Financial planning is my passion and life's work. Personally, there is no greater joy than helping my clients realize what's possible and guide them towards achieving it. I am an endless student of the financial planning profession. I am also a writer, thought leader, pro-bono financial volunteer, educator and absolute believer in the power of financial planning to change one's life. 

Growing up in a small town in upstate New York (way upstate!) I witnessed first-hand how poor personal financial management deteriorates quality of life and defeats hope. And how financial wellness creates an unmatched sense of well-being, security and pride. These observations have been reinforced over my nearly twenty year career in financial planning. My goal each and every day is to lead as many people as possible towards financial wellness and eventually to financial independence. 

It is my belief that financial planning should be more accessible to a broader range of individuals and families than we currently offer as a profession. To address this need, and through a relentless pursuit of efficiency, technology and operations, I've developed a way to offer fiduciary standard, high-quality hourly financial planning advice economically.  I also provide more traditional forms of financial planning and investment management such as retainer and full-service offerings. 

I put myself through Siena College earning a degree in Finance while working at night. I then earned an M.B.A. while working full-time. In 2012, I achieved the coveted Certified Financial Planner Designation(TM). As a member of the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts I serve on the Public Relations Committee and do pro-bono work as a Dana Farber Financial Coach. 

My career in financial planning began at the Ayco Company (a Goldman Sachs Company) in their multi-family office practice, where I observed and learned the extraordinarily complex financial planning needs of some of the nation’s most affluent families. In 2006, I moved to Boston and started to build a new practice at what was then Smith Barney. In 2016 I started Breakwater Financial with a goal of creating a firm that could deliver the ideal client experience. 

Today I live in Needham, Massachusetts with my wife Beth and sons Jack and Luke. When not advising clients or spending time with family, I enjoy a number of hobbies and pursuits including running, mountain biking, CrossFit, coaching flag football, endlessly reading, and cooking.

Shortly after retiring from the US Military with 21 plus years of service, James entered the Financial industry to assist his wife’s growing company, Total Office, Inc..  With expert skills and training in operations, processes and security, James quickly became head of Operations for the company.

Today, James brings his expertise and love for helping clients through the paperwork maze by assisting Breakwater Financial and their clients in setting up accounts, transfers, RMD’s, updating accounts, troubleshooting and much more.

In his off time, James is an avid trial and marathon runner, writer and with a B.A. degree in Literature, and can often be found reading a good book while traveling in his motor home with his wife visiting their six grown children and three grandchildren.

Please note that James is not a direct employee of Breakwater Financial, LLC. However, he is here to help client's of Breakwater whenever and wherever possible with the assistance of his his firm, Total Office, Inc. Total Office inc. has been helping Independent Financial Advisors address their administrative needs for the past 30 years.