Principals

Nicholas A. Nicolette, CFP^® is a Founder and Principal of Sterling Financial Planning, Inc. He has been involved in the financial planning profession since 1981 and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 1984.

Helping clients to develop a plan to fulfill their life goals is the primary focus of Nick’s work. In that regard, he spends a great deal of time understanding what is important to the client and what they wish to achieve. He works with the team at Sterling to develop a process to utilize the client’s financial resources to help the client live the life they want and support the people and causes that are important to them.

Nick believes the financial planning profession should serve the needs of the client first and foremost. Nick is committed to elevating the profession in serving clients via a fiduciary manner (client first) by volunteering his time with the Financial Planning Association (FPA). The FPA is the largest financial planning membership organization in the country.

Nick served as the 2007 President and 2008 Chairman of the National Board of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Prior to his election to the national board, he was Chairman and President of the FPA New Jersey chapter. He was active on the Post 9/11 Relief Effort assisting victims’ families with pro bono financial planning assistance. He currently serves as Chairman of the FPA Membership Advocacy Counsel, which serves to listen to FPA members' thoughts, concerns, and opinions on the issues that impact their work as financial planning practitioners.

Nick was honored in 2011 by both the National FPA and FPA-New Jersey with the Heart of Financial Planning Award. The Heart of Financial Planning Award recognizes individual professionals, financial planning firms, FPA chapters, or organizations who engage in extraordinary work, contributing and giving back to the financial planning community and public through financial planning. Recipients embody the spirit of financial planning and also represent the FPA's Core Values: Competence, Integrity, Relationships and Stewardship.

Nick was recognized in 2016 for his work in advancing the profession and its service to clients with the FPA-New Jersey Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Nicolette was also honored to be the first person from FPA to appear before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Aging and to testify before this committee regarding fraudulent or inappropriate investment advice given to seniors.

Mr. Nicolette has lectured on various financial topics and has been interviewed in a number of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Investors Business Daily, AARP Bulletin, Business Week, and the Daily Record. He has also had the opportunity to speak and work with many financial planning related groups around the country and abroad such as his presentation to The Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on the Aging in Chicago. Nick participated in an online chat at USA Today fielding questions about the challenges of eldercare. He interviewed with The Wall Street Journal regarding the challenges 401(k) participants face when making investment decisions.

Nick enjoys helping his local community by volunteering in local organizations. He serves as the Vice-President of the Port Jervis Education Foundation, where he went to high school. The foundation raises funds to support initiatives that promote innovative programs and extended learning opportunities for Port Jervis students. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of Pass it Along, a non-profit committed to helping teenagers become resilient and compassionate through volunteerism and leadership.

Mr. Nicolette is a graduate of Davidson College. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation at Golden Gate University.  Partnering with the nationally-known GGU Braden School of Tax, the program is focused on expanding the knowledge of financial planning skills and integrating advanced courses in taxation and estate planning.

Nick is happily married and has two children. He enjoys spending time with his extended family, hiking, and tai chi.

Glen A. Thomas, MBA^®, CFA^® is a Senior Associate of Sterling Financial Planning, Inc. (SFPI), an Independent Registered Investment Advisor. He has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) since 1999. Mr. Thomas is instrumental in developing the firm’s various portfolio models and analyzing the investment selections used within client portfolios. He works closely with the principals of the firm and their clients in assessing the relationship between clients’ asset composition and their stated investment goals. His recommendations are based on multiple research tools employed by the firm. Mr. Thomas also assists the organization in the area of “Employee Stock Option Planning”. Prior to joining Sterling Financial, Mr. Thomas was an Investment Specialist at Charles Schwab and Company, Inc.

Mr. Thomas is a member in good standing of the CFA^® Institute. He is also a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts.

Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Management, majoring in finance. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.

Matthew Hannum, CFA^®, CFP^® is a Principal for Sterling Financial Planning, Inc. Matt has been a critical part of the Sterling team for 15 years. He has proven to be invaluable in both investment management and financial planning.

Matt creates tailored financial plans designed to fit the specific needs of each client. Through the planning process Matt is able to organize each client’s financial life—partnering with clients to meet their goals and objectives. He keeps a keen eye on the development and ongoing management of each client’s investments.  Matt has been a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP^®) practitioner since 2006 and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) since 2012. He is highly involved in the firm’s portfolio development and investment management process. 

A lifelong Sussex County resident, Matt is devoted to serving his community. He was named to the Newton Medical Center Board of Trustees where he serves on several committees. After 6 years on the board of directors, Matt served as 2014 president of the Newton chapter of Rotary International and continues to be an active member. He also serves as a board member for Knoll Communities in Sparta NJ. Knoll Communities provides affordable housing and support to Seniors. Matt is a member of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce.

Matt holds licenses in life, accident, and health insurance. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Matt is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and International Business. He currently resides in Sparta, New Jersey. In 2016 he and his family were featured in the local magazine, Sparta Living. He enjoys several outdoor activities as well as spending time with his wife, Kate, and four children.