James Williams (CFP®, MBA)

Additional Information

James (JJ) Williams is chief executive officer and chief investment officer, as well as the founder of Williams Financial, LLC. He leads the firm’s team of financial planners, investment advisors, tax professionals, and small business consultants. He has more than 15 years of experience in creating personalized financial plans for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

JJ earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Vermont College and his MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Through post graduate classes at Boston University, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation and is registered with the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

JJ has been a financial services professional for more than 20 years. He started his career as a bank manager at a regional community bank with deposits of more than $100 million. He was promoted to marketing director with responsibilities such as overseeing the sales and marketing efforts for the deposits, lending, and investment divisions. In 2003 he left banking to manage an independent broker/dealer, overseeing operations, finance, and compliance as well as counseling his clients. In 2005 he opened Williams Financial, LLC – an independent, fee-only, registered investment advisory firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to families, small business owners, and entrepreneurs throughout the country.

JJ has served on several boards including: (current) Bennington Museum – Trustee; (past) North Bennington Graded School (NBGS) – Vice-Chair (publicly elected position); Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union – Board Member; Southern Vermont College – Trustee; Bennington Area Dollars for Scholars – President; and Better Bennington Corporation – Secretary and Director.