BBFG Team Biographies
John H. LeBlanc, CFP®
“Our diverse client base knows that the integration of financial planning and goal setting into our investment recommendations provides them with the best overall advice.”
—John H. LeBlanc
John LeBlanc is a principal and co-founder of Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. (BBFG). He specializes in retirement planning, real estate, stock option analysis and portfolio design.
In 1994 John started his first independent financial planning practice, LeBlanc Financial Services, located in the South End of Boston, Mass. In 1997, he joined Bob Siefert, CFP® in founding BBFG.
John has a 20 year background in corporate finance and treasury positions, including 10 years as Manager of Client Financial Services for The Faxon Company, a worldwide information management company.
An active member of the financial planning community, John belongs to the Financial Planning Association and the Boston Estate Planning Council. He is also an affiliate member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. For more than three years, John was the program coordinator for the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors of Massachusetts study group.
He is an established instructor of financial and investment workshops in adult education centers, community groups and corporate settings. John has contributed to the local community as a former Director of the Greater Boston Business Council.
John is widely quoted on wealth management and planning strategies for same sex couples. He was selected as one of ten Boston Globe “Money Makeover” advisors and was a contributor to the Microsoft Money Central Web site. He has also appeared on Channel 5 and Fox 25 television in stories related to investments.
John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Sociology from the State University of New York at Albany. He received his Certified Financial Planner™ certification from the College of Financial Planning, in Denver, Colo. He has also taken graduate courses in Business Administration at Suffolk University and graduated from the Entrepreneur Course at the Enterprise Center.
John currently resides in Winthrop, Mass., though he has lived in the South End of Boston for many years. His interests include gardening, real estate, landscape photography and travel. John spends his summer weekends at his cottage in southern Maine.
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Robert D. Siefert, MBA, CFP®
“We take pride in our skills but we most value the relationships that develop from our professional activities.”
—Robert D. Siefert
Robert “Bob” Siefert is a principal and co-founder of Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. (BBFG). Specializing in portfolio construction, retirement accumulation and distribution strategies, Bob works with clients to stabilize and grow their assets. His interest in philanthropy includes the development of professional advice on money management for foundations, trusts and charitable organizations.
In 1994 Bob founded his own private practice. In 1997 he joined John LeBlanc, CFP® in founding BBFG.
With more than 16 years of experience in personal trust management, pension and retirement planning and mutual fund administration, Bob has worked with well-known organizations including SEI Corporation, State Street Bank, Boston Company and Mellon Bank.
As an active member of the financial planning community, he is often invited to speak on topics related to Modern Portfolio Theory and portfolio construction using efficient asset management techniques. Bob also takes part in a peer study group that meets twice a year at various locations across the nation.
Additionally, Bob is a member of the National Association of Tax Practitioners, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Boston Estate Planning Council.
He is often called upon by national and industry publications, such as Investment News, Financial Planning magazine and Investment Advisor and has been published in the Los Angeles Times, American Association of Individual Investors and The Advisor Network.
Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Holy Cross College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston College. He attended Boston University for Financial Planning and earned his Certified Financial Planner designation from the Board of Standards in 1995.
An avid runner, Bob enjoys running in a variety of geographic environments. In his spare time Bob listens to music and plays acoustic guitars. Bob currently resides in Boston, Mass. with his wife Maureen.
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Susan H. Brown, CFA®, CFP®
“The dedication and integrity of the team at Back Bay Financial Group provide an environment that allows us to offer peace of mind and top-notch, integrated financial services to our entire client base.”
—Susan H. Brown
Susan Brown is a Certified Financial Planner™ with experience in comprehensive financial planning, mutual fund analysis, portfolio management and corporate bond research. Susan is also a Chartered Financial Analyst™, which is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of investment professionals.
Before joining Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. (BBFG), Susan worked for Family Financial Architects, Inc., a fee-only financial planning and investment firm in Natick, Mass., where her responsibilities included comprehensive financial planning, marketing and investment research.
Prior to her career as a financial advisor, Susan spent 20 years working in institutional finance. As vice president of State Street Research & Management Company in Boston, Mass., she essentially acted as a fixed income analyst, and later as an associate portfolio manager.
An active member or the financial planning community, Susan is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the Financial Planning Association and the Boston Security Analysts Society. She has also contributed to the Boston Globe’s “Money Makeover” series. Susan is also a voting member of the BBFG Investment Committee.
Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Mount Holyoke College. She also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and accounting from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles.
Susan currently resides in Walpole, Mass. with her husband, two sons and dog. She enjoys gardening and volunteer work.
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Philip C. Lee, CFP®
“Putting a client's interests first in a fee-only environment is incredibly powerful and effective. It's all about offering objective advice not about selling the latest hot product — this truly helps clients achieve their financial goals.”
— Philip C. Lee
Phil Lee is a Certified Financial Planner™ who combines an enthusiastic personal interest with proficiency for comprehensively advising individuals, couples and families on financial planning matters. Phil specializes in unique issues related to the financial planning and emotional issues related to divorce.
Phil often works with recent inheritors of wealth, clients planning for retirement, blended families and those who are experiencing the financial responsibilities of providing for their children’s future while ensuring the care of their elderly parents.
Prior to joining Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. (BBFG) in 2001, Phil spent nine years at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare in business planning and development and strategy and provided advice and legal counsel to ensure external compliance with confidentiality standards. Phil spent five years working for a United States Congressman who was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee, Wis.
An active member of the financial planning community, Phil is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Financial Planning Association. Boston Magazine sought Phil’s expertise for an article in Elegant Wedding magazine discussing the need for similar financial values in marriage. Phil co-authored an American Executive article about alternative investments with BBFG’s Bob Siefert. He has also contributed to the Boston Globe’s “Money Makeover” series.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and completed the financial planning program at Boston University in Massachusetts.
Phil currently resides in Marblehead, Mass. He has two sons. His personal interests include gardening, classical chamber music, traveling and hiking.
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George T. Padula, CFA®, CFP®
“Client relationships start with listening, asking the right questions, understanding their key objectives and then identifying the new opportunities to help and strategize the best solution for their unique needs and goals.”
— George T. Padula
George Padula is an investment professional with more than 15 years experience in investment and financial services and more than 10 years experience in financial planning, managing portfolios and establishing asset allocation strategies for high net worth clients, business owners and families. He has a deep understanding of investment planning and portfolio management strategies and enjoys working in a team atmosphere where the focus is putting the client first.
Prior to joining Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. George spent 10 years at Danforth Associates, an investment advisory firm, serving as president from October, 2004 to July, 2008. While there, he was responsible for developing and directing multifaceted investment strategies for high net worth private clients and providing leadership and expertise on investment strategies, markets and economic trends.
He has been quoted in several national publications and local media including WBZ Radio, Journal of Financial Planning, Reuters, Financial Times, Bloomberg and Boston Globe Magazine. His professional affiliations include the Financial Planning Association, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and Boston Security Analysts Society. George also serves on the board of directors for the Chernobyl Children Project USA.
George earned both the Chartered Financial Analyst® and Certified Financial Planner® professional designations. He holds an MBA in finance from Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College. He is also a graduate of Boston College High School.
George lives in Westwood, Mass. with his wife and two daughters. His personal interests include running and coaching youth soccer. George has run seven marathons and four Mount Washington Road Races.
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Jeanne Gibson Sullivan, CFP®
“I joined Back Bay Financial Group very simply because of the staff as well as the clients in our firm. We have a diverse client base and offer objective advice and customized solutions for each client's circumstances. It is a privilege and a joy to be a part of the lives of our clients.” —Jeanne Gibson Sullivan
Jeanne Gibson Sullivan is a senior wealth manager who appreciates the holistic approach of evaluating individual financial issues in a larger context. She has developed a specialty in advising clients who are saving for college, excelling in comparing the merits of various savings methods available.
Joining Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. in 2000, her expertise of investments reflects more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily with mutual fund companies. She has worked with multiple clients on sophisticated stock option analysis and clients with special needs issues in their families.
Her corporate experience primarily consists of consulting for mutual fund company executives on a broad range of issues. Jeanne was a consultant with Financial Research Corporation and Funds Distributor, Inc. and has worked for The Boston Company, Fidelity Investments, BayBank Investment Management and American Express. She was selected as one of the Boston Globe’s “Money Makeover” advisors.
Jeanne earned a Master of Arts degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Mount Holyoke College. She completed the financial planning program at Boston University.
Originally from the Midwest, Jeanne currently resides in Reading, Mass. with her husband Bill and their two sons. Her interests include guitar, swimming and keeping up with her children. Jeanne’s love for travel has taken her to 47 states, several Caribbean islands and overseas.
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Edward J. Childs, CFP®
“I'm thrilled to be working in an environment where ethics and the client's best interest are always paramount. Back Bay Financial Group is an ideal opportunity for me to put my technical background to use in helping the firm serve its clients.”
—Edward J. Childs
Edward “Ed” Childs joined Back Bay Financial Group in April 2005. He carries out a variety of analyses, research and technical assignments including portfolio management and software integration.
For the past 15 years, Ed has held senior engineering positions at companies such as Digital Equipment Corp., the Research Institute of the Open Software Foundation and EMC. His software responsibilities ranged from designing and implementing storage management agents and user-interface, data collection and file system components. This experience can be useful for client management at BBFG.
Most recently, he served as Business Manager for Charles Tersolo Paintings where he performed a variety of business management functions, including preparing financial and tax documents and implementing computer-based systems. He also handled computer-based business functions for a small financial planning practice focusing on investment management. This included creating spreadsheets to aid in portfolio rebalancing and recording electronic branch trade reports to ensure compliance with federal and state securities regulations.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a diploma in Financial Planning from Boston University. Ed received his Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2008 and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Massachusetts.
Ed currently resides in Jamaica Plain. His personal interests include travel, cooking and art collecting. He particularly enjoys working with visual artists on financial education and business development.
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Mary M. Evans, MSFP
“I am fortunate to work with such a bright, talented group – fully committed to delivering first-rate client service and applying the most current innovations in financial planning to all client matters.”
—Mary M. Evans
Mary joined Back Bay Financial Group in February of 2007 as a financial planning associate. In her role she works closely with the Wealth Managers in designing and maintaining client portfolios.
Before BBFG Mary was a Career Services Director for both Bentley College’s McCallum Graduate School of Business and Babson College’s MBA Center for Career Development at F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, where she worked closely with graduate students on career planning and placement services. Other positions she has held include; a Campus Recruiter Leader, Senior Accountant, Human Resource Manager, and Human Resource Senior Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
She holds her Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, with a concentration in accounting. In December of 2006 she finished up her Master’s of Science in Financial Planning from McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley College. She has recently taken her CFP exam and is now working at BBFG to gain her three years experience needed to use her CFP designation.
Mary is a life-long resident of the Boston area. She is an avid Boston sports fan and enjoys reading and frequent trips to Ireland.
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Erik W. Gudim, AWMA®
“Back Bay Financial Group has created an environment which supports learning and teamwork—qualities that enhance client relationships at all levels of the firm.”
—Erik W. Gudim
As a research/operations analyst, Erik supports company operations related to investment research, compliance, operational analysis and special projects. Prior to joining BBFG in 2007, he worked as an independent real estate consultant and held positions at various brokerage firms.
Erik is experienced in trade operations and compliance. He has worked for various organizations in the financial services industry, including LPL Financial Services of Boston, Mass. and San Diego, Calif., and a stock brokerage firm in California.
Erik received his Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM designation in 2008 from the College of Financial Planning. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in International Marketing and Finance, from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Erik has also studied abroad at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Erik enjoys traveling, reading, music and sports. He grew up in Connecticut, spent several years living in California and currently resides in the South End of Boston.
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Emily R. O'Hara, MSFP, CFP®
“As a member of BBFG, I am afforded the opportunity to work with accomplished professionals in a unique, collaborative environment. I am proud to be a part of a firm that provides qualified, fee-only financial advice to its clients.”
—Emily R. O'Hara
Emily O’Hara joined Back Bay Financial Group in April, 2005, as a financial planning associate. In her position she is responsible for assisting wealth managers with client relationships. This includes designing and updating financial plans, responding to client inquiries, preparing for client meetings and taking responsibility for deliverables.
The field of financial planning has always interested Emily. Prior to joining BBFG, she held various positions at financial institutions. Emily worked as an administrative assistant to a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner at American Express Financial Advisors and a paraplanner for a financial services firm in Quincy, Mass. She also served as a financial planning intern for a fee-only advisory firm.
Emily received her Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Stonehill College, with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics and graduated from the Bentley College Master of Science in Financial Planning program in 2008.
Originally from Los Angeles, Calif., Emily now resides in South Boston with her bulldog. She is the third generation in her family to pursue a career in financial planning and investment management. Her interests include, traveling, snowboarding and the Red Sox.
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Laraine Lennon
“Ultimately I joined to the firm because I respect the staff’s enthusiasm and overwhelming willingness to continue to develop their own knowledge in an effort to better serve clients.”
—Laraine Lennon
Laraine “Rainey” Lennon originally joined the firm in 2006 as an intern working throughout summer and school vacations. Her responsibilities included client prospecting, marketing mailings, investment policy statements, client database management and client budget analysis.
In June 2008 she took on a more permanent role and currently serves as office administrator. She now assists with coordinating staff procedures to work with clients, corresponds with company clients and works with the marketing team to develop and disseminate communications materials.
Rainey earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Anselm College. A long-time resident of Winchester, Mass., she currently resides in Boston’s North End. In her spare time she enjoys photography, traveling, reading and sports.
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Amanda “Mandy” A. Magee, RP
“As a small company, BBFG is a good environment to work in because one-on-one communication is standard for employees and advisor/client relationships.”
—Amanda A. Magee
Amanda “Mandy” Magee joined Back Bay Financial Group in January, 2005, as an office administrator. She has since transitioned into her current role as customer service associate. Her responsibilities include tracking new applications, handling money transfers and retaining client billing. She is also accountable for clients’ money movements and any activities relating to human resources.
Prior to joining BBFG, Mandy was responsible for performance reporting within a mutual fund group at State Street Bank. She also served as an office assistant at the Worcester Art Museum. Mandy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Keene State College in Keene, N.H.
Mandy grew up in the Manadnock Region of N.H. and she currently resides in Stoneham, Mass. She and her husband, Joshh, are ardent Red Sox fans. Her interests include reading, knitting and art. Having spent four months studying history in York, England, Mandy still enjoys visiting the area from time to time.
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Rebecca “Becky” C. Martz
“Our clients receive a high level of customer service and benefit from the caliber of knowledge and integrity of the professionals at Back Bay Financial Group.”
—Rebecca C. Martz
Rebecca “Becky” Martz has quickly risen through the ranks since joining BBFG. Originally hired in 2001 as an office administrator, Becky was promoted to a client services specialist in 2004. Since early 2007 Becky has also assumed responsibility for technology at the firm.
Currently, Becky provides desktop support, manages and maintains any software needs and oversees technical projects.
Becky attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature. She has since worked in various fields, including Formula One auto racing, Web site development and the retail book industry.
Becky enjoys reading European history books and historical novels. She grew up in New York City, moved to Paris in 1997 and settled in Massachusetts in 1999. She currently resides in Beverly.
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Kevin P. Sweeney, J.D.
“My background as a lawyer affords me a unique perspective on wealth management issues, especially as they relate to those areas most directly affected by statutes and other legal matters.”
— Kevin P. Sweeney
Kevin P. Sweeney joined Back Bay Financial Group, Inc. (BBFG) in December 2007 as a financial planning associate. In his role he assists wealth managers with designing and updating financial plans, responding to client inquiries, preparing for client meetings and providing financial planning recommendations.
Prior to joining BBFG, Kevin spent 21 years practicing law in Boston. He most recently spent nine years as a lawyer at Menard, Murphy & Walsh, LLP, where he handled complex employment-related and construction cases. During this time, he was granted an AV® rating by Martindale-Hubbell, recognizing him for maintaining the highest level of competence and ethics. He has also worked as a lawyer for Jager, Smith & Stetler, Burns & Levinson, LLP, Cuddy Bixby, Hare & Chaffin and Peabody & Brown, LLP. Throughout his career, Kevin has managed a diverse range of commercial cases.
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated magna cum laude, Kevin went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School, graduating cum laude. In 2007, he received his Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University and passed the Certified Financial Planner™ Certification Examination in July 2007.
Kevin and his wife reside in Brookline, Mass. In his spare time he enjoys golf, traveling and working out. As an alumnus, Kevin is an avid Notre Dame football fan.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) is a nonprofit professional regulatory organization founded in 1985 who's mission is to help people benefit from competent, professional and ethical financial planning.
As the sole owner of the certification trademarks CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, and  , the CFP Board awards the CFP® certification to financial planners who have met rigorous standards in education, examination, experience and ethics.
Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA Institute) is an international, nonprofit organization of more than 70,000 investment practitioners and educators in over 100 countries.
CFA Institute is the sole owner of the trademarks CFA®, , and CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST. The CFA Institute awards the CFA® certification to investment professionals who have met the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence.
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