Founder & Financial Planner

Hello, my name is Joe. Most people call me Joe, except my mother and father — they call me Joseph. So you can call me Joe unless you want to yell at me about something, then call me Joseph. 🙂

I am the founder of Focus Planning Group. I have over 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry. I hold a bachelor’s degree in finance from Dowling College and obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation back in 2002.

I am regularly featured in top publications such as Forbes, U.S. News, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, The Huffington Post, plus many more.

I live in Bayport, NY, a small town on the south shore of Long Island, with my wife Michelle, my daughter Juliette, and my sheepadoodle Luna. When I am not at the office, there is a good chance you will find me at my daughter’s barn watching her ride horses or playing tennis, mountain biking, skiing, trying to learn how to play tennis, or antique shopping with my wife.

I love listening to records on my vintage stereo system, attending live concerts, and watching baseball.

If you speak with me long enough, I will probably tell you that nothing sounds better than playing a blues vinyl record on tube stereo equipment, and nothing makes me happier than finding a new amazing pizza place. I love pizza so much that I started a mobile wood-fired pizza business Until the Dough Runs Out.

Getting to Know Me Better

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Quote: “Well, the blues had a baby, and they named the baby rock and roll” Mckinley Morganfield, a.k.a Muddy Waters

Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Rocky, Star Wars, A Beautiful Mind, Godfather 2, The Goonies, and most movies from the 80s 🙂

If I could meet anyone, past or present, it would be: Abraham Lincoln

Favorite Music Artists: Otis Redding, B.B King, Howlin’ Wolf, The Doors, The White Stripes, Audioslave, Pearl Jam, Ray LaMontagne, Muddy Waters, Son House

Favorite TV Shows: Seinfield, That 70’s Show, Smallville, The Wire, Sons of Anarchy, Arrested Development, Mad Men, Bosch, Peaky Blinders, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, Justified, Rescue Me, Parks and Recreation, The Shield

Favorite Vacation Spot: Vermont