The Polychronis Financial Services Difference

John Polychronis grew up on a farm in Somersworth, New Hampshire, where he learned to drive a tractor by the age of 9. After graduating from Dover High School, his strong work ethic, the support of his family, and his love for the community drove him to pursue a degree in Business from the University of New Hampshire. In 1980, John began his career in the life insurance industry with Franklin Life. “Finance was my first love,” John says. “Just the excitement of learning a new career and working with great people, I knew I had found my niche.” In 1987, John joined Metlife, quickly becoming one of their top producers in life insurance and mutual funds. “For 22 years, I learned the industry inside and out and created lifelong business and personal relationships.”

However, after being pressured by his company in 2000 to only offer their products, despite the needs of the client, John decided to become independent and began Polychronis Financial Services. “I was not willing to compromise my belief of doing the right thing for my clients,” he says. Doing what is right for his clients has been John’s philosophy since day one. “I always follow the client’s best interest, but to arrive there, you have to listen,” he says. “I don’t push products or cookie–cutter plans. I want to work through the unique challenges my clients deal with, and every case is different. Only by listening and asking the right questions can you create a financial plan that best suits each individual family.”

Having taken care of his grandparents, parents, and in–laws from an early age, and then raising seven children later in his life, John has mastered the ability to work with clients of all ages and in all walks of life. He understands the varying needs of one generation to the next. John has been married to Julie, the love of his life, for 34 years. They love spending time with their children and grandchildren, traveling the country, supporting their favorite local restaurants and golf courses, and taking care oftheir beautiful home in Rochester. John is a dedicated supporter of local non–profit organizations, such as the Monarch School of New England, the Dover Children’s Home, R.O.A.D. Foundation, Somersworth Athletic Association, and various Spaulding High School sports and arts programs. He contributed to the Garrison Wing project at Wentworth Douglass hospital, as well as chaired their 2012 golf committee. John proudly offers expert retirement planning solutions, group health benefits and Medicare plans, and life insurance options through over 40 carriers. In February of 2020, John celebrated his 40th year in the financial services industry.

After spending eight years in the human service field, Stefanie Ragonese joined the financial industry alongside her father, John, to assist members of the community in a different way: by helping them strategize their finances and plan for retirement. She graduated from Granite State College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Behavioral Health, and is also an AmeriCorps alumni.

Stefanie is licensed to write life insurance and annuity policies in Maine and New Hampshire. Since 2020, she has specialized in assisting clients combat market volatility and protect their assets with safe accounts and strategic planning.

“Clients often come to us confused, with lots of stress and concern about their financial future,” says Stefanie. “The best part of my job is helping them through the process of creating a clear plan that offers security and peace of mind.”

Having served clients ranging in age from 20 to 90, Stefanie prides herself on meeting every individual where they are at, always considering their unique needs, which vary from one generation to the next.

One of her main priorities in this family-run, boutique office is maintaining personalized, quality service that people do not receive in larger, corporate financial firms. Stefanie adheres strongly to the philosophy “the client always comes first,” the foundation on which John built this business.

Stefanie is an active member of the Dover community and lives there with her husband, their nephew, two dogs, and far too many house plants. When she’s not in the office, she loves spending time in her garden, riding her motorcycle along the coast, boxing, and reading.