As President and Founder of Plan ONE Financial Group, I've dedicated my career to financial planning since entering the industry in 1996. My path here wasn't traditional. It was born out of a personal crisis that taught me firsthand why no one should have to navigate complex financial decisions alone. When I was 17, I survived a devastating car accident that left me hospitalized for a month and forced me to repeat my senior year of high school.
At 20, I received a settlement, and like many young people without guidance, I was surrounded by well-meaning but poor financial advice. I grew up in a blue-collar home in Franklinville, New Jersey, where financial literacy just wasn't part of the conversation. That's when I met the father of a friend who was in this business. He helped me invest the money wisely, and when I peppered him with endless questions about the markets, he eventually said, "Howard, if you want to know so much, why don't you come work with me?" That invitation changed the trajectory of my life. What inspired me then, and still inspires me today, is the idea that no one should have to navigate these complex decisions alone.
What I enjoy most about my job is witnessing the transformation that happens in people when they move from uncertainty to clarity. For many of the retirees and pre-retirees I work with, money represents more than numbers on a page. I get to sit across from people who may be worried about whether they'll outlive their money or whether their spouse will be taken care of, and I get to replace that worry with a plan.
Growing up alongside my twin stepbrothers, Stephen and Stanley Jacobs, who both had special needs and lived with myotonic dystrophy, left a permanent mark on me. They passed away young, but growing up with them taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of caring for those who can't always care for themselves. That experience influences my work today because financial planning has always been about people first, not numbers.
Today I live in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, with my wife, Michelle, and our six children, who are my greatest source of pride and purpose. Being a husband and father has given me a perspective that keeps me grounded and reminds me daily why the work I do matters.
Outside of work, my greatest passion is my family. Michelle and I make it a point to carve out time together, whether it's our family tradition of traveling once a year or our weekly date nights that keep our marriage strong. I train in Jiu-Jitsu, which keeps me disciplined and humble, and I play chess, which sharpens my strategic thinking. I also try to read two books a month and still pick up my guitar from time to time, keeping in touch with my punk rock roots.
I currently serve on the Board of Education for South Harrison Elementary School and hold the CRPC and RFC credentials, which keep me sharp and accountable to deliver the best planning-first service to my clients.