Merrill Joseph Gagne

Merrill has spent the last 15 years building the Gagne Wealth Management Group from the ground up. Surrounding himself with extraordinary advisors and associates creating a culture that always puts the client first. Focusing on goal oriented financial planning, the organization has been able to build a platform that can maximize reward while limiting risk for any goal. Every portfolio the organization builds is unique to the clients goals, moral and ethical values, and risk tolerance. Going through this experience with Merrill truly allows people to feel empowered to accomplish their goals but also educated on how the financial markets function. 

Merrill graduated from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts in 2007. He majored in Finance and Economics with a specialization in Investments. Early on, Merrill was honored as a top producer at Northwestern Mutual including #1 in the Platinum Category for the Eastern Region. 

Dave joined Gagne Wealth Management in 2024. His clients benefited from the group approach with an in-house CFA and client management team. Upon graduating high school, David became a student at the University of Massachusetts/Isenberg School of Management in 1999 and graduated with a major in Finance in 2003. At the Isenberg School of Management, he was introduced to Northwestern Mutual through an internship his senior year. During his 20+ years with Northwestern Mutual, he continued his studies through the American College in Bryn Mar Pennsylvania for my Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Certified Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP).

At UMass, he met his future wife, Lara (Springfield native and Animal Science major). Lara now works hard at the Molecular Lab Facility in Holyoke for Baystate Hospital. They now have two beautiful children, David Jr and Violet, and reside in West Springfield.

David has been an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with the Gagne Wealth Management Group since 2013. David’s primary responsibilities center around the implementation of the firm’s investment philosophy and process; such as daily portfolio management, risk management, income planning and macroeconomic analysis.

Prior to Gagne Wealth Management Group, David worked for five years at Greenfield Savings Bank as a commercial credit analyst. His responsibilities included analyzing the creditworthiness of prospective borrowers, stress testing the banks commercial loan portfolio, and making sure the commercial loan department stayed in compliance with FDIC guidelines and regulations.

David attended Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where he earned a double major in entrepreneurship and economics.

Stephen has been an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with the Gagne Wealth Management Group since 2016. Stephen’s primary responsibilities include the implementation of the firm’s investment philosophy and process as well as securities & asset allocation research, risk management and performance & economic analysis.

Prior to Gagne Wealth Management Group, Stephen worked for over six years at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s investment firm MML Investor’s Services, LLC where he was a Due Diligence Analyst focused on in depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of third-party investment managers and insurance products.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at The University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he graduated cum laude. He also holds a Bachelor of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Legal Studies from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Jennifer has been with the Gagne Wealth Management Group since 2023. Her primary responsibilities center around enhancing office efficiency while managing client’s day to day income planning.

Prior to Gagne Wealth Management, Jennifer worked for the City of Greenfield as their Health Director. With over 25 years working in vascular surgery and directing diagnostic imaging laboratories, one common theme for Jennifer is her desire to help the community and its people.

Jennifer attended University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she obtained her MPH focusing on education and policy development.  Her B.S degree was from SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York where she majored in Diagnostic Medical Imaging.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughter and assisting with people who are at risk for houselessness at the Survival Center.

Samantha has been with Gagne Wealth Management Group since 2023. Her primary responsibilities center around enhancing office efficiency through strategic marketing initiatives and maintaining an open line of communication with our clients.

Prior to Gagne Wealth Management, Samantha has worked in marketing for a technology start-up as well as a non-profit healthcare company.

Samantha attended Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.

Lane Simmons has been with Gagne Wealth Management Group since early 2024. He comes with over 20 years of Financial Services experience in Operations and specializes in investment operations. Lane’s Primary role is to help the team expedite and service-related investment accounts with money movements, account maintenance, and any investment related operational procedure within the Gagne Wealth Management group.  Lane also owns his own Food Services business and is a certified Food Protection manager. When he’s granted the opportunity he is chef’n it up at Smokin Lane’s BBQ & Seafood providing catering and Food services throughout the local community and abroad.