FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Client Relationship Associate

Ashley Robbins joined Weiss, Hale, and Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors in November of 2023. Ashley is a Client Relationship Associate and assists clients with operational and administrative needs, as well as providing the best wealth management experience at every touchpoint. Prior to joining WHZ, Ashley grew up in Stafford Springs, Connecticut and spent several years in the restaurant industry, specifically at Basils Restaurant. There, Ashley oversaw and contributed to the operations of the restaurant, as well as enhancing customer experience and retention. Ashley is a recent graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing. In her free time, Ashley enjoys trying new restaurants with family and friends, traveling, going for walks, and going to the gym.

Job Titles:

• Client Relationship Senior Associate

Brandon Koehler joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky in June of 2022. Brandon is a Client Relationship Senior Associate and assists clients with operational and administrative needs in collaboration with our advisors and team to ensure the best client experience and advancement of client goals. Prior to joining WHZ, Brandon worked for UConn Athletics and the Town of Mansfield with a focus on operations and customer service. At UConn, Brandon served as the Business Lead on the Formula Student racing team, the university's flagship engineering organization. Brandon received his degree in Economics with a minor in Communications from the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2022. Brandon grew up in Mansfield, Connecticut and in his free time enjoys traveling, watching Baseball, working on cars and spending time with his family and girlfriend.

Job Titles:

• Senior Associate
• Senior Associate, Paraplanner

Daria Zalewska joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky in January 2023. Daria is a Senior Associate, Paraplanner and assists advisors in the development, oversight, and management of high-net-worth client strategic financial plans. She collaborates with our advisory team to help our clients achieve their goals. Prior to joining WHZ, Daria was an investment analyst and paraplanner at a Maryland boutique financial planning firm. Daria transitioned to the financial services industry in 2020 after serving in the United States Air Force. She retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after twenty years of service. She was stationed all over the world and deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. She has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal. Daria holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Tennessee and a certificate in Financial Planning from Saint Joseph's University. She passed the rigorous Certified Financial Planning (CFP®) exam in 2020 and is currently fulfilling the experience requirement for CFP® certification. She is originally from Poland, but grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Daria resides in central Florida with her husband, their two sons and cat. When she's not at work, she enjoys all things outdoors - walking, jogging, swimming, and going to the beach. She is also a board member of her homeowner's association and enjoys spending time with her family and friends trying out new restaurants and frequenting festivals and escape rooms.

Job Titles:

• Client Relationship Manager

Hailey joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors in August 2021 as a Senior Associate on the Client Relationship team. In 2023 she was promoted to Client Relationship Manager, leading our Client Relationship team to assist clients with their service-related needs in collaboration with our advisors to deliver an exceptional wealth management experience at every touchpoint. In addition to leading our Client Relationship team, Hailey provides critical support to advisors with analytics related to operations and works with our Chief Investment Officer to implement portfolio and investment strategies. Prior to joining WHZ, Hailey worked for Citizens Bank as a financial analyst and at Ameriprise Financial as a client service specialist. Hailey grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a master's degree with a concentration in Personal Finance. Hailey and her husband, Josh, currently reside in Brooklyn, CT with their two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, hiking with her husband and dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

Holly Wanegar joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors in 2019, serving as director of our Client Service team. In 2023 she became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and was promoted to associate vice president, wealth advisor. In that role, Holly provides clients with financial planning and advisory services, working in collaboration with the rest of the advisory team. Holly brings significant wealth management experience, particularly in roles involving client service and intake, trust administration, estate settlement services, financial planning, and investment management. She Prior to joining our team, Holly had 7 years of experience working at other financial firms in Hartford, CT including U.S. Trust, where she was a Trust Administrative Officer, and People's United Bank, where she was a Relationship Manager, working to deliver an exceptional client experience for high-net-worth individuals. Holly grew up in Pomfret, CT. She is a graduate of Woodstock Academy and received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She currently resides in Eastford, CT with her husband and three dogs. In her free time, Holly enjoys running, playing soccer, gardening, and traveling.

Job Titles:

• Senior Associate, Client Experience & Relationships

Jillian Smick joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors in August 2021. Jillian is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts- Amherst Isenberg School of Management receiving a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management. Prior to WHZ, Jillian worked at Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa on Long Island and Wheatleigh Hotel located in the Berkshires. Her time spent at both these hotels was focused on enhancing the overall customer experience. As Senior Associate, Client Experience and Relationships, Jillian is eager to provide clients with the best client experience at every touchpoint, every time while hopefully putting a smile on their face in the process. Jillian is currently living in Southbridge, Massachusetts with family and her cat Princess. Outside of work, Jillian enjoys painting, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Job Titles:

• Principal / Managing Partner at Weiss

Jim Zahansky is Principal/Managing Partner at Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors, leading practice strategy, business development and client experience initiatives, and team leadership for the firm. Additionally, as our chief goals strategist and investment advisor, Jim leads the WHZ strategic financial planning function that leads clients through our Plan Well, Invest Well, Live Well™ process to help them reach their financial life goals. Jim has a particular interest in guiding business owners through business financial issues from start-up to succession planning, in addition to working with individual and family clients and non-profit endowments. Jim transitioned to these pivotal roles at WHZ in 2014 after 17 years as a senior executive in the pharmaceutical industry, where he developed and implemented strategies and initiatives for major US pharmaceutical brands. Throughout his career, Jim developed strong skill sets in company and brand strategy, leadership, fundamental finance, and interpersonal dynamics and regards one's character as their defining quality. Jim is active in the both the business community and the community at large. He currently serves as President of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair of the Hale YMCA Board of Advisors, as a Director of the Day Kimball Healthcare Board and as a Corporator for Jewett City Savings Bank. He graduated from Bryant University with a business degree and was appointed to the University's Wall Street Council, joining other high-powered, finance-oriented alumni who are focused on innovations in the investment industry. Jim holds the designation of Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® (AWMA®) from the College for Financial Planning. Jim was also selected to receive the Five Star Wealth Manager Award for the fourth consecutive year in 2022 (2019 being the first year he was eligible). The 2022 FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD was created by Five Star Professional and was presented in November, 2022 based on data gathered between February, 2022 and September, 2022. 2,950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, and 290 (10%) of advisors were recognized. (Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor's future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.)

Job Titles:

• Associate Vice President, Client Experience & Relationships

Kate Pitts joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors in March 2021. She oversees our mission to deliver the best wealth management experience for every client, every time. She is also responsible for building relationships in the broader community to further our commitment to helping others to Live Well. Kate began at WHZ in the role of director, client experience and relationships, and was promoted to her current role as associate vice president after two years of strong performance in delivering an exceptional experience for our clients and building meaningful relationships in the community that help others to Live Well. Kate brings over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, starting her career at State Street Global Advisors in Boston, MA. At State Street, she was primarily focused on helping large, institutional clients engage their employees with their retirement plans through education and financial wellness programs. In addition to her work focused on providing the best possible experience for our clients, Kate is focused on helping others in the larger community as well. She serves on the Board of Directors forthe Hale YMCA, on the Pomfret Economic Planning & Development Commission, and as an active member of the Pomfret Proprietors. Kate grew up in Pomfret, CT and graduated from Woodstock Academy in 2004. She graduated from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing in 2008. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two girls and dog, going for family walks, golfing, snowboarding, and traveling.

Job Titles:

• Client Relationship Senior Associate

Kayla Densmore joined Weiss, Hale & Zahansky in August 2023 as a Senior Associate on the Client Relationship Team. Kayla assists clients with operational and administrative needs in collaboration with our advisors and team to ensure the best client experience and advancement of client goals. Kayla brings over 15 years of experience in customer service, team leadership and business management. Prior to joining WHZ she was the Operations Manager for Green Valley Hospitality, overseeing high level management functions for four companies. She launched her own accounts administration business in 2020, with a mission to help connect small companies with their business metrics and manage their account reconciliations & tax filings. Kayla grew up in Woodstock, CT. She is a graduate of Woodstock Academy and continued her studies at Eastern Connecticut State University. She also recently deepened her computer literacy with certifications in Microsoft Suite, and QuickBooks. She currently resides in Pomfret, CT with her husband Shawn, son Miles and dog, Moose. In her free time, Kayla enjoys skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and all things adventurous.

Job Titles:

• Principal and Founding Partner of Weiss

Laurence is a principal and founding partner of Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors. He is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO), leading portfolio management efforts and chairing the firm's Investment Committee. In addition to developing goal-driven financial plans for clients, Laurence has extensive investment experience with estate planning and charitable strategies. Laurence is a Five Star Wealth Manager1 and has a particular focus on helping pre- and post-retirees and estate planning clients. He is proud to have been recognized as a President's Club advisor - a distinction based on annual production that placed him among the top advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. He is also a recipient of the Five Star Wealth Manager Award for the last nine consecutive years, a recognition granted to less than 10 percent of Connecticut wealth managers this year. (2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2022 award was presented in November 2022 based on data gathered between February 2022 and September 2022. A total of 2950 Connecticut-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 290 (10% of candidates) were selected to receive it. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or selected for the award. (Fee paid for use of marketing materials.) Not indicative of advisor's future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, visit fivestarprofessional.com.) Laurence brings many years of institutional investment experience, having started his career in the institutional defined contribution business for Putnam Investments. In addition to more than 27 years of investment management for our clients, Laurence has volunteered his professional talents on behalf of many non-profit and public institutions. He formerly served as an appointed member of Connecticut's Investment Advisory Council (IAC), an advisory body to the Connecticut State Treasurer, overseeing the approximately $29 billion in the State of Connecticut's retirement plans and trust funds, on behalf of more than 200,000 beneficiaries. When not advising clients, Laurence is active with several non-profit and charitable organizations. Laurence currently serves as chairman of the YMCA of Greater Hartford's Investment Committee, as member of the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center's Board of Advisors and is also a member of the Rectory School Board of Trustees. He is a former member of the Pomfret School Board of Trustees, Day Kimball Healthcare's Finance Committee, past President of the Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) Foundation, and over the years has supported many other organizations.

Leisl has 15 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals in multiple areas of retirement, financial, and estate planning. She is primarily focused on wealth building for busy professional women, couples, and multi-generational family relationships. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP ®) and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®). She is primarily focused on helping early- and mid-career clients, particularly women and families, to balance and prioritize their financial goals. Leisl was one of the Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under 40 nominees in 2023. She also received the Five Star Wealth Manager Award in both 2021 and 2022 (2021 being the first year she was eligible). In 2023 she was also featured in FORTUNE magazine's "Five Star Wealth Managers Under 40." Leisl grew up in Pomfret, CT and graduated from The Woodstock Academy. She later graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Finance. She also played Division 1 soccer while attending Quinnipiac. She currently resides in Willington, CT with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys playing and coaching soccer, golfing, running, and traveling the world.

Mike brings nearly 15 years of broad and deep financial industry experience to his clients. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP ®) as well as a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®). Mike is well versed in all aspects of financial planning and has particular interest in charitable giving strategies, education planning, and retirement income planning. Mike guides clients through complex company benefit plans which link to their personal financial goals and helps those balancing competing goals while building wealth. Prior to joining the WHZ team, Mike served in various roles at Massachusetts-based Commonwealth Financial Network, one of the country's largest privately-owned independent Registered Investment Adviser /broker-dealers (as of 9/22, based on self-reported AUM data from 47 participating firms in the 2022 Financial-Planning.com IBD Elite survey). There, he most recently served as an Advanced Planning Consultant, acting as a resource for financial advisors on a wide variety of financial planning strategies. Prior to that he served as supervisor of Data Integrity at the company. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut and a certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University - Metropolitan College. He is a native of northeast Connecticut, where WHZ is based. When he's not at work, he enjoys rooting for the University of Connecticut men's and women's basketball teams, cooking, and being active outdoors with his wife Chelsea and their twin children.

Job Titles:

• Director of Administration at Weiss
• Director, Administration

Will Armstead is Director of Administration at Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors, responsible for the administration of WHZ and our offices and the systems and functions that WHZ uses to execute strategy. In addition, Will supports the partner calendars, priorities and personal needs. Will also provides support to the team's advisors in collaboration with the Client Service and Client Experience teams. Will transitioned into this role in the practice in 2022 after 20+ years as an Administrative/Executive Assistant and Office Manager in the pharmaceutical industry. At his previous company, Will was Office Manager, at Cyteir Therapeutics, Inc., where he was responsible for providing administrative support to the Leadership team along with overseeing all office functions ensuring Cyteir's facility operated both efficiently and safely. Will is an US Army Veteran and graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College with an Associate's Degree in Business Administration. In his spare time, Will enjoys outdoor activities (hiking/nature walks), gaming and being the proud dad to Pepper, his new pup.