WIZDOMTREE BENEFIT SOLUTIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Client Relationship Coordinator
Amelia Bailey is an open minded, adventurous, determined, multi-tasking individual.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Managing Partner
"He who has a Why can endure any How." - Frederick Nietzsche
Anthony J. Vlachos Co-founded the WizdomOne Group to bring comprehensive solutions to a fragmented industry, by focusing on wealth management, insurance, and benefits solutions. Growing up with a father owning a small business Anthony was exposed to the drive and self-motivating behaviors that are so intrinsic in entrepreneurship, but also realized the extent of time and resources running a business takes away from loved ones. That is "WHY" it has become his mission to highlight and mitigate distracting pain points and allow clients to focus on what matters to them the most.
With over 15 years of experience in helping entrepreneurs and business owners navigate their paths to success, Anthony's path started in the industry with MetLife where he focused on strategic business planning and earning his ChFC designation all while building what would soon become our WizdomOne Family. After leaving MetLife he began focusing on property and casualty markets while earning his CIC, and CRM designations, which led to him finding his true passion for risk management and eventually becoming Mr. Risk
These days you will find Anthony and his wife Caitlin enjoying the outdoors either hiking or biking, practicing mindfulness, and always remembering to live and love life to the fullest.
Since graduating from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in accounting and finance, Brian has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry. In 2016, he joined the WizdomOne Group where he co-founded WizdomFinancial LLC. Previously, Brian spent 10 years as a financial planner with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors. He is a dedicated professional - committed to helping his clients achieve financial independence. A devoted father to his two children, Brian attends all of their sporting events and activities. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer and tennis.
Job Titles:
- Director of Medicare Planning
Dolores Cogliano is a licensed and experienced health insurance broker and twenty-year veteran in the healthcare industry. Dolores developed her expertise in Medicare Health Plan options after the Medicare Modernization Act of 2006 and the introduction of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan program, which renewed interest in Medicare Advantage Health Plans as an option to Original Medicare.
Dolores has had board affiliations with Hunter College Campus Schools, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and served as a Legislative Advocate through the Rare Disease Legislative Advocates Organization.
She has extensive experience in the healthcare industry through various roles including patient advocacy, growing awareness, and raising funds for different causes. Currently, Dolores' work involves educating seniors regarding their eligibility for Medicare, the programs they are entitled to, and health insurance plan options that may be suitable for them. Her broad knowledge base which includes the specific features and benefit designs of various plans is critical to helping Medicare-eligible individuals choose a Medicare Health Plan that is tailored to their particular needs, eligibility, and entitlements.
Dolores resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She is the single mother of three wonderful and accomplished thirty-somethings and has an extra special 11-year-old Great Pyrenees rescue pup, named Blondie.
Gregg Pajak CFF, ChFC founded the WizdomOne Group to inspire and empower business owners through wealth management, insurance, and benefits solutions. Gregg's unique ability to advise business owners comes from his 19 years of experience as a wealth advisor, but more importantly from Gregg and his wife being business owners themselves and managing a portfolio of several successful startups and businesses. Gregg frequently speaks (in two languages) at industry events, sharing his journey of advising through his passion for financial wellness and security for business owners.
Before becoming the Managing Partner and Founder of the WizdomOne Group in 2007, Gregg was the Agency Benefits Director for an agency of the MetLife Premier Client Group for several years and was responsible for the agency's benefit and group retirement division. His professional education background includes being a Certified Financial Fiduciary® as well as earning his Chartered Financial Consultant from The American College of Financial Services.
He married his high school sweetheart in 2001 and they are raising three very active kids in Nissequogue, NY. When he isn't working with his clients or visualizing the next direction for his companies, he loves to spend time with his family, staying active through hiking, kayaking, playing hockey, and passionately watching his Bruins.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant for the WizdomOne Group
- Group Benefits Specialist
Kaitlyn is an Administrative Assistant for the WizdomOne Group family of companies. Over the years of working with the team she feels like they have become a second family for her and she loves every minute of it. Kaitlyn has over 10 years of experience in the customer service field and has always enjoyed helping people. When she is not working she is usually spending time with her family or working on her photography.
As operations manager, Marianne Pajak is the glue that binds the WizdomOne Group family of companies together. Her background in the legal and human resources industries makes working with the WizdomOne Group client base second nature. Her calm-under-pressure demeanor makes her a perfect fit for WizdomOne Group's key operations role.
Job Titles:
- Personal Lines Account Executive
Born and raised in CA, Marissa began her career in 2011 as a captive agent and moved over to the broker side in 2016. This move allowed her to better service clients with a variety of carriers. Customer service is very important to Marissa and she will strive to offer the best customer service. Marissa is bilingual and you can expect a high level of service in both languages. Married for 16 years, a proud mother of 3, and baseball enthusiast!
Pak's extensive experience in the Financial Service field, couple with her passion for financial planning, has made her a valuable asset to WizdomFinancial Advisors LLC. Working alongside a team of like-minded individuals, Pak is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.
Outside of her professional life, Pak shares a fulfilling personal life with her best friend, her husband and their family. Their household is a lively one, complete with what Pak affectionately refers to as "the zoo" - four dogs, a cat and is in the process of adding a school of koi to the mix. As a military wife, she understands the unique challenges of balancing work, family and caregiving.
Driven by her own experiences, particularly caring for her mother after a stroke for over 15 years, Pak has developed a focus on assisting women who are striving to "do it all." She recognizes the challenges faced by the sandwich generation and strives to help navigate through these complexities. Educating client in how to save and achieve both short term and long term gains.
In her spare time, Pak is deeply involved in volunteering activities. She contributes her time and efforts to organizations, such as Soldiers Angels, the Guide Dog Foundation/American VetDogs and her local church. Notably, Pak and her family have been involved in raising and temporarily housing service dogs during their training. They are even considering a puppy-raising another feisty black lab nurturing its potential to become a service dog to a first responder or veteran.
Since graduating from Villanova University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Sean has been assisting businesses and individuals with their insurance challenges for over 16 years. He started in the insurance industry with Aflac, providing supplemental insurance to businesses. To better serve his clients Sean expanded into several other lines of insurance. He is excited to be a part of the WizdomOne family of companies with the knowledge and resources that they offer. Sean is a proud husband and father of two, a volunteer firefighter and enjoys running and tennis in his spare time.
Only one-third of adults have an estate strategy document such as a will in place, which may not be entirely surprising. No one wants to be reminded of their own mortality or spend too much time thinking about what might happen once they're gone. 1
But a will is an instrument of power. Creating one gives you control over the distribution of your assets. If you die without one, the state decides what becomes of your property without regard to your priorities.
A will is a legal document by which an individual or a couple (known as "testator") identifies their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets after death. A will can typically be broken down into four main parts.
1. Executors - Most wills begin by naming an executor. Executors are responsible for carrying out the wishes outlined in a will. This involves assessing the value of the estate, gathering the assets, paying inheritance tax and other debts (if necessary), and distributing assets among beneficiaries. It's recommended that you name at least two executors, in case your first choice is unable to fulfill the obligation.