COMMONWEALTH RETIREMENT CONSULTING SERVICES TEAM
Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a leading Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, provides us access to a team of knowledgeable and experienced retirement professionals at Commonwealth who assist us in our efforts to provide you with the best possible service. Each of the members on this team brings a breadth of experience in the industry and within his or her own specialization.
Karen DiStasio
Vice President
Retirement Consulting Services
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- Leads the Retirement Consulting Services group.
- Drives the department’s strategic initiatives for all facets—including marketing, operations, sponsor relations, and client experience—to ensure that advisors have the highest degree of products, services, and support to serve the retirement plan market
- Holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Has prior experience at Putnam Investments, New York Life, and John Hancock Retirement Plan Services in various marketing and business development roles
Thomas Crutchfield, CFP®, AIF®, PPC™, CPFA
Manager, Advisor Solutions
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- Responsible for strategic initiatives through collaboration with internal departments and third-party service provider firms
- Serves as a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA)
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, as well as the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Professional Plan Consultant™ (PPC™), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations
- Earned a BS in finance from the University of Houston
- Has prior experience as the director of financial planning programs at Merrimack College, where he managed all aspects of the CFP® certification curriculum
Allen Cohen, CPFA
Senior Retirement Consultant
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- Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of advisors’ retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters
- Works with advisors on driving retirement plan sales and improving the client experience
- Holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
- Earned a BA from Bates College
- Has prior experience at State Street Bank, CitiStreet, and Voya
Steven Johnian, CPFA
Supervisor, Retirement Consulting Services
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- Leads the team of retirement consultants while continuing to support advisors across the spectrum of their retirement clients.
- Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of their retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals, to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters
- Holds FINRA Series 7 securities registration and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
- Earned a degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Has prior experience in client services, quality control, annuity services, and specialty services roles at Putnam Investments
Sheryll Yee, CRPS®, CPFA
Retirement Consultant
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- Helps advisors and Commonwealth home office staff navigate complex situations related to IRAs and various types of retirement plans, including IRS rules and regulations, retirement planning, and product selection
- Holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Holds the Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®) and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
- Earned a BS from California State University, San Marcos
Mike Clifford, CPFA
Retirement Consultant
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- Helps advisors and Commonwealth home office staff navigate complex situations related to traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, and SEP IRAs, including addressing operational inquiries and concerns and IRS rules and regulations
- Earned a BS in business management, with a concentration in marketing and management, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Has prior experience as a client support administrator at Putnam Investments
- Holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
Mike Triana, CRPS®, CPFA
Retirement Consultant
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- Helps advisors and Commonwealth home office staff navigate complex situations related to traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, and SEP IRAs, including addressing operational inquiries and concerns and IRS rules and regulations
- Holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations
- Holds the Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®) and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
- Earned a BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Has prior experience as a team lead in the Retirement Operations department and with Wells Fargo Advisors
Jeff Gillette, CPFA
Retirement Consultant
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- Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of advisors’ retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals, to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters
- Works with advisors on driving retirement plan sales and improving the client experience
- Holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations and Massachusetts Life, Accident, and Health license
- Holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh
- Has prior experience at EPIC RPS, DaVinci Capital Management, Beltz-Ianni & Associates, and Paychex
Mat Powers, CFA®, AIF®
Manager, Retirement Consulting Investment Services
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- Directs Commonwealth’s plan investment services, including Commonwealth’s 3(38) fiduciary plan service, PlanAssist Investment Management
- Sets the strategic direction of Commonwealth’s plan investment platform, investment service development, and associated resources and tools
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in investment management from Boston University
- Has prior experience at Fidelity Investments, BNP Paribas, and Loomis, Sayles & Co
Michael Geraci, MSF, AIF®, CRPC®, CRPS®, CIMA®
Senior Product Manager, Retirement Consulting Investment Services
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- Manages the due diligence process for Commonwealth’s Retirement Plan Investment Recommended List, which serves as a key resource to the firm’s advisors, by ensuring coverage across key asset classes and share classes for mutual funds, comingled trusts, stable value products, and target-date portfolios, as well as maintaining an industry blueprint as to which recordkeeping platforms offer these strategies
- Works on the PlanAssist Investment Management program performing manager due diligence and investment selection
- Holds FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations and a Massachusetts life and variable insurance license
- Holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®), Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®), Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designations
- Earned a BA from the University of New Hampshire, an MS in finance from the Brandeis University International Business School, and a certificate in executive leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management
- Has prior experience in the investments and retirement plan divisions at John Hancock, as well as in brokerage trading with Fidelity Investments
John Peters, CFP®, AIF®, PPC™
Manager, Retirement Plan Marketing
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- Drives marketing strategy, campaigns, and communications programs to support Commonwealth advisors working with clients who offer qualified retirement plans and IRAs
- Consults on marketing, sales strategies, competitive positioning, service models, and best practices related to building and supporting a successful retirement plan practice
- Holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, as well as the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), and Professional Plan Consultant (PPC™) designations
- Earned a degree from Emory University
- Has prior experience as an advisor to corporate retirement plans, where he was actively involved in sales/marketing and client service to plan sponsors nationwide
Dan Collins, AIF®
Retirement Marketing Program Manager
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- Responsible for advisor-facing 401(k) sales, marketing and prospecting content and communications, retirement plan participant education campaigns and collateral, and department branding
- Supports department business development initiatives with product sponsor firms
- Holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation
- Attended Eastern Nazarene College and Bridgewater State University
- Has more than 20 years of experience in the 401(k) industry, including roles at MFS Investment Management, Sun Life, and The Hartford
Patricia Garvey
Product Manager
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- Oversees the development and ongoing enhancements related to key retirement plan products—including data architecture, data management, and associated product testing—that are offered to Commonwealth advisors who manage qualified retirement plans
- Earned a degree in economics from Regis College
- Has prior experience at MFS Investment Management and Sun Life Financial
Alex Lauretti, CPFA
Retirement Consulting Services Analyst
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- Assists the Retirement Consulting Services team in managing its daily activities and contributes to various projects
- Serves as a resource to advisors and service provider partners
- Earned a degree from Colgate University
- Holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation
Chris Lydon
Retirement Consulting Investment Associate
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- Acts as a liaison for Commonwealth’s retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships
- Manages procedures around 3(38) fiduciary services and advises on their application
- Fields advisor inquiries on investment oversight best practices
- Earned a degree from the Gonzaga University
- Chris holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Has prior experience in the Transfer of Assets department
Adam Khalek
Retirement Consulting Investment Associate
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- Acts as a liaison for Commonwealth’s retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships
- Assists in managing procedures around 3(38) fiduciary services and advises on their application
- Fields advisor inquiries on investment oversight best practices
- Earned a degree from Framingham State University
Sophie Barrow
Retirement Consulting Services Associate
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- Assists the Retirement Consulting Services team in managing its daily activities
- Serves as a resource for advisors, service provider partners, and internal departments regarding the
- Retirement Plan Consulting Program
Holds a degree from Saint Anselm College
