Meet Our Team

Robert T. Ryan, JD, CFP®

Bob has been a leader in the financial planning community for many years. He began by building a successful solo practice, serving high net worth clients, including many people in the medical professions.

He is known for his expertise in developing customized investment strategies for clients. The strategies utilize academically-tested techniques based on the research of Professors Eugene Fama (University of Chicago) and Ken French (Dartmouth), and later by Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Bob began his career in financial services in the insurance industry, where he was responsible for educating insurance agents about estate planning and the intricacies of life insurance policies. He also served as a contracts advisor, conducting nationwide training. His career in financial planning evolved as he earned a Masters degree in Financial Planning, and worked for a Boston-based advisory firm.

During the course of his career, he has been quoted in national publications including Money Magazine, and Investment News, as well as local newspapers and the Boston Globe. He has co-authored instructional materials, and is teaching a series of courses on life insurance to NAPFA financial planners.

Industry Designations:

CFP® professional
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)

Education:

Tufts University, Medford, MA (BA)
New England School of Law, Juris Doctor (JD)
Bentley College, Waltham, MA Master of Science, Personal Financial Planning (MS)

Licenses/Registrations:

Registered Investment Advisor Representative, Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Memberships/Affiliations:

Massachusetts Bar, and Essex County Estate Planning Council
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Registered Planner

Community Service:

Wakefield Chamber of Commerce Community service area: – fee-only financial planner resources, serving Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Melrose, Malden, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn, MA.

Thomas G. Dwyer, EA, CFP®

Tom’s core strength is in tax planning, and its impact on overall financial planning. He earned the Enrolled Agent designation with the IRS, which led to the beginning of his business in 1998 as a fee-only advisor. Tom has in-depth knowledge of tax planning for clients entering retirement, with RMD (required minimum distributions) and beneficiary designations as they impact estate planning. Additionally, he has expertise in portfolio tax strategies, along with the sales of stock options. In 2003 he merged his fee-only financial planning firm with Bob’s, creating Resolute Financial, LLC.

Prior to becoming a fee only financial planner, Tom worked in management positions within bank operations, mutual funds, and information systems.

He enjoys his community service with the Red Cross, and as a coach in youth soccer.

Industry Designations:

CFP® professional
IRS Enrolled Agent (EA)

Education:

Lawrence University, Appleton, WI. (BA)
Boston University, Certificate in Financial Planning

Licenses/Registrations:

Registered Investment Advisor Representative, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Notary Public (MA)

Memberships/Affiliations:

Merrimack Valley Estate Planning Council
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Registered Planner

Community Service:

Board Member (Treasurer, financial planner) for the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts – serving Amesbury, Beverly, Byfield, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley, Salisbury, Wenham and West Newbury, MA.

Coach, Newburyport Youth Soccer Association

Charles M. Johnson, MBA, CFP®

Chuck has a unique approach to financial planning, which aims directly at simplifying the issues with money. He addresses the client’s biggest questions first, and after clearing the concerns, he begins to collaborate with the client on steps to simplify a plan, and build a solid investment plan.

Chuck’s career includes early experiences with Texas Instruments, followed by his role as CFO of a rapidly growing small business, and starting a software application service company. Budgeting, cash flow, employee benefits, and 401k plan management are all part of his experiences prior to joining Resolute Financial as a partner. He is currently serving on a panel of experts for the website www.Lifetuner.org which is sponsored by AARP to improve financial education.

He has written about various financial planning topics for newspapers and magazines, and has been quoted in USA TODAY, Investment Advisor Magazine, NAPFA Advisor, Investment News, and with Kiplinger Magazine’s Retirement Hot-line. Within the community, he is active in Newburyport public education, financial planning literacy, and environmental awareness.

Industry Designations:

CFP® professional

Education:

WPI (BS M.E.)
Cornell University (MBA)
Boston University, Certificate in Financial Planning Foundation for Fiduciary Studies, Pittsburgh, PA. Certification as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) for ERISA pension plans.

Licenses/Registrations:

Registered Investment Advisor Representative, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Memberships/Affiliations:

Financial Planning Association (FPA)
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Registered Planner.

Community Service:

Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce – fee-only financial planner resources, serving the Massachusetts towns of Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury, West Newbury, Merrimac, Groveland, Georgetown, Rowley, Ipswich, Topsfield, Boxford, Middleton, Danvers, Lynnfield, Andover, North Andover, and Haverhill, MA. In New Hampshire, the towns of Seabrook, Hampton, and Kingston, NH.

Board of Directors and Past President of NEBC (Newburyport Education-Business Coalition)

Our Continuing Commitment to You

Several of the organizations noted above impose significant Continuing Education requirements for maintaining membership. This is important when you consider that over the past several decades all of the advances in financial management have come from Academic circles, not Wall Street. To benefit from current and future objective investment concepts, consumers need access to impartial, professional, educated advice, not commission driven sales.

Further, as members of NAPFA - an association of Fee-Only advisors - we must adhere to the strict code of ethics of each organization. Members maintain a fiduciary duty to their clients, meaning your interests are paramount.