Meet the Team
The team behind South Shore Retirement Services is made up of experienced financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements.
Mark Rowlette President & Founder | Investment Adviser Representative
Mark was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, as an avid horse rider. At the age of 18, he was set for a career in competitive showjumping. After earning a degree in accounting and finance from Dublin Business School, he worked as a riding extra on the Academy Award-winning movie Braveheart.
Before moving to mainland Europe to pursue a showjumping career, Mark and his high school friends took a summer trip to Martha’s Vineyard. There, he fell in love with American culture — and with Lauren. His two-month visit became the move of a lifetime.
Mark and Lauren raised three daughters: Nieve, Emma, and Reese. His oldest, Nieve, now works at South Shore Retirement Services as the marketing assistant, helping to uphold the core company values her father established:
Do the right thing at the right time for the right reason. And never forget that people are people, not numbers on a spreadsheet.
Mark focuses on holistic retirement planning, covering the major aspects like income planning, wealth management, and proactive tax strategies. He also focuses on other areas such as understanding health insurance and long-term care, estate and legacy planning. Mark has established strategic partnerships with local attorneys, CPAs, and Medicare professionals that can work with our clients, so nothing is left unattended or lost in translation. His goal is to help ensure his clients feel confident and comfortable enough to enjoy their retirement without having to worry about running out of money.
When he’s not working or spending time with his three girls, Mark enjoys fishing near Stellwagen Bank. He also carries on the Irish tradition by occasionally enjoying a Guinness.
Damon La Tanzi Investment Adviser Representative
Damon grew up on Cape Cod and married his high school sweetheart, Cristina. He played Division 1 tennis at Yale University, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in economics and philosophy, followed by an MBA from Babson College. Soon after college, Damon followed Cristina to New York City, where a chance tennis match led to a job offer at a major Wall Street firm.
Mark and Damon have been longtime friends who share the professional philosophy of putting people first. It was this philosophy that attracted Damon to join the South Shore Retirement Services team. His skill set includes helping to minimize taxes over his clients’ lifetimes and building comprehensive portfolios that can support each of his clients’ ideal retirements. For Damon, the challenge of guiding his clients through their unique retirement journeys is a constant source of motivation year after year.
Outside of the office, Damon loves to cook, play guitar, and travel with Cristina and their children, Killian and Simone.
Erica Wright Investment Adviser Representative
Originally from the Chicago area, Erica was commissioned in the United States Air Force after graduating from Purdue University. She served a tour in Iraq, rising to the rank of captain. She upholds the core values of the Air Force in her everyday life and profession: Integrity first, Service before Self, and overall Excellence.
Erica is skilled at creating an environment where people seeking guidance are seen and heard. She explains things in easy-to-understand terms and establishes relationships built on trust and honesty. Every day, Erica meets people where they are on their financial journey, whether they have a detailed plan that needs a second opinion or need to start from square one.
She is a single mother of two, Patrick and Audra, and their dogs, Pippa and Vigo. Erica loves outdoor activities, home improvement projects, and volunteering for local charities. Her retirement dream is to visit every Spanish-speaking country to perfect her fluency in the language.
Elijah Mott Investment Adviser Representative
Elijah grew up in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as one of the oldest of 10 children. He lives there currently with his wife, Sandy, their daughter, Genevieve, two border collies, and three cats. After graduating from Bridgewater State University with a degree in political science, he entered the financial industry in the retail banking space.
Today, he helps new clients shed their uncertainty about the financial planning process by breaking down this complicated journey into realistic and easy-to-follow steps. Elijah fits right into the SSRS culture because his professional instincts align perfectly with our core values: He talks to his clients like they’re real people and helps them learn to navigate their financial plans with confidence.
Elijah is passionate about writing music and playing the guitar. Outside of the office, he volunteers as a band leader for his church and enjoys spending time in nature with his family and dogs. Together, they take trips to New Hampshire and Maine, where they camp, fish, and hike places like Mount Major.
Carol Talanian Director of Operations
Carol originally grew up in Rockville, Maryland. She moved to Norwell, Massachusetts, where she raised her three children, Rachel, David, and Ani, with her husband, Bryan. Over 13 years ago, Carol began her journey with Mark, initially assisting him with part-time support. Together, they cultivated the thriving community that defines South Shore Retirement Services.
As director of operations, Carol manages the daily functions of the office, helping to ensure seamless client service and contributing to the firm’s overall growth. She also brings warmth to the office as the owner of Samson, our beloved chocolate lab and “Paw-ductivity and Morale Manager.”
Outside of work, Carol enjoys taking Samson hiking and to the beach, attending Broadway shows, and exploring the world with family and friends.
Ava LaVallee Marketing Director
Ava grew up in Hingham and achieved her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Vermont. She is an avid creative writer with aspirations to publish novels one day.
As marketing director for South Shore Retirement Services, Ava is responsible for developing and executing creative marketing strategies to attract and engage prospective clients while strengthening relationships with existing clients of the firm. She oversees the planning and execution of live events, radio show production, and every avenue of client communication and engagement.
Ava enjoys storytelling through art and writing, spending time with her friends and family, and writing her novel on the beaches of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Nieve Rowlette Marketing Assistant
Nieve is Mark’s oldest daughter and started working at South Shore Retirement Services in 2023 as our marketing assistant. She works diligently while attending classes online to achieve her degree in Business Administration.
Nieve works every day to bring the company values to life. She manages our various client love initiatives so that none of our clients ever feels forgotten, or like a number on a spreadsheet. While assisting at many of the live events, Nieve helps to engage prospective clients and make them feel welcome and excited to meet with our financial advisers throughout their retirement journey with us. Like her father, she is a skilled horse rider and wins many riding competitions on her beautiful horse, Gilly.
Liz Allen Client Relationship Manager
Growing up in Beverly on the North Shore, Liz found her way to the South Shore after a chance road trip. She and her son, Jamie, relocated to Hingham after accepting the role of client relationship manager.
Liz serves as our primary point of contact for each client and prospective client, helping them to feel supported, valued, and informed throughout their retirement journey. Her day-to-day responsibilities include managing client communications and using her talent for bringing people together to strengthen long-term relationships with our clients.
Liz is a gifted artist and painter. She often chases beautiful sunrises from behind a camera lens and loves to spend her weekends exploring new places with her son and friends.
Nancy Bownes New Business Manager
Originally from Duxbury, Nancy currently lives there with her husband, Kevin, and two children, John and Anna, and her lovable rescue mix, Harper. Since 2022, she has been a member of the South Shore Retirement Services team as new business manager.
Nancy’s responsibilities include facilitating the onboarding of new clients onto our platform with diligent oversight of the account opening and application submission process. Nancy helps new clients understand the money movement process, which helps to smooth the transition and foster our culture of transparency and collaboration.
Her talents don’t end with creative problem-solving; Nancy is a talented actress who focuses on commercial work. You’ve probably seen her face in local ads or TV commercials! Outside of the office, Nancy loves to support Anna at her various cheer competitions and to relax with Kevin on her favorite beaches.
Rebecca Will Life Insurance Case Manager
After growing up in a small town in central Pennsylvania, Rebecca now lives in Washington, DC, with her partner, Josh. With a Bachelor of Arts in history, minoring in anthropology, Rebecca had grand plans to work as a curator in a museum.
She landed in the insurance industry and has spent the past 12 years cultivating strong relationships with insurance providers. Rebecca has realized a passion for managing our clients’ life insurance cases, making sure they obtain the coverage that they need.
When she is not communicating with insurance carriers, she enjoys reading historical fiction. If she is not at home in her “reading room,” you could probably find her exploring the battlefields of Gettysburg or another historical site.
Samson Paw-ductivity and Morale Manager
Samson, a charming chocolate Labrador, is our part-time paw-ductivity and morale manager, known for his welcoming enthusiasm. His main responsibility is to greet everyone who visits our office with boundless joy, bringing smiles to staff and clients alike.
Often found resting on his designated SSRS bed at the heart of the office, Samson gladly accepts pats and treats from those who pass by, effortlessly enhancing workplace morale. Outside the office, Samson enjoys woodland walks with Carol, snacking on blueberries, and playful chases with his favorite toys.
*Do the right thing at the right time for the right reason is our core value and it does not promise or guarantee investment results or preservation of principal. Investment advisory products and services made available through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Rowlette and Associates, LLC DBA South Shore Retirement Services (RA/SSRS). RA/SSRS is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by RA/SSRS are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM and RA/SSRS are not affiliated companies. 4303250-12/24
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