Michael J. Gulish, CFP®
Founder & Financial Advisor
Michael E. Messina, CFP®, CIMA®
Financial Advisor
Stephen Gulish, CFP®, CPWA®
Financial Advisor
Catherine Gulish
Financial Advisor
Heather Cramer
Paraplanner
Alicia Sisbarro
Client Service Associate
Judy Gulish
Accountant
Michael J. Gulish, CFP®
Founder & Financial Advisor
Mike received his bachelor’s degree in accountancy with honors from Bentley College. Not long after, he and his wife, Judy, began to dabble in investing in the stock market. It didn’t take long before they realized it was not as easy as it seemed. Together, they decided that Mike would work, short term, for an investment company so he could learn the ins and outs of financial planning and investing. What started as a personal quest for financial knowledge has turned into a career and a business with a focus on helping people achieve financial independence.
One of Mike’s greatest joys is watching clients achieve their goals such as retiring or sending their children or grandchildren to college. Hearing from clients the impact that Gulish & Associates has had, not only on their finances but on their lives and those of their family, makes the long hours and hard work very gratifying.
Mike has been active in the community for many years. In addition to coaching youth basketball, he has volunteered in many capacities with local non-profits. Mike sits on the board of Communicare Inc. and he is currently the chairman of the BHcare Board of Directors.
Mike and Judy enjoy spending time with their son, Stephen, and his wife, Kristen, their daughter, Catherine, but most especially their grandsons. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and traveling with Judy.
Mike is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He is an Investment Adviser Representative with Commonwealth Financial Network® and holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth and insurance licenses in multiple states. These financial certifications have allowed him to provide financial advice to individuals, families, and business owners to build personalized plans to pursue their unique financial goals. He specializes in retirement planning, including the accumulation of wealth and the tax- efficient distribution of income.
Michael E. Messina, CFP®, CIMA®
Financial Advisor
From a young age, Mike dreamed of taking the mound as a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Countless hours spent practicing with his twin brother fueled his competitive spirit and lifelong love of sports. Off the field, Mike discovered another passion—numbers. Drawn to the logic, precision, and problem-solving of mathematics, he developed a fascination with statistics and probability that would later shape his career path.
Realizing the odds of a professional baseball career were slim, Mike pursued his other calling and earned a degree in mathematics from Quinnipiac University. Shortly after graduation, he joined Gulish & Associates, where he has spent more than a decade helping clients navigate the complexities of financial planning and investment management.
Mike applies the same focus and discipline that once guided him on the baseball field to his work with clients today. He takes pride in developing customized portfolios, managing risk, and building comprehensive financial strategies designed around each client’s individual goals. Known for his hands-on, educational approach, Mike strives to ensure clients feel informed, confident, and supported in every decision they make.
He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. In addition, he maintains FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, as well as life, accident, and health insurance licenses.
Outside the office, Mike enjoys spending time on the golf course or at the beach and cheering on his favorite teams—the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Eagles. During the summer, he and his girlfriend Michelle love traveling and discovering new spots across the Northeast. A favorite annual tradition is his trip to Saratoga, New York for the Travers Stakes.
Stephen Gulish, CFP®, CPWA®
Financial Advisor
Stephen remembers spending many weekends as a child in the office watching movies and eating bagels while his dad was working. In high school and his early college years, he spent time working at a golf course where he would regularly run into clients that worked with his dad. They often had positive things to say about his dad, Mike, specifically how he always made decisions in their best interest and had helped them feel comfortable about retiring. Those conversations were the first times Stephen thought that being an advisor and helping people with their financial decisions could be very rewarding.
After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in finance, he joined Gulish & Associates as a registered assistant, supporting the advisors and providing client service. After getting his licenses, Stephen joined the Retirement Plan Services team at John Hancock as an internal sales consultant and spent three years supporting financial advisors and helping small business owners implement 401(k) plans. While there, the company had a big push towards financial wellness and education. That push really emphasized the lack of financial education as people progress through high school and college.
Stephen decided he wanted to be in a role where he could educate people to manage their finances, so getting back into financial advising was the natural fit. In 2019, he rejoined the team at Gulish & Associates and now spends his time working individually with clients to build financial plans that will guide them towards their individual goals. He also helps manage the retirement plan side of the business. He especially enjoys doing analysis on 401(k) and 403(b) plans and educating employees and employers about the benefits of participating in a retirement plan.
Away from the office, Stephen now spends his time chasing his toddler aged son around. While not doing that, he chases his two-year-old lab mix around. He also enjoys being outdoors and traveling with his wife, Kristen. Stephen is an avid sports fan, especially baseball and basketball. He is a huge Red Sox fan and spent three years in college working with the UConn women’s basketball team, including during their championship seasons of 2013 and 2014.
Stephen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and CPWA® professional, holds his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations with Commonwealth Financial Network®, as well as his life insurance license.
Catherine Gulish
Financial Advisor
You might say that Catherine has been a part of Gulish & Associates her entire life. Growing up, she had many opportunities to be in the office and help with general office work like filing and shredding. More importantly, she got to see the impact her dad and his team’s work had on people’s financial success and hear how thankful clients were for the help they had received.
After receiving her marketing degree from Stonehill College, Catherine lived in Massachusetts for several years working at a major office supply distributor in their marketing department. She eventually moved back to Connecticut and joined the family business where she has used her marketing skills to help develop the Gulish & Associates website and implement many other marketing strategies. Catherine is also assisting with customer service and is working to become an advisor so she can continue to help clients reach their financial goals.
Catherine enjoys meeting and getting to know new people. Traveling and spending time with family and friends are her favorite things to do when she is not working. One of Catherine’s highlights so far is the semester of college she studied abroad in Italy.
Catherine holds her FINRA Series 7 and 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, as well as life, accident, and health insurance licenses.
Heather Cramer
Paraplanner
Heather came to Gulish and Associates, Inc. as a paraplanner to support the financial planning team in developing comprehensive plans to help clients achieve their financial goals. She is passionate about delivering high-quality, personalized service and offering client focused solutions. Heather is registered and holds SIE and FINRA Series 7, 63, 65.
Prior to her paraplanner role, she served as a Registered Operations leader at Ameriprise, where she focused on enhancing client service delivery and building efficient advisor practices. Heather’s foundation in the wealth management industry was built over 12 years as a Registered Client Service Associate supporting advisors with everything from client onboarding to portfolio management.
Before entering financial services, Heather achieved success in the pharmaceutical industry as a top performing sales representative – a role that sharpened her communication, relationship building and problem-solving skills. This cross-industry experience gives her a unique perspective and proactive approach to client service and operational excellence in wealth management that continues to guide her work in the paraplanner role at Gulish and Associates, Inc.
Outside of work, she is married to John, and they are proud parents to a wonderful son, Lincoln. In addition, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, visiting the beach and being a pet mom to the family mini–Australian Shepherd, Thor.
Alicia Sisbarro
Client Service Associate
Alicia came to Gulish & Associates after working in the marketing department of an advertising agency where she used her marketing degree from Springfield College. As the industry changed, she began to look for new opportunities to pursue. Her search led her to Gulish & Associates. Her outgoing personality and attention to detail are assets in her client service role. She is a friendly face to greet you when you arrive at the office and a pleasant voice on the phone. Alicia enjoys getting to know our clients personally, which allows us to better meet their needs.
Outside of the office, Alicia enjoys time with her three children. She also enjoys exercising and traveling.
Judy Gulish
Accountant
After completing a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, Judy began her career on the audit staff of KPMG, earning her CPA certificate while she was there. Judy transitioned to private industry, accepting a job at Loctite Corporation, a multinational corporation. She worked in their corporate headquarters for five years as a senior financial analyst responsible for internal and external financial reporting. She later transferred to Loctite’s tax department.
As her husband, Mike, grew his business, the need for an internal accountant became apparent and Judy’s skill set fit the bill. She was happy to support Mike in his mission of building a business to help clients reach financial security by joining Gulish & Associates as the company’s accountant.
Judy is an active member, and past president, of the Derby Shelton Rotary Club. She values the volunteer opportunities and community involvement her membership there affords her. She also enjoys playing with her grandsons, reading, and traveling.
