Clare Mertz, MBA, has joined Empire Financial Advisors as Senior Vice President/Branch Development. In this new role, Clare will work in the pivotal areas of marketing/public relations, recruiting, and new business development. A graduate of Albany with a BA/English and an MBA, Clare was previously employed as Executive Vice President at WealthOne (f/k/a Capital Financial Planning), Investment Executive with Janney Montgomery Scott, and Vice President/Product Development, AVP Equity Syndicate, and Branch/Correspondent Liaison with the former First Albany Corporation. Originally from Long Island, Clare lives in Voorheesville. "We are excited to welcome Clare, a creative and dedicated professional, to Empire Financial as we look forward to the next chapter of success of our firm, advisors, and associates, " said Tom Burdick, Co-founder. "As we enter our 11th year as a company, this is a time of exciting opportunities, and Clare's experience will be an asset toward embracing them, " said Gil Chase, Co-founder. Empire Financial Advisors is an independent investment and financial services firm headquartered in Latham, New York serving individual and business clients www.empirefa.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA & SIPC.