Apella’s West Hartford team offers an extensive range of planning and investment management services for every type of investor, from high-net worth families with complex tax management and estate planning needs to the young professional just starting to plan their financial future. No matter what type of planning assistance you require, we’ll create a customized, comprehensive wealth management plan designed around your unique goals.
Our advice is objective, and our investment management strategies translate cutting-edge academic research into sophisticated portfolios that are focused on helping all clients achieve their personal goals. Wee seek to build tight knit, long-term relationships based on trust, and work closely together to help you make informed decisions that will keep you on track for the long term.
We’ll help you anticipate and prepare for life’s biggest financial hurdles, so you can worry less about the future and focus more on enjoying today. Whether it’s determining the best college savings approach for you and your family, developing a strategy to maximize your income in retirement, or establishing a legacy for future generations, we’ll develop a road map designed to get you where you want to go.
Our clients have access to a team of professionals and specialists who are dedicated to helping you achieve what matters to you most. We’re committed to putting our collective knowledge and experience to work on your behalf.
Services
- Comprehensive financial planning
- Making sure your portfolio supports your long-term goals through investment management
- Protecting your family, yourself, your assets and your business through insurance
- Helping families plan and prepare for educating children and grandchildren
- Helping business owners protect their business, provide benefits to employees, or buy or sell a business
- Making sure you have money to pay for the unexpected as well as a regular income in retirement through cash and income planning
- Helping you leave a legacy for your loved ones and your preferred charities through estate planning
- Working closely with your other financial professionals, including your CPA and Estate Attorney, to ensure an efficient and coordinated approach
Financial Advisors
Jason Gentile, CFP®
Jason Gentile is the Director of Financial Planning for Apella Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner. Over the last 20 years he has spent most of his time helping people reimagine their financial futures. In his time in this industry, he has watched too many individuals struggle with the complexity of planning and investing. His time is spent trying to simplify complex financial challenges, unclutter people’s financial lives and provide a clear path to achieving goals that may seem out of reach. He wants to answer the only question that matters – “am I going to be ok.” When Jason is not at work he mostly chauffeurs his children to various sporting events and complains about the Red Sox.
Peter Leppones, CFP®
Peter Leppones, CFP® has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in financial planning and financial protection solutions. Mr. Leppones joined Apella in 2016 and holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification. Previously, he was employed by Life Plans of New England/GBS as an Area Vice President where he served as a key resource for their marketing initiatives and client on-boarding. He also has experience with product selection and case design, as well as substandard underwriting. Mr. Leppones has volunteered his time with a variety of local organizations, including Cub Scouts, Southington Youth Lacrosse, and Bread for Life, a local soup kitchen. He holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Central Connecticut State University and currently resides in Southington, CT with his two kids.
Shawn O'Sullivan
Since 2017, Shawn O’Sullivan has been working with Apella Wealth's clients to help them achieve their long-term goals. In his role as Financial Advisor, Mr. O’Sullivan utilizes his experience, as well as Apella’s deep bench of resources to bring a high level of service and expertise to our clients. Additionally, Mr. O’Sullivan oversees Apella’s Portfolio Analyst Team and is a member of the firm’s investment committee. Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, Mr. O’Sullivan held roles in client service, portfolio management and operations leadership. Mr. O’Sullivan graduated from the University of Connecticut with a major in Economics and currently resides in Cheshire, CT.
Support Team
Alexandra Coady
Alexandra Coady works as a client relationship specialist for Jason Gentiles team. She is a recent graduate of Central Connecticut State University where she obtained a degree in Biochemistry. Prior to joining the Apella team in 2023, Alex was employed by RBC Wealth management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and going to the beach.
Veky Lawrence
As an Account Services Specialist Veky Lawrence provides support to Apella Wealth's Financial Advisors and Client Relationship Specialists. Veky has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry from financial start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. In addition to providing product and operational support Veky fosters a passion for client success and prioritizes customers financial goals. Veky was born in Ecuador and currently resides in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Alicia Karsky
Alicia Karsky provides client relationship support to the Apella Wealth financial advisors. She has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining Apella in 2022, Alicia was employed by RBC Wealth Management. Alicia holds a B.A. in Psychology from Central CT State University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading and biking. Alicia resides in Connecticut.
Paraplanners
Matthew Gallagher
As Manager of Financial Planning, Matt leads Apella’s team of paraplanners to assist financial advisors in creating thorough, comprehensive financial plans. Matt is also responsible for maintaining efficient planning processes, integrating new planning technologies into existing technology stack, and serves as a resource for advanced case consultation. Matt initially joined Apella Wealth in 2019 as a Portfolio Analyst and Paraplanner. Prior to Apella, he worked at Northwestern Mutual as a financial advisor specializing in life and disability insurance from 2017-2019.
Joseph Ferreira
Joseph Ferreira joined Apella Wealth in January of 2023 as a Paraplanner. Joseph works with financial advisors, along with their clients, to create and implement comprehensive financial plans to help ensure their long-term financial goals. Prior to Apella, Joseph was an intern within the Private Wealth Management division at Morgan Stanley and a student at Union College. Joseph graduated from Union with Cum Laude Honors as well as Departmental Honors in his major of Economics. While at Union, Joseph was a member of their football team, in which he became one of six student-athletes throughout Union’s history to earn three College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Honors for outstanding work in the classroom and on the field.
Raylynn Branes
Raylynn Branes joined Apella Wealth in 2022 as a Paraplanner after graduating from The Douglas Honors College at Central Washington University in 2019. She was one of the first students in the nation to graduate from a university offering a degree in Financial Planning. Now living in Bellevue, Raylynn works alongside Apella Wealth Advisors with a focus on building comprehensive financial plans for clients with attention to tax, retirement, estate, and college planning to help them achieve their goals.
Kramer Croisant
Kramer Croisant began his career working for a few CPA firms preparing tax returns for individuals and small businesses. Kramer calls on his tax background and knowledge to help clients with potential value adding tax decisions and planning. Kramer graduated with honors from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a focus in accounting. He is currently working towards his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Kramer lives in central Oregon with his wife and son. Kramer’s wife, Cameron is a 1st grade teacher at a local elementary school. Outside of the office Kramer serves as the head baseball coach for a local high school. When time permits you can find Kramer fly fishing or golfing around central Oregon.
Helping Everyone, Everywhere
Explore our educational resources and services below