The Alternative Press

Jaime Raskulinecz, founder and CEO of Next Generation Trust Services, LLC in Roseland, N.J., was named the 2012 statewide Business Woman of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). Raskulinecz, who received the prestigious award at the organization’s annual member meeting in Bridgewater, N.J. on May 22, was cited for her business successes, involvement in charitable endeavors, and her participation in NJAWBO’s Essex County chapter. Her firm specializes in comprehensive account administration and transaction support services for self-directed IRAs.

Businesswoman of the Year honors NJAWBO members who distinguish themselves in their businesses, the organization, and in the community. It recognizes them for their business skills and accomplishments and for being a positive role model for women. The statewide candidates must already have been honored by their chapters with this award to qualify for statewide consideration. Raskulinecz received the award from the Essex County chapter last spring.

Raskulinecz joined NJAWBO in 2007 and has served two years as her chapter’s vice president of public policy. She presents free educational seminars for NJAWBO members and guests about self-directed IRAs and has hosted the Essex chapter’s Mentoring Circle program in her company’s conference room. 

Holly Kaplansky, the immediate past president of the Essex chapter, said that Raskulinecz “shares valued insights and opinions, makes sure to do business with many NJAWBO members, and participates actively in the ongoing education of our members” as some of the reasons why she was honored as its Business Woman of the Year in 2011.

Raskulinecz opened her financial services firm in 2004 as part of a national network of third-party administrators of self-directed IRAs. After five years of rapid growth, she broke away from the national network to become truly independent and in January 2011 her company emerged as Next Generation Trust Services, LLC, which holds $200 million in assets today. Raskulinecz has added staff, upgraded the company’s technology, and has completely rebranded the firm over the past year.

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

Recognition beyond NJAWBO

A noted expert on self-directed IRAs and the nontraditional investments allowed within these retirement plans, Raskulinecz has been honored numerous times for her role as a leading female business owner in New Jersey and in her professions; in addition to NJAWBO’s Business Woman of the Year, she is a finalist for the 2012 Leading Women Entrepreneurs award given by Own it Ventures and New Jersey Monthly magazine. She is also a licensed real estate broker, a certified property manager, and CEO of Rainbow Property Management.

Raskulinecz and her partner were featured by CNN Money’s Heroes of the Economy in 2009 for their community outreach work and direct support of needy families in their town of West Orange and surrounding area. They are also ardent supporters of several animal shelters and sanctuaries in New Jersey.

For more information about the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, visit www.njawbo.org. To find out more about the types of nontraditional investments allowed in self-directed retirement plans, go to www.NextGenerationTrust.com, call (973) 533-1880, or e-mail Info@NextGenerationTrust.com.