With Millstone Financial Group, you're never just a portfolio number. We take the time to understand your goals and concerns before we ever talk strategy — because the plan only works if it actually fits your life.
Our team brings more than 50 combined years in the financial industry to retirement planning and investment management across New Jersey. We've guided clients through nearly every kind of retirement scenario, and no matter the specifics of your situation, our approach stays the same: get to know you as a person first, then build the numbers around that.
Every relationship starts with understanding what matters to you. We hold ourselves to a fiduciary standard, which means we're required to act in your best interest – not just recommend what's easiest.
As fiduciaries, your financial interests come before our own, always. You can count on straightforward advice, even when it isn't the easy answer.
As an independent firm, we have the flexibility to take a personalized approach to retirement planning. Your strategy is built around your goals, priorities, and the retirement you envision.
When you work with Millstone, you become part of the family – and that means we're in it with you, not just at the start, but for the long run.
With over 26 years of experience in the financial industry, Don specializes in retirement planning, crafting strategic retirement income plans to steer clients towards financial independence. A graduate of Norwich University, the nation’s oldest private military college, Don has dedicated his entire career to the financial services sector, having contributed his expertise to First Boston, MetLife, and C&A Financial Group.
Don met Michael Russo while they were working at MetLife, and in 2003, both Don and Mike transitioned to C&A Financial Group, where they spent the subsequent decade. It was during this tenure that they recognized the need for a specialized firm exclusively focusing on retirement income planning, leading to the establishment of Millstone Financial Group in 2012. They both had a desire to help people navigate the complexities of retirement and created Millstone Financial to do just that.
Don currently lives in Monroe Township, NJ, with his wife, Tina, to whom he has been married since 1992. They have three children together: Paige, Donny, and Ally. Don’s two passions are sailing and watching college football, and he also enjoys cooking Sunday dinner for his family.
Bringing over three decades of industry expertise, Mike is dedicated to providing clients with robust investment management philosophies and retirement distribution strategies aimed at safeguarding their financial well-being throughout retirement. A graduate of Montclair State University with a degree in Business Administration and a focus on Finance, Mike garnered over a decade of valuable experience at Brown Brothers Harriman and MetLife.
During his time at MetLife, Mike crossed paths with Donald Albach, leading to the founding of Millstone Financial Group. Together, they established a mission to guide individuals through the intricacies of retirement planning.
Mike’s upbringing in a modest household, where family always came first, shaped his values and integrity. He credits his success to the unwavering work ethic instilled by his parents. Since 1992, Mike has been happily married to his wife, Maryann, and together, they reside in Howell with their three children: Matt, Craig, and Kellie. Mike is an avid sports fan, golfer, and traveler. He too loves spending time with his family at the Jersey Shore.
Kevin is an experienced Financial Advisor with a strong background in retirement planning and investment management. He is a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), reflecting his specialized knowledge in helping individuals develop strategies designed to address the unique challenges of creating sustainable retirement income. Kevin brings a wealth of experience to his role, refined through years of dedicated service and a commitment to excellence.
A graduate of Rider University, Kevin majored in Finance, leveraging the Post-9/11 GI Bill following his honorable discharge from the United States Navy. During his five-year tenure in the military, stationed in Jacksonville, FL, Kevin worked alongside his brother, David, where they both underwent rigorous training missions and a notable nine-month deployment patrolling the Persian Gulf. This deployment provided Kevin with invaluable experiences, allowing him to engage with diverse cultures and navigate complex financial landscapes while visiting ports in Dubai and Montenegro.
Following his military service, Kevin embarked on his financial career with Merrill Lynch, where he served as a Financial Solutions Advisor. Over the course of seven years, Kevin excelled in providing tailored financial advice, creating sophisticated brokerage and retirement portfolios, utilizing a diverse range of mutual funds and ETFs. His experience extended to retirement planning, where he became a trusted resource for participants seeking guidance on optimizing their 401(k) plans.
Driven by a passion for helping individuals prepare for and navigate retirement, Kevin transitioned to Millstone Financial Group, where he specializes in retirement planning, with a focus on managing IRAs and 401(k) accounts. As an RICP®, Kevin brings an additional focus to the retirement-income planning process, helping clients consider how their assets may be positioned to support their income needs throughout retirement. His commitment to his clients is unwavering, and he prides himself on delivering personalized strategies that align with their unique financial goals and aspirations.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Kevin finds joy in spending quality time with his family, including his partner Amanda and their two daughters, Kiley and Savannah. An avid sports enthusiast, Kevin can often be found cheering on his favorite teams or engaging in friendly competition on the golf course, baseball diamond, or basketball court. His dedication to both his personal and professional pursuits underscores his well-rounded approach to life.
Luke is a Financial Advisor specializing in comprehensive retirement planning, with experience helping individuals and families work toward their financial goals. His areas of focus include wealth management, retirement distribution strategies, Social Security planning, income planning, and legacy planning.
Luke began his professional journey while pursuing his Finance degree at The College of New Jersey. During his three years with Northwestern Mutual, he developed valuable experience in financial planning and client relationships, helping individuals and families navigate important financial decisions and prepare for retirement.
Luke has also successfully passed the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) examination, further strengthening his knowledge and expertise in retirement income planning and distribution strategies.
Rooted in a large, close-knit Italian family, Luke credits his upbringing for instilling in him strong values, morals, and a genuine appreciation for meaningful relationships. From an early age, he learned the importance of helping others and building lasting connections—principles that continue to guide him professionally. His desire to make a positive impact on others ultimately led him to Millstone Financial Group, where he found a career aligned with those values.
Outside of the office, Luke enjoys spending time at the beach, playing basketball, and making memories with family and friends. A Certified Scuba Diver, Luke also embraces adventure. During his very first open-water test dive, he came to his father’s aid during an unexpected situation – a memorable experience that demonstrated his courage and quick thinking.
Today, Luke is proud to be part of the team at Millstone Financial Group and looks forward to continuing to build meaningful relationships while helping clients pursue greater confidence and clarity throughout retirement. He remains committed to providing thoughtful financial guidance and personalized support to the individuals and families he serves.
Ryan is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional with Millstone Financial Group, where he works with clients on retirement planning and investment management strategies. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and completed graduate-level coursework in Financial Management at Cornell University. Ryan holds the Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations.
Ryan began his career in the alternative investments space, supporting Financial Advisors at UBS Financial Services with alternative investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Through this experience, he developed a strong appreciation for the advisory profession, and the role thoughtful planning can play in helping individuals prepare for retirement and other financial goals.
In his current role at Millstone Financial Group, Ryan focuses on helping clients better understand their financial situations, evaluate retirement and investment options, and develop strategies aligned with their long-term objectives. He emphasizes education, disciplined planning, and ongoing collaboration throughout the client relationship.
Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Arianna, and their blue heeler, Bluebell. He also enjoys cooking and following Buffalo Bills football.
Nick Noto is a lifelong resident of Millstone, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Rider University’s Business Honors Program, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance with a concentration in Private Wealth Management.
At Millstone Financial Group, Nick supports the advisory team in a variety of operational and client service capacities, including new account processing, trading of securities & portfolio rebalancing, investment research, compliance with SEC regulations, and marketing event coordination.
Juliana Murphy is a seasoned business and marketing professional with a diverse background spanning financial services, business management, marketing, retail, and event management. As Marketing Manager at Millstone Financial Group, she plays an integral role in shaping the firm’s marketing strategy, strengthening its brand, and creating meaningful opportunities to connect with the individuals and families the firm serves.
Juliana began her career in financial services, including roles with Merrill Lynch, where she managed projects and business initiatives within a highly regulated environment. This experience established a strong foundation in professionalism, organization, attention to detail, and regulatory awareness.
Her entrepreneurial spirit later led her to become the Owner and General Manager of a successful card and gift retail business in Toms River, New Jersey. She oversaw all aspects of the business, including vendor relationships, purchasing, staff management, customer service, trade shows, merchandising, and marketing.
Juliana also brings extensive experience as an Event Experience Consultant, planning and coordinating weddings, graduations, engagement celebrations, corporate gatherings, and private events. Her ability to manage complex details, oversee multiple priorities, and create memorable experiences has become one of her defining strengths.
Today, Juliana brings these experiences together at Millstone Financial Group, leading marketing initiatives, educational and client events, communications, and brand development while helping ensure the Millstone philosophy of “People First, Numbers Second” is reflected in everything the firm does.
Juliana believes effective marketing is about more than promoting a company — it is about building trust, creating meaningful connections, and communicating a message that genuinely resonates with people. Her business experience, creativity, leadership, and relationship-building skills allow her to bring both strategic insight and a personal touch to her work.
Outside of work, Juliana enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and creating meaningful experiences while maintaining a healthy balance between her professional and personal life.
Jenna is a graduate of The College of New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Management.
She began her professional experience at MJH Life Sciences as a Marketing Intern within the Managed Care department, where she supported the execution of multi-channel marketing initiatives and assisted with event logistics for national and regional conferences and events.
Jenna joined Millstone Financial Group during the summer prior to her senior year as a Marketing Intern and now serves as a Marketing Associate. In her current role, she manages the firm’s social media channels, supports CRM and CMS platforms — including Constant Contact, Salesforce, and WordPress — and assists with event planning and operational coordination. She is dedicated to effectively communicating the firm’s mission and supporting consistent, client-focused engagement.
Outside of the office, Jenna enjoys spending time at the beach, running, baking, and being with family and friends.
Maryann has been part of the financial services industry since 2002, beginning her career as an Agent and Registered Representative with New York Life. In 2006, she joined The Guardian Life Insurance Company in Tampa, Florida, where she served as both Office Administrator and Recruiter. In 2010, she transitioned to Guardian’s Wall, New Jersey office as Executive Assistant to the General Agent, where she had the opportunity to first work with Michael Russo and Donald Albach.
Maryann joined Millstone Financial Group in 2019 as Client Service Manager, bringing with her extensive experience in financial services, sales, office administration, and client relations. Her diverse background allows her to understand both the business and, most importantly, the people it serves.
Maryann believes that service is not simply a department – it is an attitude reflected in kindness, integrity, and professionalism. She is dedicated to creating a positive client experience and making every client feel valued, supported, and genuinely cared for.
Maryann earned her degree in Business Administration, with a major in Business Law, from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She resides in Manchester, New Jersey, and enjoys reading, cooking, long bike rides, and spending time at the Jersey Shore.
Joslynn brings more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry, with a background in client relationships, business development, operations, and sales.
At Millstone Financial Group, Joslynn focuses on strengthening client and professional relationships, supporting business growth, enhancing the onboarding experience, and ensuring the day-to-day operations run efficiently. She works closely with clients and the team to provide a seamless, thoughtful experience that reflects the firm’s high standard of service.
Prior to joining Millstone Financial Group, Joslynn served as a Wealth Management Client Associate at Merrill Lynch and held key positions at JPMorgan Chase including Licensed Relationship Banker, Business Specialist, and Manager on Duty.
Joslynn is currently pursuing a degree in Management at Kean University. Outside of work, she values spending time with her son, family, and friends.
Retirement is a journey, and no two paths look exactly alike. Our team will take the time to understand what matters most to you and help chart a course that fits your goals and financial situation. Schedule your complimentary retirement review and let's get started.
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