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CAP COM Financial Services, LLC

Staff Biographies

Our people are our most valuable asset!

JOHN M. SHARTRAND, ChFC, AAMS

CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Mr. Shartrand is a graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and has been active in the Financial Services industry since 1983. Mr. Shartrand is committed to continuing education. He is constantly expanding his knowledge to enhance the service he can provide to his clients. He is a member of the Society of Financial Professionals with a professional interest in estate planning. He has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designations. In addition, he has completed numerous continuing education courses and workshops in the financial services industry.

Mr. Shartrand has a wealth of experience and knowledge. He spent over two years with a brokerage firm while acquiring his Bachelor of Science in Finance. He then spent nine years providing financial advice to individual clients and business owners; two years as an Associate with Prudential Insurance and seven years with Griffin Financial Group. These experiences as a business owner and financial consultant have provided him with an excellent background to lead our team at CCFS.

In addition to the ChFC & AAMS designations, Mr. Shartrand's professional qualifications include having earned the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Series 6, 7, and 63 licenses which are held with Linsco/Private Ledger, the NYS Life and Accident & Health Insurance Licenses, and General Securities Principal Series 24.

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JAMES A. FARANDA

SENIOR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT / TAX PREPARER
Mr. Faranda is a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He is currently enrolled in the College for Financial Planning to obtain the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner. He completes all SEC continuing education requirements for registered representatives in addition to annual industry review courses in individual income tax preparation.

Mr. Faranda came to CAP COM Financial Services with over 10 years of experience providing exceptional service to the members of Capital Communications Federal Credit Union. As Credit Union Trainer, he provided loan and underwriting training to staff with a focus on cash flow analysis. This experience has provided him with the ability to assume a key liaison position between the Credit Union and CCFS.

Through his diligence and determination, Mr. Faranda has earned the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Series 6, 7, 63 and 66 licenses which are held with Linsco/Private Ledger. Additionally, he holds the NYS Life, Variable Annuities, and Accident & Health Insurance Licenses; and the NYS Notary Public Certification.

Mr. Faranda has been a Professional Income Tax Preparer since 1995 and is registered with the IRS. Having joined our firm in January 1999, he has since been instrumental in our attaining an average of 10% annual growth rate in the number of returns prepared. Mr. Faranda has also assumed the position of providing year-round delivery of this service.

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STEVEN A. MASSEY

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Mr. Massey joined the Financial Advisory team in November 2002. His financial service background includes being a financial planner for CUNA Mutual Group and AXA Advisors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from SUNY Albany. He has also earned NASD Series 7 and Series 66 licenses which are held with Linsco/Private Ledger, as well as the NYS Life and Health Insurance license.

Conducting most of our offsite financial planning and other speaking engagements, Steve has been responsible for coordinating and expanding CCFS' educational–based Workshop Program. He has conducted hundreds of workshops for a select group of business partners and brings sound financial planning concepts to their employees.

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HERB WARDEN

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT / INSURANCE ADVISOR
Herb Warden joined the CAP COM team in January 2003 as an Insurance Advisor. Mr. Warden has more than 23 years of experience in the financial service industry and has spent the past 18 years as a self–employed insurance/investment agent. Herb has been providing insurance advice for our clients as a consultant for the past two years. Prior to that, he worked for Prudential Insurance as a sales manager. Mr. Warden's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Westbrook College in Portland, Maine. He is fully licensed to sell all insurance and variable products. Additionally, Mr. Warden holds NASD Series 6 and Series 63 licenses through Linsco Private Ledger.

As Insurance Advisor, Herb seeks out the best mix of insurance products for CCFCU members and CAP COM clients based on their individual needs. His insurance expertise is an invaluable part of our firm's commitment to offering unbiased financial advice with superior service.

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BARBARA L. BRENNER

CFP®, FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Barbara joined CAP COM in March 2007, bringing with her more than 20 years experience in financial services. As a Financial Planner for American Express Financial Advisors from 1985 to 1996, she worked with individual and small business clients. In 1996, Barbara joined CUNA Mutual as a Financial Services Representative. In her 10 years with CUNA Mutual, she held positions in sales, marketing, training and development.

Barbara's educational background includes an AS in Business Administration from Dutchess Community College in Pougkeepsie, NY and the Certified Financial Planner Certification (CFP®) from the College of Financial Planning, Denver, CO. She earned Series 6, 7 and 63 licenses, which are held with LPL Financial Services, as well as Life, Health and Variable Annuities licenses with the New York State Insurance Dept.
 

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HARRY HARTMAN

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Harry joined us in March 2007 with an extensive background in financial services. After graduating in 1988 from SUNY Plattsburgh with a B.S. in Business Management, he worked for Eurodollar from 1990 to 2004 in specialties such as CDs, Interest Rate Derivatives and Energy Futures.

Harry came to the capital region in 2004 as a Financial Advisor for UBS. He earned the Series 7 and 66 licenses, which are held with LPL Financial Services, as well as the NYS Life & Health Insurance License.
 

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CINDY BROWN

BUSINESS MANAGER
Cindy joined the CAP COM team in October 2004 after 16 years with Capital Communications Federal Credit Union. She worked as a manager in the Call Center and Member Services Department. Cindy's objective is to ensure the CAP COM team continues to achieve their high level of client service as well as to develop efficiencies and procedures that will enhance each client's experience.
 

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RICKI PROCTOR

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE
Ricki joined the CAP COM team in January 2001 from American Express Financial Advisors. She has earned NASD Series 7, and Series 66 licenses which are held with Linsco/Private Ledger. Additionally, she holds the NYS Life, and Accident & Health Insurance Licenses. Ms. Proctor is a Registered Administrative Assistant with LPL Financial Services. Ricki's knowledge of financial products and her superior service skills have made her a valuable addition.

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NOREEN CONNOR

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE / TAX COORDINATOR
Noreen joined the CAP COM team in May of 2001 after working for 12 years with another local financial planning firm. Her vast experience in the financial services industry allows her to anticipate the needs of our clients and work as a liaison between them, the mutual fund companies and our Financial Advisers. Noreen also serves as our Tax Coordinator during tax season, overseeing and handling the many processes involved.
 

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DEVIN BLICKFELD

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE
Devin graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a B.A. degree in Psychology. She joined our team in 2003. Her position at CCFS ensures that our clients have contact with their advisers either by appointment or phone. As the first contact many of our clients have with CCFS, she represents our firm with a high degree of professionalism, friendliness and efficiency.
 
 

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PATRICK YOUNIS

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE
Patrick is a 1999 graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He joined the CAP COM team in April 2007, after spending 2 years as a Financial Services Associate at Capital Communications FCU. Prior to the Credit Union, Patrick was an Operation Supervisor with Fleet Bank and worked in the Annuity/New Business department of IDS Life of New York. Patrick earned his NASD 6 and 63 licenses which are held with LPL. With Patrick's knowledge, experience and customer service skills he is a great asset to our team.
 

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VICKI VIELKIND

RECEPTIONIST
Vicki joined the CAP COM team in December 2006, after working as a clerk for the law firm of E. Stewart Jones for 16 years. In her tenure with the firm, Vicki prepared documents for trial, greeted and scheduled clients, and performed various other office duties. Besides her vast experience, Vicki brings a sparkling personality and always greets everyone with a warm smile.
 

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SALLY WRIGHT

INCOME TAX PREPARER
A graduate of the University at Albany with a degree in Public Administration, Mrs. Wright has brought her expertise and knowledge as a Tax Preparer to CAP COM Financial Services for the past five years.

Sally Wright has been preparing taxes for 14 years, including but not limited to returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, fiduciaries and estates. She has served as an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the Internal Revenue Service, for over 16 years. She annually completes individual income tax preparation review courses in order to keep apprised of the new tax law changes. She is not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial.
 

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JO ANN BUSSMAN

INCOME TAX PREPARER
Ms. Bussman is a graduate of Schenectady Community College with an Associates Degree in Accounting. Ms. Bussman comes to CAP COM Financial Services with over ten years experience preparing trust, small business and gift tax returns as well as individual tax returns for high net worth taxpayers. In addition to tax preparation, Ms. Bussman has over seven years experience as a financial planning counselor. She has worked with clients who are widowed and/or dealing with a life–threatening illness which includes, but is not limited to tax projections, cash flow projections and investment analysis. She is not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial.
 

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TOBIE SCHLOSSTEIN

INCOME TAX PREPARER
Mrs. Schlosstein has a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Hartwick College, a Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law.

Mrs. Schlosstein comes to CAP COM Financial Services with ten years of comprehensive tax preparation experience, including returns for individuals, fiduciaries, estates and trusts. As an attorney in private practice, Mrs. Schlosstein’s background in family law, estate planning and taxes provides a knowledgeable foundation for CAP COM Financial Services clients. She is not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial.

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