Money America

Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. and American International College (A.I.C.) co-produce a weekly radio program to help residents of Western Massachusetts understand the financial issues of the day. The radio show, Money America, is hosted by Cambridge’s Community Outreach Director, Thomas Fox, and by A.I.C. alum LaValle Smith, a nationally certified credit counselor. Each week the program focuses on an important financial topic, including credit reports and scores, managing credit and debt more effectively, and a host of other timely issues. Whenever appropriate we incorporate current events into the program and discuss how a particular issue may affect an individual’s finances. Generally speaking at any given time through public surveys the Sunday programming listeners extends anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 listeners as well as up to 5,000 streaming listeners online. The station broadcasts in the Springfield, MA area on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on WAIC 91.9 FM and on the Internet at www.aic.edu/hot919.

To learn more about Money America, please contact Thomas Fox at 413-241-2362 or tfox@cambridgecredit.org.

 

Money America Guests

 

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 Massachusetts. She has been a purposeful rebel since the age of 3 when she escaped from the confines of a white picket fence and hasn’t looked back since. Angela’s clients are job seekers, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. She focuses on personal branding, marketing & PR campaigns, and helping her clients find success doing what they love.

 

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 Northampton.Since 1977, Safe Passage has provided non-judgmental support and services to survivors of domestic violence. Safe Passage provides crisis intervention, support, and advocacy services to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence. All services are free, confidential, accessible to people with disabilities, and available in English, Spanish, and other languages. La Wanza Lett-Brewington is known throughout Massachusetts for the work that she has done in facilitating workshops and forums on the interconnections of racism, sexism, and classism in relation to sexual assault.

 

Website:   http://www.safepass.org/

Kenneth J. Gogel

Kenneth J. Gogel began his professional life in politics while attending George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gogel was offered an internship in the U.S. House of Representatives where he worked on a variety of legislative issues. He obtained his Master’s Degree in legislation from G.W.U., and while working in Washington, D.C. where he developed an interest in the law. Mr. Gogel enrolled in law school and moved to New England. When he was admitted to the Bar, he focused his attention on bankruptcy law and litigation. Over the years he has handled hundreds of cases for consumers and businesses. His practice includes representing clients in Chapter 7 cases, consumer reorganizations under Chapter 13, and small business reorganizations under Chapter 11.

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 Western New College. Designed to educate the community and surrounding cities on innovative financial concepts, products and services, The Lewis & Morrow Hour presents a unique format focusing on the hosts’ perspective. The show’s platform enables guest financial experts with a wide range of experience to inform and enlighten the public and business community with their expertise, knowledge and services.

 

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 United Way of Pioneer Valley.   She has more than 25 years of community leadership experience, including 18 years with the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc., in Springfield, where she was the president and CEO. Mrs. Robinson has previously served as Director of Children and Family Services at the Center for Human Development, and Director of the Foster Grand Parent Program at the Urban League of Springfield. She is an adjunct professor for the Springfield College School of Human Services and Department of Social Work, and the Smith College School of Social Work, and has previously served as adjunct professor at the Western New England College School of Arts and Sciences, and American International College. She is a consultant for the National Christian Fellowship Council and is Co-Proprietor of FDR Associates.

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 American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, an organization founded to honor lawyers who have made substantial contributions to the development of consumer financial services law

Website:   http://www.ballardspahr.com/

Nancy L. Velozo

Nancy L. Velozo is the Vice President of Chicopee Savings Bank.  Nancy began her career at Chicopee in 1994 when she came aboard to coordinate the collection function of all delinquent Commercial, Residential Real Estate and Consumer loans. Her current responsibilities include Interacting with Senior Management, Attorneys and Borrowers during the foreclosure and/or workout process.  Nancy also maintains contact with external groups to ensure compliance of government regulations as it pertains to the collection of debts.

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 Providence College.

Website:   http://www.mass.gov/

Jordan E. Goodman

Jordan E. Goodman is "America's Money Answers Man" and a nationally-recognized expert on personal finance. He is a regular contributor to Public Radio International's The Marketplace Morning Report and is a daily guest on radio and television call-in shows across the country, answering questions on personal financial topics. He appears frequently on NBC's The Today Show, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, and Nightline.

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 Sunrise for 9 years and the daily business news commentator on Mutual Broadcasting System’s America in the Morning show for 8 years.

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.  Jordan is also a speaker and seminar leader on personal finance topics for business executives, students, associations, investment clubs, employees and others.

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 University of North Carolina. She earned a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University Of Massachusetts Isenberg School Of Management, where she serves on the Business Advisory Council. Gamel is a founding member of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, the leadership body for the CPA profession’s financial literacy efforts: 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy (www.360financialliteracy.org), designed to help all Americans improve their financial understanding, and Feed the Pig (www.feedthepig.org), a PSA campaign created with the Ad Council and targeted to 25 – 34 year-olds to encourage saving and spending wisely.

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 Springfield, MA. A Realtor since 1994, Sears has served the organization as a Federal Political Coordinator to Bay State Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) for nearly 10 years. He served as a Trustee of the Realtor Political Action Committee of the National Association of Realtors from 2007 to present, served as a member of the association’s Board of Directors in 2008 and 2009, and participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery, an initiative to construct new homes for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. On the local level, Sears was a director and chairman of the Government Affairs Committee for the Realtor Association of the Pioneer Valley (RAPV) in 2006 and has been a member of the committee since 1994. In his hometown, Sears is a member and former director of both the Rental Housing Association of Greater Springfield and the local Forest Park Civic Association. He also is an active member of the Springfield Rotary Club, and a director of the Mason Wright Retirement Community, an assisted living facility that provides housing for low-income seniors and elderly residents in the Greater Springfield area, and a Little League coach.

Website:   http://www.kevinsears.com/

Mark Waldman

Mark Waldman received a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Florida. He has taught at a variety of schools, including American University, where he has taught Personal Finance for more than 20 years. He has worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development, and for the last 25 years has been an Investment Adviser and Certified Financial Planner professional. He and his wife own Waldman Financial Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. Dr. Waldman is an Executive in Residence in Personal Finance. He leads financial training at a variety of public and private organizations, is the author of a book on money and spirituality, and has appeared on a wide variety of media outlets.

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 Help Desk” with Gerri Willis, American Public Media’s “Marketplace Money” with Tess Vigeland, WBAI’s “Women: Body & Soul” with Nathalie Thandiwe, “Your Time with Kim Iverson,” – a syndicated radio show, “The Joey Reynolds Show” on WOR Radio, “Black Enterprise Business Report,” Bloomberg Radio, BET Tonight’s “Nightly News”, WNBC’s “Today in New York” and Fox TV’s “Good Day New York” and “Good Day Street Talk.”

Website:   http://www.sterlingchoices.net