Team

A Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter, Gerry received her designations from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. She joined the firm in 1981, and is President of First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. She has served as a board member of many civic and community organizations, including the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce (past president) and the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association. She has also served as a member of the RI Estate Planning Council and the RI Long-Term Care Coordinating Council. In addition to being an Investment Advisor Representative for First Financial Advisory Services, Inc., Gerry is a member of the Chairman’s Emeritus Council, a Registered Representative and a Designated Registered Principal with First Allied Securities, Inc., an independent securities broker/dealer. Gerry is also an independent insurance agent.

Matt earned the designations of Certified Wealth Strategist® Professional in 2008 and Certified Financial Planner® Professional in 2012. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Matt joined First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. in 2007 after a 16-year career as an environmental consultant specializing in risk management. He is an Investment Advisor Representative as well as Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer for First Financial Advisory Services, Inc., an independent Registered Investment Advisor.  Matt is also a Registered Representative with First Allied Securities, Inc., an independent securities broker/dealer.  He is a member of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce and the RI Estate Planning Council.  He serves on the board of the Colonial Theater of Westerly, and is a current member and past president of the Westerly Lions Club.

Pete, a Certified Wealth Strategist® Professional and Investment Advisor Representative of First Financial Advisory Services, joined the team in 2013. A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Maine and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he spent 26 years as a federal employee, supporting the United States submarine force as a design engineer and project leader. Because of that experience, Pete has a special interest in working with federal employees and the military.  He is a Registered Representative with First Allied Securities, Inc., an independent securities broker/dealer, and an independent insurance agent.  He is a registered tax return preparer and owner of RC Associates, a privately owned tax preparation service. He is currently pursuing the designation of Certified Financial Planner™.  Pete is a member of the Economic Development Committee of Stonington, Connecticut, a Trustee of the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park,  a Senior Fellow of the Severn Leadership Group, and past president of the Rotary Club of the Stoningtons. 

Betsy is a general securities registered representative, holding Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 and Series 63 Licenses. A graduate of the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Betsy joined First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. in 2006 as a Registered Sales Assistant. Betsy provides personalized client service relating to account inquiries and administrative issues

Jenifer, as Operations Manager, is responsible for opening and maintaining client accounts, providing personalized customer service, and managing daily operations of First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. Jenifer joined First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. in 2010, and has an Associate Degree in Accounting from the Community College of Rhode Island.

John joined First Financial Advisory Services, Inc. in 2004, after retiring from a longstanding career at Fisher Controls in North Stonington, Connecticut. John is responsible for document filing and shredding, data storage and routing of interoffice communications.