WESTERLY – Professional Planning Group in Westerly has named a new chief financial officer.
Malcolm A. Makin, president and founder of the wealth management firm, announced last week his chief financial officer of 20 years, Kathy Nealon, has retired. Taking her place is Joanna Valentini, who previously worked at The Washington Trust Co.
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“Kathy was an effective leader and a good friend to all of us, both staff and clients alike. She will be missed,” Makin said. “We are extremely fortunate and very excited to have Joanna join us.”
Makin, repeatedly named by Barron’s as the No. 1 financial adviser in Rhode Island, hired Valentini amid a nationwide search for a new CFO.
“I was looking all over the country and found exactly the person I was looking for right here at home,” Makin said.
Valentini, a certified public accountant, will also assume the role of vice chair of the executive team. She began her career in 1991 with KPMG Peat Marwick.
“Joanna is an accomplished CPA with extensive experience in corporate financial issues, which we need as a firm, but also has the ability to work individually with our clients on their tax-related issues,” Makin said.
In addition to Valentini, PPG promoted Lee Ann Kozora to office manager, and Garrett Babiij to research director, according to Makin.
