Connie Walsh Toler

First Step Wealth Planning is a firm that serves people seeking guidance on retiring with financial and emotional confidence. Our clients are nearing or already retired, looking for advice on retirement income, tax planning, and investments, and typically have accumulated over $1.5 million. The traditional method of retirement planning is broken. It's about facts and figures as a means to sell products. A traditional firm's business model relies on managing investments for a percentage fee, and they dedicate their time and resources to convincing you that their investment opinions are superior to those of other firms. After over 20 years of working for those firms, I broke away and started First Step Wealth Planning to provide people with the guidance they seek without feeling pressured to purchase investment and insurance products. Guided Planning is a method that helps people clarify their emotional goals and align them with their money. It’s a way to help people figure out for themselves what really matters to them and how money will play a role in those relationships. By the end of the process, they feel confident that their plan accurately reflects who they are, what they want to do, and why. They are clear on their goals, the reasons behind them, and what they need to do to move forward. Guided Planning aligns all aspects of your wealth with how you want to spend your time in retirement and is offered at a flat rate. Half up front, the rest at completion. Implementation of the plan and ongoing guidance include tax planning, investment management, income maximization, and wealth transfer planning. All provided for a flat monthly rate. If this sounds like the type of relationship you would like to have with a financial planner, visit the website to set up a complimentary consultation to see how Guided Planning may be a good fit for you.

James Lee is the founder and President of Lee Investment Management. James began his career with Federal Filings, Inc., a Washington DC-based financial news and research firm. James researched and analyzed legislation and regulations coming out of the nation’s capital and informed institutional investors on their impact on individual companies and industries. James helped to build the privately-held company and was a shareholder when it was acquired by Dow Jones Inc. James started Lee Investment Management in 1998 to provide clients with independent financial planning and investment advice. He now serves the needs of individuals, families, businesses and retirement plans. James earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. He has taken post-baccalaureate coursework in the areas of Retirement Planning, Investments, Insurance, Employee Benefits, Tax Planning and Estate Planning. James is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. James believes strongly in the value of the financial planning process and has given back to the profession by actively participating in the activities of the Financial Planning Association®. James currently serves as Past President of the national board of directors of the Financial Planning Association®, the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals and those who support the financial planning process. James is also a member of The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only Financial Advisors. In addition to his work with the FPA, James has volunteered for a number of charities and boards. He has served on the on the Board of Directors of The Prevention Council, Saratoga Arts, and the Saratoga Youth Lacrosse Association. James is also the Administrator of the Town of Greenfield, NY’s Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund. He has previously served on Greenfield’s Planning Board and Board of Assessment Review. Barron's has named James one of "10 People to Watch in Wealth Management" in 2023. The Saratogian Newspaper has named James one of “Forty under 40” and a “Person Who’ll Make a Difference.” James is also a graduate of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership program. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, skiing and relaxing on beautiful Lake George.

Erin Santspree is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 18 years of experience in the finance and banking industry. She works closely with families and businesses to provide financial guidance tailored to their unique goals. Erin's advisory practice includes a focus on impact investing, aiming to generate both financial returns and positive social and environmental outcomes. She is also a frequent guest speaker on this topic at business and institutional events. Erin earned her B.A. from Union College and her M.B.A. from Union Graduate College, both located in Schenectady, NY. She holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is proficient in both English and Spanish. As a lifelong resident of Saratoga County, NY, Erin has a strong connection to the community and finds working with local families, businesses, and institutions rewarding. Her community involvement includes participation with the Children's Museum at Saratoga, Saratoga Springs School District, Soroptomist International of Saratoga County, and Sustainable Saratoga. Outside of her professional life, Erin enjoys boating, camping, cooking, hiking, ice hockey, music, reading, and spending time with her family.

Eric Williams is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been serving clients and their families for more than a decade, beginning his career in wealth management at Ayco Company, L.P., a Goldman Sachs company, in 2005 before joining Merrill Lynch in 2017. Eric holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation awarded by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc., and is also a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Siena College. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, and retirement income planning. Residing in Ballston Lake, New York, Eric lives with his wife, Angela, and their three children, including twins. He is a parishioner at St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park. Eric enjoys biking, football, golfing, traveling, and following Siena College basketball, New York Giants football, and horse racing.