Financial Advisor Expert Witness | Financial Planning Expert Witness

Licenses and Certifications (Past and Present)

• FINRA (NASD) Series 6 – Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Ltd Representative

• FINRA (NASD) Series 7 – General Securities Representative

• FINRA (NASD) Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent

• FINRA (NASD) Series 65 – Uniform Securities Agent

• FINRA (NASD) Series 26 – Investment Company Products/Variable Contacts Limited Principal

• FINRA (NASD) Series 24 – General Securities Principal 

• Life, Accident and Health Insurance Producer’s License

• CFP – Certified Financial Planner

• ChFC – Chartered Financial Consultant

• CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter

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Professional Experience

 

Securities Expert Witness & Litigation Support, LLC; (2012 – present)

Founder/Consultant

• Provide objective expert opinion, expert testimony, and case consultation for plaintiff or defense on cases involving securities, insurance, financial planning, and employment disputes.

 

FINRA Dispute Resolution; (2013 – present)

Arbitrator

• Review pleadings filed by the parties, listen to arguments, and study documentary and testimonial
  evidence

• Render decision on cases involving disputes between investors and brokers, investors and brokerage
  firms, and between brokers and brokerage firms

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University of New Hampshire; (2013 – 2016)

Adjunct Faculty

• Financial Management : Topics include: time value of money, financial and investment markets,
  investment selection strategies and decision making, regulations affecting the securities market, and
  valuation concepts

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Waddell & Reed; (2000 – 2011)

Managing Principal

• Conducted suitability review of all business transactions, trades, sales practices and communications
  of financial advisors, district managers, and administrative staff

• Reviewed all advertising and sales materials to assure compliance with FINRA (NASD) regulations, and Firm’s Written Supervisory Procedures (WSPs)

• Conducted Compliance Reviews and site inspections of Registered Branch Offices and Advisor Offices

• Reviewed all outgoing and incoming correspondence, marketing material, sales literature, advertisements, telephone scripts, sales presentation materials, seminars, workshops, and email

• Proven track record in fostering a culture of strict compliance with all Insurance and Investment Laws

• Developed and implemented effective compliance policies and procedures, and teaching methods,
  resulting in spotless compliance exams from regulatory authorities

• Investigated and determined appropriate disciplinary action for compliance violations

• Created an interactive and effective compliance training program

• Analyzed requests for Outside Business Activities, Fiduciary Capacity, and Conflict Waivers

• Designed and conducted annual compliance training

• Prepared and conducted Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training for financial advisors and managers

• Provided compliance guidance to field management, financial advisors and administrative staff

• Prepared division offices (registered offices) for internal and regulatory compliance inspections

• Monitored public appearances of Advisors to assure compliance with FINRA (NASD) and SEC

• Reviewed insurance sales and financial planning recommendations made by financial advisors

• Qualified for GAMA International Management Award

• Provided professional development and management of Financial Advisors and District Managers

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University of Connecticut; (1999)

Adjunct Professor, Department of Finance

• Instructor of Investments, Insurance & Risk Management

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John Hancock Financial Services; (1996-1999)

Agency Manager

• Reviewed all transactions for suitability and compliance with FINRA (NASD) and SEC regulations as well as the Firm’s Written Supervisory Procedures (WSPs)

• Taught beginning through advanced financial services training courses

• Conducted annual compliance training and firm element training

• Reviewed all correspondence, marketing materials, and sales literature

• Hired, trained and supervised financial advisors for insurance and FINRA (NASD) license examinations

• Increased professional development of staff through teaching CLU, ChFC, and CFP courses

• Assisted representatives with advanced sales and marketing

• Effectively recruited several non-John Hancock producers from the brokerage community increasing
  sales production by several million dollars

 

Staff Manager; (1986-1996)

• Recruited and trained marketing representatives

• Reviewed transactions for suitability and compliance with FINRA (NASD) and SEC regulations

• Led company in Long Term Care sales

• Qualified for President’s Conference for unit’s productivity

• Conducted educational workshops for clients and representatives

• Assisted representatives with advanced sales

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Financial Advisor; (1982-1986)

• Marketed securities and financial services to existing and prospective clients

• Provided securities and financial planning services for clients and prospective clients

• Qualified for company Honor Club for sales production

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Education

 

• ​FINRA Live Arbitrator Training, 2013

• FINRA Arbitrator Expungement Training, 2013

• FINRA Basic Arbitrator Training, 2012 

• Essentials of Leadership and Management, 2005

• Agency Management Training Council

• Southern Connecticut State University Bachelor of Science, 1982

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Professional and Community Involvement (Past and Present)

 

• Commissioner, Disciplinary and Ethics Commission, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards, August 2020 – June 2025

  • Conduct hearings and settlement reviews​

  • Review and take appropriate action with respect to alleged violations of or non-compliance with the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, and Financial Planning Practice Standards

• Hearing Panelist, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards

  • Assist the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission in reviewing and taking appropriate action with respect to alleged violations of or non-compliance with CFP Board's Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct, and Financial Planning Practice Standard​

• President, 2022-2023 Securities Experts Roundtable

• President-Elect, 2022 Securities Experts Roundtable

• Chairman, 2022 Securities Experts Roundtable Conference Committee

• Chairman, Securities Experts Roundtable Membership Committee

• ​Director, Securities Experts Roundtable

• Member, Securities Experts Roundtable

• President, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Greater New Haven, Connecticut

• National Delegate, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

• Chairman, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Greater New Haven LUTC

• Moderator/Instructor, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors LUTC courses

• Director, University of New Hampshire, Manchester’s Business Advisory Board

• President, River Glen Condominium Association

• Conservation Commissioner, Town of North Haven, Connecticut

• President, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut

• Director, Tuck Woods Homeowners Association

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Publications and Speaking Engagements

 

• April 2023, PIABA Mid-Year Meeting, Speaker and Panelist on the topic of: Compliance, Supervision and Suitability in IRA, Pension, and Other Retirement Accounts

• October 2020, PIABA Annual Meeting, Speaker and Panelist on the topic of: Financial Elder Abuse; Annuities and Life Insurance

• October 2017, PIABA Securities Law Seminar, Speaker and Panelist on the topic of: The DOL Fiduciary
  Rule, and Compliance with Fiduciary standards

• October 2017, PIABA Annual Meeting, Speaker and Panelist on the topic of: Insurance and Annuities as
  Investment Vehicles; Sales Practices and Suitability

• February 2016, Boston Bar Association, Speaker and Panelist on the topics of: Sales Practices,
  Suitability, and Supervision

• 2013, Failure to Supervise: An Inside Perspective. PIABA Bar Journal. Vol. 20, No. 2. Pages 233-236.

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