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FINANCIAL ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST… FOR A CHANGE

1. NO PRODUCT SALES

Our fee-only approach means you get objective advice, not a sales pitch. We do not accept commissions or any outside compensation. You pay us directly so you don’t have to worry that the advice you receive might be influenced by other agendas. We can exclusively focus on finding the best solutions for your needs. Another word for that is “Fiduciary.” We put your interests first.

2. COMPREHENSIVE

Your financial life involves more than just the stocks, bonds and mutual funds in your portfolio. At Taconic Advisors we consider all aspects of your financial picture and offer guidance with:

Tax planning
Risk Analysis/Insurance Review
Real Estate
Annual Spending Plans and Budgets
Goal Assessment
Estate Planning
Investment Review, Portfolio Design and Implementation
Consolidating and Organizing Accounts

3. PERSONALIZED

No two clients are exactly alike, so your financial plan should be as unique as you are. After getting to know you and your goals, we take the time to build a plan together and educate you along the way so you can better understand what is happening with your money.

MEREDITH W. BRIGGS, CFP®

Meredith graduated from Duke University in 2001 and began her financial services career in 2005 in Richmond, Virginia. After experiencing several significant family events she was inspired to develop a career helping individuals and families meet their financial goals.

She completed the rigorous exams for the Series 7, Series 66 and Life and Health Insurance licenses and began working with individuals, families and small businesses. But, as Meredith became more experienced in her field, she also became more concerned with the typical role of a financial advisor as “salesperson” and “asset gatherer” and the lack of focus on clients' financial goals.

In 2009 Meredith became a Certified Financial Planner™ and joined a fee-only wealth management company where she worked as the lead advisor and created and monitored comprehensive financial plans, tax projections and their corresponding investment strategies. In 2011 Meredith moved to the Hudson Valley to be closer to family and joined a large wealth management company providing financial planning services to clients employed at local non-profit organizations.

In 2016, Meredith became a co-owner and shareholder in Taconic Advisors. She is excited to help steer the future direction of the company and bring more awareness of fee-only planning to the community.

JOHN A. KELLY, CFP®

After graduating from Adelphi University in 2008, John began his career in finance on the precipice of the U.S. financial crisis. John obtained the Series 7, Series 6 and Life Accident and Health licenses while working for a large financial services company in the heart of Manhattan.

John gained invaluable experience supporting a successful advisory team. He had the opportunity to interact with thousands of clients and helped to coordinate billions of dollars in assets. However, after working in the industry for nearly a decade, it became obvious that the success of the company’s clients would often come second to that of their advisors. With that understanding, John decided it was time to go in search of a new paradigm, and so he moved from Manhattan to the Hudson Valley in August of 2016.

Luckily, his search was brief, and in March 2017 he joined Taconic Advisors as the Financial Planning Assistant to Charles “Chip” Simon and Meredith Briggs. John is absolutely thrilled to have found the company of like-minded individuals and after completing the rigorous requirements fort the CFP® designation he is now taking a lead role with client relationships.

John lives with his astonishingly wonderful wife, Megan, in Beacon, NY. They enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors and exploring all that the Hudson Valley offers.

CHARLES "CHIP" SIMON, CFP®

Chip wrapped up his 20-year financial planning career with Taconic Advisors at the end of 2022. He founded the firm in 2002 and has spread the gospel about the benefits of financial planning without financial product sales since that time. He is pleased and confident that Taconic’s clients will continue to work with a skilled team of planning professionals under Meredith Briggs’ leadership.

Chip received his B.A. from Colgate University in 1974 and holds a graduate degree in Accounting from New York University. He received training in all areas of personal financial planning through Marist College and specialized training in financial planning techniques through the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP). In 2019 he was the recipient of ACP’s Stewart Farnell Award for Exemplary Coaching. Another great honor during Chip’s career was to meet with the founder of Vanguard Investments, the late John C. “Jack” Bogle. At the end of the meeting Jack inscribed his book “Enough” with the following message “For Chip’s clients…listen to him!”

Chip currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley and Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. In the past he chaired the Board of ACP and sat on the Boards of the Chamber Foundation and Mental Health Association as well as chairing the annual American Heart Association Heart Ball.

Chip is married to Karen Hansen Simon, a happily retired ex-CPA partner, formerly with Sedore and Company, CPAs, LLP. They enjoy vacation travel and community events together, as well as the company of their children, Scott & Emma.

One last note about financial planning for retirement…it really works!