Tony Lopes
Practice Manager
Anthony “Tony” Lopes joined the firm in 2018. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Tony spent 15 years with one of the largest Non-Profit credit and housing counseling agencies in the county, spending 10 of those years as a member of the executive leadership team.
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Tony has been a frequent speaker at housing and mortgage lending conferences and has been interviewed and featured in USA Today and has written articles for numerous national publications. Tony received his bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and lives in Agawam, MA with his wife and daughter.
Erika J. LeBaron
Director of Operations
Erika brings over three decades of experience and dedication to her role as Director of Operations at O/L Advisors. Since joining the firm in 1991 as a receptionist, she has grown alongside the organization, taking on increasing responsibilities, mastering each role, and developing a deep understanding of the firm’s inner workings.
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Throughout her tenure, Erika has held multiple key positions, each providing her with hands-on insight into the evolving landscape of financial services. Her journey reflects a rare combination of loyalty, leadership, and a continuous drive to learn and adapt.
Today, Erika oversees the Operations Team and manages critical functions including firm bookkeeping, regulatory licensing, advisory fee invoicing, and compensation reconciliation. Her expertise ensures the firm operates smoothly and in full compliance, while her leadership fosters a collaborative and efficient team environment.
Respected for her attention to detail and institutional knowledge, she remains an integral part of O/L Advisor’s ongoing success and commitment to excellence.
Donna S. Rizzio
Operations Specialist
Donna serves as O/L Advisors’ Operations Specialist directly assisting her husband Ken Rizzio and son Chris Rizzio, both advisors with OL, and acting as a vital liaison between the firm’s other advisors, clients, and custodians.
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Since joining the firm in 1999, Donna has played an integral role in streamlining and supporting daily operations. She works closely with multiple advisors to ensure smooth processing of client requests, including paperwork, money movements, and the opening of new accounts across a variety of financial platforms.
With attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving, Donna is known for delivering exceptional support and service. Her extensive experience and deep knowledge of operational processes make her a valued resource to both advisors and clients.
Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Central Connecticut State University and an associate’s degree from Endicott College.
Sherry Kobani
Operations Specialist
Sherry Kobani joined O/L Advisors in June 2023, initially serving as a part-time Receptionist and Operations Specialist. With a strong work ethic and extensive experience in the financial sector, she quickly transitioned into a full-time Operations Specialist role, where she now plays an integral part in supporting both advisors and their clients.
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Her daily responsibilities include processing paperwork, handling money movements, and opening new accounts across multiple financial platforms. Known for her attention to detail and client-focused mindset, Sherry helps ensure that operational workflows run smoothly and efficiently.
Bringing over 23 years of experience in the banking industry, Sherry has held a variety of roles—from managing Visa debit and credit card programs to serving as a lending officer. Her deep understanding of financial services and dedication to delivering exceptional client service make her a valuable asset to the team.
Nikki Peyton
Operations Manager
Nikki brings a strong track record of dedication, efficiency, and growth to her role as Operations Manager at O/L Advisors. She began her career with the firm in 2018 as a receptionist, where she quickly developed a keen understanding of client service and office operations. After two years, she transitioned into the Operations Team as an Operations Specialist, where she honed her skills in processing critical paperwork for financial advisors and their clients.
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Over the years, Nikki became a key member of the team, gaining extensive experience with account administration, transaction processing, and the unique documentation requirements across multiple financial platforms. Her attention to detail and proactive approach earned her the role of Operations Manager, a position she has held since July, 2024.
As Operations Manager, she oversees the daily workflow of the Operations Team, ensuring timely execution of money movements, account setups, and paperwork processing. She trains new team members and continues to provide support and is a resource for existing team members. She also specializes in managing complex estate cases involving multiple accounts, demonstrating both her technical knowledge and her ability to navigate sensitive client situations.
With deep knowledge of operational procedures, a strong grasp of transaction processing requirements, and a strong commitment to supporting both advisors and clients, Nikki ensures that the firm’s operational integrity and client satisfaction remain top-tier.
Kristina Guzzardi
Operations Specialist
Kristina joined O/L Advisors in January 2022 as a receptionist, quickly demonstrating a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to client service. After two years in that role, she transitioned to the position of Operations Specialist in October 2024.
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In her current role, Kristina plays a key part in supporting several financial advisors and their clients by handling a broad range of operational tasks. These include processing client paperwork, facilitating money movements, and opening new accounts across various financial platforms. Known for her efficiency and accuracy, Kristina helps ensure that both advisors and clients experience seamless and professional service at every step.
With a strong foundation in administrative support and a growing depth of experience in financial operations, Kristina continues to contribute to the firm’s success by enabling advisors to focus on delivering high-quality financial planning and investment strategies.
Nicole C. Mealey
Operations Specialist
Nicole serves as an Operations Specialist at OL Advisors, where she provides essential support to multiple financial advisors and their clients. Since joining the firm in March 2023, she has been instrumental in streamlining daily operations, including processing client paperwork, handling money movements, and opening new accounts across a variety of financial platforms.
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With a background that blends legal knowledge and a strong understanding of human behavior, Nicole holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This unique combination allows her to approach operations with precision, analytical thinking, and a client-centered mindset.
Known for her attention to detail and proactive problem-solving, Nicole is a reliable point of contact for both advisors and clients—ensuring smooth execution of processes while upholding the highest standards of compliance and service.
Katie Principe
Executive Coordinator
Katie joined our firm in 2024 as Executive Coordinator, bringing strong organizational skills and a client-first mindset to the team. In this role, Katie works directly with Steven Howard, Financial Advisor and Owner, to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently.
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With a focus on high-level administrative support, Katie oversees scheduling, monitors and manages email communications, and serves as a key liaison between the firm and its clients. Katie is also responsible for handling money movement requests, processing account paperwork, and opening new investment accounts across multiple financial platforms.
Katie brings a strong attention to detail and a calm, client-centered approach to every task. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, which has sharpened her critical thinking, discretion, and problem-solving skills—assets that contribute to her effectiveness in a fast-paced financial services environment.
Patti Civitillo
Front Desk Receptionist
Patti joined the firm in 2024 as the Front Desk Receptionist, quickly becoming a vital part of our client experience and daily operations. As the first point of contact for our office, Patti brings warmth, professionalism, and efficiency to every interaction—whether she’s greeting clients in person or directing calls to the appropriate advisor or team member.
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Her daily responsibilities include managing a high volume of phone calls, welcoming clients, processing incoming and outgoing mail, and keeping the office well-stocked with essential supplies. Beyond her front desk duties, Patti supports the Operations Team and advisors with a variety of projects, lending her organizational skills and attention to detail wherever needed. She also assists with scheduling for one of our internal teams, helping to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Patti’s approachable demeanor and dedication to service reflect the firm’s commitment to providing a seamless and client-focused experience from the very first hello.
Bethany L. Roche
Executive Coordinator
Bethany joined the firm in February 2024 as an Executive Coordinator, bringing valuable prior experience in the financial services industry along with a strong academic foundation. In her current role, she supports two independent financial advisors, helping to drive the success of their individual practices through her professionalism, organizational skills, and client-focused approach.
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She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, providing her with the analytical skills to navigate the complex and ever-evolving financial landscape. Currently, Bethany is pursuing a dual MBA and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) program at the College of Our Lady of the Elms, where she is deepening her expertise in financial planning and wealth management. Her long-term goal is to transition into a financial advisory role, leveraging her growing knowledge to guide clients toward making informed decisions that align with their financial objectives.
Bethany is dedicated to continuous growth and learning within the financial services industry. She is committed to supporting the success of both the advisors she works with and the clients they serve. As she works toward becoming a financial advisor herself, her passion for helping individuals and families achieve long-term financial success remains at the forefront of her professional journey.