Santino Funaro

I help small business owners & pre-retirees navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. My goal is to provide comprehensive, personalized guidance that empowers clients to make smart choices around taxes, retirement, investments, charitable giving, estate planning, and business transitions. My approach is fee-only and education-driven. Clients can work with me through a transparent subscription-based planning model or, when appropriate, traditional investment management. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—my work is tailored to each client’s income, assets, and life goals. I specialize in helping clients who are in major financial transitions, such as preparing for retirement within 10 years, selling a business, or managing complex taxable accounts. I also work with high-income DIY investors and first-generation wealth builders who want objective advice without the conflicts of interest that come with traditional asset management. What sets me apart is my ability to combine technical expertise with behavioral insight. I help clients uncover the underlying habits and beliefs that may be holding them back, then design strategies to optimize lifetime taxes, plan charitable giving, implement Roth conversion strategies, and build comprehensive estate plans from scratch. I enjoy working with clients who value clarity, long-term planning, and a collaborative partnership. My goal is not to sell products but to provide actionable guidance that gives clients confidence in their financial decisions today and peace of mind for the future. Whether you are a solopreneur, business owner, educator, or high-earning professional, I tailor my services to meet your unique needs and help you achieve financial goals on your terms.

Joseph Mariani serves as Senior Resident Director and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in capital preservation and growth strategies, including wealth management services, asset allocation, investment selection, options and hedging, income tax minimization, and asset management utilizing global top managers. His client focus areas encompass divorce transition planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and small business strategies. Mr. Mariani graduated from Providence College in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Following his education, he embarked on a career as a Naval Aviator, flying two different carrier-based aircraft before transitioning to wealth management. In 2007, he earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation from the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. He also holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Mr. Mariani has been recognized by Forbes in their "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in multiple years and as a member of the McBride Mariani Group on the "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Beyond his professional pursuits, Joseph Mariani resides in Waterford, Connecticut with his wife and two sons. He is a member of the VFW and American Legion and contributes to his community through involvement with Waterford American Legion Baseball and serving on the Mitchell College Board of Trustees. His personal interests include baseball, cooking, and skiing.

Jeffrey Fazio is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in 1989 and joined Merrill Lynch in 1994. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from New York University and holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). With over 25 years of experience, Jeffrey focuses on providing proactive advice and guidance in areas such as professional investment management, liability structuring, philanthropic planning, trust and estate strategies, education planning, family wealth management strategies, and managing new wealth. He designs integrated wealth planning initiatives tailored to clients’ investment preferences, time frames, cash-flow needs, and life priorities. Jeffrey and his wife live in Brooklyn, NY, where they raised their two daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys sailing on Fisher’s Island Sound, playing bass guitar in a cover band in New York City, boating, golfing, music, and traveling.

Richard Sullivan is a Wealth Management Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been serving clients since joining Merrill as a financial advisor in 1989. With 36 years of experience in the financial services industry, Richard and his team specialize in wealth management planning for entrepreneurs, business owners, and high net-worth families. Richard is a qualified Portfolio Manager who provides traditional investment advice and guidance, as well as develops and manages personalized investment strategies that may include individual stocks, bonds, and third-party managers. His professional designations include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Connecticut College. In addition to his professional work, Richard has been actively involved in his community, having served as Past President of the Old Saybrook Rotary Club. He emphasizes working one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals.