Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a leading independent broker/dealer, gives us access to a team of advanced planning specialists who can help us provide you the best possible service. Learn more about the Commonwealth team below.
Justin Duft, CFP®, JD, CFP®, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC
Vice President, Advanced Planning
Justin Duft, CFP®, JD, CFP®, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC
Vice President, Advanced Planning
- Responsible for the strategic direction of the department, as well as providing a resource for advisors on issues involving trust, estate, tax, charitable, social security, business, insurance, and education planning
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and the Chartered Life Underwriter®(CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), and Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC) designations, as well as Massachusetts life, accident, and health insurance licenses
- Holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a BS in business administration from Northeastern University; an MSFS from the American College of Financial Services; and a JD, with a focus on estate, trust, and tax law, from New England Law Boston
- Has prior experience in positions at Renaissance Insurance Group, John Hancock, and Ernst & Young
Maureen Baxter, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®
Advanced Planning Consultant
Maureen Baxter, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors in all areas of financial planning, including executive benefits, as well as high-level insurance planning and social security, estate, and business planning
- Has an MBA from Plymouth State University
- Holds Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant®(ChFC®) designations
- Has prior experience as a senior advanced marketing and sales development consultant at Life Marketing; has also worked at Western and Southern Financial Group, Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Financial Group, and Jefferson Pilot Insurance Company
Rafael Bernard, CFP®, MSFP
Advanced Planning Consultant
Rafael Bernard, CFP®, MSFP
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College, a master’s degree in financial planning from the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley University and a financial therapy certificate from Kansas State University
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification. Was previously a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment and a subject matter expert for In Good Company, a MassMutual learning initiative
David Haughton, JD
Team Lead, Advanced Planning
David Haughton, JD
Team Lead, Advanced Planning
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a JD from the Massachusetts School of Law
- Is admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bar and the State of New Hampshire bar
- Was a practicing estate planning attorney
Heather Zack, JD, LLM, MSFP, CAP®
Manager, Advanced Planning
Heather Zack, JD, LLM, MSFP, CAP®
Manager, Advanced Planning
- Leads a team of consultants that serve as a resource for advisors on issues involving estate, charitable, tax, social security, and education planning
- Holds the Certified Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) certification as well as the FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Endicott College, a JD from the University of San Diego, an LLM (Master of Laws) in taxation with a focus on estate planning from Boston University; and an MS in financial planning from Bentley University
- Has prior experience in positions at Bank of America Investment Services/Merrill Lynch and Investors Capital, as well as extensive operations experience at Commonwealth
Aric Jacobson, JD, LLM, CFP®
Advanced Planning Consultant
Aric Jacobson, JD, LLM, CFP®
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, a JD from Tulane University School of Law, and an LLM in Taxation from NYU
- Member of the New York State Bar (retired) and American Bar Association
Anne Fontanet, BCL, LLM, Enrolled Agent
Advanced Planning Consultant
Anne Fontanet, BCL, LLM, Enrolled Agent
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Spent two years at the University College Dublin in Ireland and the Université Paris Panthéon-Assas in France pursuing a double degree in comparative law and international law, earning the French and Irish equivalent of an American JD. She then earned an LLM in U.S. and international law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law
- Has prior experience as an associate at an estate planning firm
Elizabeth Meyer, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
Elizabeth Meyer, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from the Merrimack College and a JD from Suffolk Law School
- Is admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bar
- Was a practicing estate and elder law attorney
Krista Teegarden, CLU®, ChFC®, CSLP®, NSSA®, CPWA®
Senior Advanced Planning Consultant
Krista Teegarden, CLU®, ChFC®, CSLP®, NSSA®, CPWA®
Senior Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on issues involving estate, trust, charitable, education, business, deferred compensation and social security planning strategies
- Is a National Social Security Advisor Certificate Holder (NSSA®), holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP®) andCertified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA) practitioner designations, as well as the FINRA Series 7 and 24 securities registrations and California life, accident, and health insurance licenses
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Biola University
- Has prior experience conducting research and analysis and implementing advanced estate and business strategies with independent advisors
Martin Baker, CFP®
Supervisor, Paraplanning & Advanced Planning Consultant
Martin Baker, CFP®
Supervisor, Paraplanning & Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource on issues involving estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies
- Oversees a team providing financial planning support through assisting with plan creation, analysis, and recommendations for advisors’ clients.
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University
- Previously held several positions at Fidelity and UBS
Mike Simolo, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
Mike Simolo, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Hobart College and a JD from Cornell Law School
- Is admitted to the New York State and Commonwealth of Massachusetts bars
- Was a practicing estate planning attorney