Chuck Cumello has been the President and CEO of Essex Financial for more than 7 years. He has accumulated more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry over the course of his career with almost all of it focused on personal wealth management and financial planning. Chuck routinely appears on Bloomberg Radio to discuss prominent financial matters such as market volatility in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and global economic themes and how those themes impact the financial markets. All of his features can be found on the company’s website in the “Latest” section.
At Essex Financial, Chuck is dedicated to upholding a client-centric approach to financial services. He strives to create a culture that provides the firm’s clients with impeccable service, guidance and advice. As the leader of Essex Financial’s senior management team, Chuck prioritizes the satisfaction of clients, creating a great environment for the firm’s outstanding financial advisors and employees and he takes pride in his role in maintaining the reputation of Essex Financial as a valuable, respectable resource for wealth management, retirement & financial planning, corporate and small business retirement plans and other financial services.
Within his role with Essex Financial, Chuck strives to provide clients with a sense of security and trust; it is important to Essex Financial that clients are highly satisfied with the service they receive, and as the company’s Financial Advisors diligently abide by the fiduciary standard, their clients can rest assured that their needs and desires will be put above all else.
Because Essex Financial acquires most of their new clients through referrals, Chuck and the other members of the senior management team strive to encourage and facilitate positive relationships between advisors and clients. With varied specializations and experiences, the Essex Financial team provides personalized service to meet the needs of all their clients.
Chuck is a leader at Essex Financial as well as the financial industry at large. Through his commitment to excellent service to clients, his support of the tremendously talented advisors and staff in the firm and his dedication to fostering trustworthy, reliable, and effective practices, Chuck demonstrates the best of Essex Financial’s approach to business in his professional endeavors.
Question: What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Chuck Cumello: That I am a husband, married for 28 years to a wonderful woman. I am a proud father to two young adults: a son, who recently graduated from WPI, and a daughter, who is a freshman at UCONN. I also have the absolute privilege of working with a tremendously talented group of people at Essex Financial.
Question: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Chuck Cumello: I am fortunate to have many things to be proud of, but focusing on my professional life, I am most proud of leading Essex Financial and its outstanding staff through some very turbulent times a few years ago.
Question: Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Chuck Cumello: Outlook. It is how I stay organized, productive and efficient.
Question: What is your favorite hobby and why?
Chuck Cumello: I enjoy shooting sports such as skeet shooting. You have to be very focused and disciplined. It is also a great stress reliever and a way to get away from the pressures of work.
Question: What excites you the most about your industry right now?
Chuck Cumello: The constant changes and technology improvements that allows us to offer the best financial planning and investment solutions to help our clients achieve whatever goals they or their family may have.
Question: What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
Chuck Cumello: When I left my position at Fidelity Investments in March 2009 to join Essex Financial. The outcome of the great financial crisis was far from certain at that point in time, and I left a firm where I was in the top 10% nationally in what I did (Branch Manager of the West Hartford, CT Investor Center) to join a much, much smaller firm in a position that had just been created. At the time, Fidelity had 30,000 employees and Essex Financial had around 40 employees.
Question: Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Chuck Cumello: My ability to stay organized and prioritize many important tasks/projects. My high energy level, as well.
Question: What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Chuck Cumello: Don’t be shy! Speak up. Business leaders do not know it all. The best ones seek input and foster an environment where people feel like their opinions and ideas are wanted and appreciated.
Question: What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Chuck Cumello: Hard to say just one. I am a big fan of military history, especially World War II. Reading books about the sacrifices made and the bravery that the members of our armed forces exhibit, both past and present, I find to be humbling and very motivating.
Question: Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
Chuck Cumello: I value neither one independently; I value them both. In my experience, the best, most well-rounded, and impactful people have an excellent balance of both. Either one by themselves is good. The combination is great.
Question: What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Chuck Cumello: A perfect day would be one where I was able to get done what I had planned at work. Accomplishing things to move the organization and/or its fantastic employees forward is plenty satisfying. Having done that at work, then being able to get home, eat dinner with my family, and exercise—that, to me, is a perfect day.
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Essex Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC. A subsidiary of Essex Savings Bank. The securities and insurance products offered through Essex Financial Services, Inc. are not a deposit of, or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank, or an affiliate of any bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States, the Bank or an affiliate of the bank and involve investment risk, including the possibility of a loss of the principal amount invested.
