law School. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys coaching her two children in team sports and playing tennis.

Geoffrey Skowronek

Geoff joined Commonwealth in October 2019 as a business transitions case manager and was promoted to senior business transitions case manager in June 2021. In January 2022, Geoff joined the Advanced Planning department as a paraplanner, bringing his operational expertise and advisor-centric approach to the team. In this role, his primary responsibilities include providing financial planning support through assisting with plan creation, analysis, and recommendations for advisors' clients. Before joining Commonwealth, Geoff was a financial consultant at AXA Advisors in North Carolina. He graduated from Assumption College, holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, and is licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and long-term care insurance. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar, golfing, skiing, and following Boston sports teams, especially the New England Patriots.

Manager Advanced Planning

Heather joined Commonwealth in June 2011. In her role as the manager of Advanced Planning, she leads a team of consultants dedicated to supporting advisors on issues involving estate, charitable, tax, social security, and education planning. She is also one of the board members of Commonwealth Cares, Commonwealth’s 501(c)(3) charity. Heather earned an MS in financial planning from Bentley University; an LLM in taxation from Boston University, with a concentration in estate planning; a JD from the University of San Diego, with a concentration in corporate and securities law; and a BS in business administration from Endicott College. Before joining Commonwealth, she held positions at Bank of America Investment Services/Merrill Lynch and Investors Capital. Heather holds her FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, and 63 securities registrations, as well as the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) certification. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and listening to great music.

Vice President, Advanced Planning

Justin joined Commonwealth in June 2007. As vice president of advanced planning, Justin is responsible for the strategic direction of the department, as well as providing a resource for advisors on issues involving trust, estate, tax, charitable, social security, business, insurance, and education planning. Justin earned a JD from New England Law Boston, with a focus on estate, trust, and tax law; an MS in financial services from the American College of Financial Services; and a BS in business administration from Northeastern University. He holds Massachusetts life, accident, and health insurance licenses; CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, and CLTC® certifications; and FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations. Before joining Commonwealth, Justin worked for Renaissance Insurance Group running its financial services department, and he has held positions at John Hancock and Ernst & Young.

Associate Paraplanner

Kevin joined Commonwealth in June 2020 as an operations support specialist and was promoted to senior operations support specialist in April 2022. In September 2022, Kevin joined the Advanced Planning department as an associate paraplanner, bringing his operational expertise and advisor-centric approach to the team. In this role, his primary responsibilities include providing financial planning support by assisting with plan creation, analysis, and recommendations for advisors' clients. Kevin, who graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, has worked as a research assistant for the Toxics Use Reduction Institute and a teaching assistant in organic chemistry at UMass Lowell. He authored “Nanophosphor-Based Contrast Agents for Spectral X-Ray Imaging,” which was published in the scientific journal Nanomaterials. In his free time, Kevin enjoys most outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and skiing.

Senior Advanced Planning Consultant

Krista joined Commonwealth in September 2018 as an advanced planning consultant and was promoted to senior consultant in 2022. In this role, she provides financial planning support for advisors, including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies. Before joining Commonwealth, Krista worked with independent advisors conducting research and analysis and implementing advanced estate and business strategies. She also worked closely with attorneys to design and implement nonqualified plans and executive benefits. Krista earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance at Biola University. She has California life, accident, and health insurance licenses; is a National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) certificate holder; and holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP®) designations, as well as her FINRA Series 7 and 24 securities registrations. In her spare time, Krista likes to try out new recipes, spend time in her garden, and travel the world.

Sup., Paraplanning & Advanced Planning Consultant

Martin joined Commonwealth in January 2019 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, he provides financial planning support for advisors, including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies. Prior to Commonwealth, Martin was a private wealth relationship manager at Fidelity. Before that, he was a wealth strategist with UBS. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation, and FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his wife and two children, traveling, playing hockey, and golfing.

Advanced Planning Consultant

Maureen joined Commonwealth in December 2013 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, she acts as a resource for advisors in all areas of financial planning, including executive benefits and high-level insurance, social security, estate, and business planning. Maureen earned her MBA from Plymouth State University and her CLU® and ChFC® designations from the American College of Financial Services. Prior to Commonwealth, she held the roles of assistant vice president of advanced sales and assistant vice president of life marketing. She previously worked at Western and Southern Financial Group, Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Financial Group, and Jefferson Pilot Insurance Company. In her free time, she enjoys family time, crocheting, musical theater, and reading-anything from mystery to history.

Advanced Planning Consultant

Mike started working with Commonwealth in October 2022 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, he reviews and summarizes plan and legal documents and identifies potential issues on wealth management projects. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Mike worked as a partner at both Robinson Donovan and Fierst Bloomberg Ohm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Hobart College and a juris doctorate from Cornell Law School, and he is admitted to practice law in both Massachusetts and New York.

Advanced Planning Consultant

Rafael joined Commonwealth in May 2022 as an advanced planning consultant. In this role, he provides financial planning support for our advisors, including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Rafael worked as a subject matter expert for a MassMutual learning initiative and as a financial advisor at Lincoln Investment. He earned a bachelor’s degree in visual media from Emerson College, a master’s degree in financial planning from the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley University, and a financial therapy certificate from Kansas State University. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. In his spare time, Rafael enjoys collecting vintage watches, teaching his Siberian cat new tricks, and reading books about the Cold War.

Senior Investment Research Analyst

Nathan joined Commonwealth in September 2013 as an investment research analyst, and in 2016, he was promoted to senior investment research analyst. In this role, Nathan facilitates our due diligence and research activities on real asset-focused investments (commercial real estate, commodities, infrastructure, and natural resources). Nathan received his bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Chico, and his master’s in finance from San Diego State University. He has his FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations and the CFA® and CAIA designations. Prior to Commonwealth, Nathan worked for LPL Financial in its San Diego home office. Before that, he was an M&A associate intern at Bainbridge Capital, a capital advisory and management consulting firm in San Diego. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys golfing, surfing, and skiing. He also enjoys traveling, reading, and other outdoor activities.

Senior Vice President, Investment Management and Research

Peter joined Commonwealth in 2004. As vice president of the investment management and research team, he oversees asset allocation, fund selection, and overall management of Commonwealth’s discretionary platform, Preferred Portfolio Services Select. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Peter worked at Albany International and Kestner Engineers. He graduated from Union College, where he earned his BS in economics. In addition to holding FINRA Series 7, 24, 31, 53, and 66 securities registrations, Peter has the CAIA and CFP® designations and is a CFA® charterholder. He is also a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society.

Senior Investment Research Analyst

Peter joined Commonwealth in October 2012 as an advisory fees associate. In his current role as investment research associate, he assists with manager evaluation and dissemination of research. He is involved in the investment process, attending due diligence meetings. In addition, Peter assists with market research and commentary and helps support the advisor force by handling general inquiries related to the Mutual Fund Recommended List. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Peter interned for Strategic Financial Partners and Baystate Wealth Management in Waltham and Boston. Peter graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2012 with a BS in management. In his free time, Peter enjoys playing basketball, shooting pool, watching stand-up comedy, and fishing. His most memorable travel experience was going to England and Italy.

Manager, Alternative Investments

Rob joined Commonwealth in July 2013 and is currently a senior investment research analyst. Rob facilitates due diligence and research activities on products within alternative financial strategies, such as managed futures, hedge funds, private equity, structured products, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds. Rob earned his bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he spent the majority of his career at the global wirehouses in Boston, where he specialized in investment analysis and portfolio management. Rob’s analysis experience led him to a niche focus in alternative investments.

Senior Investment Research Analyst

Rob started at Commonwealth in October 2012 as a financial report engineer working on the Client360° reporting platform. In June 2016, he became a fixed income analyst on the Investment Management and Research team and was later promoted to senior analyst. In this role, he is primarily responsible for responding to inquiries on corporate fixed income portfolios, including the analysis of individual corporate bonds, structured products, and preferred stock issues. He is also responsible for asset class and market research related to fixed income. Rob came to Commonwealth from Cambridge Associates, where he worked as a performance analyst. He also worked as an investment associate for a single-family office in Providence, primarily analyzing alternative assets. Rob is a graduate of Boston College, where he concentrated in finance and accounting. He is a CFA® charterholder. In his spare time, Rob enjoys playing basketball, football, and golf.

Director, Fixed Income

Sam first started with Commonwealth as a research team intern in 2013. He joined the team full-time in 2015 and worked as an investment research associate and fixed income analyst before assuming his current role as a senior investment research analyst in 2019. As a senior analyst, Sam’s primary responsibilities include analyzing individual municipal bonds, responding to advisor inquiries, providing analytics and research support to the PPS Select SMA municipal bond strategies, and drafting market research and commentary. Sam graduated from Tufts University with a degree in economics. Currently, he is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) candidate level II.

Investment Research Analyst

Sara joined Commonwealth in June 2021 as an investment management associate after interning in 2020 on the Investment Management and Research team. In her current role, she supports analysts with due diligence and research activities. She also assists with aggregating and presenting daily, weekly, and monthly investment analysis and performance reporting. Prior to interning with Commonwealth, Sara interned at New York Life and worked as a server at Tavern in the Square. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors with friends, hiking, playing sports, and going to the beach.