Press Kit

Dust Jacket Comments

"Umpires have three responsibilities. Their first is to the game of baseball, and that doesn't mean the Commissioner's Office...that means the game itself. Without baseball, there would be nothing. The second responsibility is to their profession...and that doesn't mean the union. It means the profession. Their third responsibility is to do what they know in their heart is honest and correct to the best of their ability. Even though Baseball was too cowardly to even approach Jack when he was released, he never shrugged his responsibilities and he actually used his experience and "responsibility" to create something to help hundreds build a better life for themselves."

—Joe West, MLB umpire for a record 43 seasons and 5,460 games

Jack and I have been friends for over 44 years. I remember in the off-season when others took jobs just to get through the winter, Jack was taking a bus into NYC every day to work in the financial industry. While other passengers were reading the newspaper or taking a nap on their daily trip, Jack was listening to classes to further his education. I always knew that Jack, with great support from Eileen, would be successful. Jack is the best of the best in what he does but an even better person!

—Frank J. Sylvester, Director Account Executive, Keurig Dr Pepper, College World Series umpire

Jack Oujo has been my tax advisor, financial planner and friend for nearly 30 years. Jack truly is an umpire’s umpire; someone to trust will have your back in any situation. He has the integrity, determination, fairness and confidence that set him apart as the best in his field. There is no striking out with Jack; we’ve hit a home run.

—Paul E Nauert, Retired MLB Umpire #39 

Jack was a top producer during my tenure as president of HD Vest. He remains a dear friend and a hard charger. I am proud to say that Jack went on to become the first producer to hit $4 million rolling gross. Whatever Jack has to say about being successful, I am listening.

—Herb Vest, Founder and CEO of HD Vest Financial Services

When my husband was diagnosed and then succumbed to cancer, I was working for Jack. His compassion and generosity got me through the worst time of my life. I’ve been blessed to have Jack and Eileen in my life for almost 30 years. They are much more than employers to me; they’re my mentors and most of all my family now.

—Loretta Frayman, retired Director of First Impressions Oujo Wealth Services 

My awe of Jack began in Little League baseball and continued through high school, minor league baseball and finally in the business world. Jack succeeds with a unique blend of intelligence, vision, drive and compassion. He was and continues to be well respected by everyone he encounters. He, in turn, has always treated everyone with respect, whether it be his teammates, minor league managers, CEOs or the custodial staff at his office. I am proud to call Jack a close and trusted friend and glad that many others will be able to hear his extraordinary story through this exciting new book.

—James D’Aloia, retired NY Mets Director of Professional Scouting and CFO,  Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

Jack and I have a two-decade friendship. Jack represents what we all want in a planner; a friend and a man. He's authentic and genuine in his relationships with peers, clients and friends alike. He has been a role model in our industry for those wanting to do business the right way. Jack has mentored many FPs, paying it forward and reminding all of us that helping others can be our highest calling. 

—Mike Kobs, Founder, MRK Financial Services

I've known Jack since the 1980s, came up with him through the minors. When I got hired by the National League in 1993, Jack was one of the first people to congratulate me. I spent 30 years in the big leagues and the best call I ever made was to invest in Jack's company and listen to his financial advice with investments and taxes. There is not a more honest person who cares more about his clients and members of his firm. He was truly too smart to be an umpire, and that's coming from an UMPIRE!

—Brian Gorman, retired MLB umpire 1991-2021 #9 

In my umpiring career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many talented individuals—but few have left as lasting an impression as Jack Oujo. As a partner on the field, Jack was among the very best. Off the field Jack is quite simply a genuinely good person.

Jack certainly had the talent and temperament to become a Major League umpire . At the threshold of the final step to MLB, the path is as narrow as the eye of a needle. It is a game of numbers—very small numbers. Jack had the heart and the skill for the big leagues but chose another path. Life, as it often does, had another plan. And in Jack’s case it was the right one.

God clearly had a greater purpose for Jack and his wife, Eileen. The financial world, his community, and most importantly his family have all benefited from the direction he chose to follow.  

—Charlie Reliford, retired MLB umpire #18 (1989-2009), current MLB Supervisor

A few years ago, my wife and I decided to include our three adult children at a quarterly review. At the conclusion of Jack’s discussion, I stated to the family that one of my best decisions was to choose Jack as our financial advisor. That statement is as true today as it was during that meeting. 

For 30+ years, Jack has earned our trust and never let us down!

—Alan Levine, retired President/GM Enterprise Holdings

In the early 1980s, realizing my "not so good" baseball playing days were coming to an end, my only thought to staying involved with baseball was to begin umpiring. A mutual friend introduced me to Jack Oujo, someone I had never met and only knew was a professional baseball umpire. After calling Jack, he took the time to take a kid he had never met to lunch and prepared me for what to expect at pro umpire school. My short stint as a minor league umpire ended but my friendship with Jack grew and he became my financial advisor and is still always a trusted source of knowledge and guidance in so many ways.

—Mitch Mele, retired MLB umpire observer NY Yankees/NY Mets

I had the pleasure of working with Jack at a fall instructional league in West Palm Beach along with Scott Potter and Angel Hernandez. It soon became apparent that Jack didn't 'think like a typical umpire' - and I mean that in the most positive way imaginable. His unique approach to problem-solving led me to suspect he would succeed at life, and I wasn't wrong.

—Dave Buck, Professional Umpire (1984-1994), MLB Umpire Observer, 2005-Present

The first word that comes to mind when I think of Jack Oujo is unselfishness—he is always willing to educate or help others with the knowledge he has accumulated over the years. He is also witty and very generous. If we haven’t spoken in a while, I know I could reach out and he would be there for me and willing to help. A good friend, an honest person with a caring heart. Sometimes a tough guy but very sensitive. 

—Joseph A. Cannova, CPA CFP® Toms River, NJ

Meeting Jack through the game of baseball in the mid-80s turned out to be a real blessing. He became our trusted advisor and guided our family through some of life’s toughest moments—from losing loved ones to planning for our children’s college and our retirements. Over the years, he became more than an advisor; he became a friend.

—Jerry Meals, MLB Umpire 41 Retired

For more than 20 years, Jack and I have shared a friendship and working relationship build on trust, accountability and a genuine belief in each other’s success and also that what we do each day helps wealth management clients in a tax-smart way. We’ve celebrated wins while weathering some challenges along the way but have enjoyed watching each other grow uniquely and intentionally side by side. What we have goes beyond work—it’s a friendship I truly value.

—Clint Brookshire, Avantax Managing Director Community Development

I’ve known Jack Oujo for over 40 years—since 1983—and in all that time, one thing has never changed: Jack shows up with heart, grit, and purpose, whether it’s in business, with family, or with the people lucky enough to call him a friend.

Jack and I have shared many conversations about life in the minors: the cramped cars, the run-down motels, the low pay, and the constant pressure to perform. There was nothing glamorous about those years, but Jack gave everything he had—and never lost his passion for baseball or his belief in doing the job the right way.

What I admire most—and what I believe this book reveals—is Jack’s consistency. He’s the same man I met back in 1983: honest, grounded, loyal, and quietly relentless. Titles or promotions never defined him; his character did. — Ed Hickox, retired 28-Year MLB Umpire # 15