Our Team

Max Mintz

Owner & Financial Planner
max@commoninterestsfinancial.com

Max first discovered Responsible Investing as a client of Common Interests, back in the 90’s when the firm was just Bob Goellner operating as a solo advisor. As he obtained his degree in Philosophy at Rutgers College, he discovered an interest in Ethics, and while he never expected to be in finance, Bob helped him find his calling by connecting his studies with his interest in Economics and data analysis. Max has a passion for helping clients align their investments with their values and relies on his ethics training to help clients balance tradeoffs through the process of expressing their values in their portfolios.

Max previously served 2 terms as the Treasurer for the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education – he takes pride in his support for educators working on the front lines educating the next generation to become responsible stewards of the environment. He also speaks on topics related to Financial Planning, Sustainable Investing, and Common Interests’ work as a Social Enterprise to various industry and interest groups – let him know if you’d like him to speak at an event!

Max Mintz is Series 7 and 66 licensed as a Financial Advisor with Vanderbilt Financial Group.

Ruth E. Arriaza

Chief Operations Officer
ruth@commoninterestsfinancial.com

Ruth’s unique skillset complements the team in an amazing way servicing accounts; connecting and supporting clients, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Ruth is fully bilingual in English and Spanish so at Common Interests “Se habla Español”. Ruth keeps busy when out of the office by volunteering her time as administration chair for a non-for-profit organization in North Plainfield. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, and gardening.
Ruth Arriaza is a registered Assistant with Vanderbilt Financial Group.

Saachi Sharda, FPQP®

We’re thrilled to welcome Saachi as the newest member of our team as of January 2022! Saachi has a Bachelor’s in mass media from the University of Mumbai and a Master’s in International Management from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Being part of something which helps build a better future not only for herself but for the people around her has always been at the heart of what she does in life, which closely aligns with our values. In 2023, Saachi became a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP), which you can learn more about here.

Saachi Sharda is a non-registered assistant with Vanderbilt Financial Group.

Wicket

Chief Morale Officer

Named for the Ewok who rescues Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi , Wicket is responsible for greeting our clients at the door, being a comforting presence in our client meetings, and demanding that we go home at a reasonable hour.

He also has an important message to share (click to make it bigger):

He's a GOOD BOY

Our Founder

and the values the firm was founded on

Robert J. Goellner CFP®, ChFC, CLU

Bob’s first career was as a Methodist Minister. This path began at Allegany College, through the Drew University Seminary, and culminated with a “Three Church Charge” in the Catskill mountains, where Bob was responsible for three church services each Sunday at different churches (ask him to tell this story, it’s a good one).  While he thoroughly enjoyed his Ministry, he found the world of business and entrepreneurship was his true field of endeavor!

While with New York Life, and later with the Acacia Group, he served in the capacities of sales representative, sales manager, training supervisor, advance trainer and branch manager.

Bob was a Certified Financial Planner® from 1985 to 2023, a Chartered Financial Consultant since 1983, and a Chartered Life Underwriter since 1976. Interesting enough, Bob taught and sat for each of these designations with his own students!  He held securities registrations as a Registered Representative-General Securities, and Registered Securities Principal.

Bob has a long history of being highly involved in his community.  Currently he serves as a Trustee of the Muhlenberg Hospital Foundation. In the past he was President & Founder of the North Plainfield Education Foundation, President of the Woodbridge Chamber of Commerce and a Trustee on the Board of the Watchung Ave. Presbyterian Church. Bob’s commitment to his work has led him to maintain active memberships in the Financial Planning Association, the Financial Services Institute, and the Social Investment Forum.

Bob is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a chaplain’s assistant in Vietnam. He was recommended for a Bronze Star for Service and was ultimately awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  Until Covid arrived, Bob could be found most nights playing his trombone in the 18-piece Nostalgia Big Swing Band, the Westfield Community Concert Band and the Somerset Brass Quintet, and/or as a member, and substitute conductor, of his church choir.

To celebrate Bob’s retirement from Common Interests, we are proud to present the documentary below. Bob retired from a career of service to others in early 2023, completing the succession plan that he put in place with Max in 2020. This video is probably the best way to get to know not just Bob, but our whole team, our values, and how we intend to honor Bob’s legacy by continuing the firm he founded into the future.