Capitol Financial Advisors and Commonwealth Financial Network® are dedicated to providing world-class client service. Our in-house client service team includes Jennifer Doucette, Carolyn Ford, John Fortini and Deborah Pellegrino. This group’s expertise and extensive knowledge are a mainstay of the client experience at Capitol Financial Advisors.
Charles P. Brown
Founder
Capitol Financial Advisors was founded in 1994 by Charles P. Brown. Charles graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College in 1983 and received a master's degree from The George Washington University in 1985. He worked in the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate from 1984 to 1987.
Charles started his financial services practice in 1988 in Washington, DC. His clients reside primarily in the DC metropolitan area and in New England. Many of his clients are approaching retirement or have already retired, with their primary focus on wealth preservation and retirement income. With more than 20 years of experience, Charles is able to provide these clients with financial planning solutions that are sophisticated and comprehensive.
Charles was selected by Boston magazine as a multiyear Five Star Wealth Manager,* a recognition awarded to less than 26% of the wealth managers nominated in the Boston area in 2017.
Charles received his Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) certification from The American College in 1993 and his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) certification in 1994. He has been a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals since 1999. Charles is a Registered Investment Adviser, Registered Securities Principal, and a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®.
Important Information About Your Advisor
Securities offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Capitol Financial Advisors is a Registered Investment Adviser. Investment advisory services offered through Capitol Financial Advisors are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth.
*Based on 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria, including a minimum of five years as an active credentialed financial professional, favorable regulatory and complaint history, accepts new clients, client retention rates, client assets administered, education, and professional designations. 2,467 Boston wealth managers were considered for the award; 626 (26 percent of candidates) were named 2017 Five Star Wealth Managers. (The criteria provided reflects the most recent year for which advisor received the award. The criteria used, the number of wealth managers considered for the award, and the percentage of those who receive the award may vary from year to year.) These awards are not indicative of the wealth managers' future performance. Your experiences may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Matthew H. Piaker
Advisor
Matthew H. Piaker has been with Capitol Financial Advisors since its inception in 1994. In addition to his work in the investment advisory field, Matthew is a highly experienced tax attorney who specializes in addressing the complex financial planning needs of high-net-worth individuals and families. Matthew's areas of expertise include business continuity, estate, and income tax planning.
Matthew received his law degree from Boston University in 1983 and a master's in taxation the following year. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1984. Matthew is a member of both the New York and Massachusetts state bar associations and is enrolled in the tax, estate, and probate sections of the Massachusetts Bar Association. In addition, Matthew holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® certification and is an Investment Advisor Representative and a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®.
Jeffrey W. Brudner
Advisor
Jeffrey W. Brudner joined Capitol Financial Advisors in 2003. Jeff received a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1992 and holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations in addition to his producer's life, accident, and health insurance licenses. He has been in the financial services industry since 1998. Jeff is a fully registered financial consultant, an Investment Adviser Representative, and a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®.
Lisa Cremonini
Advisor
Lisa Cremonini has worked as a financial consultant since 2000. She holds a BS in finance from Nichols College and an MBA from Babson College. She worked for State Street Bank and for GTE Corp. (now General Dynamics), where she spent 11 years in its corporate finance division. Lisa is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® certification.
Lisa has been quoted in the Boston Herald, Business Week, and Bloomberg magazine and has been interviewed for National Public Radio. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association Chapter of Massachusetts and serves on the boards of directors for the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce. She is a past board member of the Divorce Center, a nonprofit organization.
Lisa holds her life, accident, and health licenses in Massachusetts and is securities registered in the states of California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Ohio. Lisa is as an Investment Adviser Representative and a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®.
Lisa Cremonini is a winner of the 2013 Five Star Wealth Manager Award and the 2014 Five Star Wealth Manager Award.*
Five Star Wealth Manager:
*Based on 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria, including a minimum of five years as an active credentialed financial professional, favorable regulatory and complaint history, accepts new clients, client retention rates, client assets administered, education, and professional designations. 1,707 Boston wealth managers were considered for the award; 655 (39 percent of candidates) were named 2014 Five Star Wealth Managers. (The criteria provided reflects the most recent year for which advisor received the award. The criteria used, the number of wealth managers considered for the award, and the percentage of those who receive the award may vary from year to year.) These awards are not indicative of the wealth managers' future performance. Your experiences may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Mary Ellen Fillo
Advisor
Mary Ellen Fillo became a member of the Capitol Financial Advisors planning team in 2007. Mary Ellen has worked in the financial services industry since 1975 and is the founder and principal partner of Fillo Financial. Her expertise in tax planning and preparation extends to individuals and small businesses, as well as to estates and trusts.
Mary Ellen received a bachelor's degree from Regis College in 1975, an MBA from the University of Hartford in 1979, and a master's in taxation from Bentley College in 1997. She has been enrolled to practice before the IRS since 1999. Mary Ellen has taught numerous college-level courses, including taxation, personal financial planning, accounting, and finance. She is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.
She stays involved locally by being a member of the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce. Wellesley Patch Reader chose Fillo Financial as the number-one tax preparation firm in 2012.