Last week, our team got to deliver special gifts to both the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, Senior Vice President Laurie Siebert and CEO Matt Petrozelli dropped off a check to purchase 12,865 meals through Second Harvest thanks to our partnership with WDIY 88.1 FM. During their Fall Pledge Drive, for every $100 raised VNFA donated funds directly to Second Harvest to provide 21 meals for families in need.

On Friday, a small group from our Bethlehem office delivered more than 40 Holiday Hope Chests to the Volunteer Center to be distributed to local children this holiday season through participating non-profits. The program provided 35 local organization with 7,500 wrapped and filled shoe boxes for underprivileged children.

All of us at Valley National would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of our clients and friends who helped us make these contributions by supporting our community initiatives. We look forward to continuing to make a difference with you in 2019!

Today is #GivingTuesday!
Join us today for our WRAPPING PARTY, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Bethlehem headquarters.

If you cannot stop by, you can still support the Volunteer Center’s effort to create 7,500 Holiday Hope Chests by donating to the #GivingTuesday campaign.

Happy Thanksgiving!
In observance of Thanksgiving, our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22. We will be open on Friday morning, but our office will close again at 1 p.m. with the markets on November 23.

Help Us Create Holiday Hope Chests!
Join in our effort to support local children this holiday season through the efforts of the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley.  WHAT ARE HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS?

We’re reaching out to our clients and friend to help us. WHAT CAN I CONTRIBUTE?

Plus, we’re having a WRAPPING PARTY on November 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Bethlehem headquarters. You’re invited to join us!

If you cannot stop by, you can still support the cause by donating to the #GivingTuesday campaign. Click here for details.

We’re Hiring!
Our team is seeking interns with a sharp attention to detail and an interest in gaining hands-on experience at a busy financial services office during tax season.

READ MORE about the Tax Season Internship opportunities on our website at valleynationalgroup.com/join-our-team.

You’re Invited!
Join in our effort to support local children this holiday season. We’re having a WRAPPING PARTY on November 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Bethlehem headquarters.

You’re invited to stop by with Holiday Hope Chest donations and to help us wrap our shoe boxes. If you can’t join us, you can sponsor a Holiday Hope Chest by way of the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s #GivingTuesday campaign. WHAT ARE HOLIDAY HOPE CHESTS? WHAT GIFTS CAN I CONTRIBUTE?

Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Judianne Harris by Tuesday, November 20.

We are pleased to welcome Christopher Popp, CPA, MST to the team as Senior Tax Accountant.

Chris is one of 10 licensed tax professionals at Valley National (8 CPAs and 2 EAs). He will work out of Valley National’s Bethlehem headquarters as part of the tax services team, preparing and reviewing returns as well as assisting clients with tax strategies and financial planning.

Chris is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than 25 years of experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Rutgers University and a master’s in Taxation from Seton Hall University. Chris is also a Pennsylvania licensed life insurance producer.

“Our one-stop service model allows clients to have the peace of mind that their financial goals are being managed by one trusted team and Chris is an excellent addition to that team,” said Matthew Petrozelli, Chief Executive Officer. “His knowledge about tax and accounting will be valuable for clients not only during tax preparation season but also year-round in planning for long-term goals.”

Chris resides in Wind Gap. He enjoys family time with his three daughters, reading, golf, soccer and gymnastics.

Chris can be reached at cpopp@valleynationalgroup.com or at 610-868-9000 x 115

We are pleased to announce that our Head of Invesments, Connor Darrell, has obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA) designation, and has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.

The CFA is regarded by most to be the highest distinction for investment professionals, especially in the areas of research and portfolio management. The CFA program consists of three exams encompassing a “candidate body of knowledge” (CBOK) that the CFA Institute believes is necessary for those in the investment profession. In addition to passing these tests in succession, CFA candidates must accrue four years of professional experience.

“Obtaining the CFA designation is a huge investment in time – with candidates spending upward of 300 hours a year for a period of three to four years,” says Valley National’s CEO, Matthew Petrozelli. “Connor’s commitment to this intensive endeavor while continuing to excel in his full-time work for our team and our clients makes all of us extremely proud.”

Connor joined Valley National Financial Advisors in 2014 as an Associate through the firm’s Entry-Level Professional (ELP) program. He is originally from Cream Ridge, New Jersey, and moved to Bethlehem after he graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in Economics.

As Assistant Vice President, Head of Investments Connor will continue to provide investment analysis and assist VNFA’s advisory teams with portfolio strategy and asset allocation. in addition to contributing market analysis and insights to The Weekly Commentary e-mail newsletter.

GET TO KNOW CONNOR

Each year our team pledges to donate gift boxes for the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley that will be distributed to local children for the holidays.

This year, we would like to invite you (our clients and friends with whom we share this Lehigh Valley community) to participate by helping us create Holiday Hope Chests!

Read more about this program and contact us, or visit our Bethlehem office, if you are interested in participating. We will release more details and in weeks to come!

We’re Moving! Our New Jersey office is relocating on November 1, 2018.

Currently at 825 Belvidere Road, our team is moving just a little more than a mile away to 420 Coventry Drive, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Our entire firm is excited about the new space, and we look forward to welcoming you to visit us.

Click here for directions from our existing New Jersey office address to the new office location.

Regular office hours at this location will remain Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m. The New Jersey service team is available from our Bethlehem headquarters on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Wednesday mornings. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 908-454-1000.