Your Best Interests, in Mind and at Heart
Meet the professionals who will help you get clear and comfortable in regards to your money.
Matthew J. Arendt
Co-Founder
Anthony Assante, AIF®, MBA®
Co-Founder
Tim Stowell, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Kaitlyn Creem
Director of Client Services
Melodie Hudak
Marketing Coordinator
John Sanders
Sr. Client Service Associate
Stephanie Sargisian
Sr. Client Service Associate
Kelly Smith
Sr Insurance Consultant
Richelle Carlone
Client Service Associate
Judy Cecchini
Receptionist
Bill Sudol
Consultant
Connor Rulnick
Intern
Matthew J. Arendt
Co-Founder
Matthew began his career in private wealth in 2004 at Merrill Lynch in New York City. After nearly 19 years and following an extensive due diligence process, Matthew decided that the best path forward for his clients was within an independent advisory structure. To that end, Matthew proudly co-founded Atlantic Wealth Advisors with his longtime friend and business associate, Anthony Assante, in the spring of 2022.
At Atlantic Wealth Advisors, Matthew continues his focus on offering a disciplined, comprehensive, and individualized approach to wealth management. The process always begins with a strategic discussion to carefully unearth each client’s needs, wants, goals, and desires to ensure the resulting investment plan is grounded and driven by clearly stated objectives coupled with detailed performance metrics that will ultimately allow measurement and quantification of investment progress. He is driven by a passion for delivering excellent service and helping clients pursue and achieve their goals over time.
Prior to co-founding Atlantic Wealth Advisors and his life as a private wealth advisor, Matthew distinguished himself as a charter member of the 1991 Teach for America program in Houston. Matthew also held executive positions at the Ogilvy & Mather advertising firm where he was the global account supervisor for client IBM and at DoubleClick, the internet company now part of Google, where he was a director.
Throughout his life, Matthew has played an active role in local community outreach programs. He was a board chair of Bronx Charter School for the Arts located in the Hunts Point section of South Bronx, a former committee member of the Direct Effect organization at Rockefeller University, and a former board member of Stuyvesant Cove Park on the East River, in Manhattan.
Matthew is currently a committee person for Sylvester Manor Educational Farm in Shelter Island, NY, and serves on the allocation committee for United Way of Palm Beach, FL. He has earned the Certified Retirement Planning Consultant (CRPC) designation through The College for Financial Planning and the designation of Certified Special Needs Advisor.
Matthew is a 1991 graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
Anthony Assante, AIF®, MBA
Co-Founder
Anthony is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) and co-founder of Atlantic Wealth Advisors. Having close to 30 years of professional experience, Anthony has built a reputation for his enthusiastic, innovative, and personable approach to wealth management. He earned his MBA from the University of Hartford in 1993 with a focus on international business. During his graduate studies, he traveled throughout the Pacific Rim and Australia and developed an appreciation for emerging economies and unique cultures.
Immediately after graduate school, he started his financial services career at a Fortune 500 company. In 1999, Anthony and a group of young entrepreneurs with an eye on the future joined one of the nation’s largest independent broker/dealers, Commonwealth Financial Network. He is an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.
An active member in the community, Anthony has provided support for numerous philanthropies including World Affairs Council, Connecticut Radio Information Systems (CRIS), Dollars for Scholars, Friends of Gillette Castle, Northern Middlesex YMCA, MARC Community Resources, Red Sox Foundation, Birdies for the Brave, and Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center. He served five years as chair of the East Haddam Economic Development Commission and six years as co-chairman of the legislative committee for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in the state of Connecticut. Anthony served as chairperson of the board for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce from June 2009 to May 2010 and remains active in other capacities. He currently chairs the executive compensation committee for the Chamber and oversees the investment committee for the Northern Middlesex YMCA.
Anthony takes pride in being a husband, father, and civic leader. He and his best friend and spouse, Amy, can be found running around Glastonbury, Connecticut, attending the many school and sporting activities of their three children. All of which provide great memories and friendships. When Anthony is not wearing a suit or running the kids around town, he is fishing somewhere along the east coast, working on his golf game, or watching a baseball game with friends and family.
Anthony is proud to have been recognized as a President’s Club advisor for 2021—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 13 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–RIA that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes President’s Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. President’s Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.
Tim Stowell, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Tim is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with Atlantic Wealth Advisors and an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.
Tim has been in the financial services industry since 2015. After a few productive years working at Fisher Investments and Fidelity, he made the change to Atlantic Wealth Advisors, an independent advisory firm that is partnered with one of the most successful broker/dealers in the industry, Commonwealth Financial Network. Tim joined Anthony Assante’s team in 2019 and partners with Anthony to deliver personalized planning for each of their clients at various life stages—from purchasing their first house to developing an income strategy in retirement and everything in between.
Tim graduated from Oregon State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree. He obtained his FINRA Series 7 General Securities, FINRA Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law registration, and Life, Accident/Health licenses. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Tim’s obtainment of his CFP® designation shows his dedication to his practice and his value in maintaining a high level of expertise in the industry. Tim is also on the board of the Financial Planning Association Connecticut chapter. Through uncompromising integrity and mutual respect, Tim puts his client’s best interest and financial success as his top priority.
Tim was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Glastonbury with his wife, Rachel, their daughter Savannah, and son Braden. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, traveling, backpacking, and brewing beer.
Kaitlyn Creem
Director of Client Services
Kaitlyn began working in Anthony’s practice as a client service associate in 2015 and was recently promoted to director of client services. She was asked to join the Commonwealth Staff Council in 2020 and is currently in her second term. The Commonwealth Staff Council is an invitation-only group of professionals who work closely with our broker/dealer on ideas and solutions for the financial services industry. She earned a degree in hospitality management in 2012 and, prior to joining Anthony’s practice, spent several years in the hotel industry.
Growing up in Monroe on her family’s horse farm, Kaitlyn and her sister traveled and showed horses competitively for six years. She resides in Watertown with her son, Thomas, and their dog, Peanut. Kaitlyn enjoys cooking/baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends but most of all she loves being a mom and spending time with her son.
Melodie Hudak
Marketing Coordinator
Melodie is the marketing coordinator for Atlantic Wealth Advisors. She has 27 years of experience in the financial services industry holding positions from a licensed associate planner to a pension consultant.
She is often the creative idea person behind our events and workshops. Her strong organizational and interpersonal skills make her a valuable member of our company.
In her spare time, Melodie likes gardening, hiking, reading, and flower arranging but she is happiest when she is in her kitchen cooking for friends and family, sipping wine, and enjoying good conversation.
John Sanders
Sr. Client Service Associate
John Sanders is our senior client service associate based out of Palm Beach, FL. John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from The University of Central Florida in 2017. He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations with aspirations to obtain his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) Designation. John is a first-generation Floridian with family roots on Long Island, New York. He’s a New Yorker at heart and a huge Yankee fan. Outside of work, John enjoys playing golf and boating and has a passion for the culinary arts—both cooking at home and dining at innovative restaurants around the globe. With his extended family, John participates in an annual Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Softball Tournament called "Pink Ball" organized by his aunt out of Boca Raton, FL, along with a hand full of retired MLB superstars, which marries his love of baseball with giving back.
Stephanie Sargisian
Sr. Client Service Associate
Stephanie joined Anthony's team in 2021 as a senior client service associate to Tim Stowell. She has a paralegal degree and worked for several years as an estate planning and probate paralegal. In 2007, she transitioned to the financial services industry and obtained her FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations in 2013.
Stephanie has two daughters and resides in Tolland with her husband, Dennis, and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family and outdoor activities such as biking and kayaking.
Kelly Smith
Sr. Insurance Consultant
Kelly M. Smith has more than 30 years of experience as an insurance consultant and licensed broker. In 1998, Kelly founded KGS Insurance Services after working in the employee benefits field for more than seven years to offer a broader array of products with a focus on superior customer service.
Kelly is a licensed insurance producer in life, accident, and health. She also has achieved her Certified Insurance Consultant license along with several FINRA certifications. Kelly’s name is synonymous with employee benefits throughout Connecticut.
Kelly has been active in the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce since 1995 and in 2010 served as chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She has also previously held the position of chair of the Insurance Committee and is still an active member of the Board, Executive Committee, and Chair of the Healthcare Council.
She has held several positions with the carriers she works with including as an active member of the ConnectiCare Small Group Advisory Council, CBIA’s Agent Advisory Council, and a past member of Anthem BC/BS’s Producer Advisory Council.
Kelly has been active in various civic organizations within the community including an 18-year tenure with the Middlesex United Way where she was the past president of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. As an active United Way volunteer, she has held several key positions including chair of the Nominating Committee, chair of the Personnel Committee, and chair of the Community Impact Council. She was also a member of the Campaign Development Team and a founding member of the Women’s Initiative.
Kelly is a member of the Board of Directors of the Middlesex YMCA and is a past board chairman. She currently is the board secretary and serves on the Governance, Development, Project Planning, and Capital Campaign committees.
She is a corporator with Middlesex Hospital and a past member of the Philanthropy Council. She is a former member and President of their Community Council. She is also a past member of the Business Advisory Council of MARC.
Her professional organizations include the National Association of Health Underwriters, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Kelly’s distinctions include the Hartford Business Journal’s 2001 and 2002 Forty under Forty Award, the 2005 Women & Families Center Community Service Award, the 2008 SBA Women in Business Champion of the year award, the 2009 Middlesex United Way Community Service Award, the 2018 OneAmerica Leader’s level, and she was also a recipient of the 2021 Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen award.
She is a graduate of Middlesex Community College and has attained credits towards several designations at the American College affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Richelle Carlone
Client Service Associate
Richelle is a vital member of Atlantic Wealth Advisors handling insurance and being the right hand to Kelly. She has been in the insurance field for 18 years.
In Richelle’s free time, she likes to be with family and friends creating new memories! Also, she loves to travel!
Judi Cecchini
Receptionist
Judy is the receptionist for Atlantic Wealth Advisors. Judy attended Middlesex Community College and received an associate degree in business with a concentration in legal. Prior to Atlantic Wealth Advisors, she worked in the engineering field, working closely with project managers for all financial aspects of projects; including, but not limited to contracting, budgeting, work planning, and delivery of projects.
Judy has a passion for animals and enjoys spending time with her daughters, family, and friends.
William J. Sudol
Consultant
Prior to his retirement in June 2003, Bill served as the administrator of the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement Board (CTRB). Before becoming the TRB administrator, Bill served as the assistant administrator from 1980 to 1997. Bill joined TRB in 1970 immediately following his graduation from Northeastern University and served in a variety of professional positions during his tenure with CTRB.
Bill has been recognized by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), and the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC) for his efforts on behalf of teachers. He has presented numerous workshops on retirement and has frequently testified before the Connecticut Legislature in support of legislation to improve benefits to active and retired teachers.
During his 33-year career at CTRB, he has personally counseled and advised thousands of teachers in matters pertaining to their retirement.
Bill is now using his experience and knowledge to provide personalized retirement consulting services to teachers and administrators contemplating retirement.
Connor Rulnick
Intern
Connor currently attends Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he is a senior studying business management. Connor will be returning to Clark for a 5th year to receive his MBA with a concentration in finance. Connor is a member of the Clark University baseball team as well as DECA, a business club tailored to improving leadership and business skills. Outside of the office, Connor enjoys golfing, traveling, spending time with friends and family, or volunteering in his local community.
