SEFCU Wealth Management Services Team

Paula Aveni joined SEFCU Wealth Management Services as Director of Wealth Management in July of 2018 with 12 years of financial services industry experience. She has worked at several leading investment firms including Smith Barney, where she began her career, as well as AYCO, an executive financial planning firm. Paula holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the College of Saint Rose and her first calling was teaching. Paula’s most recent role was at Citizens Bank as a Sales Manager in the Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Eastern New York markets. Paula is an LPL Branch Manager and currently holds FINRA series 7, 9, 10, 24, 63 & 65 securities registrations through LPL. Paula relocated back to the area to be closer to family and join the SEFCU Wealth Management Services family.

Paula is located at the Patroon Creek branch in the Wealth Management offices

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Paul D. Brown, II is an LPL Financial Advisor, joining SEFCU Wealth Management Services in September 2020. He has more than seven years of financial services industry experience, most recently working as a licensed branch manager with KeyBank in Ithaca. He currently holds the FINRA series 7 and 66 registrations with LPL Financial as well as his New York State Life, Accident and Health license.

Paul is a 14-year United States Air Force veteran and earned his Bachelor of Arts at Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Paul also earned his Masters of Arts in International Relations from Webster. Paul is a “mid-western” transplant, brought to New York by his wife, Pam, and a love of the New York state scenery and outdoor activities, both winter and summer.

Paul serves all SEFCU credit union members and can be reached at 518-451-2954.

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Cynthia Alaia is an LPL Registered Administrative Assistant and has been in the financial services industry since 1998, joining SEFCU Wealth Management Services in April 2006. Prior to joining SEFCU Wealth Management Services, Cindy worked in the health claims field and later was employed by American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) as a manager of the life and annuity insurance departments. She completed her tenure at AEFA as a compliance officer and executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. She holds securities registrations through LPL Financial including FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 along with the NYS Life, Accident & Health and Variable Annuities licenses and is a notary public. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam and earned her Master's Degree from Russell Sage College.

Cindy is located at the Patroon Creek Branch in the Wealth Management offices. She can be reached at 518-451-2948.

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Ronald Bender is an LPL Financial Advisor, joining SEFCU Wealth Management Services in 2019. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently working as a financial advisor at Citizens Investment Services of Clifton Park. Ron earned his Bachelor of Science from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Throughout his career he has worked with families and individuals to pursue their financial goals using planning tools and preservation strategies. He lives in Guilderland with his wife Jeanne and their children Joseph, Megan, and Matthew. 

Ron is located at 655 Patroon Creek Blvd, Albany, NY, but serves SEFCU credit union members. He can be reached at 518-464-5327.

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John Nuzzi is an LPL Financial Advisor, joining SEFCU Wealth Management Services in February 2019. John has eight years of experience in the financial services industry as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firm Citi Smith Barney.  He has also worked in the insurance and employee benefits space. John is an LPL Financial Advisor who currently holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through LPL Financial, as well as the NYS Life, Accident & Health Insurance License. John is a Long Island native who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Hofstra University. He lives in East Greenbush with his wife Noelle and their two sons, Jackson, and Devin.

John is located at 655 Patroon Creek Blvd, Albany, NY, but serves SEFCU credit union members. He can be reached at 518-451-2859.

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Nicole L. Mann joined SEFCU Wealth Management Services in July 2020 as an LPL Financial Advisor. She began her career with Citizens Financial Group in 2011. As an LPL Financial Advisor Nicole takes time to understand each client’s unique economic and life situation. She believes that personalized services are essential when matching clients with the right financial services to address their individualized needs.

Nicole currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 6, 66, and 63 registrations with LPL Financial as well as her NYS Life, Accident & Health license. Nicole holds the Certified Retirement Counselor* designation and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation.

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Plattsburgh while competing as a member of the Plattsburgh State Softball team. Nicole lives in the Capital Region and while away from helping her clients Nicole enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family, and volunteering within the community.

Nicole is located at 655 Patroon Creek Blvd, Albany, NY, and serves all SEFCU credit union members. She can be reached at 518-451-2932.

*Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) conferred by InFRE^®.

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