CERTIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Associate General Agent
As a financial professional of over 20 years, Adam continues to find joy in the efforts of educating and guiding individuals towards informed decision making to protect and grow their wealth. His love for his family reflects the passion of his work as he is committed to providing his clients with secure futures that brings clarity and happiness. Adam's responsibilities are driven from the noise and misinformation that is produced in the financial world. As his educational background holds a strong focus in business and finance, Adam exceeds in demonstrating the importance of understanding the true value of what proper financial planning can do for individuals and families.
In addition to supporting the community through financial services, Adam has also become a strong leader and motivator, providing training to financial representatives that are new to the industry. His greatest satisfaction is found from having a hand in both agency recruitment and development, where he can see newly appointed industry professionals achieve great success.
Education
BS Finance, Lehigh University
MBA, Villanova University
Andrew Hoffman grew up in Wayne, NJ as an only child. He attended Ramapo College where he received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management. While there he made the dean's list each year! Andrew's family is spread out through Arizona, California, Wisconsin, Florida and Australia!
In his spare time he enjoys playing basketball or golf, attending sporting events and watching movies or listening to music. He is also an avid collector of Sports Memorabilia. Andrew is a member of Habitat for Humanity and Our Lady of Consolation Church.
Andrew started helping his close friends create their financial plan and now hopes to group his practice. He gets enjoyment out of working with others and heling them create a financial plan to be proud of. This is a passion of Andrew's that he is so glad to have found so early in his career. Andrew wants to target 20- and 30-year old's who have finished school and are starting their careers.
Andrew's philosophy is to create a financial world for clients that leaves no holes and sets them up for their present and future successes. He wants to be there every step of the way through their career, so his clients always have someone to rely on. He is ready to do his best for his present and future clients.
Education
Bachelor's Degree Business Administration & Management- Ramapo College
Being a professional in the industry for over 30 years has allowed Bill to use his experience and expertise to drive his clients towards wealth accumulating futures. Using innovative strategies, Bill is motivated to providing his clients with financial security, clarity, and confidence. He works closely side by side with his clients guiding them on integrating and coordinating the various aspects of their financial life.
Bill has always stayed active in his community having grown up in the area. Being a father of five, he was a former board member of Emerson Planning and Emerson Softball as well as Director of Emerson Recreation Wrestling. He enjoys golf and belongs to the Tae Kwon Do Club, where he holds a Second Degree Black Belt.
Education
BS Finance, Seton Hall University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- General Agent
Job Titles:
- Registered Representative
Christopher Martinez was born in Philadelphia, PA. He holds a BS in Business and a BA in Economics from Bucknell University. Chris was a member of the Division 1 Men's golf team and still enjoys playing golf regularly. He has his PGA certification and is a multiple-time club champion in golf. He also enjoys gardening and watching the Philadelphia sports teams. Chris enjoys spending time with his wife Eva, a teacher and their son Leo. Chris has been with CFS for 10 years and throughout his career he has enjoyed teaching people how money work and seeing the reaction on peoples' faces when they "get it." Chris loves to help anyone and everyone who has questions about their financial situation and who wants to learn and better understand how to improve their financial position, like his mother, a nurse, who was worried about being able to reach her financial goals. Chris believes everyone deserves financial advice regardless of their income or asset level. Chris is collaborative, honest, and caring. He hopes to help as many people as he can accomplish their financial goals.
Christopher Yee grew up in Oradell, NJ with his parents and 2 sisters. He went to Manhattan College where he received a bachelor's degree in finance with a minor in computer information systems. Christopher gets caring and disciplined nature from his mother who came from Cuba and started a very successful Psychiatric Practice. In his spare time Christopher enjoys fishing and soccer. He is a problem solver and is motivated to help young professionals achieve their best financial future. Christopher has been an entrepreneur since the 8 th grade when he started his own company.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- General Agent
Craig Feinberg is a General Agent at Certified Financial Services. As a reputable Financial Advisor of over 18 years, Craig holds a unique position within the firm. He has committed himself to ensuring that his clients are supported with effective strategies to secure, protect and maximize their financial futures all while demonstrating strong leadership skills to support the training and development of inexperienced Financial Representatives.
Craig grew up in the Financial Services Industry and immediately recognized the entrepreneurial aspect of the business. He appreciated the personal and financial freedoms that the career brought along with the rewards of helping others. By instilling his clients with financial literacy, Craig creates long-lasting relationships that help to guide his clients away from wealth-eroding events and towards financial success.
Craig is a well-known and sought-after speaker on financial topics for Guardian®. He has presented at numerous events, including the Leadership Institute, Sales Managers Summit and President's Citation Awards Conference.
He is deeply committed to community initiatives, helping the CFS team raise funds for NJ Alzheimer's Association and Make-A-Wish® New Jersey. He is also a supporter of Hackensack University Medical Center and St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital.
Education
BS Public Relations, University of Florida
Eric Tarlo grew up in Pompton Lakes, NJ. He earned his associate's degree from the County College of Morris. Eric earned the Humanitarian Award in his graduating class. Eric grew up playing baseball and basketball. He is married to his lovely wife. Eric has great communication and customer service skills. Eric loves spending time with his wife, watching sports, exercising, going to the gym, and playing guitar. Helping others is the most gratifying thing that Eric can do. Eric's focus is young people who are just starting their lives with significant others, new homeowners, and kids. He wants to help as many people as possible to avoid financial stress so that they can enjoy the good parts of life. Eric hopes to learn as much about finances for his own knowledge and help others work toward achieving their financial.
Erin Hoffman is a Financial Advisor at Certified Financial Services, LLC (CFS), a leading boutique financial services and wealth management firm in Northern New Jersey, where she provides individuals, families, and businesses with financial protection and wealth accumulation strategies.
As a holistic financial planner, Erin is eager to take part in the growth and development of her clients' financial futures. She helps to educate and empower her clients on how to gain an understanding of basic financial concepts, how to get financially organized, and provide them with the knowledge to make great decisions, so they have the courage and understanding to move forward and reach their goals.
Utilizing an innovative financial tool, The Living Balance Sheet®, Erin is able to translate and communicate complex financial concepts, estate planning considerations and investment strategies clearly and concisely, and tailors thoughtful recommendations to each of her clients. In addition, Erin engineers business succession strategies and provides tax efficient financial advice through a process which allows them to understand their current situations and ways in which they can build and preserve their wealth along with meet any other goals they may have. She takes a holistic, integrative approach, coordinates all facets of a client's personal and business finances, and strives to create personal economies that can produce long term wealth, retirement income, tax efficiency, minimal cost, curtailed risk and enhanced legacy protection. Her clients know she has as much concern, care and passion for their long-term personal and business financial success and well-being as she has for her own.
Erin is a Mentor for the Seton Hall University Women in Business Program; and is also an Advisory Board Member for the following organizations: Eminae Network, a mergers and acquisitions group; National Women in Roofing Assn.; and Spry Forward. She is also passionate about giving back to professional women, advancing women's leadership, advocacy and mentorship in business, and shattering glass ceilings everywhere
Job Titles:
- Registered Representative
Frank moves families to an elevated level of financial organization & coordination. Clients come away with improved understandings of how monetary products really work and the role each instrument plays in an overall custom strategy.
His unique process provides a 1 page wide-angle view of one's entire financial picture. The first step is performing a protection audit to eliminate failure as an option. Then, sharing a process to optimize wealth, protect & enjoy assets, and pass on a legacy to the next generation.
Frank has been with CFS since 1991. Happily married with 2 sons & a daughter. He is a former sports coach and supports children's charities.
Frank's accomplishments include
Grace has been with CFS since 2015, eager to help others uncover their financial potential. As a mother of three, she has built her practice around guiding young parents to make educated decisions that will financially benefit their own families. In addition, Grace works with CPAs and Millennials in the medical industry. Her clients find that they can trust her because of her unwavering commitment to them - a commitment that shows that she has only their interest in mind.
Additionally, Grace founded Money Academy for Kids in 2014, a program that combines her passion for teaching and her knowledge in the financial industry. She dedicates her time to teach young children the importance of saving and money management at local schools and libraries. As part of her program, her students have the opportunity to create their own business and present it to the public. Her vision is to help kids explore their entrepreneurial character.
As busy as she is between helping her clients and raising a family, Grace remains involved in the community as she is a member of Dumont PTA, Justice & Mercy Ministry, Korean CPA Organization and New Mercy Community Church.
Grace's interests include sports, traveling, cooking and music. She also enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband, Andy and kids.
Education
BA Early Childhood Education, Minor Business, MSU
Affordable Care Act Certification
TESL Certification
Job Titles:
- Well - Established Financial Representative
Jeff Benowitz is a well-established financial representative of over twenty years in the industry. His business in the medical and dentistry industries has enabled him to generate positive value for his clients' practices. He works meticulously to bring change to people's lives by alleviating the stress they feel revolving around financial decisions. Jeff's competency is heightened as he observes, identifies, and establishes strategies that are specific to the client he is working with.
Using uncommon approaches, he is dedicated to educating his clients so that they recognize and utilize the suggested strategies to protect themselves against elements that can negatively impact their financial world. Through Jeff's guidance, they learn how to accumulate wealth and how to access their own wealth correctly.
Jeff is a member of the NAIFA and AALU.
He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 20 years and enjoys the company of his two beautiful children, Reilly and Hannah. Jeff's interests include movies, reading, and coaching his kids' sports teams.
Education
BA, Clark University
CLU, ChFC, The American College
Jeff began his career at Connecticut General Life Insurance, which later became CIGNA, in 1981. He later joined Guardian in 1989 and in 1993, Jeff was appointed Sales Manager. He served as an Associate General Agent and the Executive Vice President of Training at Certified Financial Services, LLC until 2020. Jeff has lectured across the country and has appeared at Top of the Table.
In addition to his individual practice, Jeff guides CFS associates towards identifying a clear vision for their career paths. He also coaches and partners with them on introducing business owners to Wealth Steps, a company-sponsored wellness program. Jeff finds that Wealth Steps is an efficient way to bring financial literacy into the lives of many and make the public more aware of various financial planning misconceptions of effectively planning and saving for the future.
Jeff is married to his wife, Debbie and together they have three children and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys golf, tennis, music and traveling.
Education
Boston University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Associate General Agent
Pamela Mellor has dedicated her professional life to educating and leading others within the financial services industry. As an indispensable asset to Certified Financial Services, Pamela is well-respected within the firm and industry as others look to her for guidance on various components of their businesses.
With over 20 years of experience, Pamela continues to grow more and more passionate about what she does every day. From personal significant life events that she has faced, one thing Pam is thankful for is the planning that was set in place to help her and her family overcome those events. She uses those experiences as her foundational ‘why' when it comes to expressing why she does what she does for others.
As Associate General Agent, Pamela focuses much of her time ensuring that all financial professionals at CFS are receiving the proper resources to grow their businesses. She specializes in supporting the equity department and developing new initiatives to assist in wealth accumulation strategies for all CFS clients.
Pamela has also devoted a lot of her time to volunteering and fundraising opportunities for Center for Food Action, Alzheimer's NJ and Make-A-Wish NJ. She is married to a brilliant, die hard Bostonian and together, they share a common passion for the New England Patriots and LBI.
Education
BA Art History, The University of Virginia
BA Economics, The University of Virginia
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- General Agent
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- General Agent