Lifelong Advisors

Stephen W. Bates

Steve has over 30 years of experience in the financial advisory and wealth management business, and joined Essex Financial in 2008. His practice consists mostly of working with high net worth clients to ensure that their investment and income goals as well as wealth transfer objectives are effectively integrated and are being met. He also works with a number of local not-for-profit organizations, and brings his own personal experience to bear, having previously served as the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee of a $20 million foundation.

Dave Delfino, CFP®, CAP®

Dave believes that by maintaining a disciplined approach to a comprehensive financial plan, clients have the highest likelihood for successfully reaching their personal and financial goals. He provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to cover a wide variety of topics. His passion for goal based investing and financial planning is exemplified by his dedication to being a student of the trade. He holds an MS in Finance with a concentration in financial planning from The American College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®. He also holds the Series 66 securities license as well as the State of Connecticut Life Insurance and Variable Contracts Licenses. He joined Essex Financial after a decade of serving clients in the Private Client Group at Fidelity Investments.

David C. Donaldson, Jr. CRPC®

David’s career in the investment industry spans more than 41 years including both national brokerage firms and bank brokerage platforms. He maintains his 65 securities license, graduated from SUNY Purchase, NY and has an MBA in finance from Fordham University, NY. David currently serves as Director of the Farmington River Watershed Association, a non-profit organization. He was a nationally ranked platform tennis player and also enjoys fishing and boating, as well as writing and performing music.

Sean Flynn, CCPS®

Sean is a Financial Advisor with Essex Financials’ Southport, Connecticut office. With more than ten years of experience in the industry, Sean gives his clients the unique insights necessary to bridge the gap between their overall financial plan and the design of their investment portfolio. An investment philosophy deeply rooted in academia provides the framework for constructing efficient and diversified portfolios based on client’s personal and financial goals and objectives. As a fiduciary, his goal is to provide clients and their families with personalized financial advice that aligns with their specific needs and goals, ensuring that all decisions and recommendations are designed to benefit you, not influenced by commissions, external incentives, or products.

Prior to joining Essex Financial, Sean worked as a Financial Advisor at Apella Capital, an RIA in CT. Prior to Apella Mr. Flynn worked at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in Manhattan, NY. A Fairfield University graduate, he holds a B.S. degree in finance from the Dolan School of Business. He is also a certified College Planning Specialists (CCPS) through the National Institute of Certified College Planners.

Anthony J. Fortuna, CRPC®

Anthony serves as an Investment Advisor and brings over two decades of experience in the financial service industry to Essex Financial working with business owners, executives, and high-net-worth individuals. His personalized financial strategies will cover all aspects of wealth management, including investment portfolio design, retirement income planning, tax optimization, estate planning and transition of wealth to the next generation. Over the years, Anthony’s expertise comes not only in analyzing an investor’s goals, but also bringing in other consultants of the clients that may be required (e.g., tax advisors, accountants, and attorneys) to gain a better understanding of our client’s needs and plan for the unforeseen. Anthony has built long-term relationships with clients based on trust, transparency, and personalized service.

W. Timothy Furgueson

Tim began his career in the investment industry while attending Roanoke College, working for Wheat First Securities. Upon graduating, he joined Smith Barney’s New Haven office, and eventually the Essex office, where he worked as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Financial Planning Specialist for 16 years. Subsequently, Tim joined Essex Financial where he has been able to attain his goal of finding a better way to meet clients’ needs through a service oriented, client-centric, and independent financial services firm.

Kristin E. Green, AIF®, CRPC®

Kristin is a Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the finance industry. Kristin joined Essex Financial in March 2014 working closely with James Sullivan and the Retirement Plan Services team in assisting business clients with management of their employer sponsored retirement plans while also offering personal financial planning to all employees who participate. Kristin offers comprehensive financial planning to individual clients and acting as a fiduciary, assists retirement plan clients through their transition into retirement. Kristin also focuses on planning for women and millennial investors.

David F. LaMay, CFP® CPWA®

Dave started his career as a Financial Advisor in 1991. Acting as a Fiduciary, he provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting to individual, family, corporate and not-for-profit clients.

Dave received his Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management from Franklin Pierce University and his MBA from the University of Connecticut. He has completed supplemental education programs at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Columbia University, and the Yale School of Management and is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute™

Dave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional. He holds the Series 65 securities license, as well as the State of Connecticut Life Insurance and Variable Contracts licenses.

Michael R. LaRiviere, CFP®, AIF®

Michael LaRiviere is a Financial Advisor who joined Essex Financial in 2013. With over 20 years of financial services experience. Michael’s primary focus has evolved to understanding the unique concerns and objectives of high net worth investors as they plan their financial futures. Michael specializes in comprehensive retirement income planning, investment planning, personal finance, taxes and wealth management.

Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a professional designation he attained through Boston University’s Professional Education Program. Michael also holds the Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses as well as the State of Connecticut Life Insurance and Variable Contracts Licenses. Prior to joining EFS, Michael spent 13 years with Fidelity Investments in a variety of roles including that of Vice President, Senior Account Executive in their Private Clients Group.

Kevin Looby, CFP®

Kevin is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a professional designation he attained through Fairleigh Dickinson University. Kevin has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a fiduciary, Kevin works closely with accountants, estate planning attorneys, and insurance specialist to provide independent, unbiased advice in building and maintaining comprehensive financial plans for his clients, that will assist in achieving their best financial future in a tax efficient manner.

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is the standard of excellence in financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training, and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients’ best interests today to prepare them for a more secure tomorrow.

Jeffrey Ludka

Jeff Ludka is an Associate Financial Advisor who joined Essex Financial in 2024. He specializes in wholistic financial planning with a focus on guiding clients towards their financial goals. Jeff assists clients in making informed decisions by providing personalized support and tailoring financial strategies to meet individual needs. By providing exceptional service, Jeff aims to empower clients on their journey to financial success.

Jeff holds the Series 65 securities license and the State of Connecticut Life and Health Insurance License. He is currently in the process of obtaining the Certified Financial Planner designation. Prior to joining Essex Financial, he spent time servicing advisors and clients as a Financial Paraplanner for Lighthouse Financial Management. He also served as a Financial Planner at Johnson Brunetti.

Robert J. Marcinek, CFP®

Bob is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and holds a variety of securities registrations and insurance licenses. Bob’s areas of expertise include Lifetime Financial Planning, Investment Management, Business Owner Planning, Wealth Transfer, and Estate Planning. His clients include a variety of business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs, both active and retired, and their families.

Nathaniel Morris, JD, CFP®

Nate has been a financial advisor with Essex Financial since 2013. As a fiduciary, he takes a comprehensive approach to financial planning, considering all aspects of each client’s unique situation to inform his advice. Nate is also a leader in utilizing the firm’s array of financial technology to enhance decision-making in both investment advice and financial planning. He is a CFP® and has served on the firm’s Financial Planning Committee. Additionally, Nate is a member of the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford.

Nicholas L. Naumann

Nick is a Financial Advisor with Essex Financial's Southport, Connecticut office. Prior to joining Essex Financial in 2018, Nick developed an extensive variety of skills throughout his 7-year career with Fidelity Investments’ Private Client Group in Fairfield, Connecticut. He focuses on creating comprehensive financial plans and building effective portfolios for a wide range of goals. Nick believes a comprehensive financial plan and investment strategy go hand in hand. He strives to build the foundations for financial freedom with every individual, family, or institution searching for a true fiduciary.

Kevin Nolan, CFP®

Kevin is a Financial Advisor with Essex Financial's Southport, Connecticut office. With nearly three decades of experience in Financial Services he has developed an extensive and well-rounded background. Kevin has a B.A. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Fordham University where he was recognized for outstanding achievement in the field of Economics. Kevin is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and has achieved the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College of Financial Planning.

Vice President

Tony G. Russo, CRPC®

For more than 40 years Tony’s career as a wealth manager has been dedicated to helping individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations achieve their varied financial goals. His investment philosophy begins with the careful listening of his clients’ life paths, financial requirements and concerns before formulating a personalized and comprehensive action plan designed specifically to address their situation. Tony’s systematic monitoring of this wealth plan is based on constant client education and communication. He also utilizes innovative reporting technology to ensure that his clients’ personalized portfolios remain consistent with their financial destinations. This process also helps to identify investment opportunities created by the ever-changing economic environment.

His previous financial industry experience includes being a past president of a SEC registered investment advisory firm as well as serving as a member on several investment advisory committees. He has achieved the designation of Certified Retirement Planning Consultant (CRPC®) from the College of Financial Planning and is a past member of the Securities Industry Association (SIA) Marketing Roundtable. Tony maintains series 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 securities licenses as well as Connecticut State life, annuity and long-term care insurance licenses.

Vice President

James M. Sullivan, AIF®, CPFA®

James joined Essex Financial in 2009 and is a Vice President and Financial Advisor. James has over 25 years of experience in financial services, specializing in comprehensive retirement planning and investment advice. James is responsible for the Retirement Plan Services Department at Essex Financial which provides Advisory services to Employer-sponsored retirement plans. He has been recognized by Financial Times and PLANADVISER as one of the top Retirement Plan Advisors nationally. James holds his Series 7, 9, 10 and 66 securities licenses as well as his State of CT Life and Health Insurance license. He earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. James also earned the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation from the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). He has been quoted by various publications including U.S. News & World Report, PLANADVISER and ThinkAdvisor.

Bill Tait, CFP®

Bill is a Financial Advisor with Essex Financial. He received his BSBA from Western New England College, his MBA from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and his CFP® Certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

He has over 20 years of client relationship management, having previously spent many years advising clients with HPE Financial Services. In addition to achieving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Bill holds the Series 7 and 63 securities licenses as well as the State of Connecticut Life Insurance and Variable Contracts licenses.

Anthony J. Vocalina III, AIF®

Anthony serves as a Financial Advisor and brings over three decades of experience in the financial services industry to Essex Financial. He provides his clients with comprehensive financial planning and portfolio construction that is based on their financial objectives.

Anthony earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. He currently holds his Series 65 securities license as well as the State of Connecticut Life Insurance and Variable Contracts license.