In the 1950s, my grandfather left his family in Italy to come to America so that he could make enough money to support them. As the first person in my family to be born in the U.S., my family’s sacrifice and work ethic have shaped my life and driven my mission to help others achieve financial independence.
After graduating with honors in 1991 with a BS in Accounting and Finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo, I was awarded my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1994 and my PERSONAL FINANCIAL SPECIALIST™ (PFS) credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2011. Additionally, I hold FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations.
In 2011, with the desire to be independent, I started Custom Wealth Strategies to help clients realize security, freedom, and fulfillment through a cross-disciplinary approach to financial planning. Based in both Boston and San Diego, California, Commonwealth is one of the largest privately held independent RIA/broker-dealers in the nation (as of 9/22, based on self-reported AUM data from 47 participating firms in the 2022 Financial-Planning.com IBD Elite survey). Learn more about how Commonwealth partners with over 2,100 independent financial advisors overseeing more than $242.9 billion (as of 12/31/2022) in assets nationwide by visiting www.commonwealth.com. I am incredibly proud that in 2022, Commonwealth was ranked #1 (for the ninth year in a row) by J. D. Power, based on Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms.
When I’m not helping clients realize their financial goals, I spend time in Orchard Park, NY, where I live with my wife, Lisa, two children, Ava and David, and our dog, Cali. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, taking long walks with Cali in the park, playing tennis, and getting away to Naples, FL in the winter.
Commonwealth Financial Network® received the highest score in the independent advisor segment of the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies of customers’ satisfaction among financial advisors. Visit jdpower.com/awards.