Thomas M Defino, CFP®
Vice President,
Financial Advisor,
Senior Investment Management Specialist
Direct:
(732) 505-4718(732) 505-4718
Toll-Free:
(800) 676-0996(800) 676-0996
My Mission Statement
Customized investment and financial strategies for clients like you
Thomas M. Defino, CFP®, CRPS®
A seasoned professional for nearly 35 years, Tom enjoys working with financially successful individuals and families, providing personalized advice through a disciplined wealth management approach. His diverse financial background enables him to help clients achieve their retirement and estate planning goals, while building a diversified investment portfolio. He also has extensive experience working with corporate executives, helping them optimize their employee stock options and equity compensation plans.
A graduate of Kean College where he earned his B.S. degree in Economics, Tom began his career at Midstate Securities Corporation in 1985. Six years later, he joined the Morgan Stanley family, where he soon met Victor Roccki. He became a member of The Roccki Group in 1998 and has been a valuable member of the team ever since.
Tom is committed to advanced learning for himself and his clients. Through the College of Financial Planning, he completed the rigorous coursework needed to attain both the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) and Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) designations. These credentials provide Tom with special knowledge and skills in the areas of retirement and estate planning, wealth preservation strategies, risk management and executive benefits.
Tom’s desire to help others is equaled only by his dedication to his community and his family. Over the years, he has been active with many organizations, including the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, TOP (an outreach soccer program for disabled children), the Special Olympics and Kevin’s Kids Annual Christmas Toy Drive.
Tom and his wife, Carolyn, currently reside in Toms River and enjoy spending time with their three grown children. One of Tom’s lifetime passions is the game of soccer. He attained his U.S. Soccer Federation National “D” coaching license and is a trainer at the Celtic Elite Soccer Academy. His credentials include coaching players for the Women’s and Men’s U.S. Olympic Developmental Program.
A graduate of Kean College where he earned his B.S. degree in Economics, Tom began his career at Midstate Securities Corporation in 1985. Six years later, he joined the Morgan Stanley family, where he soon met Victor Roccki. He became a member of The Roccki Group in 1998 and has been a valuable member of the team ever since.
Tom is committed to advanced learning for himself and his clients. Through the College of Financial Planning, he completed the rigorous coursework needed to attain both the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) and Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) designations. These credentials provide Tom with special knowledge and skills in the areas of retirement and estate planning, wealth preservation strategies, risk management and executive benefits.
Tom’s desire to help others is equaled only by his dedication to his community and his family. Over the years, he has been active with many organizations, including the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, TOP (an outreach soccer program for disabled children), the Special Olympics and Kevin’s Kids Annual Christmas Toy Drive.
Tom and his wife, Carolyn, currently reside in Toms River and enjoy spending time with their three grown children. One of Tom’s lifetime passions is the game of soccer. He attained his U.S. Soccer Federation National “D” coaching license and is a trainer at the Celtic Elite Soccer Academy. His credentials include coaching players for the Women’s and Men’s U.S. Olympic Developmental Program.
Securities Agent: IA, MD, MA, GA, TN, OR, NY, NJ, TX, FL, VA, OH, DE, AZ, WI, WA, NV, SC, IL, CT, NH, ME, CA, WY, UT, PA, NC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1270252
NMLS#: 1270252
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Advice Matters
Not all advice is the same. Our advice is backed by advanced technology, exceptional insight and institutional scale that can't be found just anywhere.
Digital Tools
Our goal is simple: “To be the firm where the most talented advisors in the industry leverage cutting-edge technology and deliver customized wealth management solutions to their clients and their families to enable them to achieve their life goals.” The Firm strives to ensure it serves clients on market-leading technology platforms that are resilient, safe, efficient, smart, fast and flexible.
Morgan Stanley Online
Morgan Stanley Online digital capabilities and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App provide clients with access to their account information, enriched reporting tools, several cash management solutions and robust market research. The Morgan Stanley Mobile App provides clients with access to their accounts in just a few taps.
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Asset Aggregation
The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind. Log into Morgan Stanley Online or download the Morgan Stanley Mobile App to link and add external accounts.
Asset Aggregation>
Digital Vault
Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors. The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you and your clients to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
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Premier Cash Management
Premier Cash Management is a program that recognizes and rewards clients for choosing Morgan Stanley for their everyday cash management needs. This program provides clients with select benefits, savings, and enhanced services.
A suite of cash management solutions that provides an attractive alternative to a traditional bank.
These solutions include depositing checks, withdrawing cash and paying your households bills from your Active Assets Accounts which allows you to manage your everyday finances alongside your long-term investments. As an added value, clients are rewarded for using the firm’s cash management solutions through the Premier Cash Management Program.
For More Information>A suite of cash management solutions that provides an attractive alternative to a traditional bank.
These solutions include depositing checks, withdrawing cash and paying your households bills from your Active Assets Accounts which allows you to manage your everyday finances alongside your long-term investments. As an added value, clients are rewarded for using the firm’s cash management solutions through the Premier Cash Management Program.
Goals Planning System
GPS helps clients define what they want out of life, and then creates a financial framework to bring these goals to life.
Client Benefits
A Plan Designed to Achieve Goals: A holistic Goals Planning System approach to Wealth Management can help tailor an investment framework that considers key aspects of a client's life, such as retirement age, healthcare costs, home buying, cash management, legacy needs, and potential withdrawal strategies.
Track Progress to Goals: Using goals as a benchmark, the investment strategy is continuously evaluated to ensure clients are on track.
Stay Flexible as Goals Change: As circumstances and goals change, Financial Advisors can help adjust priorities and introduce additional solutions.
GPS Video>Client Benefits
A Plan Designed to Achieve Goals: A holistic Goals Planning System approach to Wealth Management can help tailor an investment framework that considers key aspects of a client's life, such as retirement age, healthcare costs, home buying, cash management, legacy needs, and potential withdrawal strategies.
Track Progress to Goals: Using goals as a benchmark, the investment strategy is continuously evaluated to ensure clients are on track.
Stay Flexible as Goals Change: As circumstances and goals change, Financial Advisors can help adjust priorities and introduce additional solutions.
Location
1433 Hooper Ave
Toms River, NJ 08753
US
Direct:
(732) 505-4718(732) 505-4718
Toll-Free:
(800) 676-0996(800) 676-0996
Fax:
(732) 505-4737(732) 505-4737
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Thomas M Defino today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
