Our Team

I launched Garganese Financial Group in 2016 motivated by the desire to help clients discover what’s important to them and match their needs with the right financial tools. From experience, I know how hard the journey to success can be, and how much it helps to have guidance along the way.

I faced a lot of challenges growing up. When I left home, I went straight into the workforce, driving trucks cross-country for a living. But without a college degree, I ran into a lot of red tape, and it was hard for me to advance my career.

So, I decided to put myself through school and find a way off the truck. As part of a school project, I wrote a business plan about being a financial planner. In the process, I realized this was a path that could help me have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

When I graduated, I approached Baystate Financial, and with a little bit of persistence, convinced them to support me in starting my own fee-based financial planning firm.

In the years since, I’ve built a firm that helps my team and me give back to individuals and the community. The nontraditional path I took to success has taught me the importance of being open, warm and approachable when working with clients. I am passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve gained, explaining it thoroughly, and offering clients from all walks of life a chance to secure their financial futures.

When I’m not at my desk, you’ll find me playing chess, behind the lens of a camera, or hiking with my family in the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. When given the opportunity, I love the chance to share the joy of nature with clients, as well.

I’m proud that Garganese Financial Group has become a full-service agency supporting a growing staff and book of business. We look forward to helping you learn, grow and take control of your financial future.

As a Financial Advisor, Reid’s mission is to assist individuals, families, and business owners in defining their financial goals and achieving financial freedom. He is trained and licensed to provide financial solutions to his clients and prospects. His goal is to become a lifelong resource to his clients, and he is dedicated to assisting them through the various stages of their financial lives. At Garganese Financial, Reid can utilize the team approach and draw upon the wealth of knowledge of his associates to create custom designed financial strategies for his clients.

Reid holds a MS in Accounting and a BS in Business Administration from The University of New Hampshire. Reid holds his CPA license*. Prior to joining Garganese Financial, Reid worked for two large regional accounting firms with a focus on consulting and auditing Hospitals and Not-For-Profits.

Reid lives in Dover, NH with his wife, 2 daughters, and 2 dogs. In his free time, he can be found in the outdoors, skiing, or golfing.

*Not practicing on behalf of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliates.

As a college athlete and a child of organized sports, the ability to listen and be coachable are two principles that were instilled in me at a young age. Over my time in athletics, I was able to see the consequences of both good and bad coaching. The best coaches had three qualities; the first is they truly listened and cared about the questions and concerns of their players, the second is they deconstructed the sport or technique they were looking to coach into easy-to-understand points to best educate their players, the third is their unwavering commitment to the team and the continued success of each individual player and the team as a whole. These three qualities are the cornerstones of the daily conversations I have with my clients about their financial plan, their investments, and anything else. It is my goal to ensure my clients feel comfortable and heard in their financial plan, provide easy-to-understand insight and analysis to help them reach their goals, and provide unwavering commitment to them to ensure they reach those goals.

I grew up in a small town called Broadway, Virginia located in the middle of the I-81 corridor where I was immersed in the world of organized sports. From the age of 6, I played basketball, baseball, football, and I wrestled. Eventually, I chose football as the sport I would focus on to compete at the collegiate level. College took me to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia where I played four years of college football and received my bachelor’s degree in Finance.

After college, my girlfriend and I decided to move to Vermont as she looked to pursue her doctorate in nursing at the University of Vermont. We currently live in Colchester, Vermont with our dog, Moose. When I am not at work, I love to run, bike, hike, and golf when it is warm outside, and when the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, I love to snowboard and hike.

My entire life, I have set out every day with one goal of making a positive impact on the world around me and the people I have the opportunity to interact with. Being a financial planner, that daily philosophy has now become my job description. The principles of serving the community, working hard, and positively impacting the lives of others have become ingrained in my life and work.

I know that my purpose is to create for myself & others, while ultimately impacting people as deeply as possible.

As an 18-year-old college freshman with zero real world experience starting my journey at UMass Amherst, I sought a way to help pay for school, but more so to find where I belong in this world.

My story really begins when I decided to start up an exterior house painting business that same year. I had no idea how I was going to do so, but I committed to figuring it out by any means necessary. I drove back and forth two hours from school to my hometown, Waltham MA, almost every weekend for 2 years to market and build my business –knocking on doors, putting out flyers, hiring & training painters, and selling work for the summers.

Through countless mistakes, failures, and being too stubborn to quit, eventually came success. I learned to put myself through the fire and forge my development as a leader, entrepreneur, and overall human. By the end of my few years scaling and running that business, I had opened four different locations across MA and led a team of 40 hardworking painters, marketers, & production managers.

As my joy for paint quickly diminished, my passion for helping people and delivering a result at a high standard only grew. Once I began my practice as a financial planner, I knew that it would allow me to do exactly that, in a role where excellent communication and high level problem-solving are crucial. I seek to effectively teach my clients about how their money works and mitigate the inefficiencies of all aspects surrounding their financial life.

In my free time, I am an avid powerlifter as I compete nationally and train others. I also enjoy being outdoors, cooking & grilling with friends, playing the violin, and watching my Celtics and Patriots play.

I’m a dedicated Financial Planner based in the city of Portland, Maine. My professional journey has always been guided by a firm belief in providing top-tier service to all our clients. I firmly believe that clear communication and unwavering transparency are the cornerstones of success in my profession

In this rapidly changing financial landscape, my mission is to be a steady guide and an ally for our clients, helping them navigate the complexities of financial planning. My approach is not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding your values, your goals, and your unique situation. Together, we’ll create a plan that not only makes sense on paper, but also resonates with your life and your future aspirations.

When I’m not in the office you can often find me exploring the picturesque landscapes of Maine or engaging in community activities. I believe that being active and involved in our community helps me better understand the diverse needs of our clients.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you and help you chart a course towards financial success. Let’s navigate the future together.

While beginning my senior year at Jacksonville University studying business management and marketing, Garganese Financial Group granted me the opportunity to begin my journey to becoming a financial planner. After graduating, I obtained my insurance and securities licenses to become a registered representative.

In middle school and throughout high school I ran my own landscaping business catering to a multitude of clients in the greater Portland area. My entrepreneurial spirit and ambitious work ethic fosters my strong drive to serve the members of my community.

My goal is to offer clients a holistic and attentive approach to managing their financial future by looking beyond the present needs and planning to positively support all stages of their lives. I push myself meet all the financial goals and needs of my clients and with the backing of the Garganese Financial Group will be able to accomplish this.

In my free time I love to be outdoors hiking, learning to golf, working in the garden and cooking. I also love to spend time with my family and friends.

Welcome to Garganese Financial Group! I’m Bella Phillips, and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the newest addition to our team as a Client Associate! With a passion for brining fresh perspectives and a strong skill set, I’m excited to contribute to our team’s success.

I am originally from Fairfield, Connecticut and I recently graduated Cum Laude from The University of Maine with a degree in Communication. During my time in college, I was heavily involved in Greek life, serving as my sororities President, Vice President, and Campus Delegate. I have also completed summer internships at Make-a-Wish Connecticut and RXR Realty in Manhattan. Outside the office, you can find me outdoors, immersed in a good memoir or surrounded by all things pink.

I’m committed to learning, growing, and making a positive impact both within our organization and the lives of our clients. Thank you for the warm welcome, and I can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes me!

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Abigale began her career in 2011 with Baystate Financial as a sales support consultant on the Sales Desk. She transitioned to the Financial Planning Department in late 2012. As Baystate Financial’s Personal Financial View® Training Director, Abigale is responsible for managing its financial planning and Personal Financial View® software.

In addition to her role as the PFV® Training Director, Abigale is also a financial planning case writer. She is responsible for overseeing the financial plan development process, ensuring recommended strategies meet a fiduciary standard of care for clients’ financial well-being.

Her role includes:

• Providing comprehensive financial planning services for clients of the firm.
• Analyzing client situations and developing recommendations for proposed planning solutions.
• Approving financial plans for planners to deliver to clients.
• Training the firm’s financial advisors to utilize the financial planning software for client aggregation and financial planning projections.

Abigale graduated from Wheaton College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. She holds her Series 6, 7, and 63 licenses.

Devon Black began her career in 2013 with Baystate Financial. She has been with the Financial Planning Department since mid-2015. As a Financial Planning Consultant, Devon is responsible for overseeing the financial plan development process, ensuring recommended strategies meet a fiduciary standard of care for clients’ financial well-being.

The customized solutions within financial planning empower clients to make informed decisions. Strategies are focused around the six areas of financial planning, including Financial Position, Risk Management, Wealth Accumulation, Tax Planning, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning.

Devon graduated in 2013 from Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s in finance with a risk management concentration. Also, she holds her Life/Health Licenses and Series 7 Registration.

She is currently taking certification course requirements at Boston University to obtain her Certified Financial Planner designation. Devon currently lives in Boston. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, and being outdoors.

Mark has been working in the financial services industry since 1993. He is currently a Senior Vice President with Baystate Financial. In 2014, his passion for distribution planning led him to develop a proprietary retirement distribution software tool focused on the impact of sequential returns in retirement.

Today, he leads Baystate Financial’s Annuity and Long-Term Care divisions. Prior to joining Baystate Financial in January 2006, he was a Regional Vice President with MetLife Investors covering upstate New York and western Pennsylvania. Mark began his career as a Financial Advisor with New England Financial In Worcester, Massachusetts.

Two years later, he transferred to New England Financial’s corporate headquarters in Boston. He held various positions in marketing and training. In fall 1999, Mark joined New England Financial Annuities as Regional Marketing Director. He joined MetLife as a Regional Vice President in 2003.

Mark received his Bachelor of Arts from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. He enjoys all sports, especially golf. Mark grew up and resides in Holden, MA with his wife Kim, their daughter, Megan, and their son, Patrick.

Herb has been with Baystate Financial since 1996. He sees himself as a professional problem solver, educated as an engineer and attorney, and practicing as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

• B.S. in Commerce & Engineering from Drexel University in 1975; and
• J.D.* from Temple University School of Law in 1979, where he was the Evening Division Class President

Herb’s primary expertise is multi-generational tax planning and multi-generational creditor protection. He is a very active volunteer in his community and in financial services, as

• Past President of the Greater Boston Chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP, now FPA, Financial Planning Association);
• Past President of the Boston Society of Financial Services Professionals;
• A former member of two national CFP® Board committees: Board of Practice Standards and Board of Professional Review
• A former member of the national IAFP Ethics Committee; and
• Was a member of the adjunct faculty at Bentley University in Waltham, MA from 2000-2020

Herb’s creativity, experience, and resourcefulness enable him to work very well with the public and their professional advisory team in order to implement solutions responsive to each client’s financial objectives.

Herbert K. Daroff is a registered representative of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 200 Clarendon Street, 19th & 25th Floors. Boston, MA 02116. 617-585-4500. Neither MML Investors Services nor any of its employees or agents are authorized to give legal or tax advice. Consult your own personal attorney or accountant for advice on specific legal and tax matters. CRN202302-277523

*Not practicing on behalf of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliates.