T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA DeFranco Financial founder Dustin DeFranco was recently named one of the top 1,500 financial advisors in the U.S. by Barron's magazine.

A St. Clairsville resident recently was named among the top financial advisors in the United States.

Dustin DeFranco, founder of DeFranco Financial in Wheeling, was recently named one of the top 1,500 financial advisors in the U.S. by Barron’s Magazine, a national weekly publication that is part of the Wall Street Journal and focuses on financial news and analysis.

DeFranco Financial, which was started 10 years ago, manages more than $500 million for roughly 1,000 clients across 32 states. DeFranco said that the firm focuses on investors varying from ultra-high net worth individuals to small businesses.

He added that, when he created the firm, he made a commitment to providing free financial planning and no minimum investment requirements, aiming to help clients with various financial needs, including retirement planning, tax strategies, and charitable giving.

DeFranco said he is filled with gratitude not only for himself, but for the team that he’s been able to build and the partners that have been able to help his clients.

“I remember looking at this list 20 years ago and looking at the advisors in that list a long time ago. I don’t want to make this seem like it’s a bigger thing, but I never, I never thought I’d make that list here in Wheeling, West Virginia,” DeFranco said. “I mean this is Barron’s in the Wall Street Journal, this is the publication. We’ve got national recognition in Wheeling, West Virginia, and what’s wonderful is this money is staying in our community.”

He added that his company provides several donations to community organizations such as the House of Carpenter and the various charitable events hosted by Bethlehem Apostolic Temple Church Reverend Darrell Cummings.

DeFranco said that the national recognition is a step in being able to bring assets and clients into the area. He added that in a million years he never thought that he would make it on the prestigious list. He said that despite his excitement and honor, it was never truly a goal of his to be on the list, but it is a very extensive submission process to even apply to be on the list.

DeFranco believes that one thing that separates his firm from many others is never setting a minimum of investment dollars from clients.

“As an independent firm we can deliver a certain level of care, a certain level of customization, a certain level of services, products, and advice that just isn’t available through the traditional channels to areas like this,” DeFranco said. “Throughout the years, instead of us instituting minimums as we grew, we added on advisors. We recruited advisors that were existing. We have licensed people and trained them from scratch, all with the idea of doing the right thing for the client.”

He added that the recognition is humbling and gratifying because it shows that you don’t need to leave the Ohio Valley to have a quality financial advisory.

“It makes me proud not only myself, but proud that this little old area is on the national map, which shows that we can do these things from right here,” DeFranco said. “It shows that we have the same strengths, capabilities, and intelligence as anywhere.”

He added that he frequently tells people that his philosophy is if you help enough people get what they want in life, you will have whatever you want in life.

“I asked my kids why do you work and they said they work to make money. I said, no, making money is a result of your work. I said, ‘You should do something that provides value to other people,'” DeFranco said. “If you change the order of operations in your mind and say I’m here to help our clients. I’m here to serve them. That’s number one. Whatever your career, you should go into your day with the purpose of helping people. Every day, these people come through our doors and we’re trying to help them.”

He added that the recognition feels validating that he is helping people and doing his part to make the community a better place.

“We don’t push numbers to grow the business. We just want to help as many people as possible. And by getting on this list, it kind of validates that you don’t need to have sales goals and all of that stuff,” DeFranco said.