Email Larry Ganim

Larry Ganim founded Ganim Financial over 36 years ago with one basic goal in mind – to add value to each client’s life and business. His areas of expertise include: business and estate planning, employee benefit planning, executive benefits, insurance planning, and pension planning. Larry frequently conducts seminars and workshops on these topics each year for business owners and other professionals.

Larry has been a licensed insurance broker since 1981. In addition to Ganim Financial, he is the founder of GFS Wealth Management Advisors, Inc. (GFS), a Registered Investment Advisory firm in the State of Connecticut. He is registered as an Investment Advisory Representative with GFS and is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC.

His proactive approach and focus on the best interests of his clients has resulted in a loyal, growing client base that respect and trust his insight and financial proficiency. Larry is often called to speak before professional and service organizations. Currently, he has recently completed a book on effective preparation for business succession and business sales for successful entrepreneurs titled, “Designed Destinations” – a subject he is quite passionate about. In addition, he is a frequent contributor to several business publications.

He is a qualifying and lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Court of the Table, and Top of the Table – the highest distinctions in the insurance and financial services industry.

Larry currently serves on several Boards of Directors including the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC), and LifeBridge Community Services. He is past Chairman of the Board of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and Connecticut Zoological Society and President Emeritus and member of NAIFA-CT and NAIFA-Eastern Fairfield County.

Larry received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1979. He currently resides in Naples, FL with his wife.

Email Chris Ganim

Chris joined Ganim Financial in August 2014 after five years working in information technology. After learning the business from the bottom up, Chris now oversees the office as President. In this role, he works to ensure that the firm’s traditions of first-class service and innovation are upheld.

He holds his Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam), and life, accident, and health insurance licenses. He was awarded the Chartered Life Underwriter^® (CLU^®) designation on July 1, 2021 as well as the Chartered Financial Consultant^® (ChFC^®) designation on June 1, 2022, both from The American College of Financial Services. He earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification as of August 16, 2022, issued by the CFP Board. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management.

Chris is registered as an Investment Adviser Representative with GFS Wealth Management Advisors, Inc. dba Ganim Financial and is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC.

He is the Treasurer and an Assistant Den Leader for his son’s Cub Scout Pack and serves on the Finance and Grounds Committees for The Paugasset Club. Previously, Chris was a founding board member and co-chair of the Marketing Committee for Bridgeport Regional Business Council affiliate Thrive, a networking organization for young professionals.

Chris lives in Orange, CT, with his wife and two children.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP^® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ certification mark, and the CFP^® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Email Valerie Koch

A member of Ganim Financial since its founding, Valerie currently heads up the Employee Benefits Division and is involved in all aspects of insurance planning and employee benefits. Valerie started her career as an employee benefits administrator and in 1996 and became a licensed broker consultant. Her systematic approach of establishing priorities, reviewing claims data, analyzing contracts, and reviewing the marketplace for appropriate providers consistently has produced substantial savings for clients, while at the same time achieving the appropriate balance between cost-effectiveness and employee satisfaction. Her services are highly sought for her finely-tuned expertise. She is a frequent contributor to several publications. Most recently Valerie obtained her Certified Insurance Consultant license (CIC).

Valerie is very active in the Bridgeport community. She is past chair of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s (BRBC) Women’s Leadership Council and past President of the Bridgeport Rotary. She serves on the BRBC’s Leadership Greater Bridgeport board of directors and is a member of both the BRBC’s Health Care Council and Economic Development Committee. She is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. She participates in a variety of industry forums each year in order to continue building her knowledge on the latest and best practices in her field.

Valerie and her husband live in Naugatuck, CT.

Email Lisa Bourque

Lisa Bourque has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, bringing a wide range of expertise to Ganim Financial. Lisa has spent significant time as a Financial Advisor and, before that, over ten years as an Annuity Specialist. More recently, she has focused on the marketing and recruiting side of the financial industry, making her a valuable addition to the Ganim team.

With her vast understanding of the financial arena, mixed with her passion to help others, Lisa helps Ganim Financial deliver on the superb client experience in her role as Wealth Management Operations Associate.

Lisa graduated from Central CT State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She also received her MBA in International Business from the Jack Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University. She holds the ChFC® designation from The American College of Financial Services.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys traveling, yoga, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors to appreciate nature by walking on the beach or on hiking trails. She also volunteers her time with community organizations such as Toys for Tots and CT Fallen Heroes.

Email Kwok Eng

Kwok Eng has more than 20 years of experience in portfolio management and investment analysis with demonstrated skills in performance measurement, asset allocation, risk management, custody and compliance.

Kwok holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation which is regarded by most to be a key certification for investment professionals and one of the most respected credentials in the investment management industry.

In previous positions as a Research Consultant, Head of Client Reporting and Director of Research and Analytics, Kwok gained extensive experience researching and evaluating prospective investment managers. He used performance attribution systems to analyze holdings and determine sources of performance and risk. As a Senior Investment Analyst, he assisted in the management of several international equity funds, including a $2 billion international equity fund that consistently outperformed its benchmark.

As a Senior Investment Management Consultant, Kwok advised institutional and high-net-worth clients on all aspects of investments, including asset allocation, manager selection, performance evaluation, risk management and ongoing portfolio oversight. He authored quarterly market commentary, client investment performance reviews and a topical paper on “The Case for Emerging Markets.” The specialized expertise he has gained throughout his highly successful career make Kwok an extremely valuable resource for the Ganim Financial team, as we continue to serve a growing roster of institutional clients and high net worth individuals.

Kwok has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Colgate University and has maintained his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation since September, 2003.

Kwok has been a resident of Easton, Connecticut since 1992 where he lives with his two children and serves his community as Treasurer for the Aspetuck Cemetery Association.

Phil has been an investment advisor for more than 22 years. Phil’s mission is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management – delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity. His extensive investment experience helps him structure portfolios that are balanced in order to negotiate major shifts in the markets. He is dedicated to helping individuals, business owners and plan participants meet their long-term goals by developing personalized plans tailored to their specific needs and objectives.

Phil is a Director of Premier Wealth Management of the Russell Giammarino Wealth Management Group at Coastline Wealth Management. He also serves as a Financial Advisor with Ganim Financial. Prior to joining the firm, Phil has worked as a Financial Advisor at UBS Financial Services and Wells Fargo Advisors. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Syracuse University. Phil grew up in Port Jefferson, NY and currently lives in Bellmore, NY with his wife Denise, and daughters Samantha and Emily.

Bio coming soon!

Email Laurie Liscio

Laurie Liscio started her career with Ganim Financial in September 1998. In her current role as Account Manager, Laurie creates and implements customized benefit solutions for our group clients. Her focus is on promoting client retention through high-quality customer service and follow-through. With over 20 years of experience, she provides valuable assistance and insight in more complex customer service issues.

Laurie graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Management. She holds a producer license for life and health insurance and is Medicare Part C and D certified. During her years at Ganim Financial, she has worked in many aspects of the Employee Benefits Division including benefit administration, compliance, customer service, FSA administration, and Medicare.

Laurie likes to run, travel, read, and spend time with her husband and two sons.

Email Robert Lockery

Robert A. Lockery (Bob) has over 19 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry working with business owners, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and their employees in creating and promoting a top tier qualified retirement plan with extensive experience in 401(k), 403(b), 457-governmental, and Top Hat plans.

Bob’s focus is to work very closely with plan fiduciaries to help ensure that they optimize their retirement plan offerings to their employees while assisting them in meeting their obligations and utilizing best practices.

As part of this process Bob also works with plan participants in group settings as well as individual meetings addressing their retirement readiness. This includes reviewing a participant’s numbers, answering questions, and assisting participants with making choices regarding their interaction with their employer provided retirement plan.

Starting his financial services career in customer service, Bob learned early on about importance of trust, effective communication, research, and simplistic explanations as these traits are much appreciated by clients.

Bob is a member of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC), and currently serves as the Southern Connecticut State University Alumni Association Treasurer. He also serves his local community sitting on the planning and zoning appeals board.

Bob has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Corporate Communication. He maintains his Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam), and Series 24 (General Securities Principal) licenses and is licensed for Life and Health Insurance in CT and NY.

Bob’s favorite activities are spending time with his family and coaching softball. He coaches girls’ fast pitch softball and a slow-pitch team for men in his home town of North Haven.

David became involved in the financial planning industry when he realized that financial literacy was an important part of everybody’s life but wasn’t being implemented or taught to anyone he spoke with. He wanted to be able to help people strive to be their best individually and financially.

In order to reach his goals of helping people, David received his B.S in Business Administration from St. Joseph ‘s College in Patchogue, NY. He went on to complete his MBA in Personal Financial Planning from Molly College in Rockville Centre, NY graduating in 2009 with Honors. In June of 2010 he became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner.

David stands out in the industry because he cares deeply about each client’s unique financial situation. It is not a one size fits all world, and David takes that to heart. David says that his favorite part of his day to day is when he gets to speak with clients, and find out what is going on in their lives.

David has been in the financial planning industry since January 2007 and is of the understanding that learning and keeping up to date should never take a back seat. The industry changes so rapidly that it is important to stay on top of everything that happens in finance and the world.

David was raised in Miller Place, located on Long Island, NY. He grew up taking an active role in his family’s small business. He now resided in Rocky Point with his wife Roseann. When he isn’t helping clients with their finances, David and Roseann enjoy spending time with each other traveling and visiting friends and families.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP^® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ certification mark, and the CFP^® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Email Amanda Paz

Amanda (Mandee) Paz joined Ganim Financial in August 2018 as Administrative Assistant. Amanda provides administrative support and guidance to Ganim Financial clients and the office staff.

Amanda has over five years of administrative experience and has worked in various industries, including childcare and case management. Her drive, organization skills and customer-focused attitude make her an integral part of the Ganim team.

Amanda resides in Naugatuck, CT with her daughter and her family. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and teaching salsa, working out at the gym and cooking.