Meet the Team

James Hartwell - MBA, President & CFO

Jim started Essex Financial in 1991. In 1997, along with Art Freedman, he started Essex, L.L.C. Jim received both his undergraduate degree and his MBA from Mankato State University in 1988 and 1994, respectively. He received his CFS, Certified Funds Specialist designation in 1994. In 1995 he helped create the Advisors Forum with other top investment advisors. He is a member of the Investment Committee for Essex as well as the Little City charity.

Arthur Freedman - MBA, CPA

Art is a CPA and a tenured member of the Essex team. Prior to joining Essex in 2000, he was a senior partner in the Chicago accounting firm of Friedman, Eisenstein, Raemer, and Schwartz where he headed their Personal Financial Planning division. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois (1971) and an MBA from Northwestern (1973). He is a member of the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society. Art also serves as a member of the Investment Committee.

Robert Tutela - CCO, Portfolio Manager & Financial Advisor

Rob joined Essex in 2016 from JP Morgan Asset Management in New York providing trading, compliance and operational services for a variety of products to both retail and private bank clients. His experience provides him invaluable knowledge for portfolio management and the overall nature of the Investment Advisory business. He is a graduate from Montclair State University with a B.S. in Finance and Business Administration. He is the Chief Compliance Officer and a Portfolio Manager for Essex, as well as a member of the Investment Committee.

Debbie Gray - Chief Administrator

Debbie joined Essex in 2004. She has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and is the head of Administration. Her previous work experience included her service at Rodman & Renshaw, Mesirow Financial, and Gardner Rick & Co.

Benjamin Cairns - CFP®, COO, & Financial Advisor

Ben joined ESSEX, LLC in 2014. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Essex LLC. In addition to earning a bachelor of business administration from Western Michigan University, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. The rigorous educational requirement for the CFP® exam has prepared Ben to facilitate clients through all aspects of the financial planning process. Prior to joining ESSEX, he enjoyed a 20-year career in publishing. Ben also serves as a member of the Investment Committee.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Ted Connolly - CFP®, Portfolio Manager & Financial Advisor

Ted joined Essex in 2021 as a Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor. Prior to that he spent 15 years with Iron Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, where he ran a number of fixed income strategies as well as options, REITs, risk based ETF’s and mutual fund portfolios. He brings extensive experience as a trader and portfolio manager to his role at Essex. Ted is a graduate of Connecticut College with a BA in Economics and serves as a member of the Investment Committee.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Justin Nolan - Financial Advisor

Justin joined Essex in 2016 from JP Morgan Private Bank where he created and executed financial plans that ensured individual and family wealth preservation and growth. As a third generation member of the CBOT for over 20 years, Justin built and ran the largest order execution business on the financial floor at the exchange. Since then, Justin’s focus has been private investment and wealth management. With over 35 years of experience in equities, fixed income and alternatives, Justin brings a vast depth of knowledge in market strategy to Essex.

Nancy Effert – Wealth Manager

Nancy, previously president of Effert Financial Solutions, Inc. merged her financial advisory firm with Essex, LLC in late 2023 because of their team approach, shared vision, and values. Nancy had over 20 years of corporate leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving experience for Fortune 500 companies when she started Effert Financial Solutions, Inc. in 2006. Nancy is a result-driven strategic consultant with a signature goal-based approach to wealth management and financial advisement. She has been honored for 10 consecutive years as a Five Star Wealth Manager* (2014-2023) and has been profiled and recognized in Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Magazine.

Jo Ann Barnes – Client Services

Jo Ann joined Essex in 2023. With an extensive background that includes 5 years with Effert Financial Solutions and over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector both as an entrepreneur and award-winning Sales and Operations Executive, she is a highly effective partner for the team. Jo Ann earned her B.S.B.A from Tampa College. She has proven results in leadership, business transformation, and startups. Jo Ann brings an energy and drive to provide exceptional service and results.

Renee Jeffries -- FPQP

Renee joined Essex in 2023 coming over from Effert Financial Solutions. She earned her FPQP designation in 2012, which required comprehensive training in budgeting, investment planning, risk management, and health insurance investment. Renee brings over 25 years of financial industry experience to the team, including experience with both independent financial advisors and larger firms as the primary point of contact for clients and institutional contacts. Clients are the core of what she does, her goal is to provide clear and reliable communication with attention to detail.