CHENANGO COUNTY - Commerce Chenango is proud to recognize Norwich Wealth Management the 2026 Member of the Year Award.

This award recognizes consistent growth, industry leadership, a commitment to quality and innovation, and meaningful contributions to the community and its economy.

Norwich Wealth Management has been part of the Chenango County community for nearly 90 years. Over the decades, the firm has evolved through different structures, leadership teams, and industry changes, but its purpose has remained consistent: to serve individuals and families with trusted financial guidance.

What began as a more traditional advisory practice has grown into a modern wealth management business, incorporating advanced planning tools, expanded investment capabilities, and enhanced technology.

The firm is powered by a team of six professionals, including three financial advisors, one senior consultant, one office manager, and one client associate. Together, they bring a diverse range of experience that allows the firm to provide comprehensive wealth management services to the individuals and families of Chenango County.

The firm's most recent evolution, a transition to the &Partners platform, strengthened its capabilities while preserving a personal, relationship-driven approach.

According to Marci Lauren Riddell, Partner and Managing Director, “Our team today carries our legacy forward, honoring the firm's long history while adapting to the needs of a new generation of clients.”

The firm aims for integrity, consistency, and personalization, believing that wealth management is not simply about investments, but about helping families make informed decisions and feel confident through every stage of life.

Riddell said, “Norwich Wealth Management has become known for combining a deeply personal style of service with the strength and sophistication of a world-class financial platform.”

Local clients benefit from access to institutional-quality investment resources and planning tools typically associated with much larger firms, while still experiencing the attentiveness of a small, dedicated team.

Riddell claims that this reputation was built intentionally.

“From the beginning, the firm made a conscious decision to prioritize relationships and accessibility over scale, wanting clients to feel comfortable speaking directly with their advisor while knowing they were supported by robust systems and deep expertise behind the scenes.”

The firm's defining moments of growth have often come during periods of uncertainty. Norwich Wealth Management has guided clients through the Global Financial Crisis, significant market volatility, the COVID-19 market downturn, and subsequent economic and interest rate shifts. Each market cycle deepened the firm's experience, reinforced client trust, and contributed to growth through long-standing relationships and referrals from families seeking a steady hand in turbulent times.

According to Riddell, “Success at Norwich Wealth Management is measured not only by investment performance, but by the strength of client relationships.”

When clients recommend their advisors to family members, friends, or colleagues, it reflects genuine trust and confidence that others will be well served. Referral growth remains one of the strongest indicators of a healthy advisory practice, and it is a standard by which Norwich Wealth Management consistently measures itself.

One of the firm's most significant recent investments was its transition to the &Partners broker-dealer platform. The transition provided access to improved technology, expanded planning and investment resources, and greater flexibility to deliver personalized wealth management solutions.

As a result, Riddell claims “Operational efficiency improved, service capabilities expanded, and our team gained more capacity to focus on the client relationships and financial planning work at the heart of our practice.”

In addition to contributing to the long-term financial stability of households throughout the region, Norwich Wealth Management’s economic footprint extends through its support of local vendors, professional service providers, and community organizations.

Community investment is a visible and intentional part of the firm's identity. Team members are active across a broad range of local organizations and causes. Peter DeRensis, Partner, Managing Director, serves the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation. Gregory LaMonica, Partner and Managing Director, is engaged with the Community Foundation for South Central New York and the Chenango Arts Council. Marci Lauren Riddell supports the Chenango Foundation and the Chenango Women's Leadership Conference. The firm also serves as a major sponsor for youth programs and the arts throughout the county.

Norwich Wealth Management has chosen to remain rooted here because it is home. Riddell said, “Our families live here, our children have grown up here, and our deepest professional relationships have been built here.”

Although there have been opportunities over the years to expand into larger markets or relocate to areas with greater population density, the firm chose to stay each time.

Looking ahead, the firm's vision is one of continued growth, both for the practice and for the community it calls home. The next chapter is not simply about becoming a larger business. Riddell states, “We hope to deepen our impact, continue to build a firm that future generations of clients can rely on, and contribute to a community that future generations will be proud to call home.”

Norwich Wealth Management will be recognized at the Annual Commerce Chenango Awards Gala at the Canasawacta Country Club on Thursday, June 18th at 5 p.m.