Jim brings decades of wealth management experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer at TrinityPoint Wealth. His extraordinary leadership, mentorship and collaborative skills are a guiding force at the firm, elevating the client experience and motivating each team member to go above and beyond client expectations.
Believing that client relationships are a partnership, Jim works tirelessly on behalf of high net worth individuals and families, small businesses and 401(k) plans, as well as the institutional clients he serves. Proactive, accessible and extremely responsive, he advises on everything from investment management and financial planning to business retirement plan design and wealth transfer.
Before founding TrinityPoint Wealth, Jim spent six years as Partner and CEO at Beirne Wealth Consulting. Prior to that, Jim served as a Vice President and Senior Wealth Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 1994-2012.
Jim has received industry-wide recognition for his knowledge and expertise. He co-authored “The Rest Easy Retirement Plan” book. He’s been showcased in relevant and timely articles in Kiplinger, 401(k) Specialist, Financial Advisor IQ and Trust Advisor. And he has appeared as a featured speaker at TD Ameritrade’s LINC Advisor Conference, Barron’s Top Advisor Conference and in presentations to the Fidelity sales organization.
Jim has been a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute (Formerly IMCA) since 2001; named one of Connecticut Magazine’s top financial advisors from 2012-2016; a Barron’s Top 1200 Advisor for 2016, 2017 and 2018; and Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2018. He holds series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses, as well as, CT Life and Health Insurance license; and his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation from the Wharton School of Business.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and History from Trinity College.
Active in his community, Jim serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Milford and on the University of New Haven’s Advisory Board. He is also an Elks Member and a North Haven Master Mason. Outside the office, Jim is an avid reader, traveler and sports enthusiast. He has three children and makes his home in Milford, CT, where he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sandy.
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Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors, as identified by Barron’s magazine, using quantitative and qualitative criteria and selected from a pool of over 4,000 nominations. Advisors in the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors have a minimum of seven years of financial services experience. Qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, compliance record and philanthropic work. Investment performance is not a criterion. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience and is not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance.
The Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience.
Dana McLaughlin, CFP®, C(k)P®, RLP®, AAMS®
Managing Partner
As a Managing Partner, Dana brings her passion for creative, holistic financial life planning to TrinityPoint Wealth. Truly committed to having a meaningful impact both in clients’ lives and at the firm, she carefully combines extensive industry knowledge and wealth management expertise with a unique planning approach — striving to make a positive difference one inspired vision at a time.
Dana advises high net worth clients with complex needs and is sought after by individuals, families, business owners and executives near and far. Acting as their personal CFO, Dana looks at a client’s entire financial life with a visionary lens, advising on investment portfolios, retirement planning, life transitions, exit planning for business owners, customized advanced cash-flow planning and multi-generational wealth transfer strategies. Dana believes that if clients are open to greater possibilities and are willing to realign their focus with an ignited personal vision, the highest level of fulfillment can be well within their grasp.
Prior to her role at TrinityPoint Wealth, Dana was a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beirne Wealth Consulting for five years. She began her advisory practice in 2005 with A.G. Edwards, an investment firm in Wilton, CT, known today as Wells Fargo Advisors in Westport, CT.
Dana has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification (2012), recognized as the standard of excellence for personal financial planning. Her passion for truly holistic planning led her to earn the Registered Life Planner (RLP®) designation in 2016/2017 from the Kinder Institute of Life Planning. Dana has also received the Accredited Asset Management Specialist® and the CERTIFIED 401(k) PROFESSIONAL designations. To complement her investment advisory practice, she holds life, accident and health insurance licenses and is an affiliate of the Connecticut Partnership for Long Term Care.
Dana’s work has been recognized by the financial services industry. In 2016/2017, she was selected to be a member of the first class of the G2 Leadership Institute — a two-year program designed by The Ensemble Practice and Fidelity Custody and Clearing to develop the independent financial advice industry’s next generation of leaders. She has also been published in Kiplinger.
Dana has a B.S. in Finance and Insurance with Summa Cum Laude honors from Northeastern University.
Dana is a resident of Burlington, CT and finds time to relax and recharge while practicing yoga, riding horses, or simply getting outside for a walk or run in a beautiful setting. She loves exploring new places, which is a good thing since she travels around the country quite regularly, visiting clients, family and friends. Dana is also passionate about health and wellness, and is certified in Reiki levels I and II.
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W. Michael Smiley
Managing Partner
Mike joined TrinityPoint Wealth as a Managing Partner in 2019. He has nearly three decades of wealth management experience; working with individuals, families, small businesses, non-profits, and family foundations. Mike understands that every client’s goals, dreams, and objectives are unique and works mindfully to customize his financial advice to best suit their needs. While there are common tools, every situation is different and requires a personal touch.
Before joining TrintyPoint Wealth, Mike was the founder/president of Penland Legacy Advisors, a financial consulting firm specializing in fee-only investment management, financial planning, estate and wealth transfer strategies, and legacy building/charitable giving. He started the firm in 1999. Prior to Penland, Mike worked with FSC Securities Corporation and was a supervising principal during his final two years with the broker-dealer.
A self-described “migrant southerner,” Mike grew up in Tennessee and the Carolinas, and has lived in Luray, VA, Greensboro, NC, High Point, NC, and Brentwood, TN. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before transferring to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management in 1992. He holds many financial accreditations. In addition, Mike completed the Duke University Non-Profit Management program in 2013 to further develop his skills in working with regional and national non-profits.
Mike is actively involved in the community. His philanthropic interests center on cancer research, Christian outreach, nature conservation, and children. In 2007, Mike and his wife created a charitable fund called Smiley’s 4 C’s to benefit these altruistic endeavors. He has served on boards and volunteers on various committees with organizations including Susan. G. Komen, Well of Mercy, Brookstone Schools, Habitat for Humanity, Project New Heights, Ronald McDonald House, Girls on the Run International, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Winthrop University, and the Y.M.C.A.
Mike is the youngest of five, the proud brother to four sisters, and uncle to fourteen nieces and nephews. He makes his home on Mountain Island Lake with his wife, Shari Lynn. He enjoys spending time in the mountains of North Carolina, hiking, and reading historical fiction.
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Lise Robinson, CFP®, CDFA®, AAMS®
Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor
As a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor, Lise is passionate about helping all clients gain a greater sense of confidence and control over their financial lives.
Lise brings a sustained focus and dedication to her work with individual and institutional clients that goes well beyond assessing a client’s initial needs and portfolio allocation. Addressing a broad range of financial issues that arise over the long term, she creates and implements asset management plans and financial planning strategies that are both comprehensive and adaptable to changing circumstances.
Prior to her role at TrinityPoint Wealth, Lise was a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beirne Wealth Consulting from 2014-2018. Before that, she was Director of Investments at Oppenheimer & Company and a Vice President at U.S. Wealth Advisors, LLC. Lise also spent nearly ten years as a Financial Consultant with A.G. Edwards & Sons, now Wells Fargo Advisors.
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Lise also holds the Series 66 and 31 securities licenses and is a licensed agent for life, health, variable annuities and long-term care insurance, as well as a member of the Financial Planning Association.
In addition, Lise is a CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST®, serving as an invaluable resource to clients and their attorneys in navigating the financial issues and complexities that arise before and after the divorce process. Through comprehensive lifestyle analysis and financial review, she is able to illustrate the short- and long-term impact of potential settlement options with the goal of providing her clients financial peace of mind for life after divorce.
Lise’s work has been recognized by the financial services industry. In 2016/2017, she was selected to be a member of the first class of the G2 Leadership Institute — a two-year program designed by The Ensemble Practice and Fidelity Custody and Clearing to develop the independent financial advice industry’s next generation of leaders.
Lise earned both a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Fairfield University.
Outside the office, Lise serves as an active member of the Milford Rotary Club, and is a frequent volunteer for various local community and school activities and fund raisers. When not occupied by her professional and community commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family. Lise and her three children live in Milford, CT.
With over 25 years of marketing and sales experience, Matt plays an essential role in the firm’s growth and evolution as Head of Business Development. His responsibilities include identifying and connecting the firm with potential new business opportunities, starting a dialogue with prospective clients, communicating to them the firm’s unique capabilities, expertise and solutions — and then cultivating those relationships on an ongoing basis.
In addition, Matt works with the firm’s institutional clients, helping them structure and deliver the optimum retirement plans for their employees.
Prior to his position at TrinityPoint Wealth, Matt spent seven years as a regional Retirement Services Representative with Paychex Inc., where he assisted clients with all aspects of their defined contribution plans — from plan design and costs to investment alternatives and fiduciary responsibility.
A former City Councilman and School Board Chairman in Danbury, Matt currently serves on the board of directors of the Danbury War Memorial. He resides in Brookfield, CT with his wife, Gwen, and their two children.
A Partner and Senior Director, Jana plays an indispensable role in overseeing office management and ensuring a high level of client service at TrinityPoint Wealth. She brings over 20 years of experience in operations and sales support, as well as a long family history of working in the financial services industry, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, mother and sister. Jana has been working with TrinityPoint Wealth’s CEO, Jim Betzig, since 2000 and has developed wonderful, long-standing relationships with many of the firm’s clients whom she has served for years.
To say that Jana is the firm’s go-to person for everything in operations is an understatement. She manages, coordinates and monitors operations for all the firm’s private clients. Jana also oversees staff workflow, assists in developing and implementing the firm’s policies and procedures, takes the lead in transitioning new advisors or firms onto the TrinityPoint Wealth platform and is responsible for maintaining custodial relationships within the firm.
Prior to this position, Jana was Senior Director of Private Client Services at Beirne Wealth Consulting for six years. Before that, she spent 14 years as Senior Registered Client Associate and Office Manager at Merrill Lynch. She attended Central Connecticut State University.
Jana lives in Cromwell, Connecticut with her husband, Josh, and their son and daughter.
In his role as Investment Officer, Eric’s responsibilities include providing key research and input for the construction of client portfolios at TrinityPoint Wealth. He also oversees manager due diligence at the firm.
Prior to this position, Eric was a Research Analyst at Beirne Wealth Consulting for six years. He began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he was as a Financial Advisor from 1986-2012.
As a student of economics, Eric was drawn to investment theory and portfolio management at Fairfield University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1986. After graduating, he obtained the necessary securities licenses, became a Financial Advisor and has worked in the financial services industry ever since.
Eric holds the series 65 Securities license and is a licensed agent for life and health insurance.
When he is not at the office, Eric enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Joanne, and their two children in Trumbull, CT.
As Chief Compliance Officer, Jerilyn plays a critical role at TrinityPoint Wealth. She sees to it that the financial industry’s rules and regulations, which are designed to protect client interests, are adhered to by the firm and its employees.
Prior to this position, Jerilyn spent six years at Beirne Wealth Consulting as Compliance Manager and Human Resources Director, and nearly 16 years at Evaluation Associates/Mercer Investment Consulting, where she served as an Associate Consultant.
Jerilyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Actuarial Mathematics from Bryant College and a MBA in Finance from Sacred Heart University.
Outside of work, Jerilyn is on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Milford and has been an active member of the Joseph A. Foran High School Sports Booster Club since 2014, currently serving as the organization’s Treasurer since 2015. Jerilyn lives in Milford, CT with her husband, Michael, and their two sons.
As a Client Associate, Cindy plays a vital role in helping to provide an optimal client experience, striving every day to deliver the most efficient and effective back office support to meet each client’s specific needs.
Cindy takes care of everything from daily administrative duties, such as account opening, check requests, asset transfers and deposits to supporting the firm’s compliance efforts, such as monitoring firm and advisor requirements for licensing and continuing education — whatever advisors need to support their clients.
Cindy previously worked at Beirne Wealth Consulting as a Client Associate for 4½ years, and at Merit Capital Associates, now Source Capital Group, for 18 years, where she served as a Registration and Licensing Specialist and Assistant to the Compliance Officer.
When she’s not working, Cindy enjoys exercising, animals, the beach and outdoor activities, as well as spending time with family and friends.
In her role as Paraplanner, Michele is essential to facilitating services that support clients’ financial planning needs. Michele plays an integral part in supporting the firm’s financial advisors and the financial planning process by conducting client research, preparing financial analyses and reports as well as providing ongoing communications and support in order to deliver the ultimate client experience. Michele’s strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail make her an invaluable member of the team..
Michele previously worked at Beirne Wealth Consulting as an Associate for two years, and at GE Credit Union as a Member Services Representative.
Michele earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from The University of Connecticut, where she achieved academic distinction as a member of the dean’s list.
A resident of Milford, CT, in her leisure time, Michele enjoys international travel, reading, cheering on the New York Mets and Rangers and spending time with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Tucker.
As a Client Associate that brings many years of experience, Jennifer works with the entire team to coordinate all client service activities with a focus on delivering the ultimate client experience. This position is critical to building client advocacy and ensuring continued profitability of the practice through identifying organic growth and referral opportunities.
Jennifer Tavella started her career in the financial services industry as a Sales Assistant with Morgan Stanley in New Haven, CT in 2000. Jen holds the Series 7 & 63 securities licenses, and is a Notary Public.
Prior to joining TrinityPoint Wealth, Jen was a Client Relationship Manager with Essex Financial in Essex, CT for nine years.
A resident of West Haven, CT, in her down time, Jen enjoys exercising, all sports especially the New York Jets and Yankees, getting together with friends and spending time with her husband, Jeff, and their two children. She also enjoys volunteering and fundraising for various charities and organizations within West Haven including hosting an annual golf tournament for The Michael Burke Foundation.
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Christopher J. Macca AWMA®
Client Associate
As a Client Associate, Chris provides invaluable support for all areas of client services including meeting preparation, account related processing, and client communication. Always a pleasure to work with, Chris assists the entire TrinityPoint team in all areas of operations, including services for our private clients and our Defined Contribution Plan Sponsors and Participants. Chris also participates in our Investment Committee meetings and assists with investment research and statistical tracking.
Before joining Trinity Point Wealth, Chris worked at Northwestern Mutual assisting one of their private client teams.
Chris holds his Series 63 license, as well as CT Life and Health Insurance licenses and the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor SM – AWMA® designation.
Chris graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.
Outside of work, Chris is a passionate chef who love’s passing time in the kitchen, trying new recipes with family and friends over a good bottle of wine.
As a Client Associate, Mallory supports clients by facilitating various administrative duties such as account openings, transfers, as well as distribution requests. Additionally, she assists with compiling data for quarterly reporting and billing. She is a self-proclaimed ‘Excel nerd’ and loves to organize and compile data in spreadsheets.
Mallory graduated Magna Cum Laude from N.C. State University in 2009 with a degree in Business Management. Prior to joining TrinityPoint Wealth, she served in operational and administrate support roles for Capital Advisers, Inc. and Penland Legacy Advisors.
A resident of Gastonia, NC, Mallory enjoys investing her time and energy back into the community and currently volunteers as a Mentor at WA Bess Elementary School as well as serving on the Children’s Committee and volunteering with the Youth Group at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoys being outside, tending to her garden, and spending time with her husband, three young sons, and their dog, Tilly.
