Leadership Team

35+ years after our founding, Winged Keel has grown into a sustainable, multi-generational services and administration platform. Our partnership of Principals collaborates with an experienced, disciplined, and focused team of 100+ professionals. Together, we are focused on delivering world-class solutions and consistent, high-quality service to the clients and advisors that entrust us with their life insurance portfolios.

Eric Naison-Phillips
CEO
Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand
Principal
Michael Mingolelli, Jr., JD
Principal
Matthew H. Phillips
Principal

Eric Naison-Phillips

CEO

 
Eric Naison-Phillips is CEO of Winged Keel Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee, where he plays an integral role in the strategic direction of the firm and its growth strategy. Mr. Naison-Phillips joined Winged Keel as a Client Relationship Associate in 2003 before ultimately becoming Managing Principal of Winged Keel. He has a strong track record of value creation including executing several acquisitions that expanded the Company’s product suite and geographic reach, directing Winged Keel’s strategic focus on the high value end market and building a high-performing team.  

Eric frequently presents on the topics of Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA), IDFs, and the advanced applications of traditional life insurance at industry conferences, hedge fund roundtables, and private family office events around the country.  He has been a featured speaker at events such as the Goldman Sachs’ Apex Global Family Office Symposium, the Robin Hood Investors Conference, and the Finseca Advanced Market Summit. Eric has also co-authored several articles on a variety of life insurance solutions for the online journals of Trusts & Estates and Financial Advisor magazines. 

Eric’s breadth of experience has also led to industry leadership positions as a member of the Board of Directors for the life insurance advocacy group Finseca (formerly known as the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) and as a past member of the Board of Directors of M Financial Group, one of the nation’s premier insurance design and distribution organizations for ultra-affluent clientele.  He previously served as a Principal and President of the insurance-dedicated fund (IDF) administration platform SALI Fund Services and played a key role in its merger into JTC Group, where he continues to serve in an advisory capacity. 

Eric also advocates for causes that engage, educate, and motivate opportunities for growth.  In 2006, he partnered with friends to found the Bulldogs Care Foundation, which supports the personal development of young men and women through programs in athletics, education, and mentoring.  He is a Director of the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation and standing member of The Yale University Club Committee, which awards grants to Yale students from low-income families.  Eric and his wife are long-standing supporters of the Partnership for After School Education, DREAM, and New Heights as well as founding members of TaylorNEXT, which works to expand the accessibility of unique, behind-the-scenes experiences to young patrons of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. 

A graduate of Yale University with a BA in American Studies, Eric was a pitcher and four-year letter winner for the Yale baseball team.  He holds FINRA Series 3, 6, and 63 securities registrations.

Eric lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and their two children.  Along with supporting the performing arts, he enjoys yoga, golf, and squash in his free time.
AR License #7901415; CA Insurance License #0K38434 


Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand

Principal

 
Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee.  She is responsible for overseeing some of the largest and most complex life insurance portfolios structured by the firm.  She works with clients in the design, implementation, and long-term administration of life insurance portfolios for wealth transfer and income tax planning purposes. 

Chelsea joined Winged Keel Group as an intern in 2007, advancing into the role of Client Relationship Associate in 2012 before becoming a Principal in 2020.  She also serves on Winged Keel’s Citizenship Committee and Technology & Innovation Committee. 

Chelsea has co-authored articles on modernized estate planning with Private Placement Life Insurance for the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine and life insurance policy re-pricing driven by the Covid-19 pandemic for Bloomberg Tax’s Tax Management Estates, Gifts and Trusts Journal.

Chelsea is a graduate of Columbia University with a BA in Statistics and holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  She lives with her husband in Portland, Oregon and enjoys traveling, tennis, and landscape planning.

Michael Mingolelli, Jr., JD

Principal

 
Michael Mingolelli, Jr. is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and member of the firm's Executive Management Committee.  Leading the firm’s Boston office, he consults with ultra-affluent clients on asset transfer strategies through the design, implementation, and monitoring of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios.  His clients include single family offices, executives and owners of public and private companies, partners at hedge and private equity funds, as well as advisors focused on wealth management, law, and tax.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2018, Michael served as CEO of Pinnacle Financial Group, which became a division of Hub International in 2016.  Before his tenure at Pinnacle, Michael was a corporate lawyer at Sullivan & Worcester LLP and at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP.

An active member of the national advisor community for many years, Michael is a member of Finseca (formerly AALU), the nation’s leading life insurance and annuities advocacy organization, and The Boston Estate Planning Council.  Previously, Michael has served on the Board of Directors of M Financial Group, The Boston Estate Planning Council, and Finseca.   Also, he has served on M Financial Group’s Product Development Group, its Technology Committee and M Financial Group’s Political Advocacy Committee.  In his local community, Michael serves on the Board of Trustees of the Greater New England Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Michael graduated from Boston College with a BS in Finance, magna cum laude, and he also graduated from Boston College Law School, cum laude.

Michael lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with his wife and their three daughters.  Aside from spending time with his family, Michael enjoys reading, traveling, and following the sports teams of his alma mater.
CA Insurance License #0I12321 AR Insurance License #7924270

Matthew H. Phillips

Principal

 

Matt Phillips is a Principal at Winged Keel Group, where he has been a central force in shaping the culture, growth, and direction of the company. Matt became a Principal in 2003, and for over two decades has supported the firm’s strategic expansion while mentoring the next generation of Client Relationship Managers and reinforcing the firm’s position as a leading advisor to ultra-affluent families and single-family offices.

Throughout his time at Winged Keel, Matt has worked closely with single-family offices, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions for highly complex wealth structures. His ability to build deep, lasting relationships has made him a trusted strategic partner to clients navigating the complexities of generational wealth. Matt has led with vision, experience, and a deep commitment to client success. He specializes in designing and implementing sophisticated life insurance portfolios that support long-term estate and investment planning objectives. His work spans both Traditional Life Insurance—used as a component in business continuation and estate planning—and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), a highly-effective tool in intergenerational wealth transfer and tax-efficient investment strategies.

A frequent speaker at wealth management conferences and family office forums, Matt is recognized throughout the industry for his insights on Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA), and advanced planning strategies. His thought leadership has been featured in top publications including Bloomberg Tax and Trusts & Estates, including nuanced topics such as non-bloodline family member planning and charitable planning.

Matt graduated from Bard College and is originally from Larchmont, New York. He currently lives in New Rochelle with his wife and two children, and enjoys playing golf, ice hockey, and running.

CA Insurance License #0G57294 AR Insurance License #1510283


Marko Djuranovic
Principal
Brent M. Eden, JD
Principal
Brian Gartner
Principal
Jason Hackmann
Principal

Marko Djuranovic

Principal

 

Marko Djuranovic is a Principal of Winged Keel Group. As Head of Institutional Relationships, he oversees many of the firm’s national relationships with banks and works closely with the professional advisor community.  He applies his strong technical skills to the structuring, implementation, and service of Traditional Life Insurance and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities.  He joined Winged Keel Group as an Associate in 2008 and was promoted to Director of Product Development before becoming a Principal in 2016.

Marko holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University. He is a CFA® charterholder and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He received his BA from Duke University, where he was a staff writer for a local newspaper and President of Alpha Sigma Delta of Chi Psi Fraternity.

Residing in Old Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife and two children, Marko enjoys tennis, golf, skiing, gardening, and cooking in his spare time.

Brent M. Eden, JD

Principal

 
Brent M. Eden is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, co-leading the firm’s Atlanta office.  Brent specializes in providing life insurance advice through the structuring, implementation, and servicing of customized, integrated planning solutions to ultra-affluent families, business owners, and corporate executives.  He also advises privately and publicly held businesses in the areas of business continuation insurance, buy-sell agreement funding, and executive benefits.  Brent recommends collaborative solutions that help meet the unique needs of his clients and match their overall planning strategies and objectives.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Brent served as Principal of Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley, a position he held after practicing law in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Brent is a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council as well as the American, Georgia and Atlanta Bar Associations, and he holds the Trust & Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation as a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP).  He is also a member and participates in the Ambassador program of Finseca, the advocacy and development organization for life insurance and financial security professionals.  Brent previously served on the Board of Directors of M Financial Group as well as its Audit, Compensation, and Member Firm Compensation Plan Committees.  Brent has held leadership roles and advisory and executive board memberships with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and he is a Past President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia.  Brent holds FINRA series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 
 
Brent graduated from the University of Michigan and obtained his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, focusing on estate planning and litigation.  In law school, Brent was a member of the Moot Court Board, was an Honor Court Justice, and clerked for the Honorable Jerry Baxter, Superior Court of Fulton County.  Prior to law school Brent clerked at the law firm of Alston & Bird, LLP, where he worked exclusively on the Enron bankruptcy.  Brent also lived for a year in New Zealand, where he worked for the New Zealand law firm Buddle Findlay and the Kinloch Lodge.  

CA Insurance License #0L97996

Brian Gartner

Principal

 
Brian Gartner is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, responsible for the ongoing development and operations of Winged Keel's California presence.  He specializes in the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity portfolios designed to help meet the unique needs of ultra-affluent families.  

After joining Winged Keel Group as an Associate in 2011, Brian advanced into the role of Director before relocating across the country to open the firm's San Francisco office in 2016.  He was promoted to Managing Director in 2019 and became a Principal in 2020.

Brian has co-authored articles on topics such as the use of term insurance as a liquidity hedge, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) fundamentals, and charitable planning for the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine and Bloomberg Tax’s Tax Management Memorandum.  He frequently speaks at industry conferences on the utilization of PPLI and other life insurance solutions.  Brian is also a member of Finseca and part of its Ambassador program, which focuses on legislative advocacy for the financial security profession.   

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Brian was a school record holder as a member of the Varsity Swim Team and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Brian is an active supporter of American Lung Association, A Breath Of Hope Lung Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  He lives in San Rafael, California with his wife and children and enjoys baseball, football, and golf.

CA Insurance License #0L71954


Jason Hackmann

Principal

 
Jason Hackmann is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s St. Louis office.  Jason has extensive experience in designing, evaluating and implementing life insurance solutions within the ultra-high-net-worth community.  Jason has worked with top advisors and financial institutions, helping clients navigate estate planning, business succession, and wealth transfer strategies utilizing life insurance.

Jason founded his previous firm, BryanMark Group, in 2004 to deliver highly customizable life insurance solutions for affluent individuals and families.  Jason has built a reputation for deep technical knowledge, strategic design capabilities, and long-term client relationships. Jason’s ability to structure and implement innovative life insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of his clients has made him a trusted partner within the industry.  In 2025, Jason merged his practice with Winged Keel Group.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jason is active in charitable and humanitarian efforts in Africa with a particular focus on the most neglected human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He partners with local non-profits to aid Christian communities that are subject to risk of genocide by the ADF (who the US State Department classified as a terrorist organization in 2022).

Jason is a member of Finseca and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.     

Jason and his wife, Jennifer, have three children and reside in St. Louis where they enjoy traveling and furthering their humanitarian efforts.

CA Insurance License #0G53811, AR Insurance License #4864723

Walter L. Helms
Principal
Brady C. Knight
Principal
Mark J. Richards
Principal
Jeri L. Turley
Principal

Walter L. Helms

Principal

 
Walt Helms is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, co-leading the firm’s Atlanta office.  He specializes in utilizing life insurance to create customized asset transfer plans for affluent families and business owners.  Typical plans include multiple generations and employ sophisticated techniques such as Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), split dollar arrangements, Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), installment sales and discounted assets.  Additionally, Walt advises corporate clients on employee benefit plans including Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), and executive bonus plans.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Walt served as Principal of Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley.  Walt regularly speaks at local, regional, and national conferences on topics including life insurance and complex strategies to efficiently transfer assets over multiple generations. 

Walt is a member of Finseca, the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, and the Product Development Group for M Financial Group.  He previously served as a member of the Government Affairs Committee for M Financial Group, where he played a key role in advocating for the industry regarding the appropriate tax and regulatory treatment of life insurance. He is also an active board member of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.

Walt received a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He continued his graduate studies at the Georgia State University earning two degrees—a Master of Taxation and Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning.  He is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

CA Insurance License #0I19835


Brady C. Knight

Principal

 
Brady Knight is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s Houston office.  He has extensive experience in the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity portfolios designed to enhance multi-generational wealth accumulation and asset transfer strategies.  His clients include ultra-affluent families, business owners, key executives, and their legal and accounting advisors. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2021, Brady served as CEO of Knight Planning Corporation—which he founded in 2006—and oversaw all aspects of the firm.
 
A native Houstonian, Brady holds memberships and leadership positions in numerous professional and philanthropic organizations within his local community.  He serves on the Board of Directors for the Houston chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and The Whitehall Club and is actively involved in the Amschwand Sarcoma Foundation efforts.  He also serves on the River Oaks Country Club Tennis Committee and is an annual sponsor of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Tennis Championship. 
Brady holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of St. Thomas.  He is a member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.     

Brady resides in Houston, Texas with his wife and two sons.  He enjoys tennis, hunting, skiing, surfing and spending time with his family, clients, and colleagues.
 

Mark J. Richards

Principal

 
Mark J. Richards is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and leads the firm’s Denver office.  He specializes in offering creative asset transfer and legacy preservation strategies to ultra-affluent families and business owners through the design, implementation, and administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios.  Mark is a well-regarded presence in the Denver estate planning community, having served as a trusted resource for over 30 years.  His clients include real estate developers, oil and gas executives, family offices, and executives of privately and publicly traded companies. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Mark served as President and CEO of The Madison Group, Inc., a 55-year-old insurance firm and the first member of M Financial Group in Colorado.  Prior to that, Mark was Founder and President of the M.J. Richards Company, a Denver-based financial planning firm specializing in consulting, investment, and life insurance services. 

Outside of work, Mark is passionate about giving back to the financial services industry and the greater community.  He has served as the Chairman of The Economic Club of Colorado, Chairman of the AALU Trust and Estate Committee, and is a founding member of the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Colorado.  

Mark is a graduate of Oneonta State University with a double major in education and history.  He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 22, and 63 securities registrations as well as the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner™, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Accredited Estate Planner®.  

Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.  He is also an avid reader and athlete, having competed as a cyclist, open-water swimmer, marathoner, and triathlete.  In winter, he enjoys skiing in Colorado.

CA Insurance License #0787572


Jeri L. Turley

Principal

 
Jeri Turley is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C. offices.  Working closely with ultra-affluent families, their businesses, and their advisors throughout the asset accumulation and transfer process, she specializes in structuring, implementing, and administering customized insurance solutions that enhance asset accumulation strategies, promote philanthropic giving, and help maximize the value passed to future generations. 

Advocating for social progress, innovation, and informed decision-making in successful succession planning, Jeri has written articles for LinkedIn’s Pulse and Private Wealth magazine.  She has also been a featured speaker at industry conferences and forums nationwide and was a guest speaker on Executive Leaders Radio in 2013, addressing the importance of mentorship in leadership roles.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2019, Jeri served as President and Principal of BCG Companies in Richmond, VA, and BCG Holleman in Chevy Chase, MD.  She joined BCG Companies in 1994, and during her tenure developed a strong understanding of the needs of ultra-affluent families and their businesses.  She also coordinated and supervised the case design, underwriting, and servicing efforts of BCG’s professional staff in both the Richmond and Chevy Chase offices.

Jeri currently serves as Immediate Past Chair for the Board of Directors of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting), where she has been a board member since 2014.  She has also served on the Board of Directors of M Financial Holdings, Inc. since 2017.

Jeri earned a BBA in International Business and Economics from James Madison University, where she joined—and today remains an active supporter of—the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, a fraternity of women supporting one another in lifelong achievement.

Splitting time between Winged Keel’s Richmond and Washington, D.C. offices, Jeri resides in Richmond with her husband and stays busy keeping up with their three sons in her free time.  She also enjoys mountain biking with her husband and their friends, finding time to read and write, and following her alma mater.
Vikash Haritwal
Principal, Chief Financial Officer
Nicole Harrington
Principal
Eric Hieber
Principal
John Kessinger
Principal

Vikash Haritwal

Principal, Chief Financial Officer

 
Vikash Haritwal is a Principal and the Chief Financial Officer of Winged Keel Group.  He joined the firm as an Associate in 2008, advancing into Senior Associate and Controller positions before being named Chief Financial Officer in 2017.  He is responsible for the firm's accounting, financial reporting, and licensing.  

Vikash holds a BA from the University of Pune in India and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.  Residing in New Jersey with his wife and daughter, Vikash finds great joy in moments spent with his family and in seeing and exploring new places.

Nicole Harrington

Principal

 
Nicole Harrington is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and oversees People & Culture.  Since joining the firm in 2002, Nicole has been an integral part of shaping the company culture, employee development, and employee engagement process. Nicole supports Winged Keel’s mission to build a creative and productive work environment that inspires innovation, growth, and evolution.

Nicole works closely with the Executive Management Committee to advise on all aspects of people and culture and spearheads the coaching program for rising leaders in the firm.  Winged Keel draws on her areas of experience in Talent Acquisition, Retainment Tools, Culture Assessment, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development & Coaching, Performance Management, Training Programs, and Communication Effectiveness.

She is also a member of the Citizenship Committee, where she leverages her educational background and passion for giving back to help implement Winged Keel’s social impact strategy and firmwide initiatives such as the WKG Wellness program.  Nicole is one of the longest tenured members of the firm, and she remains committed to hiring high caliber talent and cultivating a dynamic work environment where employees thrive and maximize their potential.

Nicole holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Florida International University, and a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Barry University.  She is also trained and certified as a Co-Active Executive Coach from the renowned Coaches Training Institute. 

Nicole enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, hiking, and traveling.  She also volunteers her time to Habitat for Humanity and Our House Grief Support Center.

Eric Hieber

Principal

 
Eric is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  Based in the firm’s Richmond and Washington D.C. offices, Eric oversees case design and the management of client relationships.  He specializes in structuring customized insurance solutions that assist families and their advisors in their asset accumulation, asset transfer, and business succession planning.    

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2019, Eric was a Principal of BCG Companies in Richmond, VA.  His association with BCG Companies began in 1993 after college.  He then spent three years focused on the carrier side of the industry, gaining valuable insight as the Director of M Financial Marketing for Prudential, before returning to BCG Companies.  Eric’s unique exposure to both sides of the industry has developed his niche for both operational leadership and helping clients make informed decisions.  He has also co-authored articles on the uses of life insurance as a long-term planning strategy.

Eric is an active member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) and previously served as President of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond.  He currently serves on the Development Committee for Sportable, an adaptive sports club for persons with disabilities and visual impairments.  Eric earned a BS in Mathematics from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, a community leadership development and engagement program. 

Eric and his family live in Richmond, Virginia.  In addition to actively supporting his two children’s various activities, Eric enjoys time focused on enriching his local community, playing golf, and traveling the world with his wife.

John Kessinger

Principal

 
John Kessinger is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  As Head of Case Design, he plays an integral project management role for many of the firm's largest cases.  John delivers a depth of knowledge from more than 35 years of experience in the life insurance industry.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, he served as a Principal at a leading insurance firm in the Boston area.

John is a member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting).  He holds the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) designation from The American College, as well as FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He studied English and Economics at John Carroll University and Boston University. 

John and his wife have two children and live near Boston, Massachusetts.  Splitting his time between Boston and New York, John is active with family, friends, and colleagues; he enjoys running, tennis, and reading in his free time.
Kenneth J. Masters
Principal
Barbara Novak
Principal
Edward Skurko-Chan
Principal
Lawton M. Nease, III
Principal

Kenneth J. Masters

Principal

 
As a Principal of Winged Keel Group, Ken Masters works closely with a client’s team of advisors to design, model, and implement sophisticated life insurance and Private Placement portfolio strategies.  With the technical background required to build dynamic, advanced planning models, and an understanding of the transfer tax system, Ken enjoys being able to communicate complicated concepts and analysis in an understandable way.  Ken maintains relationships with a select group of family clients and advisors providing additional collaboration on the implementation and ongoing management of complicated life insurance portfolios.

Ken’s additional responsibilities include managing the case design team, a ten plus person team.  In his management capacity, Ken assists in the training and development of other members of the team and providing ongoing training and support to the firm’s Client Relationship Associates.  Ken actively works with the New Business, Client Services, and Communication and Marketing Teams supporting their efforts.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2018, Ken served as the Director of Life Insurance Design & Development at Pinnacle Financial Group for eight years.  Before that, he held roles directing R&D and advanced case design with two life insurance advisory companies and delivered advanced market consulting services to Sun Life Financial.

Ken is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC), Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting), and CFA Society Boston.  He has spoken on advanced estate planning techniques at national insurance conferences.  His articles have appeared in Private Wealth magazine, Estate Planning magazine, the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine, and LinkedIn’s Pulse, and he has been quoted in various industry publications. 

Majoring in Finance, Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management.  He is also a CFA® Charterholder, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Accredited Estate Planner®, and holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations. 

Ken and his family live in Medfield, Massachusetts.  In addition to spending time with his family, Ken enjoys playing golf, rugby, and reading history.

Barbara Novak

Principal

 
Barbara Novak is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  She specializes in the structuring, implementation, and administration of both Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, working directly on many of the firm’s largest and most complex portfolios.  Throughout her 25+ year career, Barbara has developed a breadth of experience in life insurance solutions for ultra-affluent individuals and their families. 
 
Barbara also spearheads firmwide initiatives to develop and strengthen Winged Keel’s operational platform.  She is focused on efforts that enable the firm to provide best-in-class service, leveraging her extensive experience with clients and their professional advisors.  She plays a key role in strategic planning initiatives, oversees Compliance, and serves on both the Technology & Innovation Committee and IT Risk & Information Security Committee. 
 
Prior to joining Winged Keel in 2008, Barbara spent 14 years managing the implementation and administration of life insurance portfolios for affluent individuals and families at another insurance advisory firm, while developing their operational platform.

Graduating from Columbia University with degrees in History and Sociology, Barbara also earned an MS in Statistics and Operations Research from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.  She is a Chartered Life Underwriter® and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Barbara resides in Haddonfield, NJ with her children and their two dogs.  She enjoys cycling, kayaking, and practicing yoga in her free time.

Edward Skurko-Chan

Principal

 
Ed Skurko-Chan is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, focused on the vision and strategy for driving innovation within the organization.  He works cross-functionally with teams in all departments to inspire best practices, increase efficiencies, and implement new technology systems. 

Ed joined Winged Keel in 2002 as a Design Associate and spent nearly 10 years with the firm.  He rejoined Winged Keel Group in 2018, transitioned to the role of Senior Operations Associate, and was promoted to Director of Innovation and Operations in 2019. 

Ed is a graduate of Hunter College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Economics and Sociology.  A former Hong Kong resident, he now resides in Brooklyn, New York, and enjoys traveling and pursuing his passion for photography.

Lawton M. Nease, III

Principal

  Biography coming soon.
Campbell T. Gerrish
Principal Emeritus
Brian Henricks
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Zach Specht
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Scott Coppeto
Director, Client Relationship Manager

Campbell T. Gerrish

Principal Emeritus

 

A recognized leader in the insurance industry, Campbell co-founded Winged Keel Group—one of the leading independent life insurance brokerage firms in the U.S.—in 1989.  While continuing to cultivate the client advisor relationships he has developed for more than four decades, Campbell dedicates significant time to mentoring future leaders who will take Winged Keel Group through to its next level of multigenerational partnership. Driving strategic alignment with Winged Keel Group’s core values, Campbell also serves a vital role in leading philanthropic efforts within the firm.

After joining the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) Board of Directors in 1995, and becoming a member of the Executive Committee in 1998, Campbell served as President of the AALU in 2001.  During his tenure as President, Campbell spearheaded AALU’s creation of the AALU Issues Alliance, an invaluable partnership between AALU and the industry’s leading organizations that, today, continues to address key legislative and regulatory issues impacting advanced life insurance planning.  In 2016, the AALU presented Campbell with the Gerald H. Sherman Service Award, recognizing him for his accomplishments and contributions in helping AALU fulfill its mission to promote, protect, and preserve the life insurance industry. 

Campbell is an active participant in the development of The M Center of Excellence at The American College, focused on facilitating longer, healthier lives, lived well. He spoke at the Summit on Business and Future of Aging at the 20th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference, and has also been a featured speaker at industry conferences and annual meetings of the AALU and others.

A 1973 graduate of Princeton University, Campbell is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and holds a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS). 

Campbell is married with three children and lives in Rye, New York. With a deep appreciation for his local community, Campbell is an active supporter of New York charitable organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cristo Rey New York High School.  In the past, he has served on the boards of The Partnership for a Drug Free America and The Breast Cancer Alliance.

Brian Henricks

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Brian Henricks is a Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager of Winged Keel Group.  He works closely with ultra-affluent families and their professional advisors on the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity solutions designed to help enhance asset preservation and asset transfer strategies.  He specializes in the areas of estate, business succession, and charitable planning.

Brian is an integral part of Winged Keel’s West Coast operations, leveraging his strong relationships within the Los Angeles financial services and banking communities and expansive knowledge of advanced planning strategies.  He joined Winged Keel in 2022 with more than 15 years of experience in life insurance advisory. 

Brian is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Marketing and holds Series 6, 63, 7, and 24 securities registrations.  Residing in Scottsdale with his wife and daughter, Brian enjoys golf, cooking, and family vacations to San Diego and Telluride.

CA Insurance License #0G27452


Zach Specht

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

 

Zach Specht is a Managing Director at Winged Keel Group. Based in Texas, he collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors to structure and implement life insurance and annuity portfolios, specializing in Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and Annuity (PPVA) products.  He joined Winged Keel Group’s New York City office as a Design Analyst in April 2013 before advancing into the role of Client Relationship Manager in March 2014.  After nine years in New York, Zach relocated to Winged Keel’s San Francisco office to help grow the firm’s west coast presence.  Zach now lives in Dallas and enjoys playing golf and supporting his alma mater and hometown Texas Longhorns.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Zach worked at SALI Fund Services in Austin, Texas, where he worked closely with asset managers to build and onboard Insurance-Dedicated Funds (IDFs) as investment options on life insurance company separate account platforms.

Zach is a graduate of The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in finance.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

CA Insurance License #4272138

Scott Coppeto

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Scott Coppeto is a Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group where his experience as an estate planning attorney, financial advisor, financial planning specialist, advanced planning attorney and an insurance planning specialist enables him to be a valued partner to financial advisors and other professionals.  Utilizing his experience in the industry, Scott’s focus is on his long-standing relationships with the financial institution community. 

For over 20 years, Scott has been providing planning-based analyses and consultative advice regarding sophisticated financial planning areas such as estate and legacy planning, business succession planning, wealth transfer and retirement planning.

Scott has contributed to various industry articles on topics such as estate planning, retirement planning, and life insurance. Scott currently holds the Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Long Term Care accreditations. He is a past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey.

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Although licensed in New York and New Jersey, he is currently retired from the practice of law and does not provide legal or tax advice.
Jordan Kreke
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Tim McCarty
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Brian Murray
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Kathleen Watt
Director, Client Relationship Manager

Jordan Kreke

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Jordan Kreke is a Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group.  In his role, Jordan collaborates with private wealth advisors, attorneys, and their clients on the acquisition of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance.  With a specialization in serving professional athletes, ultra-affluent families, and business owners, Jordan adopts an educational approach to address complex business continuity, wealth transfer, and estate planning needs. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Jordan was an Associate Producer at a life insurance firm in St. Louis and held the position of National Sales Director within a life insurance and annuity wholesaler.  Before his tenure began in the life insurance industry, Jordan played professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros. 

He serves as a board member on the St. Louis Estate Planning Council and remains active in the community, volunteering for the local high school’s CEO program and coaching baseball. 

Jordan holds a BA in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University, where he was a standout shortstop and captain of the EIU baseball team.  He holds Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) certifications, as well as Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Residing on a 20-acre farm in Trenton, IL with his wife and four daughters, Jordan enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, playing golf, and hunting.

Tim McCarty

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Tim McCarty is a Director, Client Relationship Manager of Winged Keel Group.  In his role, Tim collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  He joined Winged Keel Group in 2022 and is based in the firm’s New York office.    

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Tim was a Senior Business Development Associate at a major Private Placement Life Insurance company, where he worked closely with clients and their advisors on Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios and gained valuable knowledge of the insurance company ecosystem.  He previously held positions at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
 
Tim is a graduate of Pitzer College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Studies.  He holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.  Tim resides in Philadelphia and enjoys the company of his family and friends in his free time.

Brian Murray

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Brian Murray is a Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group.  In this role, Brian works with affluent clients and their advisors to structure and implement life insurance and annuity portfolios, including Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI).  He specializes in helping institutional advisors leverage life insurance for their clients’ wealth transfer, estate planning, and business continuity needs.   

Brian began his career focusing on long-term care planning and estate planning with a prominent life insurance company before transitioning to become a life insurance brokerage manager, working closely with high-end traditional life insurance agents.  In 2005, Brian joined a New York-based insurance company as an account executive, partnering with advisors of national financial institutions to offer life insurance solutions to their clients.  Two years later, he was recruited by Merrill Lynch to serve as their in-house Wealth Structuring Specialist for Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Jersey, and Maryland, collaborating with approximately 600 advisors to provide expertise on charitable, business, and wealth transfer planning.

In 2014, Brian left this role to help start an RIA firm, where he served as the director of Wealth Structuring and Business Advisory Services.  While working with the RIA's clients, Brian continued to nurture relationships with advisors he had connected with throughout his career.  This eventually led to the launch of his own firm, Allegiance Insurance Wealth Structuring, LLC, in January of 2018.  

Throughout his career, Brian has emphasized the importance of letting the plan guide the outcome, and he believes in working closely with financial advisors to ensure that the wealth they help create for their clients is protected and aligned with their long-term goals.

Brian is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BS in Marketing, holds a Health and Life license, and holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and enjoys coaching lacrosse as well as golfing, skiing, and snowboarding with his wife and three children.

Kathleen Watt

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
As a Director of Winged Keel, Katie Watt works closely with clients in the design, implementation, and administration of life insurance portfolios for asset management and planning purposes.  Katie joined Winged Keel Group as a Design Analyst in 2014, supporting the Principals of the firm with life insurance portfolio reviews and client presentations.  In 2019, she advanced to the role of Senior Client Relationship Associate and was promoted to Director in 2022. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, Katie served as Actuarial Analyst at John Hancock in Boston, where she gained experience in pricing life insurance products. 

Katie is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  She holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  Katie resides in Hoboken, NJ, and enjoys playing soccer, running, reading, and sampling chocolates.
Anthony Iorio
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Matthew Naumec
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Lily Richards
Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Brigette DiNicola
Senior Director, Head of Client Services

Anthony Iorio

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager

 
As a Client Relationship Senior Associate of Winged Keel Group, Anthony Iorio collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  Anthony joined Winged Keel as an Accounting and Finance Associate in 2014 and most recently supported the Principals of the firm with life insurance reviews and client presentations as a Design Associate. 

Anthony previously held accounting positions at AvePoint and CareOne Management.  He is a graduate of Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Organization and Management Studies, where he was a member of the varsity wrestling team.  Anthony earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Pace University and he holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Anthony resides in Union City, New Jersey and enjoys golf, traveling, and reading in his free time.

Matthew Naumec

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager

 
Matthew Naumec is a Client Relationship Senior Associate of Winged Keel Group.  Based in the firm’s Boston office, he collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients, their advisors, and Winged Keel’s Case Design team on the design and implementation of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  Matthew joined Winged Keel Group’s Boston office as a Design Associate in March 2021, and he was promoted to Client Relationship Associate in January 2023.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Matthew played golf professionally for two and a half years, holding status on The Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.  His professional golf highlight came when he competed in the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.  Matthew resided in Palm Beach Gardens, FL during his professional golf career.

Matthew is a graduate of the Morrissey College of Arts & Science at Boston College with a BA in Economics.  He lives in Boston, Massachusetts and enjoys competing in high-level amateur golf tournaments, reading, traveling, and fishing.

Lily Richards

Associate, Client Relationship Manager

 
Lily Richards is a Client Relationship Associate of Winged Keel Group. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and the firm’s Denver office, Lily works closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors through the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios. Lily also collaborates with clients to create strategies that support their asset creation and generational legacy planning goals. She joined the firm in 2023.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Lily served as a Financial Professional with The Madison Group where she customized multi-generational insurance portfolios for ultra-affluent families, with a focus on the preservation of family legacies.  

Lily graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing and Acting and minors in Marketing and Political Communications. She holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Lily is also active in the entertainment industry as a writer, director, actor, and film producer.  Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling the world, game nights with friends, long walks, sculpting, and new culinary experiences.

CA Insurance License #4219186


Brigette DiNicola

Senior Director, Head of Client Services

 
Brigette DiNicola is a Senior Director of Winged Keel Group, with more than 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the service and administration of Traditional and Private Placement life insurance and annuity portfolios and managing the team of service professionals. 
 
Prior to rejoining Winged Keel Group, Brigette served as Principal and Co-Chief Operating Officer at Financial Architects Partners in Boston, where she oversaw client service, underwriting, sales support, and operational initiatives.  She began her career in life insurance in 1998 as an Account Manager with Winged Keel Group.  In her six-year tenure, she was promoted to Manager of Implementation and Client Relations. 
  
Brigette received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.  She is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Chartered Financial Consultant®, and she holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Brigette resides in Needham, MA with her husband and three kids.  She enjoys spending her free time with friends, watching her children’s youth sports games, reading, and volunteering.
Katharine Vinchot
Senior Director, Head of Underwriting
Jennifer Fitzgerald
Director, Client Services
Christian Lysinger
Director, Client Services
Merrill Rome
Director, Executive Assistance & Office Management

Katharine Vinchot

Senior Director, Head of Underwriting

 
Kate Vinchot is the Senior Director of Underwriting at Winged Keel Group and has been with the firm for more than a decade. She began her career in 2007 as part of the Winged Keel Group college internship program, and subsequently advanced to several positions within the Underwriting department.

Kate has managed the underwriting and implementation of some of the largest portfolios of both traditional and private placement life insurance within the firm, as well as private placement variable annuities. In her current role, she oversees the Underwriting department, and manages the resources of the team to ensure that clients and their advisors receive white-glove service throughout the implementation process.

Kate is a graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, and in addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys cooking and reading.

Jennifer Fitzgerald

Director, Client Services

 
As a Director of Winged Keel Group, Jennifer Fitzgerald manages Client Services for clients with Traditional Life Insurance and Business Continuation Insurance portfolios.  She is responsible for overseeing inforce policy management, providing efficient and proactive service, and developing customized reporting to ensure the effective management of each client’s life insurance portfolio.  Jennifer applies her analytical skills to review complex and sophisticated insurance portfolios and develop and automate team metrics.

In her 10+ year career prior to joining Winged Keel in 2019, Jennifer held the positions of Client Services Analyst at BCG Companies and Sales Support Specialist at Principal Financial Group.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  She resides outside of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two daughters.  In her free time, Jennifer enjoys cooking, outdoor pursuits, and spending time at the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
CA Insurance License #0I44429


Christian Lysinger

Director, Client Services

 
As a Director of Winged Keel Group, Christian Lysinger manages Client Services for Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and Private Placement Variable Annuity (PPVA) portfolios.  In his role, he oversees customized reporting for PPLI and PPVA Accounts and their accompanying investment vehicles, as well portfolio reviews and analytics, investment allocations, and all other aspects of servicing the portfolios. 

Christian joined Winged Keel Group in 2014 as an Associate and was promoted to Senior Associate, before advancing to Director within the Client Services department. 

Christian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication and Chinese Studies, magna cum laude, from the University at Albany.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations and is also a CFA® Charterholder.  Christian resides in Manhattan and enjoys skiing, hiking, and camping.

Merrill Rome

Director, Executive Assistance & Office Management

 
Merrill Rome serves as Director of the Executive Assistance and Office Management team.  Merrill has worked with Winged Keel Group Principal Brady Knight since 2011 and joined Winged Keel Group in January 2021 when Knight Planning merged with Winged Keel Group.  As Director, she oversees the Executive Assistants and Office Managers of all Winged Keel offices nationwide.  Prior to joining Brady’s team, Merrill was the recruiting director for three large Houston law firms for 16 years and coordinated law school and lateral hire interviews as well as firm events and the Summer Associate programs. 

Merrill received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin.  She is a native Houstonian, married with three adult children, and five grandchildren.  She enjoys travel, trivia, and great restaurants.
Mee Mei Zhao
Director, Case Design
Douglas Doughty
Director
Amy Donaldson
Director
Kaleigh Hathaway
Associate Director, Case Design

Mee Mei Zhao

Director, Case Design

 
Mee Mei Zhao is a Director at Winged Keel Group and has been with the firm since 2011.  Supporting the firm’s Principals with client presentation preparation, her work encompasses a broad range of both traditional life insurance and private placement portfolio reviews, although her technical and analytical proficiency has led to a specialization in private placement accounts.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, Mee Mei was an Actuarial Consultant with Buck Consultants, where she led Associates and Senior Associates in analysis and project planning for retirement accounts.  Her experience also includes Associate and Analyst work with GlobeOp and Moody’s Investors Service, both in New York.

Mee Mei holds a Bachelors of Arts in Finance and Actuarial Science, Cum Laude, Distinction FIN, from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She resides in Queens, New York, is fluent in Cantonese, and enjoys traveling.

Douglas Doughty

Director

 
Doug Doughty is a Director of Winged Keel Group.  Based in the firm’s Houston office, Doug oversees case design and works closely with a client’s team of advisors to structure and implement complex life insurance and annuity solutions.   
Doug brings vast industry knowledge and experience to the firm.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2021, he was the Director of Planning for Knight Planning Corporation, where he was responsible for product research, advanced planning techniques for estate and business planning, and overseeing financial underwriting.  He has also held positions with American General, Pacific Life, and Principal Financial Group in a variety of capacities, including sales and marketing, case design, and client relations. 
 
Doug graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.  He, along with his wife and three children, enjoy staying active in their church, spending weekends in Rockport, Texas and annual visits to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  He is an avid follower of his favorite sports teams, including the Texas A&M Aggies, Houston Texans and Astros, and Buffalo Sabres.

Amy Donaldson

Director

 
Amy Donaldson is a Director at Winged Keel Group. Based in the firm’s Atlanta office, Amy works closely with clients and their advisors throughout the design and implementation process of complex life insurance plans.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Amy was an Account Manager at Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley where she was responsible for business continuity planning, supplemental executive retirement plans, split dollar arrangements, asset transfer planning, and disability income insurance.

Amy is a graduate of Mercer University, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. She is life insurance licensed and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. Amy is a registered representative of M Holdings Securities, Inc.

Kaleigh Hathaway

Associate Director, Case Design

 
Kaleigh Hathaway is an Associate Director of Case Design at Winged Keel Group.  In her role, Kaleigh works closely with clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of sophisticated life insurance solutions.  She is based in the firm’s San Francisco office and joined Winged Keel Group as a Design Associate in 2018. 
  
Kaleigh previously served as a case design analyst at an insurance advisory firm based in Charlotte, NC, where she gained experience in customizing insurance portfolios to help meet the unique planning needs of ultra-affluent families with a focus on the underlying analysis of client presentations.

Kaleigh is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science, double major in Mathematics and African Studies, and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  Kaleigh resides in San Francisco, and outside of the office she enjoys hiking, traveling, and volunteering with the SF-Marin Food Bank.
CA Insurance License #0M44100