
the center for
financial education
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
MEET THE FOUNDERS

Stephen R. Facella, CFP®
CEO
Stephen R. Facella, CFP® has been a business owner/ employer for 27 years. He has been a practicing Financial Advisor for the past 20 years. That’s a total of 47 years of successful entrepreneurial and academic accomplishments working in your favor. Armed with vast practical knowledge of complex Business, Family, and Personal financial planning issues, Steve works closely with your CPA and your Family Attorney so that they can better help you.
Having met the very rigorous academic requirements necessary for Board Certification, Steve has earned the mark: CFP® which stands for Certified Financial Planner™ professional.
He was also successful in achieving the designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS). He is also a Registered Principal.
Steve proudly served our country as an Officer in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service while in South Korea
I Corps (Group).
Steve possesses Life, Health and Annuity Licenses. He is also a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Arbitrator and is Chairperson qualified.

Paul M. Zoch, CFP®
CFO
Paul M. Zoch, CFP® has been practicing as a Wealth Manager for the past 16 years, handling both investing and planning needs. He provides highly personalized, comprehensive financial planning as well as investment and portfolio management for high-net-worth clients. Paul goes in-depth with clients by coordinating with other professional advisors, such as Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants (CPA®). Paul’s expertise is in the area of complex financial needs which include tax minimization, trust management, wealth transfers, and portfolio performance analytics.
Having met the very rigorous academic and highest ethical standards necessary for Board Certification, Paul has earned the mark: CFP® which stands for Certified Financial Planner™ professional.
Paul was successful in achieving the designations of Charted Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) and Certified Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®). He is presently completing his Master’s Degree in Taxation and Financial Planning.
MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ian Welsch
Ian is a Founder and CEO of The Motivational Edge Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization which uses culturally relevant arts as a motivational platform to inspire youth toward academic achievement, increased self-confidence and to build essential life skills. Ian has trained many educators and nonprofit executives on topics ranging from program development and management to donor cultivation and data-reporting. Ian earned his BS, as well as his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport.
As a board member, Ian is expanding his educational background and utilizing his non-profit executive experience to continue his efforts of helping individuals, families and organizations within the community.

William M. Johansen
William M. Johansen has been a part of the Financial Services Industry for over 44 years. After serving in Vietnam in the USMC, Bill worked for General Telephone and Electronics as a Budget analyst in Tampa, Florida. He began his financial career with Merrill Lynch in 1974. In 1982, he became a Manager for Prudential Securities where he ran the largest office in the world for them. After retirement, he was contacted by A. G. Edwards to build, hire and manage for them an office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Bill’s experiences in the financial world include Arbitrator (NASD, AAA and National Futures Association), compensation committees, compliance committees and commodities trader.
Since 2000, Bill has been called upon for Expert Witness analysis and testimony. He has been involved in over 125 cases, both arbitration and court.
Bill has served on such Boards as United Way of Lee County and Better Business Bureau of South Florida. He has volunteered his time to Covenant House (homeless kids), Guardian Ad Litem, and Treasurer for Broward Crime Stoppers. He currently volunteers about 1,000 hours/year for the Broward Sheriff’s office.

Jeni Meunier
Jeni serves as a director for a company that offers innovative solutions for the complex eDiscovery and review process for leading corporations and law firms. In addition to being a leader in her industry with extensive business experience and accomplishments, Jeni earned degrees in Business and Communication from South Dakota University & Virginia Tech. Jeni also continued her education at Arogosy University and has obtained a Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy.
Jeni’s vision as a board member is to use her leadership and family therapy background. This, to strategically align her experience to help craft a valuable resource, to help the charity's commitment to the community.

Noah Justinger
Noah is a senior at Florida Atlantic University. His focus is in the areas of Business Marketing and Finance. His pursuit for financial education and development of his own business insight has surely qualified Noah as a board member. Noah provides the insight of the millennial mindset. His mission is to attract the attention of the “Fintech generation”. He creates content and bridges the gap between the now and the future. As technology and financial tools become more complex, many are finding it easier to become Finphobic(r) towards these innovations. Noah is an ambassador and a volunteer guest speaker in his field of knowledge. This insight will help millennials understand what questions they should ask while developing a financial backbone in this constantly changing financial and technological environment.

Bernard Karcinell
Bernard is an active Director for Different Brains Inc., a 501(c)(3) Charity, Director and Treasurer for Palm Isles West HOA since December 2012. The past 13 years, Bernard, has been a Director and Chairman of Audit Committee, member of Compensation and Governance Committees of Orbit International Corp. Orbit manufactures electronic components and power supplies utilized by military and private industry. Bernard has previously been a President and CEO of CCR Video Corp (NASDAQ), a company engaged in production of TV shows, President and CEO of DesignCraft Jewel Industries Inc, (AMEX), a manufacturer of gold jewelry. Started his career with KPMG, one of the big three accounting firms as an Audit Partner. Retired as a CPA.
who we are
The Center for Financial Education is a 501(c)(3) non profit charitable organization (Pending). (www.finphobia.org)
Our vision: Developing community confidence through financial awareness and education.
Premise
Financial occurrences from daily life events will always have either positive or negative consequences. Our quest is helping people overcome negative consequences, resulting from the fear of asking financial questions because of not knowing what questions to ask (FinPhobia™).
As an integral part of the Center's Educational Research Program, We help in developing awareness through give-and-take discussion. You may either contribute or just listen and observe negative/positive experiences, questions and concerns, as will each of the other attendees. The panel discussions are for the benefit of all.
Our professional members, utilizing their credentials and personal qualifications, donate their own personal time responding to participants input. Our pro-bono educators include Board Certified Financial Planners, Certified Public Accountants, Inheritance Planning Attorneys, Family/Divorce Attorneys, Elder Care Attorneys and Real Estate Attorneys. All with years of experience and a reputation for excellence.
The materials appearing on this website are provided for informational use only, and are in no way intended to constitute legal advice, financial advice or the opinions of this educational center website or any of its members, professionals, board members, executives or attorneys. Transmission or receipt of any information from this website or panels does not create a relationship, and you should not act or rely upon any information appearing on this website without seeking the advice of industry professional.
All TCFFE presentations are strictly educational and informative. Our presentations mostly contain "Panel Topics" content, presented by licensed professionals. All TCFFE presentations educate and inform the audience to develop a financial backbone to overcome FinPhobia®.
DISCLAIMER
TCFFE, the organization, does not offer to sell financial products nor promote any one particular company. Though the presenter may mention specific financial instruments and their functionality, TCFFE's role is only to educate and develop a financial backbone to overcome FinPhobia. TCFFE only represents the educational forum; all other endorsements are non TCFFE related.
For the TCFFE Member/Presenter:
Each Member/Presenter may participate, at their choosing of time, place, and topic, to create a "Panel" experience to a given round-table participates or observing audience, allowing themselves the public exposure they seek to create to interested attendees of their panel discussins, demonstrating their knowledge, experience, and expertise of their profession.
By regularly conducting panel discussions, the TCFFE member allows themselves to "give back" in a professional manner of sharing what they know with the attendees, of the many panel discussions, in that speaker's community.
Through the panel discussions of Real Life Discussions: topic, presenter, attendee, a possible future working relationship may occur. Thus, hopefully both parties benefiting. The attendee/client fulfilling various financial needs.