Our History

The History of MAP Estate Planning

1952-1976:  At age 31, Tom Ziniti obtained his securities license through First Investors Corporation, a mutual fund management company that primarily sold monthly investment plans.  Tom slowly built his sole proprietorship by his personal service, honest reputation and long hours.  In the early 1970 recession years, Tom and two experienced Registered Representatives, Hy Dolber and John Murphy, started selling the few available bond funds.  This then bold idea slowly caught on and saved First Investors from going out of business.  In 1974, Tom was made Assistant Vice President of First Investors.

1977:  At 28 years old, Steve took his Securities and Life and Health Insurance licensing exams with First Investors Corporation as his company sponsor.  His experience at fact finding, interviewing and problem solving in previous jobs as Insurance Investigator and Unemployment Insurance Hearing Representative proved very helpful in what was the evolving financial planning industry.  Steve stayed in the business with his father at a small branch office of First Investors Corporation for almost eight years.  Tom gave Steve invaluable assistance in presentation, evaluation and analysis techniques, product knowledge and people skills.  But most importantly, Steve's father, mother and his first wife, Phyllis, gave Steve the essential moral support along the road to become an independent financial planner.

1982:  Steve and Tom had obtained  new designation of Certified Financial Planner®, and Steve had become a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Within the next three years, all three of Steve's sons were born healthy and happy.  Michael was born in 1982, Anthony in 1984, and Paul in 1985.  Our company was named after Steve's three sons.  Steve's favorite color is blue, and when you faithfully follow our MAP, you will find your way home.

1985:  Steve decided it was in the best interests of his clients and himself that he have the full support of an independent broker dealer and chose Nathan & Lewis Securities, Inc. because of their excellent reputation.  Steve was very happy when 98% of his clients reciprocated his loyalty by moving their accounts with him to his new Nathan & Lewis branch office in Franklin Square.

1989:  Tom made the momentous decision to leave First  Investors after 38 years, and joined Steve at Nathan & Lewis Securities as an independent Branch Manager in Huntington, New York.  Now it was Steve's turn to provide administrative and moral support, and 100% of Tom's loyal clientèle moved with him. Tom and Steve attended conferences together, developed a joint client newsletter, and increased their exchange of ideas.

1991:  Ann Marie Catron started working for Steve in his Franklin Square, New York branch office as a part-time Administrative Assistant.  Ann gradually expanded her hours, became more experienced and increased her knowledge of the industry.  In 1995, she passed her Securities, and Life and Health Insurance examinations.  Tom's Huntington office had become an official MAP Estate Planning branch office, where Tom's wife, Antoinette, continued to assist him.  Antoinette had obtained her securities and insurance licenses years before, but was now directing more of her energy to the administration of Tom's branch office.

2001:  Tom officially retired from daily participation in the business.  He remained our trusted, experienced consultant, and regularly inquired about his loyal clients, who now work with Steve and Ann.  He had sporadic contact with some clients, and kept his licenses active in New York and Nevada.  On July 7, 2001 Ann and Steve were married.

2002:  By mid-year, we took advantage of an opportunity and joined American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.  APFS was a 6-year old rapidly growing, Long Island based broker dealer, servicing independent financial planners nationwide.  Ann becomes the Branch Manager after passing the FINRA Principal's exam.

2008/2009:  Anthony, Steve's son, passes his Securities exam and begins his financial planning career working at Oppenheimer Funds as a Product Specialist servicing Registered Representatives.  On May 3, 2008, Tom Ziniti ends his pilgrimage on earth, and dies peacefully at the age of 86.  We all miss his company and the pleasure of loving him.  Anthony earns his MBA in Personal Financial Planning from Molloy College in May, 2009.

2010:   Anthony is promoted to Regional Sales Rep for Long Island, New York planners in May, 2010. 

We thank all our dedicated employees who have regularly serviced our clients in the past and in the present. We intend to continue our financial planning service with the help of hand-picked, qualified personnel. Further, we are especially grateful to those innumerable individuals who have given us ideas, knowledge, wisdom and support,  but most importantly, Steve's father, who was an example to emulate.  Our business would cease to exist if it weren't for the  loyalty of our clients who have been with us through thick and thin.