Retirement Plan Team

Adam joined Commonwealth & 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. He also acts as a liaison for Commonwealth's retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships. Prior to Commonwealth, Adam worked as an Invoicing Coordinator for a promotional products financing company. He earned a BS in Finance from Framingham State University. He enjoys playing music, exploring the outdoors and watching all of the Boston sports teams.

Alex joined Commonwealth in August 2017 and now works as a strategic retirement solutions analyst. In this role, he acts as the department’s data scientist, supporting all data-driven projects to improve processes and analyze Commonwealth’s retirement plan business. In addition, he assists the team with optimizing operational procedures, develops process automation department-wide, and serves as a resource for our advisors and recordkeeper partners. Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Colgate University, where he also played on the varsity rugby team. He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, along with NAPA's Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing soccer, hockey, and tennis, as well as watching the Boston Bruins, snowboarding, and listening to classic rock.

Allen joined Commonwealth in May 2015 as a retirement sales consultant. In this role, he fields inquiries from our advisors and home office staff on all retirement-related topics and initiatives. Prior to Commonwealth, he worked most recently for State Street Bank, CitiStreet, and ING/VOYA, but he has been in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. Allen graduated from Bates College with a BA in English and holds his FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations along with a CPFA designation. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and skiing. He is also a lifelong Red Sox fan and a season ticket holder.

Bob joined Commonwealth in August 2021 as the program manager for PlanAssist Investment Management, Commonwealth’s 3(38) fiduciary service for direct-held retirement plans. In this role, Bob 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 his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registration. Bob enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and spending time with his family.

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 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, and he monitors retirement industry regulatory trends related to ERISA, DOL, and the SEC. Dan has over 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 his American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations. Outside of work, Dan enjoys being outdoors, golfing, and spending time with his son and dogs. Dan also enjoys watching hockey and college football, and he often joins fantasy sports leagues to stay connected with old friends.

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 joined Commonwealth in February 2020 as a retirement 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. Prior to 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) and then went on to earn his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, and Massachusetts Life, Accident, and Health license. In his free time, Jeff enjoys playing golf, hiking, and traveling. He is also an avid reader and has made it a goal to read every Pulitzer Prize winner in fiction.

Kara joined Commonwealth in October 2022 as an SRS marketing and communications manager. In this role, she manages the execution of marketing and communication initiatives to drive the SRS marketing strategy. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Kara worked as a marketing consultant for several charitable organizations and local women business enterprises. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in global management from Boston College. Outside of work, Kara enjoys volunteering with local youth sports, going to Patriots games, and hiking with her dog Aurora.

Mat joined Commonwealth in September 2014. In his current role as Director of Strategic Retirement Solutions, Mat directs Commonwealth’s plan investment services, including Commonwealth's 3(38) fiduciary plan service "PlanAssist Investment Management", and facilitates ongoing investment due diligence as a member of the Commonwealth 401k Plan Committee. He is a key member of the Commonwealth ERISA Committee where he helps to evaluate issues and opportunities related to activities covered by ERISA across Commonwealth business lines and make recommendations that benefit Commonwealth and our advisors. Mat leads efforts working across teams to execute on department goals and ensure quality project execution and consultation in support of our advisors. Prior to 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 the AIF® and AIFA® designations, and is a CFA® charterholder.

Mike joined Commonwealth in April 2010 as a retirement operations specialist and in April 2015 transitioned to the Strategic Retirement Solutions team as an IRA 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. Prior to 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, with a concentration in marketing and management. In his free time, he enjoys following his hometown sports teams, traveling, and cooking.

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.

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.

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.

Sophie began working at Commonwealth in September 2019 as a contractor in Strategic Retirement Solutions. In February 2020, she joined the team full-time as a retirement solutions associate. In this role, she assists the team in managing its day-to-day activities, including performing administrative duties related to retirement plans and the Retirement Plan Consulting Program, as well as serving as a resource for advisors and their staff on the Retirement Plan Consulting Program, requirements, and workflow. She graduated from Saint Anselm College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and history. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, and playing rugby.

Thomas joined Commonwealth and the Strategic Retirement Solutions (SRS) team in April 2012. In his current role, Thomas plays a key role in the overall advancement of Commonwealth’s core retirement business through strategic initiatives and collaboration with internal departments and third-party service provider firms. Thomas has worked in the retirement plan industry since 1987. He started his career as a retirement plan advisor and has since held various client-facing and management positions with Putnam Investments, Scudder Investments, Fidelity Investments, Diversified Investment Advisors, and New York Life, focusing on client strategy and product management. Thomas previously served as the director of financial planning programs at Merrimack College, where he managed all aspects of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ curriculum. Thomas graduated from the University of Houston with an MS in finance and holds designations as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Professional Plan Consultant (PPC®) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). Thomas and his wife, Lisa, live in Weston with their three kids—Scott, Shelby, and Everett.