Our Team

Joshua Gottfried, CFP®, CDFA, AIF®, is a founder and principal of Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC, an independent investment and financial services firm.

Josh helps affluent clients transition into retirement. While helping clients over the past 20 years, he has earned advanced credentials to further his expertise and holds CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designations.

Throughout his career, his insights about investing and retirement planning have been published and quoted in The New York Times, Morningstar, Financial Planning Magazine, Investment Advisor Magazine, and other industry publications. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Asset Management at Yale.

Josh has been recognized by a number of organizations over the past 20 years, most recently:

Honored by Forbes as an elite advisor for the fifth year in a row on the 2023 Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List. This award created by SHOOK Research and presented in April 2023 is based on data gathered from June 2021 to June 2022. 22,243 were considered, 7,321 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.

Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine by Crescendo Business Services every year since 2012. 2012-2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2022 award was presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Josh is proud to have been recognized as a Commonwealth Chairman's Level advisor for 2021—a distinction based on annual production attained by just 4 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Josh lives in the west end of Hartford with his wife and three children. He is an avid outdoorsman and reader of 19th- and 20th- century history.

Before co-founding GSWM, Josh graduated from Muhlenberg College and The Loomis Chaffee School.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Ranked by Barron's as one of the Top 100 Independent Advisors in the country, Matthew Somberg is co-founder and Principal of Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC, an independent investment and financial services firm that provides sophisticated wealth planning and investment management strategies to individuals and small institutions.

Since 2000, Matthew has worked with a wide variety of affluent clientele and their families, including physicians, business owners, educators, and serious investors.

Matthew divides his professional time between taking care of a small group of clients, working closely with his clients' estate planning attorneys and accountants, and leading a team of advisors within the firm.

Awards:

• In 2022 Matthew was honored by Barron's named a Top 100 Independent Advisor for the second year in a row.

2021-2022 Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors, created by Barron's.  The 2022 award was presented in Sept 2022 from data gathered from June 2021 to June 2022. 514 Advisors were considered, 100 Advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for most recent award information.

• In 2023 Matthew was honored by Barron’s as an elite advisor for the sixth year in a row on the Barron’s list of America’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors for 2023, Matthew was named #6 of thirty six Wealth Advisors in Connecticut and #2 in the Greater Hartford area.

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2018-2023 Barron's Top 1200 Advisors, created by Barron's. The 2023 award was presented in March 2023 based on data gathered from Sept 2021 to Sept 2022. 5,630 Advisors were considered, 1200 Advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For most recent award information visit https://www.barrons.com/advisor/report/top-financial-advisors/1000

• In 2023 Matthew was honored by Forbes as an elite advisor for the sixth year in a row on the Forbes’  Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2023.  

2018-2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research.  The 2023 award was presented in April 2023 based on data gathered from June 2021 to June 2022.  22,243 Advisors were considered, 7,321 advisors were recognized.  Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.  Click here for more award information.

• A Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine by Crescendo Business Services (2012-present).

2012-2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional.  The 2022 award was presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com

• The Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers list (2020, 2019, 2017, 2016)

2016-2020 Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers, Created by Ignites Research. The 2020 award was presented in Oct 2020 for the past 12 months. 940 Advisors were considered, 400 Advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.

• Matthew Somberg is proud to have been recognized as a Chairman's Level advisor for 2019 (2010-present)—a distinction based on annual production attained by just 3 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
  
  Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Chairman's Level advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Chairman's Level advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.

Matthew holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation. He maintains client relationships and registrations to practice and serve clients in many states throughout the country.

Education:

Matthew is an honors graduate of Brandeis University, with degrees in both economics and history. He is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society, and his writings on the effects of North American Free Trade Agreement have been published.

Community Service: 

• Board Member of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) Foundation
• Chair of the Investment Committee of Connecticut Children's Medical Center
• Former Treasurer and Board Member of Kol Haverim Synagogue
• Finance Committee Shelter Harbor Golf Club

Personal:

He is a devoted husband to his wife, Amy, and father to his three kids, Ella, Eli and Cooper. They reside in South Glastonbury, CT.

He is a registered representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer.

Kevin Blain joined Gottfried & Somberg in February 2022 as a Senior Financial Planning Analyst. With over ten years in the investment and banking industry, Kevin brings additional experience to our team in portfolio management, financial planning, and client service.

Kevin graduated from Central Connecticut State University’s School of Business, holds FINRA series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network and a State of Connecticut insurance license.

Kevin and his wife live in Southington, CT. When not in the office, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, performing music, cooking, and traveling with his wife, Chrisma Joyce.

Steven Draczynski, AIF^® is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary who joined Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC, in June 2018 as a Wealth Advisor. Steve has over 20 years of experience in financial services, including 15 years as a Financial Consultant for Fidelity Investments.

As a Wealth Advisor Steve provides retirement income planning and investment guidance to help clients with current and future financial goals. This entails walking clients through a thorough process to make sure they are well educated and aware of the key risks they can face leading up to and in retirement.

Steve holds several professional registrations including FINRA Series 7, 63 and 66.  In addition, he is insurance licensed in life insurance, variable life and annuities.  Steve is a proud graduate from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree.

Steve has been recognized as a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine by Crescendo Business Services for the past three yeasr.  2020-2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2022 award was presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Steve was born and raised in Harwinton, CT and now resides in Ashford.  He and his wife Tiffany have two daughters, Ava and Taylor.  In his spare time Steve enjoys working around the house, skiing and traveling with his family.

He is passionate about several charities and foundation including the 22q Family Foundation, American Childhood Cancer Organization, St. Jude, and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Mike has been working in digital media and marketing for over eight years. He is passionate about helping Gottfried and Somberg achieve their goals and believes a solid strategic marketing plan can make a real difference in the firm's overall success.

He is a data-driven, results-oriented, and self-motivated marketing manager with a proven track record of developing and implementing unique marketing plans to reach and exceed the overal goals and KPIs. Mike uses an omnichannel marketing strategy and leverages data and consumer insight to build the optimum marketing plan for Gottfried and Somberg. 

Mike graduated from Boston University and currently resides in Southington, CT.  When not working he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and of course the occasional round of golf. 

Rita Ferreri joined Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC in June 2021 as a Private Wealth Relationship Manager.

Rita began her career in the Financial Services Industry in 1995 after graduating from Suffolk University in Boston with a Bachelor Degree in Finance.  She has over 20 years of experience in Life Insurance and Financial Planning.  Rita held many operational positions over the years at Cigna, Lincoln Life Financial Group and ClearGuidance Financial.  Her previous roles included Sr. Compensation Consultant, Team Leader, Representative Support of IT and a Client Relationship Liaison.  In her current role as Private Wealth Relationship Manager, Rita will assist clients with new accounts, transfers, cashiering, and scheduling. Rita is a notary public.

Rita resides in Southington with her husband, Joe, their 3 wonderful children Bianca, Mario and Isabella and their Golden Retriever “Munson”.

In her free time, Rita and her husband enjoys watching their children in their many sporting activities - Rugby, Football, Basketball and Baseball.  They also love spending family time in Narragansett, RI during the summer and fall months.

Dan Heffernan, AIF^®, RICP^® is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and Retirement Income Certified Professional® who joined Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC, in May 2006.  Dan graduated with honors from Northeastern University, where he earned his bachelor's degree.

As an experienced financial professional, Dan vicariously retires dozens of times a year—taking clients’ retirement personally and helping them pursue the financial goals they’ve invested in for decades.

Specializing in income planning and investment analysis, Dan has a unique blend of interpersonal skills and financial planning abilities.  His work brings together several aspects of asset management and retirement income planning into a cohesive financial plan, providing clients with a single, unified course of big-picture action all in one place.

Dan holds numerous professional certifications and registrations, including FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®, and his Connecticut life and health insurance licenses. Dan is a Registered Representative of Commonwealth, member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer.

Dan has been recognized as a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine by Crescendo Business Services for the past nine years. 2014-2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2022 award was presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Dan currently resides in Wethersfield with his wife Tiare and dog Stewart.

Since 2017
The educational, ethical, and experience requirements established by the Board of Trustees of The American College of Financial Services have been satisfied. The right to use the RICP^® designation is contingent on adherence to the ethics, Continuing Education and other requirements of The College’s Professional Recertification Program and requires ongoing recertification.

As a Paraplanner, Casey serves as an instrumental member of our team by providing outstanding financial planning and wealth management research to support our advisors. She has over fourteen years of experience in the Financial Services industry, specializing in client operations and behind-the-scenes processes.

Casey is a graduate of Emory University and the University of Connecticut, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in accounting. Casey holds her CFP certification® and FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations.

In her spare time, Casey loves to cross stitch and travel throughout the US. She is heavily involved in PFLAG Sandy Springs, a non-profit that provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people and their friends and families in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and currently resides in Alpharetta, Georgia.  

Sylvia joined Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC in August 2021 as a Private Wealth Relationship Manager.

Sylvia has 10 years' experience in banking, insurance and wealth management.  She's held many operational roles including Branch Management, Claims, and Director of Client Relations at Webster Bank, The Hartford and other firms.

She supports Wealth Advisors Daniel Heffernan, Jacob Alonzo and Kathleen Erickson, and is responsible for their clients’ new accounts, cashiering, servicing and scheduling. 

Sylvia graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Communications.

She resides in Bolton, CT with her husband, Silvio (yes, really!), and their daughters, Adriana, Amalia and Alana. Sylvia enjoys cooking, discovering new foods, travel & culture, and family.

Jim has over 20 years of investment and financial planning experience and is a CFA^® Charterholder and a CFP^® Practitioner. He has worked as an equity analyst for a hedge fund, a wealth manager at a national financial planning firm, a portfolio manager at a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm, and owned his own RIA firm, Peak Point Capital Management, LLC.  Jim merged Peak Point with Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC in December 2018.
 

Jim has been recognized as a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine by Crescendo Business Services for the past three years.  2020-2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2022 award was presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Jim’s most important role is as a husband and father of four. He has three teenage children and one precocious five-year-old. He is active in his community and serves as president of CFA Society Hartford. He also chairs the investment committees for two charitable advisory boards.

For recreation, Jim enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, skiing, running, and especially mountain climbing. He has many Adirondack and White Mountain peaks under his belt (over 30), and his dream is to become an Adirondack 46er (by ascending all 46 Adirondack peaks above 4,000 feet) and to climb Mt. McKinley.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Ryan Olschefskie, AIF^®, RICP^®, joined Gottfried and Somberg Wealth Management, LLC, in September 2015. Ryan is an  Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP^®) with more than 24 years of experience in financial services, including 16 years as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity.

Ryan works very closely with his clients in reviewing their current and long-term investment and financial needs. He keeps consistent and timely communication with his clients to make sure they are informed of any investment or portfolio updates. As an RICP^® designee he specializes in retirement income planning, and walks his clients through the process to ensure they understand and address all potential risks that may arise in retirement.

Ryan has been recognized as a 2022 Five Star Professional Wealth Manager in Connecticut Magazine Business Services. 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. Presented in Nov 2022 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, 290 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Ryan holds numerous professional financial registrations, including FINRA Series 6, 63, 66, 7, and 9/10 (held through Commonwealth Financial Network^®) and is insurance-licensed in life insurance, variable life, and annuities. He graduated from Central CT State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Ryan was born and raised in Manchester, CT, and now resides in Glastonbury. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Kate, and father to their two children, Avery and Spencer. He has supported various charities and foundations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Team in Training, Special Olympics Connecticut, and the American Cancer Society. He is an avid runner and likes to golf, but, most important, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Since 2018
The educational, ethical, and experience requirements established by the Board of Trustees of The American College of Financial Services have been satisfied. The right to use the RICP^® designation is contingent on adherence to the ethics, Continuing Education and other requirements of The College’s Professional Recertification Program and requires ongoing recertification.

Stephanie joined Gottfried & Somberg Wealth Management, LLC in January 2022 as a Wealth Management Receptionist. Stephanie is imperative to our client experience as the first point of contact for clients and visitors.

Stephanie values building lasting relationships and seeks to provide the highest level of professionalism and care to everyone who walks through the door. In addition to building relationships, Stephanie performs administrative services relating to client communication, support tasks, and special projects.

Stephanie is a native of Granby, MA and currently resides in Enfield, CT. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her new grandson Quinn. Stephanie loves creating writing and inspires to complete her first book.

Nancy Stillman joined Gottfried and Somberg Wealth Management as a Senior Financial Planning Analyst in June 2022.  She has over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry with a strong background in operations.  Nancy was the Director of Operations with ING Financial Partners before transitioning to a Senior Operational Risk Analyst with ING’s Operational Risk Management team.  She was the Office and Operations Manager for ClearGuidance Financial for 6 years and a Client Relationship Manager with Essex Financial Services. 

Nancy graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science and holds the Series 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 licenses.

Nancy lives in Ellington with her son Ian.  When not watching Ian play lacrosse or drum in the high school band, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.  Nancy owns an artisan gift shop in Granby CT specializing in local artisans.  She is also a certified EMT and volunteers with the CT Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) counseling first responders