A Fiduciary Partner Who Sees the Whole Picture, Not Just the Portfolio
We founded Welon because traditional financial institutions were not built for the way people actually live. Planning, investment management, and trust administration are often separated, leaving individuals and families to coordinate complex decisions across multiple firms at moments when clarity matters most.
As a fiduciary firm headquartered in Montgomery, Welon offers trust administration, investment management, and financial planning as coordinated capabilities when alignment matters, and as focused services when it does not. Our team-based wealth advisory approach gives you flexibility, continuity, and disciplined stewardship, so you can engage Welon where you need support without being locked into services you don’t.
Our Mission
Our mission is to combine fiduciary responsibility with meaningful human connection. We help people make confident financial decisions by creating a place where thoughtful planning and long-term stewardship work in harmony. At Welon, we believe your financial life deserves a partner who understands your goals and walks with you through every chapter.
Our Values
Integrity
We uphold the highest fiduciary standards in every relationship. We do what is right, even when no one is watching.
Clarity
We make the complex understandable. You will always know where you stand and what comes next.
Responsiveness
You deserve a partner who shows up when life changes. We answer promptly, act decisively, and support you fully.
Stewardship
Our responsibility is not only to your assets, but to your intentions. We steward both with care and continuity.
The Welon Way
For those who want clarity now and confidence in what comes next.
Listen
Every relationship begins with understanding—your goals, your values, and what matters most to you.
Guide
We bring structure and perspective to complex financial and estate decisions—clear advice, never jargon.
Steward
We take responsibility personally, ensuring your plans are carried out with care, precision, and continuity.
Meet the professionals behind Welon.
Our team brings decades of experience in fiduciary oversight, wealth management, and trust administration—guided by a shared belief that stewardship is both a legal and moral obligation.
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John Steiner, CFA
Chief Executive Officer
John leads Welon’s overall strategy and investment direction, ensuring the firm’s fiduciary, operational, and advisory work align under one clear vision. He oversees portfolio management and investment strategy, drawing on deep analytical experience to balance risk, return, and long-term stewardship.
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Robert Allan, CPA, CFP®, CFA
Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Robert leads Welon's financial and operational strategy, ensuring the firm's planning, advisory, and fiduciary services work as one integrated system. He also leads Welon's wealth advisory practice, helping clients design financial plans that balance present priorities with long-term security—bringing the Anti-Retirement Plan™ philosophy to life.
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Steph LaRoux
Director of Operations
Steph designs and manages the operational systems that keep Welon's fiduciary and advisory platforms efficient, transparent, and secure. Her leadership ensures precision and accountability across all client processes.
Client Perspectives
"Welon Partners doesn't just deliver exceptional service to clients-they also understand the importance oforking closely with attorneys to ensure every detail is handled with precision.
Their deep community ties and professional network make them the ideal partner for attorneys seeking a reliable trust company."
"My experience with Welon Partners has been exceptional. In addition to their investment expertise, John, Robert, and the Welon team have gone above and beyond to provide tailored support that I have not found at previous financial institutions.*
FAQ
What makes Welon different from other fiduciary firms in Montgomery?
From inception, Welon was designed to look and feel different. We integrate trust administration and wealth management under one roof, so your fiduciary work and financial planning actually talk to each other. We use an unbundled fee model so you only pay for services you actually need.
Furthermore, we serve markets others overlook like childfree adults who need professional representation, or families who want a fiduciary that's responsive without being rigid. No jargon or runaround but clear guidance and flexible support that adapts to your life.
What does "team-based wealth advisory" mean?
It means you're not working with just one person who has to know everything. Our team brings together expertise in trust administration, investment management, tax strategy, and estate planning so you benefit from multiple perspectives and deeper support.
We collaborate internally to give you comprehensive guidance, and stay connected to your attorney, CPA, and other advisors to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Is Welon fee-only?
Yes. We're a fee-only fiduciary, which means we don't earn commissions or sell products. Our only compensation comes directly from you, so our advice is never influenced by outside incentives. It's how we stay objective and fully aligned with your interests.
Who does Welon serve?
We serve individuals and families who need trust administration, estate settlement, or wealth planning services. We also partner with attorneys and CPAs who need a responsive, client-focused fiduciary to support their work. And through our partnership with Childfree Trust®, we provide professional trustee and executor services for childfree adults nationwide.
Does Welon serve as a corporate trustee?
Yes. Welon Trust serves as trustee, co-trustee, successor trustee, and agent under power of attorney. We step in when families need professional fiduciary support, whether that's because a trust requires it, a family member can't or shouldn't serve, or you simply want the assurance of objective, experienced stewardship.
How does Welon charge for trust administration?
Welon unbundles investment advisory and trust administration fees so you only pay for what you actually need. Asset management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, while trust administration is billed hourly.
You'll always know what you're paying for and why. No surprises or hidden fees. Our goal is to make trust administration predictable and fair.
What types of trusts does Welon administer?
We administer revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, and others. If you're not sure what type of trust you have or what's required, we'll walk you through it in plain language and handle the details from there.
How does Welon work with my existing attorney and CPA or financial advisor?
We see ourselves as part of your broader advisory team, not a replacement. Welon coordinates closely with your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor to ensure trust administration, tax reporting, and investment decisions are aligned.
We communicate proactively, respect existing relationships, and make collaboration seamless so you get the benefit of everyone working together on your behalf.
John co-founded Welon after more than 35 years of investment management experience with both individuals and institutions. He began his career at First Alabama Bank (later Regions Financial Corp.) in 1983, eventually becoming Portfolio Manager and Chief Equity Strategist. From 1993-2000, he managed multiple Regions funds—including growing the Regions Growth Fund from $250M to $950M and earning a five-star Morningstar rating in just three years.In 2007, John founded Alabama's first independent trust company, Alatrust, which was acquired by a community bank in 2015. After his first retirement in 2018, he joined forces with Robert Allan to build Welon—combining fiduciary discipline with life-centered financial planning.
John's investment philosophy is built on discipline, not emotion: portfolios designed for long-term growth, rebalanced regularly, and aligned with clients' financial plans. His goal is simple—help you grow wealth without losing sleep.John graduated from Auburn University in 1981 with a BS/BA in Industrial Management and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation in 1996.
A Montgomery native, John dedicates significant time to local nonprofits. He currently serves as an Elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) and Board Member of Landmarks Foundation. He previously served as Board President of The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and held board positions with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations. John and his wife, Laura, continue to call Montgomery home.
Robert co-founded Welon Partners after a near-death experience at 28 reshaped his view of financial planning. After coding twice and spending a week in a coma—with a young wife, 13-month-old son, and a new advisory practice depending on him—he realized that deferring life for "someday" wasn't prudent planning. It was a gamble. That experience led to the Anti-Retirement Plan™ philosophy: financial strategies designed around living fully now AND later.
With over a decade of experience spanning Big-4 accounting, investment management, and corporate finance leadership, Robert brings a unique perspective to wealth advisory. He focuses on tax-conscious planning and investing strategies for entrepreneurs, professionals, and clients with complex financial situations—helping them balance present priorities with long-term security.
Robert holds a BS in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington and Lee University, with a minor in Philosophy. He's held an active CPA license since 2013 and earned both his CFA® and CFP® designations.
A Montgomery resident, Robert serves as a Deacon at Trinity Presbyterian Church, sits on the House Corporation for the VA Beta chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, and serves on various Boards of local organizations. He and his wife, Aria, have two children.