Management Team

Sean Hanlon, CFP^®

CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer

Sean Hanlon, the founder of Vestbridge, has four decades of experience guiding clients – and even other advisors – through simple and complex financial planning, investment market cycles and life events.

Sean’s career includes client advisor roles at major Wall Street firms and independent broker dealers, and as an owner/operator of a registered investment advisor. A seasoned investor, advisor, wealth manager, asset manager and executive, Sean is deeply familiar with, and has achieved great success for clients in, all aspects of asset and wealth management. Vestbridge is Sean’s expansive vision to bring investment management and financial planning to people and entities to help them achieve financial success.

As a philanthropist, Sean and his wife Cathy give to causes in education, homelessness, food banks, cancer research, humane society and more. A member of the Stevens Institute of Technology Board of Trustees since 2010, Sean has served as Chairman of the Investment Committee and the Finance Committee. The Sean and Cathy Hanlon Foundation is the benefactor to the Hanlon Financial Systems Center located at Stevens, where the National Science Foundation’s first-ever fintech collaborative between the government and institutions of higher learning was established.

Sean is an avid golfer with a single digit handicap, engages in an active nutrition and exercise program and enjoys time spent on the beach with family.

Don Williams

Chief Operating Officer

Don Williams joined the Vestbridge parent company in 2004 and oversees the Back and Middle office departments of the firm. Don worked for Montauk Financial Group prior to joining us. Don earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University. He enjoys all outdoor activities, especially golfing and mountain biking.

George Peller III

Co-Chief Investment Officer

George Peller joined the company in 2013 as a Research Associate. As Co-Chief Investment Officer, George heads the Vestbridge Investment Committee. In addition, George leads Vestbridge’s Investment Research team, which provides market and economic research, and oversees the proprietary and third-party model offerings on the company Model Marketplace.
Prior to joining the company, George specialized in Alternative Investments at BlackRock and Wells Fargo. George graduated with honors, Cum Laude, from La Salle University in 2003 with a major in Finance and a minor in Risk Management and Insurance.

Denise Verna

Controller

Denise Verna joined the company is 2015. In her position of Controller, Denise oversees the finances of the company. Denise became interested in accounting from her 12 years in the banking industry. She graduated from Thomas Edison State College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Thomas J. Ericson

Chief Compliance Officer

Thomas J. Ericson rejoined the company as Chief Compliance Officer in June 2021. Prior to rejoining, Tom served as the Chief Legal Officer and Compliance Officer for several different Broker Dealers and Investment Advisors. He is a frequent lecturer to producer groups and national associations on compliance related matters. Tom has passed the Pennsylvania Bar exam and Life and Health Agent examinations. He is a graduate of Mercyhurst College with a BA in Accounting and from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law with a JD degree.

Dave Powell

Chief Information and Technology Officer

David Powell joined the company in 2003, and as a Senior Systems Engineer, he is responsible for maintaining the current technology used by the firm and providing vision to address future technological needs. Prior to joining us, David worked for Comar, Inc., a large glassware and plastic manufacturer, as a UNIX programmer and as Manager of Technology Resources. In that role, David delivered a Microsoft/Unix ERP solution in a 0% downtime environment. David earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with minors in mathematics and psychology from Trenton State College. David enjoys coaching young adults and umpiring high school sports teams.

Linda Lemieux

Senior Wealth Management Advisory Associate

Linda Lemieux joined the company in 2010 and serves as Sr. Wealth Management Associate working along side Sean Hanlon, CEO to support the day to day needs of our clients. She is responsible for anticipating the clients needs and providing them with exceptional service at Vestbridge. In her time away from the office she enjoys time with her family, walking, gardening and spending time with her dog Jack.

Michael A. Porto

Marketing & Communications Associate

Michael joined the company in 2015. Michael has 23 plus years of experience in the marketing and communications field. Michael is a graduate of Glassboro State now Rowan University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and Graphic Communications Concentration. Michael enjoys spending time with family and close friends. Michael’s interests include sports in general, physical fitness, home improvement, fishing and boating, cooking, photography and world history.

Barbara M. Bonalski

Human Resource & Compliance Associate

Barb joined the Vestbridge parent company in 2012 as a Quality Control Associate.  With her extensive background in Human Resources, she was shortly thereafter reassigned to Human Resource Associate.  Barb handles all Human Resource related tasks, including medical benefits, Pension Plan administration, payroll administration and everything else in between.  In 2021, she took on an additional role at Vestbridge to add Compliance Associate to her title. She earned a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Ocean County College.  Barb enjoys the companionship of her Shetland Sheepdogs and volunteers with them as Certified Therapy Dogs. She also enjoys swimming, walking, hiking and horseback riding.