Administrator of Self-Directed IRAs Adds Two New Hires to Manage

Growing Inquiries about Investing in Alternative Assets

ROSELAND, N.J., December 12, 2011 – Jaime Raskulinecz, founder and CEO of Next Generation Trust Services, LLC, a third-party administrator of self-directed retirement plans, notes certain indicators of a possible uptick in investor confidence. She points to the recent addition of two new employees at her own firm in response to an increase in sales leads and prospect inquiries as a signal that there could be a positive change coming for investors and investment markets. The new employees—Jennifer MacMillan, a former army chaplain assistant who served in Baghdad, Iraq and Stuttgart, Germany and Jared Lopez, who has experience in radio and television production as well as accounting—are currently training for support positions in transaction administration and sales and marketing.

“We are receiving many more inquiries about self-directed IRAs and have added staff to serve our current and future account holders,” reported Raskulinecz. “People want to fund their retirement accounts but are weary of the stock-bond-mutual fund roller coaster we’ve seen over the past decade. For many investors, self-directed IRAs are a great way to build their retirement wealth.” Next Generation Trust Services specializes in comprehensive account administration and transaction support for individuals who choose to self-direct their retirement accounts.

Unlike typical IRAs, self-directed retirement plans allow for a diverse array of nontraditional investments including real estate, precious metals, private placements, commercial paper, mortgages, unsecured loans, and much more. With a self-directed IRA, individuals make all their own investment decisions, usually with investments they already know and understand; in fact, they might already be investing in these

instruments outside of their existing IRAs. Self-directed retirement accounts enjoy all the tax advantages of regular IRAs; the self-directed assets are held by a neutral third-party administrator such as Next Generation Trust Services.

Growing to Meet Investor Demand

Raskulinecz said her staff reported increased call volume about self-directed IRAs during 3^rd quarter 2011 and she expects the activity to continue beyond 4^th quarter into 2012. In addition to the two new employees she is looking to hire another administrative assistant to ensure customers receive the high quality of transaction support they’ve come to expect from Next Generation Trust Services. Although it is based in northern New Jersey, the company does business globally through its website, http://NextGenerationTrust.com.

“We are training Jared to assist with our marketing and sales efforts and we are training Jennifer in transaction support,” said Raskulinecz. Both were hired initially as administrative assistants but were quickly moved into training as support staff in marketing and transaction administration; Raskulinecz plans to add a new administrative assistant to her staff as well.

She attributes part of the boost in recent business to her company’s marketing efforts; she and Operations/Compliance Manager Jennifer Bzik frequently present free educational seminars about self-direction as a retirement wealth-building strategy to individuals and their advisors. Next Generation Trust Services is also a frequent exhibitor at regional trade shows and national industry conferences for professionals such as CPAs, financial planners, attorneys, and realtors, to educate them on how their clients could build their retirement savings with a self-directed IRA.

 “The self-directed retirement accounts enjoy all the same tax advantages as regular IRAs and can be a great way for savvy investors to build a more eclectic, and often more lucrative, retirement portfolio through these alternative investments,” she added. Individuals and employers can open all the same types of self-directed retirement plans as they would with a brokerage house: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Coverdell Education Savings Account, Health Savings Account,  SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA.

For more information about self-directed IRAs, contact Next Generation Trust Services at (888) 857-8058, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit http://NextGenerationTrust.com.

Next Generation Trust Services, LLC

75 Livingston Avenue, 3^rd Floor

Roseland, N.J. 07068

Media contact: Caryn Starr-Gates/201-791-4694 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Administrator of Self-Directed Retirement Accounts Upgrades Server Speed and File Transfer Protection; Adding Broader Online Capabilities for Clients

ROSELAND, N.J., January 6, 2012 – Account holders at Next Generation Trust Services, LLC, an administrator of self-directed retirement accounts, now experience increased file security regarding their IRA transactions thanks to upgrades to the firm’s servers. CEO Jaime Raskulinecz said that the new technology being implemented means more internal security to safeguard account transactions as well as e-mails, and make in-house operations more efficient.

“Next Generation Trust is committed to a high level of customer service; therefore we have added the most current technology in the financial services field to improve our account holders’ security,” said Raskulinecz. “With so much business happening over the internet, and with the surge of web-based transactions, we need to make sure each investor’s transactions will be even more secure and protected against cyber-crime.”

Heightened Security for E-mail System and Data Files

Raskulinecz explained that the server responsible for Next Generation Trust’s e-mail, file sharing, network printing, and domain security now runs on the latest version provided by Microsoft. The company’s e-mail system now runs on Microsoft Exchange 2010 which offers many security options to ensure sensitive information is not released.

·         Built-in Windows AntiSpam as well as the latest Symantec antivirus program will help prevent malware and Trojans from entering the business e-mail.

·         Two new separate wireless networks will provide internet access for visitors to the Next Generation Trust office but does not allow them to access the password-protected area of the company’s servers or internal network.

Security features added to the server’s operating system include:

·         Bitlocker, which encrypts all data and adds a signification layer of protection during data transfer, shielding sensitive information from hackers.

·         Business Process Analyzer which audits the servers to make sure they are running with the most updated security patches and that they adhere to industry best practices.

In addition to the heightened internet security, the new hardware also boosts performance and speed. The financial services firm runs on a new 64-bit Windows server and operating system that is much faster and can handle larger computing loads than before; this results in more streamlined communication between the servers and Next Generation Trust’s employees who expedite client transactions for self-directed retirement accounts. Raskulinecz noted that the enhanced computing power will also help her company grow in terms of online capabilities to offer clients in the near future.

Next Generation Trust Services specializes in comprehensive account administration and transaction support for account holders of self-directed IRAs, which allow for a diverse array of nontraditional investments restricted from regular retirement accounts. The firm handles all the paperwork for clients’ transactions, provides guidance and education, and holds the assets; clients make all their own investment decisions and direct how they build their retirement wealth.

“In tandem with the back-end technology upgrades we are also updating and expanding our website to provide even more educational information and convenience for our existing and prospective clients,” said Raskulinecz. “However, the most critical component of all these efforts is internet security and protecting web-based transactions and correspondence for our clients.”

For more information about self-directed retirement accounts with Next Generation Trust Services, call (888) 857-8058, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit http://NextGenerationTrust.com.

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Administrator of Self-Directed IRAs Marks a Year of Growth,

Rebranding and Technology Upgrades

ROSELAND, N.J., January 9, 2012 – Jaime Raskulinecz, founder and CEO of Next Generation Trust Services, LLC, has a lot to celebrate as the new year begins, including her firm’s one-year anniversary of becoming a truly independent operation in January 2011. In that year, the firm, a third-party administrator of self-directed retirement plans, has undergone extensive corporate rebranding, upgraded its website and back-office technology, added staff, and continues to grow in assets held.

Raskulinecz started the company in 2004 as part of a national network of self-directed IRA administrators; after growing the firm’s assets held to $150 million within the first five years she decided to break away from the network and become truly independent. In January 2011, the firm emerged as Next Generation Trust Services and it’s been a whirlwind ever since.

“We have added support staff to handle the many inquiries that have been coming into our office regarding self-directed IRAs and have upgraded our servers to handle our communications and transactions more efficiently and securely,” said Raskulinecz, who added that the increase in sales leads and prospect inquiries at Next Generation Trust could signal a positive change coming for investors and investment markets in 2012.

“People want to fund their retirement accounts but are seeking alternatives to the stock-bond-mutual fund roller coaster of the past decade. For many savvy investors, self-directed IRAs are a great way to build their retirement wealth, with investments they already know and understand.” Next Generation Trust Services specializes in comprehensive account administration and transaction support for individuals who choose to self-direct their retirement accounts. The firm holds nearly $200 million in assets today.

Unlike regular IRAs, self-directed retirement accounts allow for a diverse array of nontraditional investments including real estate, precious metals, private placements, commercial paper, mortgages, unsecured loans, and much more. Individuals make all their own investment decisions, often with investments they might already be investing in outside of their existing IRAs. Self-directed accounts enjoy all the tax advantages of regular IRAs; the self-directed assets are held by a neutral third-party administrator such as Next Generation Trust Services.

New Company, New Look, New Marketing Efforts

Since its re-launch last January, Next Generation Trust Services designed a new logo, created all new marketing materials, and is continually updating its website, http://NextGenerationTrust.com to provide more information for current and prospective clients.

Blog posts, social media updates, and electronic newsletters support the company’s marketing efforts, which extend beyond print and digital. Raskulinecz, Operations/Compliance Manager Jennifer Bzik, and marketing assistant Jared Lopez frequently present free educational seminars about self-direction to individuals and their advisors; Next Generation Trust Services is also a frequent exhibitor at regional trade shows and national industry conferences for professionals such as CPAs, financial planners, attorneys, and realtors, to educate them on how their clients could build their retirement savings with a self-directed IRA.

As the company has grown, so has the need for increased file security. “Although we are based in northern New Jersey we do business globally through our website,” noted Raskulinecz. “Therefore, we have implemented new technology that provides more internal security to safeguard account transactions and e-mails, and make in-house operations more efficient.”

In addition to tighter cyber-security measures, a new server is in place that operates with greater speed and can handle larger computing loads. The enhanced computing power will also help the company expand online capabilities for clients in the near future.

 “2011 was such an exciting year for us,” said Raskulinecz. “We’re looking forward to our continuing evolution and what this year will bring.” For more information about self-directed IRAs, contact Next Generation Trust Services at (888) 857-8058, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit http://NextGenerationTrust.com.                      

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About Next Generation Trust

Next Generation Trust Services (NGTS), headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, is a professional third-party administrator of self-directed retirement plans. NGTS provides education, administrative support, and account maintenance to individuals interested in self-directing their retirement portfolios with a wide variety of investments that are not typically found in an IRA, such as real estate, precious metals, notes and mortgages, private placements, accounts receivables, limited partnerships, hedge funds, and much more. Next Generation Trust Services serves clients globally via its website, www.NextGenerationTrust.com. For more information on self-directing a retirement plan, call 973-533-1880, 888-857-8058 (toll free), or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Association for Women in Communications, New Jersey chapter (AWCNJ) is hosting its first event of the new year titled “Author Self-Promotion Primer: How to Market Yourself & Create New Revenue Streams,” on Thursday, January 26, 2012, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, in Bloomfield, NJ.

Pattie Simone, founder of www.WomenCentric.net, will present an overview of how to promote yourself (and create lovely revenue streams from) after you’ve added “Author” to your achievements! She shares powerful self-promotion tips and resources designed to pump up your profits, such as deciding on your objectives, creating a custom action plan, using social media channels, working with mobile apps and "the cloud", and getting paid speaking engagements.

Pattie is a marketing guru and one of the authors featured in the soon-to-be-published book, “Jersey Women Mean Business! Big Bold Business^TM Advice from New Jersey Women Business Owners: Practical Pointers, Solutions, and Strategies for Business Success.” She will be joined by Joyce Restaino, a writer and editor of Jersey Women Mean Business, and Donna R. Thompson, founder of Woodpecker Press, LLC, publisher of the book, for the Q&A part of the meeting.

The event will be at Bella Napoli, 1640 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ. Pasta, salad, a choice of three entrees, and coffee/tea will be served. There is also free parking at the site.

The price is $35 for AWCNJ members and $45 for non-members if registered by Wednesday, January 25th. After that, the price is $40 for members and $50 for non-members at the door.

For more information and registration, visit www.awcnj.org/events. For directions to Bella Napoli, visit www.bellanapolibloomfield.com or call 973-338-8500.

The Association for Women in Communications, New Jersey Chapter, established in 1997, is an active professional organization dedicated to self-development and the advancement of women across communications disciplines.

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Essex Chapter of N.J. Association of Women Business Owners Honors Raskulinecz for Business Success, Involvement in Organization and Community Outreach

ROSELAND, N.J., May 10, 2011 – Jaime Raskulinecz, founder and CEO of Next Generation Trust Services, LLC in Roseland, N.J., was named the 2011 Business Woman of the Year by the Essex chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). Raskulinecz, who received the prestigious award at a recent chapter event, was cited for her outstanding participation in NJAWBO-Essex and her business success. Her firm specializes in comprehensive account administration and transaction support services for self-directed retirement accounts.

Holly Kaplansky, immediate past president of NJAWBO-Essex, said that as an experienced businesswoman, Raskulinecz “shares valued insights and opinions, makes sure to do business with many chapter members, and participates actively in the ongoing education of our members.” Raskulinecz joined NJAWBO in 2007 and serves on the chapter board as vice president of public policy. She has presented educational seminars for NJAWBO members and guests about investing in nontraditional assets like real estate, loans, precious metals and many others through self-directed IRAs. In addition, Kaplansky added that Raskulinecz “has been tremendously generous in hosting our Mentoring Circle program in her company’s conference room.  We thank Jaime for being such an outstanding NJAWBO member.”

Businesswoman of the Year honors NJAWBO members who distinguish themselves in their businesses, the organization, and in the community. It gives them recognition for their business skills and accomplishments as well as their position as a positive role model for women. Chapter honorees go on for consideration as the NJAWBO State Business Woman of the Year, which is awarded at the organization’s annual state conference in the fall.

Raskulinecz opened her financial services firm in 2004. As CEO of Entrust Northeast, LLC, part of a national network of third-party administrators of self-directed retirement plans, she grew the company from start-up to over $150 million in assets held in just five years. Raskulinecz broke away from the national network and become truly independent; on January 1, 2011 her company emerged as Next Generation Trust Services, LLC.

A recognized expert in the field of self-directed IRAs and nontraditional investments within retirement plans, Ms. Raskulinecz has been interviewed frequently by and has contributed articles to prominent real estate and investment publications. She has also been recognized by leading real estate and business journals, and women’s business organizations, for her role as a leading female business owner in the state as well as in her areas of expertise. She speaks often to consumers and professionals on the topic of self-directed retirement plans and educates the public on the types of alternative investments allowed in those plans.

In addition to her work on behalf of NJAWBO, Raskulinecz and her partner are strong supporters of Tabby’s Place, a cat sanctuary in Ringoes, and the Homeless Animal Adoption League in Bloomfield, both in N.J.  Throughout June 2011, Raskulinecz is pledging 50% of Next Generation’s new account set-up fees to Tabby’s Place in honor of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and will personally match her firm’s donation. The women were featured by CNN Money for their outreach work and direct support of needy families in their town of West Orange and surrounding area.

“NJAWBO is a great organization to meet with other women business owners for networking and support,” said Raskulinecz. “I also see it as a resource for business partners and suppliers and another avenue to give back to others by helping where I can.” 

For more information about the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, visit www.njawbo.org.

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About NJAWBO

NJAWBO is the oldest statewide organization focused on the needs and concerns of women business owners. Established in 1978, its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women by providing them with the tools to develop and grow their enterprises; it does so through networking, partnering, leadership, education and political advocacy. Classes, seminars, and informational events are offered to members and aspiring entrepreneurs.There are thirteen chapters throughout New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njawbo.org.      

Johnny “Meatballs”

A Chat With VH1’s Johnny “Meatballs”

By Anthony Carrea

As a pot of gravy simmers on the stove, a fresh batch of Italian meatballs has just finished cooking.  The aroma of the meatballs and gravy is a reminder to everyone that another big Italian Sunday dinner is coming their way.  Luckily for them, it is being prepared by the most famous meatball of all.  His name is John Michael “Meatballs” DeCarlo, and he is “The Meatball King of New Jersey.” 

Meatballs is a husband and father first but he didn’t get the name “The Meatball King” for nothing. He can cook, there’s no doubt about that, but he also looks the part. 

He has Italian features with dark eyes and spiky black hair and usually sports an Italian horn or a black leather jacket.  He’s a cook, writer and even singer but more importantly he is an entrepreneur. Every day “Meatballs,” or JM as his family calls him, does something to build up the Johnny Meatballs Empire, and today is no different.

It was the first day of filming for Johnny’s reality show “My Big Friggin Wedding”.  All of Johnny’s immediate family attended and were greeted by an array of cameras and microphones when they first walked in.  If they didn’t know better, they would think they just walked onto a movie set. 

After everyone arrived the smorgasbord of Italian food was laid out on the table. The crowd then took their seats with the cameras looming over head.  “Mangi!” chimed in Johnny as the sausage, meatballs and chicken marsala spewed with steam.

These cameras and microphones would hang over “Meatballs,” shoulder for the entire summer.  Every hour in his life would be closely documented, but so far it’s all worth it.  “My Big Friggin Wedding” aired on Monday, Nov. 1 and it is already helping him achieve some of his goals.

Thanks to Lucas Prada, Angelo Venuto and a cigar roller, he threw the ultimate “Jersey Italian” wedding, which he always wanted.  Recording a song, writing a book and having his frozen meatballs available on store shelves are also in his sights. 

“I was only in a recording studio once when I sang ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ down in Disney World when I was 6,” Johnny said.  He would continue where he left off on Monday recording a song of his own called “The Meatball Song.”

He worked with a highly successful dance music star named L.P. and his producer, who helped transform what was once a fun song about meatballs he would sing to himself while he sculpted his round creations. From the moment Johnny walked in the studio, he knew L.P. would help him spice up the song just like his meatballs.

“I walked into L.P.’s studio with a hot tray of meatballs in hand (of course).  Although L.P. is a die-hard Mets fan and I bleed Yankee pinstripes, we were on the same page with how we could kick things up a notch or two.”

As the process began, Johnny was surprised that it took well over an hour of singing to record a three-minute track and that did not even count the before and after process.  An hour in his life Monday was recording a song, but if you check back on Friday, maybe he’ll be writing a book or even flying to the moon – with him you never know. 

It was interesting that before the producer even hit play there was a lengthy collaborating process.  Ideas are bounced off each other like meatballs being flipped on the frying pan. 

When the recording process actually starts, much of it is singing verses over and over so they can take the best ones and combine them so it sounds perfect.  That’s the main reason why singers never seem like they are gasping for air on any recorded songs.  “I’m no Sinatra and I found myself out of breath a number of times,” said ‘The Meatball King.’”

Besides what he hopes to be a new hit single, it sure has been an eventful week.  He interviewed with the newspaper the Bergen Record and the show The Inside Edition and that is all while busy writing for his weekly blog “The Cugine Corner,” doing video segments at restaurants and taking care of his 4-month-old son Christian. 

Every part of his business revolves around meatballs, so let’s not forget that he actually has to make them.  He has teamed up with Star Ravioli in order to mass produce the balls of veal, pork and beef.  His frozen dinners, called “Johnny’s Meatballs In Sunday Gravy,” are sold at Corrado’s Market so Johnny must spend days upon end rolling and cooking meatballs at his warehouse in Moonachie, NJ. 

The meatballs are more than just rolled up fried meat with a touch of his secret spices.  They are building blocks that will help him achieve his lifelong goal of having his own cooking show on the food network.  With each meatball rolled, he gets one step closer to self-actualization. 

The radio tour on 10 different stations nationwide doesn’t hurt the cause, either. 

Johnny “Meatballs” is someone that can be a great role model for anyone because of his determination and relentless pursuit of his dream.  So many people give up on what they REALLY want to do. 

He has created meatball mania through his excellent self marketing skills and by attacking all the mediums.  He’s on the TV and radio, has columns in newspapers and on the internet, but the easiest way to find the self proclaimed “Jersey Goumba” is to follow the trail of meatballs.