January 09, 2012
Stephen Maresca ’72CBA doesn’t believe that anything good
happens by accident.
A
forward-thinking person by nature, he is convinced that anyone who
fails to plan is unknowingly planning to fail. He looks at the
future as a challenge, but one that can be turned into an
opportunity by thoughtful preparation that leads to prudent
choices.
Maresca puts his personal philosophy into action as a Financial
Advisor for individuals and small businesses. His practice focuses
on estate and retirement planning and includes tax preparation and
tax planning as a way to provide a complete financial package for
his clients.
“I’m part of a firm called American Portfolios Financial
Services,” he said. “I have my own business and my own clients, but
I have to work through a firm because if I want to recommend an
investment I’m not what they call a principal, which means that I
have to do my business through another firm. Mutual funds,
investments, annuity and insurance are all done through American
Portfolios Financial, but I’m considered an independent consultant.
I have my own business within them. The tax work is actually my own
separate business.”
Not surprisingly, the many recent changes in the federal, state
and local tax laws, coupled with the still-turbulent economy, have
made it more important than ever for people to seek the assistance
of a professional financial planner. Maresca is well aware that for
the average individual and small business owner, the only way to
successfully plan for the future is to view it within the context
of the present.
“The world of finance and investments is complicated,” he noted,
“and it’s important because everyone needs to make the most of
their money and be prudent about where it goes. One of the big
facts of life today is that people are living longer, and as people
live longer they have to manage their income and expenses over a
greater period of time. It’s absolutely essential for people to
have their finances professionally monitored Everyone should
have someone that they can trust, who knows the investment and
financial field and has their best interests at heart.”
Being aware of the interests and concerns of others is nothing
new for this dynamic alumnus. He began his studies on St. John’s
Schermerhorn Street campus, transferring for his senior year to the
Staten Island campus when the Brooklyn Center closed in 1971. He
immediately made his presence known by serving as the first Student
Body President from St. John’s newest location, acting as a
spokesperson for the students in their dealings with the
University.
Today, forty years later, Maresca is still doing what he can to
effect change within his Brooklyn community. He has run for elected
office and is active in a wide range of party politics and
community affairs.
“I like the idea that by getting involved in civic activities
I’m doing what I can to make the world a better place,” he
remarked. “ I got involved because I wanted to do something for my
community, to represent the people around me and hopefully do some
good in the process. I do that whenever I can. It covers everything
from trying to make the neighborhood better to collecting food at
Thanksgiving and organizing clothing drives. It also blends into
the political, which is something that I’ve been active in almost
since I graduated from St. John’s. Most of this is pro bono, and
what I get is the psychic enjoyment that comes from doing
good.”
He also derives a great deal of enjoyment from continuing to
support the University that helped to form him into the person he
is today. In addition to being an active participant in a variety
of alumni events, Maresca is a member of The McCallen Society, an
organization comprised of donors who have included St. John’s in
their estate plans. It is his way of giving back to the University
by helping to plan for its future.
“St. John’s will always be an important part of my life and I
will never forget that whatever success I’ve had is because of what
I experienced as a student there,” he said. “To remember St.
John’s with whatever is left after I’m gone will help me to pay
back for all that it’s given me. Being a member of The McCallen
Society allows me to be a part of the University’s future. I’ve
lived my entire life advising people about the importance of
planning, so there was no way I could pass up an opportunity to
practice what I preach.”