Austin, TX Office

Deron Ferrell is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Transamerica since 2012. His background includes roles at WealthWave and Netlaw, as well as involvement in oil and gas exploration and leadership of Ferrell Financial Enterprises Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services with proprietary and third-party investment models, managing approximately $1.66 billion in discretionary assets as of the end of 2025.

Manfred Von Ehrenfried II is a ChFC® credentialed advisor with 29 years of industry experience, currently with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Austin, TX. He has been with Transamerica since 2016 and is also an author of several aerospace books. Von Ehrenfried has served as a director for the Manned Spaceflight Operations Association and contributes to the National Space Society’s AD Astra Magazine. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a wide range of clients, including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios, with options for discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Antonio Ponce is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Austin, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2015 and is also affiliated with the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts since 2021. Outside of his advisory work, he operates AS Ponce Ventures LLC. Transamerica Financial Advisors provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes model portfolios and third-party managers to implement its advisory model and operates a broad advisor network supported by multiple program platforms.

Darren Zielinski is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2017. He has also been affiliated with WealthWave and World Financial Group, Inc. since 2013 and 1992, respectively. Zielinski is involved in sales of insurance and non-insurance products for companies affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, utilizing proprietary and third-party model portfolios with options for discretionary or non-discretionary management.

Chester Zielinski Jr. is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Transamerica since 2012 and also has involvement in oil and gas exploration as a joint investor. Zielinski operates Zeke Zielinski LLC and is affiliated with WealthWave and World Financial Group. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, delivering services through a large advisor network and multiple program platforms. The firm utilizes model portfolios and third-party managers to implement its advisory model and offers integrated retirement plan solutions alongside affiliated mutual funds and insurance products.

John Knight is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Austin, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and Allianz Life Insurance Co. Preferred since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with the Georgetown Church of the Nazarene. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory and broker-dealer services, leveraging proprietary and third-party investment models with both discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Shanti Ponce is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Transamerica, Shanti worked at BOLT Company for five years and Trellis Company for one year. Outside of advisory roles, Shanti has been involved with World Financial Group Insurance Agency since 2017. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, including fee-based wrap programs, model portfolios, and access to third-party money managers.