Joseph Bragdon, CFA
Vice President
Palo Alto
BIO
Joseph Bragdon’s analytical approach adds an essential dimension to the insight that Financial Architects Partners provides to advisors and affluent families. He plays an integral role in helping clients address their planning opportunities and goals.
Driven by his belief that life insurance is a dynamic asset, and as a CFA® Charterholder, Joe brings clarity to the complexity of tax-efficient life insurance programs. His objective, educational perspective facilitates informed decisions from clients supported by a mutual understanding of goals, risk tolerance and available solutions. In structuring holistic strategies and actively managing them over time, Joe prioritizes transparency, collaboration and flexibility.
Based in our Palo Alto office, Joe’s eagerly shares his exceptional life insurance expertise, which includes a deep understanding of its value as an alternative asset class and a strategic planning tool. Joe is a sought-after speaker at events hosted by law firms, carriers, estate planning councils and other advisors. He is also a member of the San Francisco Estate Planning Council and the CFA® Society of San Francisco.
Joe enjoys spending time with his family at their home in San Ramon, CA, and coaching his son’s youth basketball team. He stays active by hiking, playing golf, mountain biking, running and traveling.
EDUCATION
Northeastern University, Bachelor of Science, International Business and Finance, with a French language minor
CONTACT
260 Sheridan Avenue
Suite 210
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-252-1700
Robert Burns
Vice President
Boston
BIO
Professionals, families, and organizations seek out Bob Burns for his experience, judgement, and responsiveness. He listens to his clients to understand the barriers they confront in pursuit of their goals, helps them understand their entire risk management profile, and applies his expertise to craft integrated insurance and benefits solutions to help clients overcome them.
Bob’s 40-year, multi-faceted insurance career includes extensive experience with individual solutions, employee benefits, retirement plans, executive benefits, and property and casualty coverage. His client engagements include specialized partner benefits for major international law firms, insurance benefits for public company executives, planning for members of professional firms, and the design and management of insurance portfolios for individuals. Whether a client’s goal is retirement accumulation and distribution, personal risk management for life, disability and long-term care, or planning for asset preservation, he provides ongoing, proactive, multi-generational collaboration.
Bob has been part of Financial Architects and the NFP enterprise for over 25 years. His work with clients has contributed to the growth and success of a world-class, independent platform delivering superior solutions to clients. Having witnessed a range of economic and financial environments, as well as tax law changes, new regulations, and technology that have altered the carrier and product landscape, Bob brings informed perspective to every interaction. His unique experience actively managing insurance programs through a client’s life cycle allows them to focus on pursuing their goals, confident their plan is properly crafted and well-managed.
Bob is a Kennebunk, Maine, native and is actively involved in the local community. He is an avid boater, has his professional captain’s license, and has navigated the East Coast numerous times. Bob also enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family.
EDUCATION
The American College, Master of Science Financial Services, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Tufts University, Bachelor of Arts, Economics and History
CONTACT
265 Franklin Street
19th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Scott Lomes
Vice President
BIO
Scott Lomes is the Chief Marketing Officer for Financial Architects Partners (FAP), a role in which he integrates the firm’s value proposition across its business development efforts. He has a deep understanding of the complex needs of affluent clients and the diverse capabilities of strategic partners. As a result, Scott continues to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with private banks, national law firms, family offices, trust companies and private equity firms that deliver meaningful value to stakeholders.
Through these collaborative relationships, FAP plays a lead role in securing many of the largest trust-owned life insurance implementations on behalf of ultra-high net worth families across the US. With 30+ years of experience, including leadership roles with global investment banks, Scott provides specialized expertise on sophisticated life insurance premium financing programs, including hedging techniques for interest rate risk, that align with client objectives.
Scott lives in Wellesley, MA, with his wife and son. He enjoys travelling, playing golf and spending time with his family.
EDUCATION
The University of Denver, Bachelor of Science, Finance
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1901
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
BIO
Keith heads the Los Angeles Office for FAP, specializing in design, funding and consulting on large corporate, partnership, trusts and not-for-profit firms. Keith has over 35 years of experience with executive benefits and unique uses of life insurance to fund corporate liabilities.
Keith has been active as an advisor to corporations and affluent families for over 35 years. Starting his career as a “Big 8” CPA, Keith and his partners founded an international executive compensation, benefit and corporate insurance practice, serving public and private corporations.
During a fortuitous due diligence engagement for a large corporate executive benefit plan, Keith met David Carroll and David Freeley. Impressed with FAP's standing in their profession, its process, resources and professionalism, he accepted a position as Managing Director in 2012.
Keith graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics. He is a member of the Pepperdine University Board of Visitors for the Graduate School of Public Policy. He is active in philanthropic and civic efforts in La Cañada Flintridge, California, where he and his wife Tracy raised their three children and currently reside.
EDUCATION
Degree in Business Economics from University of California at Santa Barbara
CONTACT
Keith A. Tobias, CPA
Private Client Director
David T. Valcourt, CFP®
Vice President
Boston
BIO
David Valcourt joined Financial Architects Partners in 2008 as an associate in the Design & Marketing department. In his current role of Vice President of Business Development, Dave is tasked with opportunity development from existing clients of FAP as well as those of our affiliate partners. Internally, his role includes partnering with producers to develop, manage, and close cases. While deeply involved in the design, planning, and implementation of complex cases, Dave helps with affiliate development and marketing support with External Business Development. In addition to his sales and marketing responsibilities, Dave is also active in the industry through speaking engagements on a range of topics from Service-to-Sales to Private Placement Life Insurance.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Dave worked as a 401(k) Design Specialist with Fidelity Investments. Dave is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council. He is involved in local sports in his town, sits on the Swampscott Little League Board of Directors, and loves spending time with his wife and three kids.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Merrimack College
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1901
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Richard D. Worrell, JD, LLM
Private Client Director
BIO
Rick Worrell is a Private Client Director at Financial Architects Partners based in Providence, Rhode Island. He practiced law for 10 years and was a tax consultant with KPMG prior to entering the field of Life Insurance and Retirement planning. Rick's extensive legal accomplishments and considerable consulting experience make him an asset in his role of developing and maintaining relationships with current and prospective clients.
Rick has always been active in Rhode Island public life and is a former member of the American and Rhode Island Bar Associations. He was elected to the Providence City Council where he served 6 years until he was appointed to the Providence Bureau of Licenses where he served for 12 years, including a period as chairman. He is currently a member of the Advisory Board of Common Cause of Rhode Island. Rick also served as a Commissioner of the Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Commission for 12 years. In addition to all of this, Rick has also authored several articles on pension and profit-sharing plans.
EDUCATION
LL.M. (Taxation), Boston University School of Law Graduate Tax Program
J.D., Boston University Law School
Bachelor of Arts in English, Dartmouth College
BIO
Suzanne, founder of ADEO Financial, works closely with Financial Architects Partners to specialize in wealth protection and transfer designs leveraging the unique asset of life insurance. She architects charitable plans and integrated gifting. Each are facets to anchor enduring private wealth and family legacy.
Suzanne works closely with families to align their best interests. Of particular focus is Private Placement Life Insurance for income and cap gains tax mitigation in an increasing tax predatory environment.
Suzanne is an Advisor in Philanthropy member, a Heritage Planning member, and sits on board of Alliance Community Foundation, a national charity serving advisors and their UHNW donors. A tennis coach for Special Olympics athletes and tutor for underserved students, Suzanne advocates access to education, sport and female mentorship globally. Suzanne attended Bennington College at age 16 to pursue writing, devotes time to craft and respects the intrinsic value of a liberal arts education as foundational pillar.
Suzanne is 4th generation of a national retail family business founded in late 1800’s: The legacy of family enterprise endures as single largest gift to America of it’s time, through gift of art to major museums and universities around the world. From Greenwich, Ct, Suzanne resides in Marin County, California with a national and international clientele.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Bennington College
CONTACT
(415) 289-0230
Suzanne Jack
BIO
Ben Kronish, principal at Kronish Associates, works closely with Financial Architects Partners to specialize in providing tax efficient life insurance-based solutions to high net worth individuals. His clients are executives and shareholders of private and public companies and range across a broad spectrum of industries both domestically and internationally based.
Ben has over 30 years of experience specializing in creative solutions to complex wealth transfer and estate planning problems. Utilizing a collaborative approach, Ben maintains open communications with the other professionals involved in the clients planning.
Ben is a partner of Kronish Associates, Inc., a third-generation financial practice with offices in New York and Irvine, CA. He began his career at New England Mutual Life Insurance Company where he built the leading brokerage operation in the country from 1986 thru 1988.
Leaving the management side of the business, Ben and his father Paul became members of the Hemisphere Group in the mid 90’s and subsequently National Financial Partners. Ben has served on the Advisory Board of Partners Financial and several life insurance companies. He is actively involved in the Association of Advanced Life Underwriters (AALU) and other industry groups. Ben is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL).
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Union College
CONTACT
(212) 883-0655
Ben Kronish