Find Your Advisor
Seeking the guidance of a trusted and qualified financial planner is among the most crucial financial decisions you can make. At Commonwealth Financial Group, our planners are committed to understanding your unique challenges and aspirations. Leveraging the firm’s dedicated support and resources and working collaboratively with your existing advisory team, our planners provide an integrated financial strategy to help maximize your financial options.
Matt Clayson | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
781.217.3569
maclayson@financialguide.com
197 First Ave, Suite 250
Needham, MA 02494
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Scott Cathers | Partner
Scott has been with MassMutual since 2003 and joined Commonwealth Financial Group as a part of the recent merger in 2016. Prior to joining, Scott worked at Northwestern.
Scott specializes in helping corporate clients, small businesses, employee benefits, design and implementation, succession planning and retirement planning.
Scott attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated with a degree in personal finance.
Scott currently resides in Warwick, RI with his wife Nicole and their two children Brooke and Carter.
Contact Information
Mobile. 401.240.4844 Office. 401.463.1381
scathers@financialguide.com
207 Quaker Lane, Suite 203
West Warwick, RI 02893
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Jack Carrigg | Partner & Financial Advisor
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 617.462.5101
jcarrigg@financialguide.com
1133 Washington Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, LUTCF®
With over 40 years in the financial services industry, Jack brings a wealth of experience and expertise to all aspects of the financial planning process. Jack works with a variety of clients from families and young professionals interested in building the foundations of a financial plan to clients that are entering the retirement phase, keenly focused on distribution strategies and legacy planning.
In an effort to provide optimal and highly customized solutions for each individual, Jack takes a team-based, holistic approach. When facilitating the construction of comprehensive financial plans on behalf of his valued clients, he utilizes the vast array of professional resources and subject matter experts at the Commonwealth Financial Group.
One of the hallmarks of this unique and collaborative process is the ability to assist people with fully integrating their investment portfolios, risk management portfolios, and tax and estate planning. It is this spirit of collaboration that sets Jack apart and allows him to consistently deliver an unmatched level of financial clarity and confidence.
Jack is a graduate of Boston Latin School. He earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jack is a Certified Financial Planner practitioner and maintains the designations of Certified in Long-Term Care and Certified Fund Specialist, as well as Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 registrations. He currently resides in Marshfield and in his free time, Jack enjoys playing golf and hockey and spending time with his son, John.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Dennis Chenette | Financial Advisor
Contact Information Mobile. 603.931.4679
Office. 603.471.4315
dchenette@financialguide.com
43 Constitution Drive, Suite 201
Bedford, NH 03110
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Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Jeffrey Carey | Senior Partner & Financial Advisor
Contact Information Mobile. 508.422.7881
Office. 617.526.9349
jeffreycarey@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
CFBS
A partner at Commonwealth Financial Group since 2009, Jeff maintains an unparalleled enthusiasm and genuine passion for planning, investing and wealth accumulation. Jeff is a consummate professional who focuses on the individual needs of his clients. He excels in assisting clients bolster their financial standing by implementing sound and progressive investment strategies coupled with prudent risk management.
Typically financial success does not bring simplicity to people’s lives. In many instances, as people increase their wealth, life becomes far more complicated. Attorneys, CPAs, Insurance Agents, and Investment Advisor Representatives can all be extraordinarily helpful in providing sound advice, but they typically offer up their guidance independent of one another. This paradigm leaves clients primarily responsible for sifting through a wide array of different types of recommendations, trying to figure out which ones are most appropriate and how they all fit together.
Jeff and his team provide a single-source, comprehensive wealth management solution for companies, institutions, families, business owners, and professionals. They specialize in the full integration of personal, business, and estate planning, as well as tax mitigation strategies. Jeff’s approach to financial management is straightforward: he listens closely to his clients in order to take into account all aspects of their financial lives, including their goals, objectives, desired timeline, and risk tolerance.
He then integrates all of these aspects, working closely with his team of subject matter experts at Commonwealth Financial Group, to develop a comprehensive strategy tailored specifically to each individual client. This holistic team-based approach was specifically designed to help simplify many of the common complexities associated with modern day wealth management.
Jeff’s clients tell him that his personalized process allows them to see their financial and business affairs from a new perspective and helps them to pursue their goals with purpose, clarity, and a longer term view. Working with Jeff and his team, clients can expect to receive an exceptional, well-coordinated level of personalized service.
Jeff graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1997 with a B.S. in Business Management and International Marketing. In 2014 he became a Senior Partner at Commonwealth Financial Group and was promoted to the role of Managing Director. He maintains a Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) designation. In addition, he holds a Life, Accident and Health license, as well as Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. Jeff currently resides in Swansea, Massachusetts, with his wife Judy and daughter Ava.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Cynthia Bryant | Financial Planner
Contact Information Call only: 508.331.3709
Office: 802.476.3100
cbryant@financialguide.com
192 S Main Street PO Box 741
Barre, VT 05641-4811
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Dakota Brizendine | Head of New Org
Contact Information Mobile. 802.230.1399
Office. 802.557.6581
dbrizendine@financialguide.com
65 Main Street, Suite 201
Burlington, VT 05401
Dakota Brizendine is Head of New Org at Commonwealth Financial Group and a lifelong Vermonter. She specializes in comprehensive financial planning for people from a variety of financial backgrounds, allowing them to enjoy greater independence and the confidence that can come with financial stability. She understands how a sound financial strategy has the power to alleviate the stress that arises when one struggles either to make ends meet or to effectively plan for the future. She is particularly proud of her work with families and individuals who can enjoy their sunset years because of preparations they made in the years before retirement.
Dakota strives to lead by example and to serve as a pillar of the community. She is the Vice Chair of Special Olympics Vermont and she organizes events that benefit Vermonters from the greater Burlington area and beyond. Some of the organizations she has worked with include Special Olympics Vermont, Chill Foundation, and Rally 2 Give.
Dakota is also extremely active in the professional world. She has frequently been asked to speak at conferences, particularly those that focus on the economic independence of women. She has presented for CFG, Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, VT Womenpreneurs, Wedding Professionals Association, and Ladies Get Paid, among others.
Dakota is a mother of two. Her husband, Owen, is a chef. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors being active, gardening, and creating intricate meals with friends.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Elisabeth Brady | Special Care Financial Planner
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 781.405.7925
elisabethbrady@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
Elisabeth’s financial planning practice focuses on helping families with dependents with special needs, of all ages. As a parent to two children with special needs, Elisabeth understands her clients’ busy day-to-day adventures and knows that planning can be overwhelming. Her practice is a well-rounded, holistic service for families with dependents requiring support as they build their best life. Elisabeth wants to be the go-to resource for her families, allowing them to confidently navigate their worlds and create a plan that truly meets their needs.
As a MassMutual Special Care Planner, Elisabeth can help families with dependents with special needs:
Protect future eligibility for government benefits
Create a Life Care Plan*
Understand the financial and legal issues in special needs planning
“Getting all the moving parts to work together can be challenging, but when they click, the results can be fantastic,” notes Elisabeth.
Elisabeth lives in Haverhill with her husband, children, and their family dog. Elisabeth is a member of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, BNI Dynamic Referrals, Haverhill, and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. When not spending time with her family or her clients, Elisabeth enjoys giving back to her community through volunteering, including her work as an active member of the Haverhill Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).
Elisabeth, a Boston College graduate, is licensed in MA and NH, maintaining her Series 6 and Series 63, and Life and Health (Disability Income Insurance) licenses. She also holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation awarded by The American College.
About SpecialCare
SpecialCare is a program developed by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) to provide access to information and resources to families with dependents, of any age, with special needs. The program’s mission is to help educate families and caregivers of people with special needs about the importance and steps in creating a life care plan to help provide a secure financial future.
* A Life Care Plan is a coordinated program of future care planning, financial, and legal strategies for people with disabilities and their families. A Life Care Plan continually changes throughout an individual’s lifetime and is provided by a team that may include your legal and tax advisors as well as insurance and investment professionals.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Robert Bourque | Financial Advisor
Contact Information Mobile. 781.332.4238
Office. 617.526.8224
rbourque@crosscoastaladvisors.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
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Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Jim Bolton | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
Mobile. 970.572.4375 Office. 617.271.0352
jbolton@financialguide.com
1180 Capital Street, Suite 101
Eagle, CO 81631
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Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Meghan Blomberg | Financial Advisor
Contact Information Mobile. 781.332.4739
Office. 781.374.7443
mblomberg@financialguide.com
25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 106
Hingham, MA 02043
MBA
Meghan joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 2015. Prior to joining CFG she was the Controller at a Real Estate Investment company called First Atlantic Capital, LLC for ten years.
She loves bringing clarity and a strategy to her clients’ lives that wasn’t there before. She is passionate about helping people learn what their options are to reach their goals and enjoys the process of continually working with them to reach those goals.
Meghan graduated from Marist College with a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance and Human Resources. While working full time, she recommitted to her Education and went on to receive her MBA in Accounting at the University of Massachusetts.
Meghan currently holds the following Securities Licenses: Series 7, 6, and 63. She also has licenses in Insurance and Health.
Meghan currently resides in Hanover, MA with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, she loves to teach Retirement Planning classes, Financial Wellness Education classes and participates often in competitive tennis, mountain biking, and running. She is a Board Member of The Hanover Club, a women’s community service and social club.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Lisa Blair | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 413.245.6003
lisablair@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02110
Lets chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
George Benoit | Partner
Contact Information
508.388.1563
gbenoit@financialguide.com
133 State Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-677-3900
LUTCF®
George Benoit joined MassMutual Southern New England eight years ago and came aboard with Commonwealth Financial Group in our merger in 2016. Prior to working for CFG George worked for Prudential Financial for twenty-seven and half years.George specializes in work on referrals and small business in his home town of Westport for over 30 years and believes in the protection aspect of the business.George has won the MDRT awards, the 10,000 MassMutual community service award and several Prudential Citations and maintains his Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow designation.George graduated from to Bishop Stang High School and started in the business directly after that.George resides in Westport, MA with his wife, Robin and two daughters, Gabrielle and Angelique. In his spare time George enjoys playing golf and runs a scholarship fund, in honor of his son Matthew who passed away in 2006. Each year they give out $20,000 to graduating seniors in the Southeastern Massachusetts area.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Jeff Baron | Senior Partner & Financial Advisor
Contact Information
617.526.8230
jbaron@financialguide.com
51 River Street, #100
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
MBA, CASL®, ChFC®, CLU®, CLTC, RICP®
Jeff Baron joined Commonwealth Financial Group in September of 2015. Prior to joining us, Jeff spent 13 years as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual’s downtown Boston office. He previously ran marketing and business development for a local startup and was a management consultant with A.T. Kearney. Jeff enjoys the deployment of intellectual capital in helping clients solve problems, and his work at CFG is centered on this type of client service. Jeff’s practice is primarily focused on strategic financial planning with a particular expertise in retirement income distribution and maximization. He maintains several designations, including Chartered Advisor for Senior Living, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Long-Term Care, and Retirement Income Certified Professional.
Jeff has qualified for MDRT every year since the start of his career in 2003 and has achieved Court of the Table status since 2007. In 2016, he qualified for his first Top of the Table status. He achieved the NAIFA National Quality Award for the first time in 2005, and he has received that award every year since.
Jeff graduated from Colby College with a degree in government with a minor in creative writing. He continued his education at Cornell's Johnson School and graduated with his MBA in General Management.
Jeff currently resides in Wayland, Massachusetts with his wife Deb, two daughters Sam and Ali, and their dog Nola. He is a life-long Patriots fan and season ticket holder. In his spare time, Jeff is the Chairman of the Development Committee for the Wildflower Camp Foundation, a foundation that helps children who have lost a parent by sending them to summer camp. He is also active in Wayland town politics. Jeff enjoys spending summers golfing and enjoying the lakefront in Maine.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Zachary Banas | Financial Planner
Contact Information
617.553.6924
zbanas@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
As a financial planner, I have been helping educate and serve clients in the New England region since 2014. My specialty lies within the family and individual planning market. I love meeting families with children and professionals who are trying to learn more about their finances and set themselves up now – and in the future.
I choose to operate my practice with Commonwealth Financial Group, a Boston-based firm that was formed in 1857, for three key reasons:
Access to the highest quality financial and insurance products available and without bias
Comprehensive and holistic planning process based around client education and strategy
Large corporate resources with a local, personalized feel
I value trust, clarity, teamwork, and relationship building as the cornerstones of my practice. My approach to planning is simple – educate clients about what they have, weigh the positive and negative impact of each decision, and make ongoing improvements to a financial plan that are easy to understand and implement.
Financial planning goes far beyond just investments. Whether you are a successful business owner or new parents trying to make ends meet, the education and strategies I provide will help put your mind – and your wallet – at ease.
Contact me today to get started on your plan, because as the famous saying goes:
“A goal without a plan is just a wish”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Parker Babbe | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
617.297.9849
pbabbe@financialguide.com
51 River Street, #100
Wellesley, MA 02481
Partner
Parker joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 2014 due to its entrepreneurial model. Prior to joining CFG, Parker was at Northwestern Mutual for one year full-time and two years as an intern.
Parker considers himself a steward of his practice. He provides value to his clients by educating them on the financial conflicts and contradictions that exist in their lives. He believes that it is his responsibility to manage his practice so that he can affect positive change in the lives of his clients. He specializes in working with Active-duty military, veterans, and government-service employees.
Parker graduated from the Military College of Vermont in 2013 and was recognized as the New Advisor of the Year by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) of Vermont the same year.
He currently resides in Colchester, VT and enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and reading in his spare time.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Thomas Marsh | Associate
Contact Information Mobile. 802.210.1478
Office. 802.476.3100
tmarsh@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
Lets chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Al Santosuosso | Financial Planner & Partner
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 781.718.1715
asantosuosso@financialguide.com
43 Constitution Drive, Suite 201
Bedford, NH 03110
CFP®, CFBS, CEPA
A Partner at Commonwealth Financial Group since 2010, Al delivers a process oriented approach to helping his clients create, accumulate and preserve wealth in the most efficient manner. Al displays an unparalleled passion and enthusiasm towards helping his clients achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations. He starts with the end in mind and communicates the big picture with clarity.
At each level of financial success comes another layer of complexity. The more successful one becomes, the more moving parts there are to their financial picture. These parts come in many shapes and sizes, but primarily consist of various advisors, products and changes in law. Even seemingly minor decisions in one area can have a significant ripple effect on other areas and often impede someone in achieving their maximum financial potential. Al’s practice is focused on comprehensive fee based financial planning to help facilitate the integration of these moving parts in an objective and fiduciary accountable manner.
What makes Al’s planning process unique, is the collaboration with his internal resource team of subject matter experts. This includes Tax & Estate Attorneys, Business Valuation Specialists, Investment experts, Insurance experts and Certified Special Needs planners. Al and his team provide 200 plus years of experience to best serve companies, institutions, business owners, families and professionals.
Al and his team specialize in the full integration of personal, business, tax and estate planning. Al takes a straight forward approach to planning. First, he seeks to understand his client’s goals, objectives, desires and wants. Secondly, he works closely with his team and his client’s existing advisors to develop a comprehensive strategy tailored specifically towards his client’s unique needs and lifestyle. Lastly, he is detail oriented with the execution of all planning, investment and insurance action items. In addition, having earned the designation of Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS), he provides exceptional expertise for the business owner
Al graduated from Stonehill College with a B.S. in Business Administration where he played collegiate tennis for all four years. He maintains the Certified Financial Planner® and Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) designations and has been certified by The American College in Business Succession Planning. In addition, he holds a Life, Accident & Health license as well as Series 7 and 66 security registrations. Al resides in Bedford, New Hampshire with his wife Vanessa and their three sons, Anthony, Michael and Rocco.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
Steve Abraham | Associate
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 603.231.7204
steveabraham@financialguide.com
45 Stiles Road, Suite 102
Salem, NH 03079
Lets chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.
William Avril | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
Mobile. 508.297.7165 Office. 508.285.3009
wavril@financialguide.com
133 West Main Street, PO Box 1184
Norton, MA 02766
William (Bill) Avril joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 1983. Bill is a trusted advisor to his clients, who rely on him for financial guidance. He works with his clients to identify their current financial situation, and articulate a strategy to help them to protect what matters most, and to reach their financial goals.
Bill graduated from Nichols College in 1981 with a Bachelor’s of Science and Business Administration. Once he joined CFG he partnered with his father, who he credits in giving him helpful advice in his early career. Bill is involved in multiple charities and clubs outside of work. He is a past President and current member of the Norton Lions Club, a founding committee member for the MSG Trent Memorial, and had dedicated many years to Norton Youth Soccer as a coach, President and board member.
Bill resides in Norton, Massachusetts, and is a proud father of five and grandfather of 13. He is a fitness enthusiast, avid reader of US history & biographies, enjoys biking and yard work in his free time.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or if you just want to send a personal note.