Money America
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. and American
International College (A.I.C.) co-produce a weekly radio program to help
residents of
To learn more about Money America, please contact Thomas Fox at 413-241-2362 or tfox@cambridgecredit.org.
Money America Guests
Dr. Norman G. Kurland
Dr. Norman G. Kurland is a lawyer-economist, pioneer of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and President of the all-volunteer Center for Economic and Social Justice (CESJ), a non-profit think tank headquartered in Arlington, Virginia that he co-founded with Fr. William Ferree and other economic and social justice advocates in 1984. Dr. Kurland has taught binary economics and binary policy reforms in privatization seminars at the International Law Institute in Washington, D.C. In 1985, President Reagan appointed Mr. Kurland as deputy chairman of the bipartisan Presidential Task Force on Project Economic Justice, to promote economic democratization through ESOP reforms in Central America and the Caribbean.
Website: www.CESJ.org www.eei-consultants.com
Robert D. Lattas, Chicago, Illinois Attorney & Counselor at Law
Robert D. Lattas earned his Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Accounting from DePaul University and his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington. He then went on to obtain his Masters in Accounting from the prestigious Kelley School of Business, specializing in tax. Robert is an active member of the State Bar of Illinois. In addition to being one of Chicago's premier Real Estate Attorney's, Robert is also an adjunct professor in the College of Commerce at DePaul University.
Website: http://www.lattaslaw.com http://mike-and-bob.com
Shawn A. Torres
Shawn A. Torres joined Charter Oak Insurance And Financial Services Co. in 2004 after interning with an independent financial services firm. He was attracted to a career in finance while in school, and once he joined the agency, he hit the ground running. He was consistently recognized as a Rising Leader, and was soon promoted to a sales management role for Charter Oak. In this role he is responsible for recruiting, training and leading a group of over 20 financial service professionals.
In 2008, Shawn was named “Rookie Sales Manager of the Year” within the entire MassMutual sales force. In 2008, and again in 2009, he was also named to Management Council, an elite group of sales managers who are recognized by MassMutual based on unit size, production, recruitment and retention. He specializes in coaching and challenging existing financial services professionals to take their business to the next level. He also enjoys working with individuals who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking for a career change.
In addition to leading his team, Shawn continues to maintain a personal financial service practice, where he helps individuals, families and business owners protect their interests and shape their financial future.
Website: http://www.massmutual.com
Cindie St. George
Cindie St. George is the Director of LifeBridge Operations at the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. She has successfully executed a national roll-out plan for launching LifeBridge, MassMutual’s free life insurance program, in all states and the District of Columbia. Cindie has engaged MassMutual general agents and career agents to identify and influence organizations in their communities across the country to participate in the program; these organizations include local employers, schools, community based organizations, faith organizations and local government officials. Cindie has been with MassMutual for 16 years. She is a Licensed Life Insurance Producer. Cindie earned her M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in 2002 and her B.A. in Political Science from Trinity College in 1997.
Website: http://www.massmutual.com/aboutmassmutual/communityresponsibility/philanthropy
Senator Stephen J. Buoniconti
Senator Stephen J. Buoniconti is a lifelong resident of West Springfield, and a graduate of West Springfield High School. After high school, Steve graduated from Fairfield University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double major in Political Science and History. Soon after, Steve enrolled in Western New England College School of Law. While at WNEC School of Law, Steve interned at the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and the Springfield Attorney General’s Office. Upon graduating from WNEC School of Law, Steve became an Assistant District Attorney for Berkshire County and then went to the District Attorney’s Office of Hampden County
In November of 2000, Steve was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives as State Representative from the Sixth Hampden District. In 2004, Steve was elected Senator from the Hampden District. Steve serves as the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, and member of the Joint Committees on Labor and Workforce Development, Public Health, Public Safety and Homeland Security, and Revenue.
Website: http://www.malegislature.gov/People/PeopleBio/23
Justin Lally
Justin Lally has been an employee of Cambridge Credit Counseling since June 1999. As a counselor he is responsible for providing individuals with free financial education regarding all aspects of credit, debt, and personal finance. The counseling process Justin performs consists of a full budget evaluation, helping the individual develop realistic short- and long-term financial goals, and determining a plan of action that is appropriate to each person’s circumstances. His main housing counseling activities consist of speaking with homeowners in distress. He has been a certified Housing Counselor since April of 2009 and achieved Certification in Foreclosure Intervention and Default in November of 2009. He is also on the National Roster of Approved Reverse Mortgage counselors.
Website: www.keepyourhome.us
Nunzio Bruno
Nunzio Bruno is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Bay Path College and the owner of Financially Digital, a Springfield based business consulting firm, and home to FinanciallyDigital.com, a resource offering information on relevant financial issues, personal finance, the latest in tech and social media. Professor Bruno works to make people better consumers of goods, services, and information in real life and on the web.
Website: www.financiallydigital.com
Nancy Cahalen
Nancy Cahalen joined BBB of Central New England in 2008 as its President and CEO. A former newspaper executive, Nancy previously managed marketing and business development within the competitive Central Massachusetts marketplace. This experience provided Nancy with a deep understanding of the priorities and concerns of both the business community and consumers.
BBB is a non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, business BBB Reliability Reports and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints.
The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 124 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring millions of local and national businesses. BBB of Central New England serves Central and Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and has a network of over 1800 Accredited Businesses.
Website: www.central-westernma.bbb.org
Jennifer Williams
Jennifer Williams graduated from Smith College with a B.A. in Cognitive Psychology with a focus on Cognitive Neuroscience, a field of study she had no idea at the time would make her a perfect candidate for working in web marketing. Research, stats, analytics, compelling and persuasive writing to win grants, and delving into human behavior…turns out there’s a lot of commonality. Jennifer’s long-time interest, and educational background, in psychology and neuroscience, has led to an intense interest in exploring how the social sciences, particularly evolutionary neuroscience and neuromarketing, can inform web marketing and social media strategies. After Smith, Jennifer spent some time doing research and while doing so, stumbled into a job in web marketing and soon found she had a unique blend of analytical thinking, social intuition, and creative aplomb that worked well in the web marketing field. To learn more about Jennifer, please visit www.verilliance.com.
Website: http://www.verilliance.com/
Denise Winston
For 25 years, financial lifestyle expert Denise Winston enjoyed a successful career in the banking industry. During that time, she started as a teller and rose through the ranks to become a manager and finally a business banker. Her first-hand exposure to the day-to-day financial habits of both consumers and businesses taught Denise how shockingly little people really know about dealing with money.
While still a banker, Denise developed a passion for teaching money management and life skills to others. This inspired her to launch a new career as a financial lifestyle expert. Denise used her experience and the exposure she had to her highly educated and financially savvy clients to develop innovative strategies and techniques for teaching people how to handle the many challenges and stages of financial life.
With the 2008 financial crises in full swing and the acquisition of the bank she worked a being acquired by a larger bank, Denise decided to launch her personal mission to "change the face of the nation's financial health…one person at a time".
Denise has always been an active leader in her community, she is a former Junior Achievement board member and volunteer, a ROSE (Realizing Options for Student Excellence) mentor, a speaker for the ROC (Regional Occupational Center) program as well as mentor to teens and adults.
Please visit DeniseWinston.com to learn more about Denise and her journey in inspiring people across America to take charge of their finances—and even have a little fun along the way.
Website: http://DeniseWinston.com/
Jennifer A. Connolly
Jennifer A. Connolly is the president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts and has five years of JA program, Council Development and Fundraising experience with Junior Achievement. She worked for JA of Maine for fours years, prior to joining JAWM in 2003. She has extensive background strategic planning, development and education, grant writing and volunteer administration. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Early Childhood Education and holds a Certificate in Volunteer Administration as well as a Certificate in Municipal Leadership. Jennifer completed JA Area Management Training (AMT) in May 2004 and Developing Managerial Effectiveness for Junior Achievement (Penn State Executive Programs) in April 2005. Jennifer was appointed JAWM President in August 2006.
Website: http://www.jawm.org/
Charles H. Rucks
Charles H. Rucks joined Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) in July 1999 as its Executive Director. The agency’s mission is to transform families through sustainable home ownership, and revitalize distressed neighborhoods by substantially reconditioning blighted properties. Under his leadership, Springfield NHS became certified as a Full-Cycle Lender™ and was selected as a NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center. In 2000, Springfield NHS was certified a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the United States Department of the Treasury, and since has competed successfully for technical assistance and financial awards from the CDFI Fund.
Charles serves on the Boards of Directors for the Hampden County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Mental Health Association, and the YMCA of Greater Springfield. Moreover, he is currently the Board Chair of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations.
Website: http://205100mr.myerswebsites.com/
Danny Kofke
Danny Kofke is currently a special education teacher in Georgia. He has also taught kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Danny's love of teaching others led him to write the book "How To Survive (and perhaps thrive) On A Teacher's Salary." Danny has been a teacher for ten years and is proud to say that passion for the craft keeps him in the classroom but smart savings and basic understanding of financial principles have kept his wife (willingly!) at home with their children. Many find it hard to believe that one teacher can support a family of four, but "How to Survive" explains the steps necessary for others to follow suit and save for life's journeys.
Danny has been been featured in a number of publications including PARADE, USA Weekend, , Instructor Magazine, CBS MoneyWatch.com, FoxBusiness.com, The Wall Street Journal, ABCNews.com, Consumer's Digest, Bottom Line Personal, Your Family Today and The Huffington Post. He has also been interviewed on over 100 radio shows and on numerous television shows including The 700 Club, The Clark Howard Show, Fox & Friends, CNN's Newsroom, MSNBC Live and The Daily Buzz.
Website: http://www.dannykofke.blogspot.com
Wayne Sanford
Wayne Sanford, also known as “Wayne the Credit Guy,” is the owner of New Start Financial Corporation and the author of The Real World of Credit. The Real World of Credit is an easy to read, easy to understand guide created to teach consumers about how credit truly works. The book takes readers through several different scenarios which affect consumers and discusses how they can make the best financial decisions.With nearly a decade of experience working in the credit industry, Sanford has personally reviewed more than 10,000 consumer credit files for mortgage professionals, investment groups and consumers. Sanford is a regular credit advisor to television and radio news programs and frequently contributes to several of the more renowned financial websites available on the internet such as AOL Finance, Yahoo Finance and Dun & Bradstreet.
Sanford volunteers his time and knowledge to various non profit companies and has worked with homebuyers, victims of domestic abuse, and those persons transitioning from homelessness to stability. Through basic credit education, he shares knowledge of false, misleading and unverifiable claims frequently made by collections agencies, credit companies and creditors in order to lure consumers to their services. As a true and credible credit “expert,” Sanford teaches his clients to seek the truth in all areas of their financial dealings. Sanford is licensed and bonded and holds certification in the Fair Credit Reporting Act by the Consumer Data Industry Association.
Website: http://www.WayneTheCreditGuy.com.
Shira Block
Shira Block, MA Psychology and Counseling is a popular lecturer, author, personal and family coach, counselor, and gifted communicator. Block has a special talent for captivating audiences with her humor, clarity, and ability to pinpoint problems and devise effective solutions. Since 1991 she has had a thriving coaching practice and conducts workshops nationwide. Block has taught thousands how to improve written and verbal communications, create healthy compromise, and improve family dynamics. Her workshops and personal coaching are all result-oriented leaving participants with a clear path of "what to do." Her books include The Way Home, Step-By-Step Miracles: A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Dreams (Kensington Publishing) and When Your Parent Moves In: Every Child's Guide to Living with an Aging Parent (Adams Media).
Website: http://shirablock.com/
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson is the Director Community Health Planning at Baystate Health. Dr. Robinson is responsible for the development of public health and public service community benefit programs that have an institutional and community impact in several focus areas including ambulatory care programs and workforce development programs. He is the Executive Director of Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. (PHC) a free standing nonprofit organization and the Director of Community health Planning for Baystate Health. For Baystate, he oversees the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership program with Springfield Public Schools, a K- 16 health career.
Website: http://baystatehealth.com
Angela Lussier
Angela Lussier is an award winning speaker, author of The
Anti-Resume Revolution and owner of 365 Degrees Consulting in western
Website: http://www.my365degrees.com/
La Wanza Lett-Brewington
La Wanza Lett-Brewington has been an activist and
organizer throughout New England for over 14 years and is the Executive
Director of Safe Passage in
Website: http://www.safepass.org/
Kenneth J. Gogel
Kenneth J. Gogel began his professional life in politics while
attending
Website: http://www.gogel-gogel.com/
Tom L. Morrow
Tom L. Morrow a respected businessman established Metrocom, an
Income Tax and Financial Service business that has serviced the community
over the past 20 years. In addition, Mr. Morrow has facilitated numerous
financial and business workshops and received his MBA from
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~lmfhour/site/?/home/&PHPSESSID=6568cd4dd5985ad5c460710a73cbf374
Dora D. Robinson
Dora D. Robinson is the president and chief executive officer of the
Website: http://www.uwpv.org/
Jeremy T. Rosenblum
Jeremy T. Rosenblum is a partner in the Business and Finance Department
and Vice Chair of the Consumer Financial Services Group. He is also a member of
the Financial Institutions Reform Task Force. He has practiced law for 28 years
and devoted the past 23 years primarily to consumer financial services and
financial institutions law. Mr. Rosenblum’s practice focuses on federal and
state lending and consumer practices laws, with emphasis on the interplay
between federal and state laws. Mr. Rosenblum is a member of the Governing
Committee of the Conference on Consumer Finance Law. He is listed in the 2008
through 2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of banking law
and in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leader in
financial services regulation and banking and finance in the 2008 through 2010
editions. He is a Financial Services Advisor to the Consumer Financial Services
Law Report and a fellow of the
Website: http://www.ballardspahr.com/
Nancy L. Velozo
Nancy L. Velozo is the Vice President of Chicopee Savings Bank.
Website: http://www.chicopeesavings.com/
Leanne Martin
Leanne Martin serves as Director of The Financial Education Department at
The Office of Massachusetts State Treasury, which offers a wealth of
personal finance information, tools and resources to help the public,
regardless of one's age, background or current financial circumstance. In
this capacity, Leanne oversees The Caution with Credit Program, the
Financial Brown Bag Lunch Seminar series, the Saving Makes “Cents” program,
the SMART Retirement & Beyond seminar series, and the regional Money
Conferences throughout the state. Leanne joined the Treasurer’s
administration in June of 2003 and graduated from
Website: http://www.mass.gov/
Jordan E. Goodman
Jordan E. Goodman is "
For 18 years, Mr. Goodman was on the editorial staff of
Money Magazine,
where he served as Wall Street correspondent. While at Money, Mr.Goodman
reported and wrote on virtually every aspect of personal finance. In
addition, he served as weekly financial analyst on NBC News at
He is the author / co-author of three best-selling books on personal
finance including Everyone's Money Book and Master Your Debt: Slash Your
Monthly Payments and Become Debt Free available a booksellers nationwide.
Website: http://www.moneyanswers.com
Beth Gamel
Beth Gamel is frequently quoted in the national media on personal finance
topics, including Forbes, Fortune, Money Magazine, MarketWatch.com and The
New York Times. For seven consecutive years Worth Magazine has named Gamel
as one of the "best financial advisers" in the country. A frequent lecturer and panelist, Gamel has spoken at AICPA national
conferences and state society seminars throughout the country. She wrote
“Money Makeovers” for the Boston Globe for five years. She holds a bachelor’s in sociology from the
Website: http://www.pillarfinancial.com
Kevin Sears
Kevin Sears is the president of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors
and owner of Sears Real Estate in
Website: http://www.kevinsears.com/
Mark Waldman
Mark Waldman received a Ph.D. in Economics at the
Website: http://markrobertwaldman.com
Steve Rhode
Steve Rhode went bankrupt in 1991 after the economy unraveled and his real estate company failed. After having lived through tough money troubles, Steve founded a non-profit organization in 1994 to help people find a path through their financial troubles and solutions for debt problems. At that time the group was called Debt Counselors of America, which later became Myvesta. In early 2004 Steve stepped down as president of Myvesta for a year to spend time enjoying life and his family. He remained the chairman of the board and returned a year latter as president and served in that capacity until the organization was closed in 2006.
During his time at Myvesta Steve maintained a Q&A advice column that ran in 50 papers and authored three books during that time. He also made television and radio appearances as a consumer debt expert. He has been on FOX, CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and local stations. Since his time at Myvesta Steve has started a global social enterprise, the Myvesta Foundation, to help people in other parts of the world that had financial troubles. He runs the successful getoutofdebt.org site which continues this mission of helping those in financial distress.
Website: http://getoutofdebt.org
Jacquette M. Timmons
Jacquette M. Timmons, the author of Financial Intimacy, is known
for leading thought-provoking conversations about money, choices,
relationships, and life. An investment expert and financial coach, she is
the founder of Sterling Investment Management, an investment education and
financial coaching firm. She has worked in the investment industry for
twenty-three years, dedicating more than a decade to teaching people how to
be smarter with their money. Ms. Timmons media appearances include CNN’s
“Your $$$$$” with Christine Romans and Ali Velshi and “Your Bottom Line” and
“The
Website: http://www.sterlingchoices.net
