Daniel J. Friedman

CEO

860-679-5255
daniel@wmgna.com

Daniel is a Founding Partner and CEO of WMGNA, LLC, a Tax-Out Financial Solutions advisory firm headquartered in Farmington, CT, with an additional office in Boca Raton, FL.   His financial blog, “Don’t Know Don’t Care,” has been featured on NerdWallet’s “Advisor Voices” and has been nationally syndicated by over a dozen different media outlets.

Daniel has appeared in many publications, including The Hartford Courant, The Herald Press, The Bristol Press, and West Hartford News. He is often interviewed on many local TV stations, including Fox CT 61. He characteristically delivers his opinions in an interesting and humorous manner and always has a fun and unique take. If you ask him, you will find out.

Daniel was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to West Hartford, Connecticut, with his family as an infant. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, in 1986, he moved back to Connecticut.

Daniel is active in the West Hartford community and has an affinity for education and sports. He is a big supporter of student-athletes, specifically those at the University of Hartford and Hall High, where he graduated in 1982.

Through Daniel’s work, WMGNA has developed an active relationship with the UHA baseball team. Together, the two organizations have raised thousands of dollars for the Miracle League of Connecticut. His love of baseball also extends to the Hartford Yard Goats. WMGNA always has a big turnout for their annual baseball game and picnic.

In addition to the baseball team, Daniel and WMGNA have a robust partnership with UHA’s Barney School of Business. WMGNA provides internships, hosts Corporate Day at the firm’s office, and participates in the college’s Spotlight sessions.

Daniel is also an active supporter of local government. He received an appointment in 2013 by Governor Dannel Malloy to serve on Connecticut’s State Insurance and Risk Management Board.

Daniel resides in West Hartford, CT, enjoying historical biographies, traveling, and spending time with his three (four) sons, Maxwell, Jordan, Shea, and Rumer, a 150-pound English Mastiff. Daniel firmly believes in the concept of a sound mind and sound body and works out daily at the gym he built in his garage—aptly named "Opponents." He is a member of Red Sox Nation and captains the WMGNA race team at the Blue Back Mitten Run.

Brian P. Beck, CPWA^®

President & CFO

561-666-3075
brian@wmgna.com

Brian P. Beck is a Founding Partner, President and CFO of WMGNA, LLC, a Tax-Out Financial Solutions firm specializing in tax optimization strategies with on-going financial planning to maximize their client's wealth.  WMGNA is headquartered in Farmington, CT, with an additional office in Boca Raton, FL.  

He is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor^®(CPWA), a designation offered through the Investments & Wealth Institute. The CPWA^® was created in partnership with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for financial advisors who have worked with high net worth individuals.

In 2010, Brian won the Hartford Business Journal's prestigious CFO of the Year Award for the Small Private Company category. He has been featured in various publications and news outlets, such as The Hartford Courant, the Hartford Business Journal, Parent Magazine, Fortune Small Business, and NBC Channel 30.

Born in Bloomfield, CT, Brian graduated from Bloomfield High School. He continues to give back to the school with the annual "Alan L. Beck Award," a scholarship presented to the top academic athlete.

After high school, Brian attended Emory University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a focus in marketing and finance. While at Emory, Brian revived and played on the school's baseball team, which had been defunct since 1950.

In 2008, Brian helped establish the Emory University Baseball Alumni Association, and today serves as a Board Member. He also supports the University of Hartford baseball team, has served on their Athletic Development Committee, and sponsors the annual "Alan L. Beck Award" for the top scholar baseball player.

Brian's love for sports can be seen on the walls of his offices, where he has an exclusive collection of sports memorabilia and autographs that where attained directly from the athletes themselves. The most unique of which is his Boston Celtic Ball Boy jersey, which he wore from 1979–1985, Michael Jordan's autograph from his rookie season, and appearance contracts drawn up by Brian's father for Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, and Don Mattingly. 

Brian currently resides in Delray Beach, FL, with his two daughters and wife, Noa.  Noa is a Radiologist specializing in women's imaging. "Over the last 25+ years it has been my pleasure working with so many interesting and wonderful people." – Brian Beck

Christopher J. Powers, AAMS^®

Wealth Advisor

860.679.5255
chris@wmgna.com

Christopher J. Powers is a Wealth Advisor of WMGNA, LLC, a Tax-Out Financial Solutions firm that specializes in tax optimization strategies with ongoing financial planning to maximize their client’s wealth.  WMGNA is headquartered in Farmington, CT, with an additional office in Boca Raton, FL.  

Chris successfully completed his AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Specialist) certificate from the College of Financial Planning. The AAMS enables Chris to identify opportunities not only in investments but also in the areas of insurance, taxes, and estate planning.

Before joining WMGNA, Chris started his career in January of 1995, working for Advest, Inc. for 10 years in their Hartford, CT office. In November of 2005, he moved to RBC Capital Markets, LLC Farmington, CT office, where he stayed until he joined WMGNA in December 2018.

Chris has always prided himself on developing long term relationships with his clients, helping them with every aspect of their financial needs.  The philosophy of combing tax optimization strategies with ongoing financial planning led him to make the move to WMGNA.

Chris grew up in Simsbury, CT, and graduated from Simsbury High School. After high school, he attended Bentley College, where he graduated with a degree in finance. He is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, and the New England Patriots and resides in West Hartford, CT, with his wife Heather, daughter Katie and dog Zoe.  

Darlene M. Galayda

Client Relations Manager

860.679.5255
darlene@wmgna.com

Darlene M. Galayda is a Client Relations Manager of WMGNA, LLC. The longest full-time tenured team member, she joined WMGNA back in 2005. Dalene provides concierge-level service to our clients, ensures the efficient flow of information within the firm, and has direct oversight of the client relations department.

 Before joining WMGNA, Darlene worked for 3 years as casualty representative processor at Allstate in Farmington, CT. Darlene grew up in Bristol, CT, and graduated from Bristol Central High School.  After high school, she attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she earned a B.S. in marketing.

 Darlene moved from CT in 2017 and works remotely in her home in Chester, SC. She lives with her husband, Eric, and their 9 dogs, 20 chickens, 2 roosters, 1 turkey, and their bee farm! Her stepson, Chase, is currently attending Springfield College in M.A., where he competes on the men’s gymnastics team. She spends her weekends training dogs for competition, is a certified beekeeper, enjoys working out, reading, and spending time relaxing with her family.

Ashley L. Bryers

Client Relations Manager

860.679.5255
ashley@wmgna.com

Ashley L. Bryers is a Client Relations Manager of WMGNA, LLC. The newest addition to the team, joining us in March 2020. She provides concierge-level service to our clients.

Before joining WMGNA, Ashley worked for the previous 11 years for another financial services firm, first as an administrative assistant and eventually working her way up to client relations manager.

Ashley grew up in Hartford, CT, and graduated from Bulkeley High School. After high school, she attended The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, where she earned her B.S in Business Management with an emphasis in accounting and completed her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Ashley resides in Hartford, CT, and enjoys boating, biking, swimming, cooking, and spending time with family and friends

Beth S. Martin

Director of First Impressions

860.679.5255
beth@wmgna.com

Beth is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. She has 12 years of experience in the managed healthcare industry, working in sales support, product training, and provider relations.

Beth joined WMGNA, LLC in February of 2012. As Director of First Impressions, she is responsible for providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all of our guests. She supports the company by preparing for meetings, answering general questions, planning events, maintaining an efficiently run office, and ensuring WMGNA clients receive exceptional service.

Immediately prior to joining WMGNA, Beth spent twelve years at home raising her three children. She resides in West Hartford, Connecticut with her husband, Rod, and her kids. She enjoys reading, hiking, biking, and spending time with her family.

Stacee D. Schnurr

Client Relations Manager

860.679.5255
stacee@wmgna.com

Stacee D. Schnurr is the head of H.R., Bookkeeping, and a Client Relations Manager (also a notary public) at WMGNA, LLC. She joined the team as a part-time bookkeeper in 2003.  She loves helping the team create a friendly work environment and provides concierge-level service to our clients.

Before joining WMGNA, she spent 10 years raising her 2 kids in Farmington, CT, and has seen them recently both move to the Washington, DC area.

Stacee is originally from Norwood, Massachusetts, and attended Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where she obtained a BS/BA in business. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, traveling, practicing and teaching yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Carrie C. Smith

Marketing & Media Relations Manager

860.679.5255
carrie@wmgna.com

Carrie C. Smith is the Marketing and Media Coordinator at WMGNA, LLC, where she joined the team in January of 2020.  She is responsible for WMGNA’s brand and having our message delivered to all our clients, media, corporate communications, and social media.  Before joining WMGNA, she worked for 20 years in the veterinary business as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

Carrie is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Miami University, where she received a B.A. majoring in sociology.  She resides in Simsbury, Connecticut, with her husband, Chris, and their 3 boys. When not working, Carrie enjoys rehabbing her old farmhouse, hiking with her 4 dogs, working with service dog organizations, and spending time with family and friends.

Jordan D. Friedman

Financial Technology Coordinator

860.679.5255
jordan@wmgna.com

Jordan D. Friedman is the Financial Technology Coordinator at WMGNA, LLC.  WMGNA has literally been in Jordan’s blood his whole life, as Brian is his godfather, and he is Daniel’s 2^nd son, born 4 months before WMGNA started in 1995! 

He is tasked with managing WMGNA’s app, personalized aggregation software, investment report, and assisting Dan, Brian, and Chris in WMGNA’s ongoing financial planning process.

His work experience was first as a college intern in the Spring of 2018; then, upon graduation, he started full time as our Financial Technology Coordinator, where he also runs the WMGNA intern program. 

Jordan grew up in West Hartford, CT, and graduated from Hall High School.  After high school, he attended the University of Connecticut’s School of Business and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Data Analytics. He currently resides in Avon, CT, where he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching the Red Sox, and playing golf.