Welcome to Special Needs Funding Coach! We work for families with special needs and the professionals and organizations who support them.
Having a dependent with special needs requires a focus on quality of life and a lifetime of care when approaching financial security. Our expertise and resources offer customized support to plan practically for each family's unique needs and priorities. Free specialized workshop/webinars are also available for parent or professional groups.
The special needs community has been our primary focus for decades. Too often, the answers to “What will happen to my loved one with special needs when I’m gone?” are focused on legal documents, government programs, and adult/transition programs. While these things are also critically important, families and professionals often don’t know how to financially plan to:
- Provide a lifetime of care focused on quality of life
- Retain government benefit eligibility
- Securely plan for their loved one without sacrificing their retirement funds
The fact is...it is not their fault if no one has shown them how! That is where Special Needs Funding Coach comes in. With our customized assistance and specialized resources, families can more effectively plan for their unique situations and hopefully enjoy more peace of mind. Let us know how we can help you.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: provide resources, answers, and expertise for funding special needs life planning.
More than thirty years ago, Special Needs Funding Coach founder, Donald T. Brown, ChFC, ChSNC, CASL, became a financial advisor. Through his family and personal experience, he quickly realized there were no easy answers when it involved caring for, educating, and supporting individuals with special needs. When it came to long range planning, there was no one place where families’ primary concerns could be addressed:
- Where will my child live?
- How much will be enough to provide for his/her quality of life?
- Who will look out for their best interests? And how do I help them to protect and care for my loved one?
- Will my dependent be happy, healthy, and secure?
By providing a single source for guidance on details pertaining to these questions and more, we can help families and professionals effectively care for our special needs community.
Our Team
Donald T. Brown, ChFC, ChSNC, CASL
Financial Planner, Special Needs Planner
Donald Brown has been in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. He has been recognized as an industry leader in both personal production and management. Educating individuals and families on how to properly plan for a dependent with special needs is a primary focus of Don’s practice. He regularly presents to local support groups and nonprofit organizations. Don also provides assistance to local businesses and is a board member of his local Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he runs employee workshops on topics including retirement planning to corporate clients. Don demonstrates a broad, long-standing commitment to local community and philanthropic service. He has volunteered for more than 20 years with Camp Fatima of New Jersey, an all-volunteer one-on-one camp for children with special needs. He annually acts as a camp activities staff member as well as serves on their finance committee. Don is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Economics and Finance and holds his Series 6, 7, 63, and 24 securities licenses along with his life, annuity, accident, and health licenses. He has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Special Needs Consultant, and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living designations.
Don offers securities in: AZ, CO, FL, MA, NJ, NY, OH, and PA. He also offers insurance in: AZ, CO, FL, NJ, NY, OH, and PA.
Kevin J. Pent, ChSNC
Financial Advisor
Registered Representative,
Investment Adviser Representative, Equity Services, Inc.
With a focus on special needs planning, Kevin Pent brings more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry working with clients. Kevin has earned the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation. He is the proud dad of Landon, age 9. Kevin is insurance-licensed in NJ and offers securities in NJ and PA.
Elizabeth Neumann, M.A.
Client Relationship Manager
Elizabeth joined Special Needs Funding Coach after 12 years at Autism New Jersey, where she directed conferences, provided professional training, and offered family support. She is a former teacher with additional experience in applied behavior analysis. To schedule a personal consultation or complimentary webinar for your organization, contact Elizabeth at 848.200.7155 or eneumann@nlgroupmail.com.
William P. D'Angelo
Financial Advisor
Registered Representative,
Investment Adviser Representative, Equity Services, Inc.
William P. D’Angelo has been associated with the financial services industry since 2008. A Rutgers University graduate with a Bachelor's in Economics and History, he is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow.
William specializes in investment management strategies, estate planning strategies, retirement planning, benefit design for business owners, and business succession planning. William helps individuals identify their qualitative goals and uses objective quantitative analysis to implement a strategy for success. He can help a client achieve their personal financial goals by aggregating their workplace benefits and personal savings in a holistic manner. William prides himself on his client-centric approach, where he uses cutting edge technology to help organize the noise that many clients have when it comes to their cash flow and investments. William is life and health insurance-licensed in NY, NJ, FL, and NC. He is securities-registered in NY, NJ, FL, CA, TX, and NC. He is also property and casualty licensed in NY, NJ, FL, and NC. He is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of, and securities and investment advisory services are offered solely by, Equity Services, Inc. a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC, 675 Third Avenue, Suite 900, New York, NY 10017, Tel: 212-986-0400, Equity Services is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company (NLIC), Montpelier, VT, National Life Group® is a trade name of NLIC and its affiliates. Integrated Financial Concepts is independent of Equity Services, Inc.
Outside the office, William is a proud husband, father, and active member of his community. He and his wife Kristina live in Bridgewater, NJ with their three children William, Antonio, and Nicolette. He is the President of the Nicholas Vincent D’Angelo Memorial Foundation, a nationally recognized 501c3 charity founded in honor of his late son. This charity donates to various organizations in the neonatal research and advocacy space and provides support to many local and national charities that focus resources on children’s health, wellness, and education. William is an avid golfer and is a member of the Esquire Men’s Golf Club.
William sits on the Richmond University Medical Center foundation board of directors. He serves as the founder of Crush Autism, a 501c3 dedicated to furthering the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His work in this area is truly a labor of love and filled with undying passion. William’s son, William Nicholas D’Angelo, strives everyday to crush his battle with nonverbal autism. William is also a member of the Board of Directors of Team 94, a nonprofit organization supporting young adults with autism.
J. Jeffrey McAteer
Financial Advisor
Registered Representative,
Investment Adviser Representative, Equity Services, Inc.
As a United States Marine, Jeff served at Camp David under Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton. Jeff combines his military service with more than 22 years of experience in the financial industry.
Along with his life and health licenses, Jeff has completed his FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 registrations. His commitment to excellence, expertise, and personal focus allows the Special Needs Funding Coach team to provide integrated and customized solutions for families and the professionals who serve them.
Jeff lives in Toms River with his spouse Janel and children, Julianna and Jack.
Jeffrey is life-licensed and offers insurance in the following states: DE, FL, MD, NJ, PA, and VA. Jeffrey McAteer is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in DE, FL, MD, NJ, OH, PA, and VA.
Charles Melita
Financial Services Professional
Charles Melita has owned and operated his own financial services companies since 1997, primarily partnering with small business owners and medical professionals. Prior to this, Charles cultivated a career in the corporate area as a national accounts manager in the T&E sector for American Express, collaborating with financial executives from many Fortune 100 companies. Over the past two decades, he has developed expertise in credit analysis and commercial lending.
After the sudden loss of his 21-year-old son, Robert, to cardiac death in 2012, Charles began searching for a way to give back to the community that would also allow him to support his family during this tragic time. In October 2013, Charles partnered with his close friend, Paul Lenskold, to form Robert Anthony Melita Enterprises, LLC. (aka RAM Enterprises), a legacy to Robert’s memory. Since its inception, RAM Enterprises has remained committed to returning a portion of their profits to a variety of charities.
In addition to his dedication to promoting heart health and CPR training after Robert’s death, Charles also remains passionate about educating the public with sound, comprehensive, and accurate credit and insurance strategies to prevent the personal and professional disasters that far too often devastate businesses and families.
Charles is a supportive member of the local community, both professionally and personally. He is actively involved several professional networking groups and served in the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce as a past member of the board of directors and past co-chairperson of the small business counsel for that Chamber. Since 2001, Charles has served on the advisory board of Riverview Medical Center, now part of Hackensack-Meridian Health System.
Charles and his wife, Beth, in conjunction with Meridian Health and the American Heart Association, spearheaded “A Community of Life Savers,” an initiative dedicated to heart health education and CPR training. In 2014, the program trained over 10,000 high school students across Monmouth and Ocean counties in CPR and continues to promote education and training today. In 2014, the Melitas proudly received the “Morgan Cline - Benjamin D’Onofrio Humanitarian Award” for their leadership in “A Community of Life Savers.” They have also received “Life Force USA Chain of Survival Award” and American Heart Association’s 2015 NJ American Heart Saver award.
Charles and Beth live in Fair Haven, New Jersey with their two daughters, Lauren and Haley.
James C. Muro, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, MSFS
Financial Advisor
Registered Representative,
Investment Adviser Representative, Equity Services, Inc.
James C. Muro is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. He has 25 years of experience in the financial service industry. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in finance with St. John’s University and his Masters in Financial Services with The American College.
James works closely with individuals, families, business owners, executives, and medical professionals. His practice is advice-driven; he will analyze, design, and implement objective financial solutions that are specific to his client’s financial situation. His goal is to be your financial resource now and in years to come. James specializes in the following areas of financial planning: insurance strategies, investments strategies, retirement planning, business and estate planning strategies.
James resides in Monroe Township, NJ with his wife and two children. James enjoys volunteering his time and coaching youth sports for both of his children. He is a proud member of the New Jersey Association of Financial Advisors and The Financial Planning Association. James is an active member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and has acted as a Board member in the past.
James Muro is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely by Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, 675 Third Avenue, Suite 900, New York, NY 10017, Tel: 212-986-0400. Equity Services is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company (NLIC), Montpelier, VT, National Life Group® is a trade name of NLIC and its affiliates. Integrated Planning Group is independent of Equity Services, Inc. He is insurance-licensed in CA, CO, FL, MI, NC, NJ, NV, NY, PA, and RI and offers securities in CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, and PA.
Nico Riverso, CFP®
Financial Advisor, Financial Service Representative
Nico Riverso, CFP®, is a seasoned investment and retirement planning professional. After achieving a perfect score on his math SAT, it's only natural that Nico would have a successful career in numbers. As a certified financial planner, Nico is uniquely qualified to be our leading investment professional on the team.
Nico began his financial services career in 1993. He focused his energy on building his financial practice but continues to mentor junior associates. Over his 30-year financial services career, he has been the recipient of numerous industry awards such as: a four-time Management Leaders Conference qualifier, three-time Top 25 Agency Director, and a Platinum & Leaders Conference qualifier1.
Residing in East Hanover, Nico and his wife Jackie have three children: Jordan, Sebastian, and Alex. Alex has autism and currently attends Spectrum360. Nico is an active board member of Team 94, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide continuing education opportunities for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Nico Riverso is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, and VT.
1Awards and membership is based on sales criteria.
Michael Sabato, LUTCF
Registered Representative, Equity Services, Inc.
As a life insurance and employee benefits professional, Mike focuses on helping successful people and small businesses protect themselves, their families, and the assets they have worked so very hard to accumulate.
A native of Lyndhurst, NJ, Mike studied Business Marketing and Administration at St. Peter’s College. While in school, he pitched for St. Peter’s College, a Division I baseball program.
Mike started his financial services career in 1994 with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company where he quickly became a leading producer. In November of 2015, Mike transitioned his practice for the sole purpose of offering his clients a more diverse approach to protecting their families, their retirement, executive benefits, and overall wellness. He is insurance-licensed in CA, FL, MI, NC, NJ, and NY, and offers securities in NJ.
Over Mike’s 26-year career he has been the recipient of numerous industry awards: 24-time Conference qualifier, Chairman's Conference Qualifier. Most recently Mike became a Life Qualifying Member of Top of The Table, the Million Dollar Round Table’s most prestigious organization in the insurance and financial services industry.*
Mike is an active member of his community where he previously served as a board member for the Roseland Education Foundation. He previously served on the board for the Roseland Athletic Club. He has been coaching travel basketball for 15 years. In addition, he is heavily involved with Team 94, a nonprofit organization focused on the continuing education for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mike is a resident of Roseland, NJ with his wife Nicole and their three children, Alexandra, Michael John, and Alivia.
Specialties: Employee Benefit Strategies, Life Insurance, Executive Benefit Planning for Small Business Owners, Protection Planning for First Responders.
*Membership and awards are based on sales criteria