Our Team

“Our focus is on our client's personal goals. It's rewarding to go through this process with them because it gives clarity and purpose to the work we all do every day.”

After a career in banking, Roland Gagne realized his passion was in guiding others along their best financial planning path; leading to fulfillment in all aspects of life. He founded Pension Professionals to be a different kind of financial services company – one that focuses on the value of a life coach in creating each client's own financial vision, including goals and action steps.

This approach to professional life inspired Roland to explore further opportunities in assisting others. Through his involvement in the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, he has begun a micro lending program for female entrepreneurs in Kenya, Africa, helping them earn money to raise their families. He also contributed to establishing a technical school – most of its students have never used a computer and many are orphans of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. His experiences in Africa have allowed Roland “to recognize the reward in being sensitive and aware of others' needs.”

After graduating from Biddeford High School, Roland earned his Associate's degree in Business Management from the University of Southern Maine, a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College and a Master's of Financial Services from the American College. In addition, Roland is also a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Certified Financial Planner and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. He resides in Standish with his wife of more than 20 years and their children. 

“Pension Professionals is ahead of the curve in what we offer, as people are becoming more aware of the value of coaching on a personal and a professional level.” 

Jayne is a Certified Professional Coach trained in Core Energy Coaching by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, a program accredited by the International Coaching Federation. She also attained double Master degrees from the University of Southern Maine and has over 30 year experience across a variety of health care, research and education settings.  As a certified life coach focusing on personal and professional growth, Jayne supports clients in identifying and achieving their life goals through creating action plans and accountability. Jayne helps clients increase their awareness and intention toward establishing a personal vision aligned with their values and passions.

"Increasing awareness and intention around goals and passions opens one up to potential and possibility. It is a wonderful experience when Pension Professional clients realize that planning their financial future is also an opportunity to look at all areas of their life, and how their finances fit with and support the more personal and meaningful areas.”

Jayne encourages clients to consider what is most important and has deeper meaning in their life and how this then informs the financial planning process. Through coaching conversations, Jayne empowers clients to reflect on these thoughts, the associated feelings, and resulting actions. She utilizes specific tools to help clients assess balance in, and satisfaction with the significant areas of their life to assist Pension Professionals' advisors in further understanding each client.

In her own time, Jayne nurtures her physical and mental well-being by taking dance classes and practicing yoga. She enjoys the soothing as well as energizing values of music and movement in dance, and the calming, relaxing and strengthening values of yoga -- appreciating the social engagement of both. Jayne also tends to her creative spirit with reading, writing and painting, and being in nature. 

“At Pension Professionals, we work through a team concept. This allows us to make the best recommendations possible for the benefit of our clients.”

Thomas Simpson is a financial adviser who helps people realize their dreams, goals and desires through a detailed process of questions and answers. By gathering information and making recommendations, Tom works with clients to establish long-term financial plans and then implement the proper solutions.  He says that Pensions Professionals encourages staff to work as a team, and also to specialize in specific areas as individuals. That way, this team of professionals can best support each other and their clients in ensuring goals are accomplished.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Tom attended Rockford College in Illinois before taking specialized classes in the financial services industry through the American College. He is a certified Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), specializing in business and estate planning. Tom is also a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT),an international, independent association of nearly 36,000 of the world's leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 430 companies in 78 countries.   

“Pension Professionals is a company that will continue to strengthen our own niche in financial planning. Being involved in our local community is a huge part of that.”

By focusing on estate and financial planning for young adults, Daniel Bellemare assists clients in meeting their personal and financial goals simultaneously. He helps clients who are considering retirement within four to ten years to develop a sound plan and those just starting out to build income streams and set aside funds for their children's education.

“I work to protect families' investments and income, making sure the entire family is taken care of in case something happens.”

His involvement in the community is something Dan really looked forward to when accepting a position with Pension Professionals. A resident of Saco, Dan understands the importance of listening to each customer to discover their needs and goals. He says the staff at Pension Professionals works as a team to ensure clients' needs are met.

Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. He also holds Associate degrees in business management and accounting, and has nearly 20 years of customer service experience.  When he's not helping clients, Dan, an avid golfer, likes working out at the gym and traveling with his wife–they pick a spot each year that they've never explored. Between them, they have three children and three grandchildren.

“It’s always satisfying to know that we’ve helped someone align their finances with the things they want most out of life.”

As a registered principal, Alex Fabish helps clients reach their dreams and goals by employing the Pension Professionals' holistic approach to personal finance. This includes incorporating financial, estate and tax planning as well as life coaching into their service packages.

Alex facilitates transactions between organizations and individuals, ensuring the entire process comes together properly and that the finished product is delivered efficiently. He spends his time with clients on the phone and via email to be certain they have all of the information they need, then coordinates their unique financial services packages. Alex feels that Pension Professional's life coach approach is a differentiator in the marketplace, “providing a contact on multiple levels, satisfaction and a personal touch that just isn't found at other companies.”

A native Mainer, Alex is certified as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™, meaning that he understands prudent investment process and assessment principles, and participates in assessments that conform to a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence. Prior to this designation, Alex earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Southern Maine. A self-described history buff, Alex enjoys reading,  playing music, traveling around the world and climbing mountains.  

“It's important to make and maintain good connections with all of our clients so that they enjoy the rewarding experiences available at Pension Professionals.”

Often the first member of staff that clients meet, Michelle Herwood focuses on coordinating and scheduling appointments, meetings and special events at Pension Professionals. Michelle is the friendly voice greeting you over the phone as well as the diligent bookkeeper.

With a background in office management, she has learned a bit of everything regarding the financial services business. Michelle is certified as a Registered Paraplanner through the College for Financial Planning. With this designation, she provides an even higher level of assistance to Pension Professionals' financial advisors. Michelle's contributions to preparing and administering financial plans and reports for clients are invaluable.  She is also commissioned as a Notary Public by the State of Maine. Michelle possesses extensive knowledge in Microsoft Office products, having participated in several classes and workshops.

Her two sons keep Michelle busy with activities in the arts and sports, including singing, soccer and baseball. Spending time outside in the warmer seasons is a favorite off-duty pastime, as she especially enjoys camping and gardening.