Michael Ferranti

Welcome! I’m Brett, and I’m glad you’re here. I’m a proud born and raised Buffalonian passionate about helping others make the most of their money and their lives as they navigate the transition into retirement. In 2019, I founded Eudaimonia Wealth; a fee-only financial planning firm in Buffalo, NY dedicated to helping local families retire on their terms by providing independent, objective advice. At Eudaimonia Wealth, we realize we can’t be all things to all people and don’t pretend to be. We specialize in helping people who are at or near retirement and need help putting the pieces together. We partner with families to help them generate income from their savings, optimize their investments, and create a tax-efficient distribution plan that supports their needs. Eudaimonia (pronounced you-day-mo-nia) is a term from Greek philosophy used to describe an ultimate state that could be achieved by living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. It was considered to be a state of “peak performance in the art of living,” and represents to the core what I believe real financial planning is all about.

I am so glad you are here! My name is Jeff Arber, the founder of Triple Play Planning. I am a lifelong Western New Yorker with a knack for helping people organize and plan out their complex financial life. Money was always important to me. While I can’t quite pinpoint why, I knew that when I grew up, I didn’t want money (or lack thereof) to be a problem. About 15 years ago, I decided to investigate a career switch to financial services. Those years of experience through the various channels of financial advisement has led me to this point. I am very excited to introduce you to the type of firm I have always wanted to create. What I hear most often from clients I work with is that they are happy they have someone to help guide them to through the gradually increasing complexity of their financial lives. Several of us set up our 401k’s one time and forget about it. Set up a 529 plan when the kids were born, but haven’t looked at it since? Should I consider a Roth contribution over a 529 plan? What are the tax consequences of these decisions? Restricted stock options, what are those? These are all the things we talk over and help you navigate. Of all the things in my life, my family is the most important. I am the proud husband of an awesome wife, Brooke, and the proud Dad of Nolan and Everett. Brooke and I came from different money philosophies. We have worked hard to find a common ground and have a system that works for us both. Nolan is headed to college soon, and Everett will be there soon enough as well. If any of these things resonate with you, let’s chat about it. I am always happy to pass on my life experiences and learnings to help you get on track.

I founded Capital Insights Group of WNY, an independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm offering fee-only financial planning and investment management, located in downtown Buffalo, NY. I act as a fiduciary for all of my clients and provide financial guidance that is unique to their needs and situation. Please contact me at chris@cigwny.com or (716) 517-0140 to arrange for a complimentary one-hour meeting to discuss your goals and circumstances.

Blake Dougherty is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Williamsville, New York. Since joining the firm in 2015, he has focused on understanding the priorities of individuals, families, and businesses to provide personalized attention and customized investment management strategies. Blake leverages the investment capabilities of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management alongside the banking resources of Bank of America to support clients in addressing various aspects of their financial lives. Blake works closely with clients to identify key goals such as education funding, tax minimization, retirement planning, and wealth preservation. His expertise encompasses corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management, liquidity management, and retirement income strategies, among other areas. His approach involves crafting disciplined strategies aimed at helping clients build, manage, and preserve wealth for current and future generations. Blake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he also played Division I Ice Hockey for four years. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional life, Blake enjoys football, golfing, ice hockey, watching movies, and practicing yoga.

Martin Zaklikowski is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 35 years of experience in financial and wealth management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 1995, he has specialized in advanced investment strategies, retirement planning, and estate planning. His approach emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of client needs to develop tailored wealth management strategies. He holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and Political Science from Canisius College and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant, a designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Martin is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He has also served on the boards of Hopevale, Inc., St. Francis High School, and the Frontier Community Education Advisory Committee. Outside of his professional work, Martin enjoys gardening, music, and spending time with his wife Rebecca and their two children, Adam and Lauren.

Lucas Mann is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, individuals, and businesses to implement financial plans aimed at achieving both their long- and short-term goals. Lucas focuses on family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and retirement income, leveraging resources from Merrill Lynch and Bank of America to provide personalized wealth management solutions. He holds several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Lucas earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University at Buffalo. Outside of his professional work, Lucas enjoys golfing, tennis, and traveling. He emphasizes a collaborative approach, working one-on-one with clients to develop financial strategies tailored to their individual goals.