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.
John DiRuggiero | Partner & Financial Advisor
Contact Information
Mobile (call only). 908.377.6810
jdiruggiero@crosscoastaladvisors.com
197 First Ave, Suite 250
Needham, MA 02494
John joined Cross Coastal Advisors in 2015 after successfully growing his business at Commonwealth Financial Group in Burlington, Vermont. He relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, and now lives in Amherst, New Hampshire, where he continues to expand his planning practice. John works with a wide range of clients from business owners in the trades to families with young children and individuals pursuing supplemental income opportunities, including real estate ventures. He brings deep enthusiasm for comprehensive financial planning, implementing forward-thinking investment and risk management strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals.
John recognizes that financial planning is more than just numbers and is often an emotional and deeply personal process. After experiencing the sudden loss of his mother in childhood, he understands the importance of being financially prepared for life’s unexpected events. This experience continues to drive his commitment to client education and thoughtful guidance. He strives to make planning approachable and empowering, offering sound financial strategies with empathy and perspective.
John resides in Amherst with his wife Emily, their daughter Daisy, and a few pets. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor adventures, traveling, and exploring entrepreneurial opportunities. A seasoned traveler, John has visited 49 out of the 50 U.S. states. He is a recipient of the 2021 NAIFA 4 Under 40 Award* and a proud Eagle Scout demonstrating integrity, service, and leadership in all aspects of his life.
*AdvisorToday's 4 under 40 award for 2021 was issued by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) on September 14, 2021, covering the time period: August 31, 2020 – August 31, 2021. To be considered, must be under 40 year old and a current NAIFA member. Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by industry peers and are selected based on professional credentials, industry involvement, volunteerism, and community involvement. The award is not an endorsement or indicative of the future performance of the financial adviser. MassMutual is a member firm and pays an annual fee to maintain its membership. MassMutual is not involved in the nomination or final selection process. A fee was paid for consideration.
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Gary Dennis | Founder & Managing Partner
Contact Information Mobile. 508.456.5631
Office. 617.526.9328
gdennis@financialguide.com
www.towerhillfinancial.com
197 First Avenue, Suite 250
Needham, MA 02494
Tower Hill Financial Group
Gary is the Founder and Managing Partner of Tower Hill Financial Group. His mission is to help his clients identify and map out their current financial picture, and define their future financial goals. Alongside an integrated team of specialists, Gary provides innovative and strategic solutions using world-class insurance services and internationally recognized investment products. Through these efforts, Gary is able to develop enduring relationships with his clients across the United States.
Described as gregarious and warm by friends and colleagues, Gary is the first to admit that he thrives on human connection. His innate ability to connect with others has played a huge factor in his success in the financial services world, where he has built a business around the notion of giving his personal philosophy for life.
Community and social activism remain paramount to Gary’s daily habits and mores. He has served on numerous boards, including Marcus Smart’s YounGameChanger Foundation, The Van Noy Valor Foundation and is currently a Board Member for The Cole Strange Foundation. He has served as a past board member at Newbridge on the Commons (Assisted Living) and the Wayland-Weston Rowing Association.
Gary is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC), and from 2000-2023 has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which is a membership of the top 2% of financial professionals in the world. Gary is among the select wealth managers in the Boston area who was named Top Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional in 2022 and 2023*. He was featured in Boston Magazine, Fortune Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal.
Gary graduated from Roger Williams College, has three children, and resides in the suburbs of Boston.
*This award has been awarded by Five Star Professional on 2/1/2023 for the following period 5/23/21- 12/2/21.
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Randy Cushing | Financial Advisor
Contact Information
617.202.3778
rrcushing@financialguide.com
25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 104
Hingham, MA 02043
Lets chat.
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Mark Condon | Financial Planner
Contact Information Mobile. 781.357.6062
Office. 617.526.8204
markcondon@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
Mark partnered with Commonwealth Financial Group in 2017. After successfully growing and selling another business, he decided to combine his passions of being an entrepreneur with finance which led to the expansion of his planning practice. Currently, Mark leverages his extensive professional network to benefit his dynamic client base, which includes business owners, corporate executives, and individuals actively engaged in private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, real estate, and real estate private equity. He continues to demonstrate his enthusiasm for comprehensive planning and values his work implementing progressive investment and risk management strategies on behalf of his clients.
Mark recognizes that financial planning can be an emotional journey. After growing another entity, along with the risks associated of being an individual business owner, Mark understands firsthand that being properly educated around financial planning products and strategies is vital to a person’s future financial independence. Mark’s experience makes him an excellent resource as he guides his clients in preparing themselves for life’s next steps and uncertainties. He seeks to properly educate his clients through recommending circumstance-appropriate financial strategies while connecting with them on both a professional and personal level.
Mark currently resides in Medway, MA with his wife, Andrea, and two daughters, Camille and Kylie. Mark enjoys staying active within his local community, golfing, and engaging in new business opportunities. Mark is an avid dog lover and starts each day with a 30 minute walk as a remembrance of his dog, Champ.
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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
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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.
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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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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.
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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
100 Bank Street, Suite 500
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.
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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.
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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
Lets chat.
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James M. Bolton, CFP® | Senior Partner
Contact Information
Mobile. 970.572.4375
Office. 970.328.9009
jbolton@financialguide.com
www.cfgwealthadvisors.com
Mountain Office:
1180 Capital Street, Suite 101
Eagle, CO 81631
Ocean Office:
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02210
Jim has a genuine passion for planning, investing, and wealth accumulation. He and his team collaborate closely with clients, enhancing their financial standing through sound, progressive investment strategies and prudent risk management. This approach instills greater confidence in their clients.
Jim and his team's primary areas of practice include comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families, as well as business continuation planning for corporations and closely held businesses.
Jim graduated from Stonehill College in 1996 with a B.S. in International Studies and Business. He furthered his education at Boston University, completing their program for financial planners. In 2006, he became a Partner at Commonwealth Financial Group. Jim serves on the board of directors for several organizations and is a passionate supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Jim divides his time between his "Mountain Office" in the stunning Vail Valley of Colorado and his "Ocean Office" in the historic and beautiful city of Boston, MA. He, his wife Denise, and their two children, Sam and Kate, enjoy skiing and hiking together in the mountains of Colorado and New England.
Questions? Let’s Chat.
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Meghan Blomberg | Financial Advisor
Contact Information Mobile. 781.332.4739
Office. 781.374.7443
mblomberg@financialguide.com
25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 104
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.
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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.
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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.
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Jeff Baron | Senior Partner & Financial Advisor
Contact Information
781.242.5259
jbaron@financialguide.com
229 Good Hope Road
Okatie, SC 29909
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 just outside of Hilton Head, SC with his wife, Deb, and their dog, Nola. He is a life-long Patriots fan and season ticket holder. In his spare time, Jeff is involved in many community-facing efforts and is an avid golfer and pickleball player!
Questions? Let’s Chat.
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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.
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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.