Our team consists of individuals, who have good technical skills, enjoy helping clients achieve their goals, and enjoy working in a team environment. We help and encourage each other and serve as sounding boards to each other on professional matters. Our success is due to both our individual skills and as well as our ability to work as a team.
John W. Eckel, CFP®, CFA founded Pinnacle in 1991. He received his BS from Cornell University and his MBA from the University of Virginia. After college he served for two years as a lieutenant in the US Army. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and has taught advanced financial management courses in the MBA programs of Babson College and RPI / Hartford Graduate Center. He has also taught investment courses in the adult education programs of several local communities and his comments have appeared in publications such as USA Today, Business Week, The Chicago Tribune, Smart Money, Financial Planning and other publications. He has been selected four times by Worth magazine as one of the “best financial advisers” in the United States, also selected by BusinessWeek.com as one of the most experienced financial advisors and named twice by Medical Economics as one of the best advisors for doctors and is listed as one of the “Top Professional Advisors” in J. K. Lasser’s book on Estate Planning for Baby Boomers and Retirees.
Although he was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey, John decided to make New England his home after serving at Ft. Devens MA during part of his military tour. While in school he was an avid NY Yankees and NY Giants fan, however he has since “converted” and is now a Sox and Pats fan. John and his wife Cathy have been long time residents of Simsbury. John has served on the Board of the Connecticut Valley chapter of the Financial Planning Association, and the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford and also served as President of the Cornell Club of Greater Hartford. John is a licensed pilot (currently inactive), and enjoys running, bicycling and skiing. His two adult children went to school in Simsbury, and are now married and living in Denver and Salzburg, Austria.
John J. Flanagan, CFP® joined Pinnacle in 2001 and works closely with clients focusing on their investments and financial planning. John is an honors graduate from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Economics. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS). Prior to joining Pinnacle he worked as Vice President and branch manager at TD Waterhouse (now TD Ameritrade). John was recently named for a second time by Medical Economics as one of the top advisors for doctors.
John lives in East Granby with his wife Dawn and sons John and Liam. John enjoys bicycling, fly fishing and spending time on the Maine coast.
Claire T. Hahn joined Pinnacle in 2004 with more than 12 years experience in areas of bank trust and estate planning, investment management and office operations. She is responsible for client relationships, communications, administration and generally “making it happen”.
Claire has an Associate degree in applied science and has completed all coursework for a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation. Claire grew up in upstate New York and lived in Maine before moving to CT. She lives in North Granby with her husband Paul and Giant Malamute dog Baxter (size XXXL). Paul’s company, Artistic Endeavors, designs and builds exquisite custom furniture and was an integral part of the design and building of the banister and railing in the restoration of the Old State House in Hartford.
Catherine R. Eckel joined Pinnacle in 1993 and has responsibility for reporting, finance, and our portfolio management technology. Cathy graduated with an RN degree in Canada. Prior to joining Pinnacle she was responsible for client relationships for the Society for Savings Trust Department in Harford. Cathy grew up in Peterborough Ontario and has since become a dual citizen, providing her with personal experience of the financial planning challenges facing “green card” holders and dual citizens. Cathy enjoys skiing, gardening and hiking and looks forward to spending more time in Denver and Salzburg once she becomes a two-time grandmother in 2010.
