Carolyn Lloyd-Cohen, CLU, ChFC, AEP, AIF®
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
A financial services professional since 1977, Carolyn specializes in the areas of qualified pension plans, wealth management, insurance, business succession planning and estate planning. She founded Carolyn Lloyd-Cohen LLC/Preferred Pensions LLC in 1982 to provide financial solutions for high net worth individuals and business owners through a distinctive client-centered approach. As chief executive, she also leads the business development and marketing efforts, and continues to create systems and processes to further enhance the client experience. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana and a graduate of Indiana University, Carolyn has lived in England, France, Germany and South Africa. Her interests include art, theater and languages, and she is conversant in French and German. Especially interested in animals, both wild and domestic, she serves on the Health Sciences Committee of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and enjoys long walks with her German Shepherd, “Saksie.”
Accreditations
- Chartered Financial Consultant
- Chartered Life Underwriter
- Accredited Estate Planner
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Pension Actuaries
- Association for Advanced Life Underwriting
- Estate Planning Council of Bergen County (past president)
- Estate Planning Council of New York City (past board member)
- Financial Planning Association
- Genworth Financial Wealth Management (past Field Advisory Board member)
- National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
- National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
- Partners Financial (past member of the advisory board)
- Society of Financial Service Professionals
Carolyn is a Registered Representative and an Investment Advisor Representative with NFP Securities, Inc.
Collette Burnett
Manager of Operations and Client Services
Collette joined our firm in 1995 and came to us with eight years of experience in the insurance industry. As manager of operations and client services, she is responsible for new business preparation and underwriting, individual client investment account management, and general office management in areas ranging from human resources and training to information technology and communications. A native New Yorker, Collette enjoys ethnic foods, fine restaurants, and four-legged friends. In 1999, she established her own cattery, called Aristotonks, where she breeds Tonkinese cats. Her felines have won numerous photo contests, made television commercials, appeared in the Cat-A-Day calendar, and were featured on the Martha Stewart show in January 2010. Collette and her husband are also dog enthusiasts, sharing their home with four canines, but no television bookings for them—so far.
Heidi Ruberto
Director of Pension Services
With thirteen years of business experience in customer service and sales/marketing administration, Heidi joined our company in 1996. Her major responsibilities include third party administration for a range of retirement plans, including profit sharing, 401(k), defined benefit, and safe harbor plans. She is the primary liaison between our actuarial department and investment company representatives, plan sponsors/trustees and participants; and also ensures that all procedures, including applications and filings, are SEC-compliant. Heidi is a native of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, and she prepared for a business career at the Century Institute in Hackensack. A “big time” fan of the Indianapolis Colts, she also enjoys walking and hiking, decorating her home for Halloween and Christmas, spending time with family and friends—and shopping for shoes.
W. Michael McNair, CFA
Director of Investment Services
After serving as an associate analyst in the equity research division of Citigroup Investment Research for more than a decade, Michael joined our team in January 2010. His responsibilities include fiduciary reviews for all investment clients, analyzing advisory investment accounts and qualified plan investments, and evaluating wealth management strategies and products with a focus on optimal results and volatility management. A native of Maywood, New Jersey and an honors graduate of Rutgers College, Michael is a Registered Representative of NFP Securities, Inc. but does not currently offer securities. He is a CFA charterholder and a candidate for CFP Board’s certification. His interests include reading, exercise and rooting for the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and both he and his wife enjoy cooking together—quality time in the kitchen.
Maura Gill
Director of Administrative and Policy Holder Services
Maura had worked as a legal assistant for nine years prior to accepting a position with our company in 2008. She is responsible for general office administration, policy holder services, website maintenance, and accounts receivable. She grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, and earned an associate’s degree from Stafford Hall. A dedicated and energetic volunteer, she is past president of the Town Club of Mountain Lakes, a community service organization, and she also helps provide nourishing meals for the Community Soup Kitchen. For two consecutive years, Maura chaired the Spirit 5K footrace, an annual event that under her leadership raised approximately $250,000 for the Medical Needs Foundation, a nonprofit that assists Morris County residents in meeting medical and health-related needs beyond the scope of standard health insurance.
Pamela Berardi
Executive Assistant to Carolyn Lloyd-Cohen
Pam joins our company with eight years experience in the insurance industry and holds life insurance and property and casualty licenses. She also has prior experience in computer consulting, construction and as a personal trainer. Pam is newly married with four children and lives in Chester, New Jersey. She enjoys traveling, reading, opera, ballet and the theatre. She is also the proud owner of two adorable Yorkshire Terriers.
Patrick Turbett
Controller and Chief Financial Officer
An educator and an entrepreneur before joining our company in 2000, Patrick is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, works closely with our accountant in budget development and tax preparation, and provides strong support in developing human resources processes and systems. He was born and raised in Ohio, where he earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. His major hobby is dog agility training: teaching his German Shepherd to navigate through a timed obstacle course—through hoops, down ramps, over hurdles, and more—by following his voice, hand or body signals. At AKC (American Kennel Club) and other agility trials, dogs and handlers are scored on speed and accuracy, with rules focused on safety. It’s a challenging sport, and one of the fastest growing in the nation.
