Jon DeFeo

LEAD FINANCIAL PLANNER

About Jon

My journey to Red Oak has certainly been a road less traveled. It began in Westminster, MD where I was raised by a single mother who struggled financially, and by age 13 I was bussing tables and landscaping for friends and family.  I aspired to enlist in the military after high school, but this unfortunately was derailed by back surgery from a sports injury. I tried my hand at a few odd jobs and trades, but ultimately decided I wanted to further my education.

While working full time as an auto-mechanic, I completed my Associates Degree at Carroll Community College. I then enrolled at McDaniel College (formerly known as Western Maryland College) where I earned a degree in Business Administration with a focus in finance. While I cranked wrenches by day and hit the books by night, my girlfriend at the time (now wife) was working 2 jobs to help keep us afloat financially.  After college, I joined Merrill Lynch as a Retirement Specialist and Financial Advisor where I spent 5 years assisting clients pursue their financial goals and discovered my true passion for planning.

My path has been adverse at times, requiring hard work, dedication, and patience. I consider these qualities extremely important when it comes to creating and maintaining a financial plan. I learned the value of a dollar at a young age and developed a strong work ethic which drives me every day. I sincerely enjoy working with clients from all walks of life and look forward to building relationships at Red Oak for years to come.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife, attending local events in downtown Westminster, and running long distances. I have also developed a knack for cooking and one day hope to purchase and operate a food truck in my free time. 

 

Jon’s Responsibilities

  • Lead Financial Planner helping clients work towards building and preserving their retirement savings.

  • Member of the ROFG Investment Committee, where we analyze macroeconomic data and translate it into actionable portfolio solutions

  • Working hand-in-hand with the ROFG Advisor Team to ensure investment portfolios are tailored to the individual needs of our clients