Gloria Wagner has a long connection with West Milford. Wagner grew up in Brooklyn, but her parents built a summer house on George St. She was a summer resident in her youth and lived in West Milford after marriage. Later, she lived in Totowa and on Long Island where she sang with the Long Island Philharmonic Chorus for several years. She moved back to West Milford six years ago.
Happily married to her second husband, Craig Shaljian, Wagner has a daughter, Lauren Hallahan. She also has a stepdaughter, Michelle, and two stepsons: Keith and Michal Shaljian. All are adults and out on their own. Wagner delights in being a grandmother and is very involved with daughter Lauren’s kids: Kaylee, 5, and Brianna, 8, and her step-grandchildren, Aster, 4, and Frances, 1, who live in North Carolina. She notes, “I’m lucky to have both my parents, too, here in West Milford.”
Early in her career, she was in real estate and then went into banking.
“I started as a secretary and worked my way up to vice president of lending,” said Wagner. Now happily settled in West Milford, she spent the last 14 1/2 years as a financial advisor for MetLife.
Wagner and her office will continue to provide exceptional service, but now as employees of Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company (MassMutual).
MetLife’s Premier Client Group of advisors (essentially their sales force/agents) was acquired by MassMutual. MetLife will be the exclusive developer of certain annuity products to be issued by MassMutual.
Wagner is writing to her clients to explain the recent transaction between MetLife and MassMutual.
Most importantly, she wants her clients to know that their policies and accounts will be unaffected by this development and that she will continue to be their agent and provide the same service and guidance.
Wagner said she feels good about the transition. “Already a very strong company, MassMutual will be adding over 3,500 advisors, gaining a strategic advantage in the marketplace and staying squarely on the path of steady, sustainable growth backed by exceptional financial strength and some of the best products and policies available today.”
Wagner also remarked that “…Mass Mutual shares our values.” As a mutual company it has operated for the benefit of its policyholders for more than a century and a half.
Professionally, she said, “I believe greatly in continuing education and have completed several designations including Certified Long Term Care and Chartered Financial Consultant.”
Wagner helps customers with insurance and retirement needs, including auto and home; life; disability; annuities and long term care. She has the ability to write with many major insurance carriers, including MassMutual, MetLife, and Prudential.
Wagner has a full life outside of work, as well. She takes pleasure in living here and the opportunities available for recreation, including hiking and taking paddleboats and canoes out on the lake.
“I like being around family and friends and just all of the things there are to do outdoors, with the lakes and hiking and riding bikes,” she said. “Good old-fashioned type fun. There’s so much you can do with your family, without having to spend a lot of money.”
Happy to give back to the community she loves, Wagner has volunteered at the animal shelter for two years. She obtained a $500 grant from MetLife for the shelter just this past week. Wagner works with dogs and enjoys seeing them get adopted.
She enjoys watching dog trainer Caesar Milan on TV. “I have learned so much from him, especially to have calm and assertive energy, and to place a collar high on the neck (for better control), when teaching dogs to walk on a leash."
She’s also a parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and volunteers for church activities, including the family festival.
Wagner said she loves to cook different cuisines. “I’m Polish, my mother makes kielbasa by hand and my nephew has learned that, but I haven’t yet. And I like Middle Eastern cooking, and I’m big into desserts.” Here she shares her recipe for a great chicken marinade with us.
Contact Wagner at GWagner@FinancialGuide.com or 973-506-7550 Her office is located at 2012 Greenwood Lake Turnpike.
MassMutual
2012 Greenwood Lake Turnpike
Hewitt, New Jersey
973-506-7550
Manager Gloria Wagner
GWagner@FinancialGuide.com.
Marinated chicken
This simple recipe can be used for grilled chicken kabobs or chicken breasts. It can be prepared ahead of time.
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup of fresh squeezed lemon
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of oregano
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
1 1/2 lbs of chicken breasts
1 large red pepper cut into 1 1/2" cubes
1 large Vidalia onion cut into small wedges. Each wedge can be divided in 2.
Put all marinade ingredients in a bowl, whisk together and put in large zip lock bag.
Add chicken breasts and veggies to bag and marinate for one hour or longer.
Skewer chicken and veggies starting with onion, two chicken pieces, pepper, two chicken and onion.
Grill on barbeque turning once or twice until chicken and veggies start to brown.
Watch carefully as the chicken will cook quickly.
If making grilled chicken breasts, prepare the same marinade and add chicken for 1/2 hour or longer.
Grill on barbeque until chicken is done, turning once.
Add salad and corn on the cob, and you have a great summer meal!