DONOFRIO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Connie joined the team in 1999. She spent many years assisting managing partners of various corporate law firms including management of small departmental teams. She is Michael's personal assistant and manages his calendar. Please contact her to schedule your financial planning appointment and/or annual review meeting, insurance medical, or for any general inquiries.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Operating Officer of Strategies for Wealth
Ed Ayala is the Chief Operating Officer of Strategies for Wealth, one of the region's premiere financial services firms, with offices in Manhattan, Rye Brook, and Jericho, New York. Ed is a Field Representative of The Guardian Life...
Ed Ayala is the Chief Operating Officer of Strategies for Wealth, one of the region's premiere financial services firms, with offices in Manhattan, Rye Brook, and Jericho, New York.
Ed is a Field Representative and has devoted his professional life to helping others achieve the highest possible levels of financial success and security. He derives great personal satisfaction from his ability to positively impact the lives of those he works with and their families by coordinating and integrating the pieces of their economic world.
Ed joined Strategies in 1988 and in addition to his work with clients; he plays an integral role in the firm's overall success as a valuable member of the management team. Ed has a direct and powerful impact on the cultivation of new associates, brokers, and high-performance sales teams. As Chief Operating Officer of the firm Ed is involved in recruiting and training new representatives of the Strategies team.
Ed has achieved award-winning status within the organization for the past fifteen years in a row. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, he received the GAMA Diamond Frontline Leader Award. An exceptional presenter on financial topics, Ed is in high demand as a guest speaker at seminars including The GAMA International Conference, The LIMRA Recruiting and Retention Summit, and the London Life National Conference.
Born in New York City, Ed currently resides in Middletown, NY with his wife, Yvette, and their two children, Alex and Jessica. Ed enjoys spending free time with his family and friends as well as indulging his passion for music and love of basketball.
Jeff Gambuzza - Chief Compliance Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Strategies for Wealth in 2011 As Chief Compliance Officer and Agency Control Officer
Jeff joined Strategies for Wealth in 2011 as Chief Compliance Officer and Agency Control Officer after spending a majority of his career working in supervisory and management roles maintaining oversight for compliance areas at The Guardian Life Insurance Company and New York Life.
Jeff's current responsibilities include supervisory oversight of the Broker-Dealer and Insurance compliance programs for Strategies at both our Rye Brook and Wall Street locations as well assisting in other areas of our business related to business facilitation and operational risk management.
Prior to entering into the field of compliance, Jeff was a successful stock and bond broker and sales manager cultivating private client relationships at two Wall Street boutique firms including managing accounts for professional athletes.
Jeff credits his formidable sales experience with providing a unique perspective and foundation that enables him to understand and relate to the everyday issues and needs of Strategies' Associates, and has long believed that compliance and sales programs built on integrity, transparency and trust, invariably create a culture and environment where Associates can compete and succeed in both the ever-changing regulatory and business environments in which Strategies has successfully operated for over 77 years.
Jeff graduated in 1995 from Hofstra University with a BA in Speech Arts and Sciences and concentration in Public Speaking. While at Hofstra, Jeff was a proud member of the Manchester House Fraternity. Prior to attending Hofstra, Jeff attended and played college baseball for two years at the College of Staten Island where he played first base (the same position that his father played while attending the school in years prior).
An avid sportsman, Jeff enjoys playing golf, touch football and bocce, and maintains a passion for travel, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Jeff lives in Connecticut with his wife Lynda, children Celine and Tristan, and Pugs Lola and Paulie.
Karen L. Madsen is responsible for negotiating the best possible outcome for clients. Karen's specialty is resolving and troubleshooting problems during the underwriting process. Karen has 35 years of experience, currently overseeing the New Business offices in Rye Brook and Wall Street with a Team of 9. In her spare time Karen volunteer's at a local Animal Shelter where she is an Adoption Counselor, Foster and fund raiser for the Shelter.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Director
- Director of Marketing for Strategies for Wealth
Kelley Biondi is the Director of Marketing for Strategies for Wealth.
In her role, Kelley oversees all marketing activities for the firm and supports Financial Representatives with various marketing tactics including strategic marketing plans, public relations, event planning and community affairs. In this capacity, she fosters a supportive and productive environment for our company.
Kelley's strong sense of philanthropy is felt in our ongoing support of the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and the NYU Melanoma Research Program. Kelley is also a speaker for Student Assistance Services.
Prior to joining the firm in September of 2002 Kelley spent six years as an Account Manager with George Little Management, LLC a trade show management firm. Kelley is a graduate of Pine Manor College in Boston. She and husband Dr. Richard Biondi live in White Plains.
Linda joined the team in 2012. She holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration in Economics and Finance. She has spent many years in the Finance industry. Feel free to contact her on any case support services (i.e. transfer of assets, account values, change of beneficiary, transfer of ownership, bank change, etc.) on your existing insurance and/or investments.
Michael's objective is to assist clients in achieving their financial goals. He is always seeking new information and strategies in an effort to provide cutting-edge solutions. He joined the financial services industry in 1993. Over the years, he has grown his financial services practice and has received numerous awards for his dedication and professionalism.
Michael provides financial advice that integrates relevant elements of a client's personal and financial circumstances. Relevant elements include the need to develop goals, manage assets and liabilities, identify risks, manage cash flow, consider the financial effect of health considerations, provide for educational needs, increase wealth, analyze tax consequences, prepare for retirement, pursue philanthropic interests, achieve financial security and address estate and legacy objectives… And to always act in the client's best interests.
Michael can provide strategies in qualified pensions, deferred compensation, business continuation, estate planning, financial planning, asset management and individual and group insurance programs. His existing client base consists of professionals, business owners and executives. He has worked closely with professional associations in the development and implementation of specific programs.
Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. This mark identifies those individuals who have met rigorous experience and ethical requirements, have successfully completed financial planning course work and have passed the CFP Certification Examination. Michael is also a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®). The rigorous three- course credential helps advisors master retirement income planning, a key focus area not fully covered in other professional designation programs. From retirement portfolio management techniques and mitigation of plan risks to the use of employer-sponsored benefits and determining the best Social Security claiming age, the RICP® provides a wealth of practical information for advisors. Most recently, Michael has earned the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation which is a graduate level specialization in estate planning. It is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) to recognize estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character, and who commit to the team concept of estate planning.
Donofrio Financial Management, LLC is a comprehensive financial services firm that is able to offer individuals, as well as small or medium-sized businesses, something very few firms can-a 360 degree view of your financial world. Using a team approach, we are able to provide breakthrough thinking that can maximize your wealth and bring significant value to your business, your career, and your life.
Job Titles:
- Financial Specialist for Strategies for Wealth
Peter is a Financial Specialist for Strategies for Wealth. He is responsible for the technical aspects of life insurance marketing, advanced sales and policy management for the firm's associates and brokers.
A graduate of the College of Insurance with a bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science. Peter enjoys training associates, protégés and support staff to bring understanding to the myriad of life insurance products and riders. This includes a historical perspective of how products evolved and performed over time.
Peter has over 30 years of experience in the life insurance industry. He has worked in the life insurance marketing departments at New York Life's and Guardian Life's home offices.
He resides in Wilton, Connecticut with his wife, Colleen and two sons. In his free time, Peter enjoys hiking, birding and guitar.
Job Titles:
- Director of Investments for Strategies for Wealth
- Investments Director
Scott has served as Director of investments for Strategies for Wealth since 2012. As Director of investments, Scott and his team are responsible for providing strategic investment advice and management to the firm's advisors and their clients.
A graduate of Palmer College with dual degrees, Scott has devoted his professional life to assisting others achieve the highest level of financial success. He has made it his priority to build maximum wealth potential through design. His planning process examines every area of the financial picture, integrating each facet into a single strategy unique to client goals, bringing efficiency to your goals.
Prior to joining Strategies, Scott was an advisor with Opus Advisory Group, LLC in Purchase, NY. Scott is well respected by his peers and has been interviewed by WCBS New York for his understanding of the global financial markets. He has been a perennial Leader's Club member, and has been recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager for Westchester County, New York in 2009 and 2010.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, he has also lived in Lawrence, Kansas and Davenport, Iowa. Scott currently resides in Larchmont, New York with his three children. In his spare time, he enjoys performing with his band, playing tennis, and coaching his children's various sports teams.