Forbes/SHOOK Names Four Advisors Among Top in Massachusetts for 2025
Commonwealth Financial Group is proud to announce that four of our financial professionals, and partners of the firm, have been recognized as 2025 Forbes/SHOOK Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State for Massachusetts. The list honors the nation’s top-performing financial security professionals who help clients protect their wealth and plan for the future—whether through long-term care coverage, annuities, life insurance, or estate and tax strategies. Dakota Brizendine took the main stage to share her journey – from building a successful planning practice to stepping into a leadership role that’s reshaping the future of the profession. Through her work with the firm’s Financial Planning Mastery Program, she’s championing the development of the “Modern Advisor,” blending structured growth with a culture defined by courage, collaboration, and grit.
Each year, SHOOK Research partners with Forbes to identify leading financial professionals across the country. Their rigorous selection process evaluates advisors based on quantitative and qualitative factors including portfolio performance and returns, client persistency rates, industry experience, and a demonstrated commitment to compliance and ethical practices.
The central question driving their rankings remains simple yet powerful: “Would we recommend these professionals to a family member or friend?”
Please join us in congratulating:
Christopher M. Hodgson, CFP®, MSFS, CFBS, CLTC – Coastal Financial
Stephen Johnson, CFP®, CLU®, CLTC – Cross Coastal Advisors
Kerri Melley – Commonwealth Financial Group
Gregg Miles, CFP® – Cross Coastal Advisors
Where Excellence Meets Impact
Earning a place on the Forbes/SHOOK Best-in-State list is not just a reflection of professional success; it’s a testament to the meaningful impact our advisors have on the lives of their clients. As market conditions remain complex, these professionals exemplify the depth of planning expertise needed to guide clients through evolving financial landscapes.
What sets our advisors apart is their ability to combine proven financial principles with cutting-edge tools. They deliver strategies that go beyond products and focus on what matters most: helping clients build lasting legacies, make informed decisions, and move forward with confidence.
At the core of CFG’s approach is a deep commitment to personalized and unbiased advice. Our advisors build lifelong client relationships rooted in trust, integrity, and transparency – and that’s what truly sets them apart.
We’re honored to work alongside professionals like Christopher, Stephen, Kerri, and Gregg. Their recognition reflects not only individual achievement but also the strength of the community, culture, and values we’re proud to foster at CFG.
*Recognized by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) based on prior calendar year sales. Recipients are agents of MassMutual.
Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001 and are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Securities offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Supervisory office: 280 Congress Street, Suite 1300, Boston, MA 02210 Tel: 617-439-4389. CRN202807-9054101