Instructor Biography

Chris J. Gandia (retired)

Captain Christopher J. Gandia (retired), CFP®, is a senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research. He retired in 2022 from the Londonderry, New Hampshire, Police Department (LPD) as the division commander for the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. His career encompassed more than 25 years of law enforcement experience and more than 29 years of financial experience. Interwoven career paths of finance and law enforcement created unique opportunities and experiences for him. After earning his degree in 1993, Captain Gandia turned to law enforcement in 1996 when he began his career with the LPD as a patrol officer. He also served as a sergeant and lieutenant and retired as captain. His career has included various tasks such as fiscal management, budgetary planning, internal auditing, organizational development, strategic planning, departmental training programs, and personnel leadership initiatives. In addition, from 1999 to 2014, he served on the Southern New Hampshire Regional SWAT Team. Captain Gandia’s prior experience includes working for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC, as an external auditor and for Zoom Telephonics as a financial analyst. He was a lead instructor for the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Domestic Preparedness Coalition. Captain Gandia earned a bachelor of science degree in accountancy from Providence College, an advanced certificate in financial planning from Merrimack College, and his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2003.