Michael Russo — President

Michael has been with CCG for 13 years. Since being appointed President of CCG in 2001, Michael has been responsible for managing the growth of the group focusing on operations, consultant training, project management of key accounts and marketing.

A graduate of Arizona State University, Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His advanced degree is a Masters of Business Administration from Rollins College.

He has spent a lifetime being influenced by his father’s analytical approach to problem solving and shares his obsession with ensuring no detail is left unattended to in plan design. He has been specifically trained in the planning techniques and teamwork principles used by his father during the moon space program.

Michael is responsible for insuring that CCG commitment to Fiduciary [Not Broker] Standards is maintained in every area of the company so clients can be assured that their interests are being put first—always.

Nicholas Giarrusso — Vice President of Operations

Nick has been with CCG for over 23 years. As Vice President of Operations, Nick is responsible for the smooth and effective running of the day-to-day operations of the group.

As a graduate of the New York City University’s Baruch College of Business and as the Vice President of Field Administration at a major insurance company prior to joining CCG,  Nick was well prepared to play his part in insuring that the CCG delivers on its service commitment: “Promise only that which we can deliver, then deliver everything that was promised...and more.”

Nick has stated, “It is the diversity of the position that holds its allure for me. I take personal satisfaction in making sure that our team of professional consultants and staff are able to exceed client expectations by making sure that our systems and controls, our technology and our facilities are the finest available.”

Tony Ward — In-House ERISA Counsel

Tony has been with CCG for over 13 years. In his role of in-house counsel, Tony is responsible for all aspects of design, installation, operation, reporting, disclosure, and compliance for qualified and non-qualified plans and trusts.

Tony received his accounting degree in 1990 and went on to earn an MBA in 1991 and a Masters in Taxation in 1992.  He received his law degree in 1994 from Hofstra University School of Law. He practices before the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court.  

In addition to training and advising the management and professional staff of CCG, Tony is also an approved continuing education provider and frequent lecturer to consultants, CPAs, attorneys, and other advisors.

Donna Greenstein — Director, CCG BENEFITS

Donna has been with CCG for 30 years and has, over the years, been responsible for all aspects of the group’s operations. Currently, as Director of CCG Benefits, Donna directs the professional staff of the Benefits division. Donna personally meets with clients and their advisors and also ensures that every client need is responded to in an accurate and timely manner.

Donna is a graduate of Brooklyn College with a Bachelors Degree in Education and a minor in Mathematics. She is also a member of the American Society of Pension Actuaries and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Donna has conducted state-accredited continuing education seminars for accountants, financial planners and accounting organizations including the National Association of Accountants, the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, and the New York State Society of CPA’s, Nassau and Suffolk Chapters.

Kevin M. Sweeney — Director, CCG PENSIONS

Kevin has been with CCG for over 13 years. As Director of CCG Pensions, Kevin directs the professional staff of the Pensions division. He is responsible for all aspects of administration on qualified plans and trusts. Kevin personally meets with clients and their advisors and also ensures that every client need is responded to in an accurate and timely manner.

Kevin has been in the pension field for over 34 years, starting his pension career with New York Life Insurance Company in November 1975, just after the enactment of ERISA.

Throughout his career, Kevin has been responsible for creative retirement plan designs, actuarial valuations and FASB compliance, VEBA administration, Employee Stock Ownership Plan administration and 401(k) recordkeeping.  

Kevin is a renowned expert in the pension field and has represented clients for IRS, PBGC and DOL audits.

Kevin is a frequent guest lecturer at consultant, CPA, attorney, and other advisor seminars.

John Romano — Director, CCG INVESTMENTS

John has been with CCG for 4 years. As Director of CCG Investments, John directs the professional staff of the Investments division. He is also the division’s Chief Compliance Officer. John personally meets with clients to ensure that every clients needs are responded to in an accurate and timely manner. John has been in the investment field for over 24 years starting his investments career in 1984.

Throughout his career, John's focus was equity trading, including acting as head trader and managing teams of traders as well as running the day-to-day operations.

John’s expertise is in equity markets, options and research. At CCG Investments, his responsibilities continue to include asset allocation of client portfolios, mutual fund research, pension plan reviews and recommendations, as well as his duties as Chief Compliance Officer.

John has stated, “I am a firm believer in our company’s philosophy of putting the best interests of the client first—always. Our no-commission environment insures an unbiased approach to investing.”