Our affiliation with Commonwealth Financial Network® gives us access to a team of retirement consultants. They aid us in our efforts to serve you well!
Adam Khalek
Retirement Solutions Investment Analyst – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Adam joined Commonwealth and the Strategic Retirement Solutions team in June 2020 as a retirement solutions investment associate. In this role, he fields advisor inquiries about investment oversight best practices and acts as a liaison for Commonwealth's retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships.
Before joining Commonwealth, Adam worked as an invoicing coordinator for a promotional products financing company. He earned a BS in finance from Framingham State University. He holds the FINRA Series 7 securities registration and the AIF® designation.
Alex Lauretti
Agency Contractor – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Alex joined Commonwealth in August 2017. He works on business data analysis projects, assists the team in optimizing its operational procedures, and develops department-wide process automations. He also serves as a resource for our advisors and works with our recordkeeper partners.
Alex graduated from Colgate University with a BA in mathematics and a minor in economics. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations and the CPFA® designation.
Allen Cohen
Senior Retirement Solutions Consultant - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Allen joined Commonwealth in May 2015 as a retirement sales consultant. In his current role as senior retirement solutions consultant, he fields inquiries from financial advisors and teammates on all retirement-related topics and initiatives.
Allen has been in the financial services industry for more than 20 years; before joining Commonwealth, he worked at State Street Bank, CitiStreet, and ING/VOYA. He graduated from Bates College with a BA in English and holds the CPFA® designation.
Amber Cao
Strategic Retirement Solutions Associate – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Amber began working at Commonwealth in February 2019 as a contractor in the Field Development and Transition department. In May 2019, she started as a contractor on the New Accounts team and was brought on full-time in July 2019. In her new role, she is responsible for establishing advisory and brokerage accounts, maintaining New Accounts audit obligations, adding features to accounts, and providing indispensable service to our advisors and other internal departments.
Beau Asbury
Retirement Solutions Consultant – San Diego Team – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Beau joined Commonwealth in June 2023 as a retirement solutions consultant. In this role, he fields inquiries from our advisors and home office staff on all retirement-related topics and initiatives.
Before joining Commonwealth, Beau worked at LPL in roles ranging from retirement services and operations in a call center environment to ERISA and retirement oversight in compliance. In these roles, he gained extensive experience helping advisors grow their retirement business and working on advanced case management issues. Prior to LPL, he spent time at Scudder Investments in sales and service roles. Beau earned a BSBAM in business and finance from the University of Phoenix and holds CRC®, AIF®, and QKA® designations.
Bob Burke
PlanAssist Program Manager - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Bob joined Commonwealth in August 2021 as program manager for PlanAssist Investment Management, Commonwealth’s 3(38) fiduciary service for direct-held retirement plans. In this role, he oversees most aspects of PlanAssist, including consulting, administration, marketing, and program development.
Before joining Commonwealth, Bob worked at The Standard, E*Trade, and SAVVI Financial. He earned his BS in finance from the University of North Carolina and his MS in finance from the University of Baltimore. He currently holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations.
Christopher Lydon
Retirement Solutions Investment Analyst - San Diego Team - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Chris joined Commonwealth in July 2016 as a transfer of assets analyst and was promoted to level II analyst in March 2019. In September 2019, he joined the Strategic Retirement Solutions team as a Retirement Solutions Investment Analyst. In this role, he fields advisor inquiries about investment oversight best practices. He also acts as a liaison for Commonwealth’s retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Chris worked at Zenefits in Phoenix, Arizona, as a support specialist. He attended Gonzaga University, where he earned a BA in business administration with a concentration in economics. In his free time, Chris enjoys watching and playing sports. He also loves to travel; his goal is to visit all seven continents.
Dan Toomey
Mgr., Retirement Product - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Dan joined Commonwealth in December 2021 as a retirement product manager. In this role, Dan develops processes and procedures to ensure that Commonwealth meets regulatory standards. He also monitors retirement industry regulatory trends related to ERISA, DOL, and the SEC. Dan has more than 20 years of experience in the retirement industry, including 10 years working in recordkeeping and 10 years overseeing the retirement department at a professional employer organization.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Rochester and holds QKA®, CPFA®, and NQPA® designations.
Giovanna Zaffin
Mgr., Wealth Management Platform – Strategic Retirement Solutions
As manager of the wealth management platform development team, Giovanna focuses on planning, organizing, and executing wealth management initiatives, with an emphasis on the advisor and client experience. She began her career at Commonwealth in 2006 as a service center associate and worked in Practice Management before joining the Investment Advisory Consulting team in 2013, transitioning to her current role in 2017. Giovanna also serves as head of the Women’s Leadership Network at Commonwealth, which was established in 2011 to inspire, empower, and support the women within the Commonwealth community. They host a variety of events throughout the year to provide networking and mentorship opportunities, champion personal and professional growth, and empower women through advocacy, discussion, and education. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Giovanna worked at Merrill Lynch. She holds her FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. She graduated from Simmons College with a BA in finance and marketing and Babson College with her MBA. She also studied in Bologna, Italy, and is fluent in Italian. Giovanna likes to spend her spare time with family and friends.
Jeff Gillette
Retirement Solutions Consultant - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Jeff joined Commonwealth in February 2020 as a retirement solutions consultant. In this role, he provides technical and strategic business support to advisors working with individual IRAs, employer-sponsored IRA plans, and employer-sponsored qualified plans.
Before joining Commonwealth, Jeff worked as a senior relationship manager at EPIC RPS. Before that, he was a senior retirement plan consultant with a
Boston-area based advisory firm. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history (pre-law). Jeff holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations; a Massachusetts Life, Accident, and Health license; and the CPFA® designation.
Jon Good
Mgr., Retirement Consulting – San Diego Team – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Jon joined Commonwealth in April 2023 as manager, retirement consulting. In this role, his responsibilities include overseeing a team of retirement consultants that fields inquiries from advisors and teammates around retirement-related topics, including employer-sponsored and individual retirement accounts. Jon is involved with numerous product and marketing efforts to increase Commonwealth's tools and capabilities for financial advisors and maintains critical vendor relationships to ensure that we have innovative resources. Before joining Commonwealth, Jon worked at Principal Financial Group in retirement education and was previously a financial advisor.
Jon received a BS from Syracuse University and holds FINRA Series 7, 26, and 66 securities registrations.
Kara Tierney
Mgr., Marketing & Communications – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Kara joined Commonwealth in October 2022. In her current role as manager of marketing and communications, Kara is responsible for the marketing and communications strategy and programs within SRS as we strive to provide indispensable expertise, high-quality solutions, and innovative resources to advisors. Her focus is refining and enhancing our existing marketing and communications strategy and program in the retirement space.
Before joining Commonwealth, Kara worked at MassMutual Investments, Loomis Sayles, Wellington, Fidelity, and John Hancock Funds. She earned an MBA and BA from Boston College.
Mat Powers
BP, Strategic Retirement Solutions – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Mat joined Commonwealth in September 2014. In his current role as Vice President of Strategic Retirement Solutions, Mat sets the overall direction and vision for the department and is responsible for developing and communicating a clear strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals. This includes making high-level decisions, allocating resources, and ensuring that the department’s team members are working toward defined objectives. He is a key member of the Commonwealth ERISA Committee, where he helps evaluate issues and opportunities related to activities covered by ERISA and makes recommendations that benefit Commonwealth and our advisors. Mat leads efforts working across teams to execute department goals and ensure quality project execution and consultation in support of our advisors.
Before joining Commonwealth, Mat worked at Fidelity Investments, BNP Paribas, and Loomis Sayles. Mat has a master’s degree in investment management and a bachelor’s degree in information management, holds AIF® and AIFA® designations, and is a CFA® charterholder.
Michael Triana
Senior Retirement Solutions Consultant - San Diego Team - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Mike joined Commonwealth in May 2011 as a retirement operations specialist and was promoted to team lead in May 2014. In February 2017, Mike transitioned to the Strategic Retirement Solutions team as a retirement consultant. In this role, Mike assists advisors and home office staff on a variety of retirement-related topics, ranging from traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP/SIMPLE IRAs to distributions, beneficiary options, portability, and the like. He stays abreast of trends and developments affecting retirement accounts, including IRS laws and regulations, as well as industry news. Mike earned a degree in economics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a concentration in management. Before joining Commonwealth, he lived in Orange County where he worked for Wells Fargo Advisors in the operations department. In his free time, Mike enjoys the outdoors, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. He is also an avid sports fan. His favorite teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mike Clifford
Retirement Solutions Consultant - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Mike joined Commonwealth in April 2010 as a retirement operations specialist and transitioned to the Strategic Retirement Solutions team as an IRA consultant in April 2015. In this role, Mike assists advisors and home office staff with a variety of retirement-related topics, ranging from traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP/SIMPLE IRAs to distributions, beneficiary options, and portability. He stays abreast of trends and developments affecting retirement accounts, including IRS laws and regulations, as well as industry news.
Before joining Commonwealth, Mike worked at Putnam Investments as a client support administrator. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a BS in business management and a concentration in marketing and management.
Mike Geraci III
Sup., Retirement Investment Solutions - San Diego Team - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Michael joined Commonwealth in February 2014 as a qualified plan sales consultant. In February 2016, he was promoted to relationship manager, retirement consulting investment platform. In that role, he strategically developed and managed the due diligence process for the retirement plan investment recommended list. This entailed ensuring coverage across key asset classes and share classes for mutual funds, comingled trusts, stable value products, and target-date portfolios. In February 2019, Michael was promoted to senior product manager and will continue to work with our external partners and expand his involvement with PlanAssist Investment Management. Michael will continue to manage the retirement plan investment recommended list, the associated due diligence process working closely with Commonwealth’s Investment Management team, and performing investment selection for the PlanAssist Investment Management program. Prior to Commonwealth, he worked at John Hancock in the Investments and Retirement Plan Services divisions. Michael began his career with Fidelity Investments in brokerage trading. He holds FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations; the CRPC®, AIF®, CIMA®, and 401(k) Administrator designations; and a Massachusetts life/variable insurance license. Michael graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and holds a master of science in finance from Brandeis University. He also attended Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, earning a certificate in executive leadership. In his free time, Michael enjoys working out, playing lacrosse, skiing, skateboarding, and spending time with his family and friends.
Nathan Lucchino
Strategic Retirement Solutions Associate – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Nathan started at Commonwealth in June 2022 as an operations support specialist. His responsibilities include learning and following our business model, building trusting relationships with our financial advisors and their staff by understanding their needs and expectations, educating callers on best practices for a broad range of operational topics, and ensuring that their end goals are met. Before joining Commonwealth, Nathan worked in the marketing department for the Worcester Red Sox and as part of a work-study program for Boston University’s Alumni Association. He received his BA in history with a minor in political science from Boston University. In his free time, he enjoys reading, running, shooting hoops, cooking, and playing video games. He is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a big Steelers and Pirates fan. He passed the FINRA Series 7 exam in August 2023 and is working toward his Series 66 securities registration.
Patti Garvey
Temporary Worker - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Patti began working at Commonwealth in February 2014 as a Strategic Retirement Solutions contractor. In this role, she oversees product development and ongoing enhancements related to key retirement plan products that are offered to Commonwealth advisors who manage qualified retirement business. She also oversees data architecture, data management, and associated product testing, and serves as the point person for advisors utilizing the tools. Prior to Commonwealth, Patti worked at MFS and Sun Life Financial in a variety of management, business automation, and relationship management positions. Patti has a bachelor's degree in economics.
Peter Vajentic
Wealth Management Platform Development Coordinator – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Peter joined Commonwealth in October 2019 as an operations support associate in the Service Center. Where he was promoted to operations support specialist in June 2020, then operations support specialist 2 in November 2021. He fielded a broad range of operational inquiries in order to provide an indispensable, one-stop-shop to advisors and their staff. In April 2022, he transitioned to Wealth Management as a wealth management platform development coordinator. In this role, he assists in supporting, collaborating, and coordinating wealth management projects and initiatives across departments. Supporting new and existing products, platforms, strategies, projects, and collateral material, all designed to align with Commonwealth’s mission and to enhance the advisor-client experience. Peter holds his SIE exam and earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of New Hampshire. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, watching baseball and football, and spending time with his friends and family. He also plays baseball, football, and golf.
Ryan Wilkinson
Wealth Management Platform Associate – Strategic Retirement Solutions
Ryan joined Commonwealth in May 2018 as an operations support specialist in the Service Center before being promoted to operations support specialist 2 in January 2020. In November 2020, he transitioned to Wealth Management as a wealth management platform associate. In this role, Ryan is instrumental in organizing, communicating, and executing wealth management projects and initiatives across departments. Before joining Commonwealth, Ryan attended Boston College and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in psychology. He spent two years working as an associate wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual and holds his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys watching and attending sporting events, especially football and hockey games. He also loves spending time with friends and family, cooking, traveling, and trying out different restaurants and breweries in and around Boston.
Steve Kochis
Temporary Worker - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Steve performs a number of administrative duties related to the Retirement Plan Consulting Program, including processing all versions of the Retirement Plan Consulting Agreement, change amendments, and addendums in a timely fashion. Where agreements have not been received in good order, he communicates with advisors to help them amend the issue. Before moving to a part-time role, Steve was manager for the Strategic Retirement Solutions team, managing department workflow and overseeing the execution of and strategy behind the department’s policies and procedures. Previously, Steve supervised retirement operations personnel and managed associated product and service delivery.
He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations.
Thomas Crutchfield
Mgr., Strategic Retirement Solutions - Strategic Retirement Solutions
Thomas joined Commonwealth in April 2012 and is currently responsible for strategic initiatives and collaboration with internal departments and third-party service provider firms. Thomas started his career in 1987 as a retirement plan advisor and has since held various client-facing and management positions with Putnam Investments, Fidelity Investments, Diversified Investment Advisors, and New York Life, focusing on client strategy and product management. Thomas previously served as director of financial planning programs at Merrimack College, where he managed all aspects of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ curriculum.
He graduated from the University of Houston with an MS in finance and holds the CFP® professional certification, as well as AIF®, PPC®, and CPFA® designations.