Our People

Financial Advisor

Early in life I learned the importance of being dependable and that hard work produced results. Growing up on a family beef cattle and crop farm allowed for countless opportunities to learn from mistakes and how to best manage risks. Teamwork was essential to success. I enjoyed the rigors of farm work and appreciate the experiences few are exposed to.

Sharing my grandfather's interest in banking and finance, I furthered my education at Cornell University and in 1987 obtained the Certified Financial Planner^® designation. CFP^®

Following a short two-year teaching career at my high school alma mater I sought to put into practice the things learned while farming and at Cornell. Coombe Financial Services was founded in 1986 as a financial planning and mutual fund/annuity broker-dealer. Coombe Bender & Co was formed in 1989 to provide advanced financial planning, investment advisory and portfolio management services to clients for fee-only. Like the family farm, both of our firms rely on teamwork, integrity and the hard work of family members including my sister, Cathy and son, Alan. While wearing many hats as a business owner, my primary role is the design and management of investment portfolios with the goal of meeting long-term client financial objectives; creating and preserving estates.

Your reputation and community are two of the most important aspects of one's life, attributes fostered by my parents and extended family. When you said you were going to do something, be sure you did it, and follow through. Give back to the community. I serve as a Fiduciary and am the Treasurer of the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery Association, on the board of The Ellenville Regional Hospital Foundation, and I am a member of local civic organizations The Tri-Valley Lions Club and The Ellenville Noonday Club.

Other interests include wind and solar energy systems development and hardware maintenance. I play ice hockey and like to spend time outdoors, mostly fishing, property maintenance, and agriculture. I continue to reside on the family farm in Grahamsville, New York with my wife Patricia.

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Financial Advisor

Everyone has their own passion and talents, and may not have time to learn about and manage their own financial matters.  Our passion is using what we have learned over the span of our careers to help clients solve problems, transition through life events, and pursue goals.  I enjoy the challenge of every client’s unique situation and guiding them through the issues that life presents.  

As a partner of Coombe, Bender & Company, and a Certified Financial Planner professional, I work with clients to review their whole financial identity, tying the various pieces together with the goal of ensuring that near and long-term goals can be obtained. This process includes investing funds, creating various retirement scenarios and discussing issues that can impact financial resources.  

I joined the firm in 1994, earned FINRA Series 6, 63, 7 and 24 licenses (currently held through LPL Financial), and obtained my CFP designation in 1997. In addition to these designations, I have a BS in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University.  My first job was as a loan officer for the Farm Credit Bank of Springfield.   I currently serve as the finance committee chair and as member of the Boards of Directors of Mid-Hudson Co-Operative, Claverack Cooperative, and Midrox Cooperative Insurance Companies, and am pleased to be a Trustee of the Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville. We grew up working hard on our family’s beef farm, and our work ethic, stamina and dedication have carried through our careers.  I continue to reside in Grahamsville with the youngest of our three children, and I enjoy running, working on my family farm, gardening and being outdoors.

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Chief Operating Officer

I have been with Coombe, Bender & Company since 2011.  After attaining my Cornell BS degree in ’09 I spent 2 introductory years of sales-trading and brokerage experience in Manhattan where I gathered series 7 & 63 (currently held through LPL Financial) and 55 licenses to work, broker, and trade for clients in the financial industry.  The transition to Coombe, Bender & Co. was natural, as it was a move in with family after having learned the industry away.  My professional expertise would now pair with seamless personal relationships.    The experiences on a Manhattan trading desk provided flashbulb memories and lessons that have affected my character and will transfer throughout my career.

Solving puzzles is my passion and Finance is not lacking in opportunity.  As, the Chief Operating Officer of an asset management firm, I am regularly responsible for deciphering novel challenges.  No news or client call is identical and each requires their own interpretation and personal touch.  I enjoy bridging the gap between difficult and done so I can enjoy the satisfying relief that it gives to others.  Our office staff and resources are here to serve our clients and I am proud to ensure that we do so with professionalism, comfort, and understanding.

I live in Ellenville and enjoy time with my wife, Beata and 2 loving children, Aurelia and Alexander.  To be active I play golf, to be creative I renovate, and to be competitive I play chess.  My 6 year old Labradoodle knows that fresh air is good for the soul, so Jace plays fetch with me.

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Investment Portfolio Assistant

After some time working for institutional money managers with thousands of employees, I started to feel my career would be much more fulfilling if I worked at a place where I could have a greater impact on the company and its clients. Since joining the firm at the end of 2019, Coombe, Bender & Co. has given me an opportunity to satisfy my intellectual curiosity and a chance to serve clients in a community I care deeply about. I am excited at the prospect of going to work every day. To me, serving the clients of Coombe, Bender & Co. is a privilege and I look forward to earning, and keeping, your trust.

In addition to studying financial markets I enjoy learning about human nature and what drives (an individual’s) decision making. I am also a member of the Ulster County Beekeepers’ Association and enjoy other activities that connect me with nature, notably hiking in the Catskills. I have gone white water rafting, taken a course on scuba diving, gone spelunking in Tennessee, and hope to skydive for the first time soon!

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Office Manager

I joined Coombe Bender & Company in October 2019 as an Office Manager and Receptionist. My role starts with greeting the clients and making them feel welcome and extends to assisting with client service and administrative needs. 

I have over 21 years of banking experience, including 5 years as an Assistant Manager with Walden Savings Bank. I have also been an administrative assistant for two other local businesses. I hold an Associate’s Degree from Sullivan County Community College and am a graduate of Ellenville High School. 

I like to give back to my community, so I volunteer with the American Cancer Society and Autism Speaks.  I currently reside in Ellenville with my husband and two children, and spend as much time with them as possible. 

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