James Zahansky Honored with Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Gold Key Award

POMFRET CENTER and TOLLAND, CT (June 5, 2024) — James Zahansky, AWMA®, Principal/Managing Partner and Chief Goal Strategist at Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors (WHZ) has been awarded the prestigious Gold Key Award by the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. The Gold Key Award recognizes Zahansky's exceptional business leadership and community involvement in Northeast Connecticut. 

Zahansky joined WHZ in 2014 and currently leads the firm's practice strategy, business development, client experience, and team leadership efforts. He has a particular interest in guiding business owners through financial planning and wealth management issues from start-up to succession planning, in addition to working with individual, family, and non-profit clients. 

"Jim's passion for empowering others, both his clients and throughout the community, embodies the spirit of the Gold Key Award," said Elle-Jordyn Sherman, Executive Director of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. "His innovative leadership at WHZ, combined with his selfless commitment to strengthening Northeast Connecticut made him an outstanding choice for this honor." 

Prior to transitioning to his current role at WHZ in 2014, Zahansky spent 17 years as a senior executive in the pharmaceutical industry developing strategies for major brands. Throughout his career, he has honed skills in strategy, leadership, finance, and interpersonal dynamics.  

In addition to his professional work at WHZ, Zahansky demonstrates exceptional community leadership. Zahansky is a Director on the Day Kimball Healthcare Board and a Corporator for Jewett City Savings Bank. He is past-chair and current member of the Hale YMCA Board of Advisors and also serves on the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where he served as president in 2023. He is a Bryant University graduate and has been appointed to the school's Wall Street Council of finance-focused alumni. 

Laurence Hale, Principal and Managing Partner at WHZ, commended Zahansky's recognition, stating, "This award celebrates Jim's innovative business vision as well as his dedication and commitment to uplifting lives not just within our firm, but across our region through financial empowerment and community engagement. Jim personifies our goal here at WHZ to provide absolute confidence and unwavering partnership, for life, to those we serve." 

Zahansky holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® (AWMA®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. He was selected as a Five Star Wealth Manager for the fourth consecutive year (and every year he was eligible) in 2022. (The 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award was created by Five Star Professional and was presented in November 2022  based on data gathered between February 2022 and September 2022. A total of 2,950 Connecticut-area advisors were considered, and 290 (10%) of advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit  www.fivestarprofessional.com.)  

The 2024 Gold Key Award by the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce was presented at the Chamber's Annual Awards Gala on May 30, 2024. This award recognizes exceptional business leadership and community involvement in Northeast Connecticut. For more information about the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, visit nectchamber.com.

WHZ was founded in Pomfret, Connecticut in 2006, and opened a second office in Tolland, Connecticut in 2023. The independent investment firm acts as a fiduciary in offering wealth management and customized financial planning services to individuals, families, business owners and executives, and not-for-profit institutions in 25 states, and is a partner of Commonwealth Financial Network®.

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Weiss, Hale, & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors (WHZ) is an independent investment firm. Founded in 2006, WHZ offers more than 65 years of combined experience in the financial industry and offers wealth management services using a unique and strategic process that encourages clients to Plan Well, Invest Well, and Live Well™. The firm offers portfolio management and financial guidance to individuals, families, business owners and executives, and not-for-profit institutions in 25 states. They practice at 697 Pomfret Street, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, and at 392-A Merrow Road, Tolland, CT, 06084. They can be reached by phone at 860.928.2341. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. For more information regarding wealth management and customized financial planning with Weiss, Hale, & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors, please visit www.whzwealth.com.  

PICTURED ABOVE, l. to r.: Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce President and Linemaster Switch CEO Joseph Carlone, Jr.; WHZ Managing Partner/Chief Goals Strategist James Zahansky; and Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Board Member/Award Nomination Committee Chair and Berkshire Bank SVP, Chief Lending Administrative Officer, Consumer Lending & Payments Gene Michael Deary