Leadership Team

30+ years after our founding, Winged Keel has grown into a sustainable, multi-generational services and administration platform. Our partnership of 19 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.

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

Chelsea Maeda

Principal

 
Chelsea Maeda 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 wealth transfer strategies through the design, implementation, and monitoring of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios.  His clients include single family offices, executives of public and private companies, hedge fund managers and private equity fund partners, 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, Michael is a member of M Financial Group’s Product Development Group and M Political Advocacy Committee.  He also previously served on the Board of Directors of AALU (now known as Finseca), the nation’s leading life insurance and annuities advocacy organization, and on the M Financial Group Board of Directors.  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


Eric Naison-Phillips

Principal

 
Eric Naison-Phillips is Managing Principal 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.  His area of expertise is in the complex application of both Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance arrangements, with a focus on structuring, implementing, and servicing life insurance portfolios designed to help meet the unique needs of ultra-affluent families.  Eric joined Winged Keel as a Client Relationship Associate in 2003, advancing into the role of Director of Portfolio Design before becoming a Principal in 2009.   

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 was a featured speaker at the 2016 Robin Hood Investors Conference and has 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 


Matthew H. Phillips

Principal

 

Matt Phillips is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  His focus is on structuring, implementing, and servicing life insurance portfolios that are designed for ultra-affluent families.  This includes both Traditional Life Insurance that is used in conjunction with an estate plan, as well as Private Placement Life Insurance that is used as part of an inter-generational investment plan. 

Matt specializes in educating clients and their advisors on the economic and risk factors associated with various types of life insurance products.  Leveraging his breadth of expertise, he guides them through the decision-making process to construct a portfolio that is tailored to meet their needs.  He joined Winged Keel Group in 1997 and became a Principal in 2003.  During his career, he has had responsibility for managing Winged Keel’s Private Client Group comprised of the firm’s Portfolio Design, Underwriting, and Client Administration teams. 

Matt has been a featured speaker at the M Financial Group and Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (now known as Finseca) national meetings on estate planning uses of life insurance and growing a multi-generational professional services firm geared toward serving an ultra-affluent client base. 

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

CA Insurance License #0G57294


Brian Gartner
Principal
Jeri L. Turley
Principal
Brady C. Knight
Principal
Brent M. Eden, JD
Principal

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 the use of term insurance as a liquidity hedge and Private Placement Life Insurance fundamentals for the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine. 

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Brian was a school record holder as a member of the Varsity Swim Team and an active 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 daughter and enjoys baseball, football, and biking.

CA Insurance License #0L71954


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 wealth accumulation and transfer process, she specializes in structuring, implementing, and administering customized insurance solutions that enhance wealth 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 the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting’s (AALU) The Quarterly magazine, Your Terms (a publication focused on coaching, strategy, succession, and philanthropy), 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 and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond.

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.

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 optimize multi-generational wealth accumulation and wealth 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.  He has been a Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table* since he began his career in 1995 and is also one of their Top of the Table* members.  

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. 


*Million Dollar Round Table and Top of the Table membership is based upon insurance sales. For details regarding qualifications for these memberships, please visit the following web site address: https://www.mdrt.org/membership/requirements


Brent M. Eden, JD

Principal

  Biography coming soon.
Walter L. Helms
Principal
Marko Djuranovic
Principal
Eric Hieber
Principal
Kenneth J. Masters
Principal

Walter L. Helms

Principal

  Biography coming soon.

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.  Marko is also a co-founder of the Bruce Contemporaries at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT.

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 wealth accumulation, wealth 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 co-authored articles on the uses of life insurance as a long-term planning strategy and is a contributor to LinkedIn’s online journal, Pulse.

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.

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.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group as Director 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 and has been a guest lecturer for Boston University’s Graduate Tax Law Program.  His articles have appeared in National Underwriter magazine, Private Wealth magazine, Estate Planning 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, practicing martial arts, and studying history.
Lawton M. Nease, III
Principal
Barbara Novak
Principal
Edward Chan
Principal
Rohit Dalmia
Principal

Lawton M. Nease, III

Principal

  Biography coming soon.

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 Chan

Principal

  Ed 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.

Rohit Dalmia

Principal

 

Rohit Dalmia is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  Rohit’s focus is in collaborating with Winged Keel’s Case Design, Underwriting, and Client Services teams to complete custom work for the firm’s largest and most complex accounts.

Rohit joined the firm in 2003 as a Finance Associate and held numerous positions in Case Design before being promoted to Managing Director in 2014 and Principal in 2016.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, Rohit worked in technology services where he collaborated with clients and programmers to build marketing campaigns and e-commerce solutions.

Rohit holds a BA in Financial Economics from Bethany College, where he was a member of the swim team.  He also holds a BBA from Sardar Patel University in India.

A resident of New Jersey with an appreciation for travel, Rohit frequently crosses the globe to visit family and friends.  He enjoys cooking Indian food and exploring the Ramen scene in New York City. 

Vikash Haritwal
Principal, Chief Financial Officer
Nicole Harrington
Principal
John Kessinger
Principal
Campbell T. Gerrish
Principal Emeritus

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

 
Since joining Winged Keel Group in 2000, Nicole has managed all aspects of Human Resources, Recruiting, Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Training Programs.  In her current role as Principal and Head of People and Culture, Winged Keel Group continues to draw on her expertise in attracting and retaining highly talented individuals whose skill and aptitude are aligned with the firm’s business goals and whom can consistently perform at a high level.

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.

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.

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, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Top of the Table, the International Forum, and the Practising Law Institute's Annual Estate Planning Institute. He has also authored articles that have appeared in Strategic Consulting magazine, Executive Compensation and Benefits, and was the subject of a feature article in Advisor Today.

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.

CA Insurance License #0648167


David A. Culley
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Peter W. Fleming, III
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Brian Henricks
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Vernon W. Holleman, III
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

David A. Culley

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

  Biography coming soon.

Peter W. Fleming, III

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

  Biography coming soon.

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 optimize asset protection and wealth 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


Vernon W. Holleman, III

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager

 
Vernon is Managing Director of Winged Keel Group’s Washington, D.C. office.  As a Client Relationship Manager with deep roots in the life insurance profession, he works closely with ultra-affluent families and their advisors on wealth transfer planning.  He additionally spearheads the ongoing development of Winged Keel’s presence in the greater Washington, D.C. area in collaboration with the firm’s Principals.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2019, Vernon oversaw the Washington, D.C. division of BCG Companies, known as BCG Holleman.  Vernon joined his father’s life insurance firm, The Holleman Companies—which ultimately merged with BCG Companies—in 1994 and became President in 2001.  

Vernon has been published in industry and trade publications, such as Bloomberg Tax and Trusts & Estates, and frequently speaks on the topic of succession planning.  He serves as Co-Chair of the membership committee for the Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Council and is a member Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting).  He previously served as President of the District of Columbia Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors from 2003 to 2004. 

He is also dedicated to his community as a second-generation Washingtonian and is a current Trustee of the Federal City Council and member of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.  He has held several prior board positions for local organizations such as the Washington DC Police Foundation.

Vernon is a graduate of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.  He earned a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Denver in 1993 and his Chartered Life Underwriter® designation in 2011 from The American College.  Vernon resides in Washington, D.C., where he enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and step-children.  He also relishes being in nature, fishing, skiing, traveling, reading, '80s movies, and can’t seem to shake his interest in politics and the local professional football team.

CA Insurance License #0F06132


Brian O'Connor
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Zach Specht
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Kathleen Watt
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Kaleigh Hathaway
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager

Brian O'Connor

Director, Client Relationship Manager

  Brian O’Connor is a Director at Winged Keel Group, where he works closely with ultra-affluent families to design and implement life insurance solutions that help optimize multi-generational wealth accumulation and wealth transfer planning.  Brian is skilled at educating clients and their advisors as well as guiding them through the decision-making process. 

Brian has more than a decade of experience in life insurance advisory and brings to Winged Keel Group his expansive knowledge of insurance solutions designed to help ultra-affluent families achieve their estate and charitable planning goals.

Brian is a graduate of Binghamton University, where he was a four-year letter winner for the tennis team, with a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Law.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Brian serves on the Board of Directors for New York Junior Tennis & Learning.  He lives in Mamaroneck, New York with his wife and their children and enjoys playing tennis, platform tennis, and golf in his free time.

Zach Specht

Director, Client Relationship Manager

 

Zach Specht is a Director of Winged Keel Group. Based in the firm’s San Francisco office, he collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients, their advisors, and Winged Keel’s Case Design team on the education, design, and implementation of Private Placement and Traditional Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  Zach joined Winged Keel Group’s New York office as a Design Analyst in April 2013.  In March 2014, he advanced into the role of Client Relationship Associate, specializing in private placement life insurance and annuity products.  In 2016, his role developed into a Senior Client Relationship Manager position, and he was promoted to Director in 2019.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Zach worked at SALI Fund Services in Austin, Texas.  While there, he worked closely with asset managers to create insurance-dedicated funds and attach those funds as investment options on the platforms of life insurance companies.

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.  Zach lives in San Francisco and enjoys golf and basketball.

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 wealth 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.

Kaleigh Hathaway

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager

  As a Senior Client Relationship Associate of Winged Keel Group, Kaleigh Hathaway works closely with clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of sophisticated life insurance solutions.  Kaleigh 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


Tim McCarty
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Anthony Iorio
Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Matthew Naumec
Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Brigette DiNicola
Director, Head of Client Services

Tim McCarty

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager

  Biography coming soon.

Anthony Iorio

Associate, Client Relationship Manager

  As a Client Relationship 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.  He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Pace University. 

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

Matthew Naumec

Associate, Client Relationship Manager

  Biography coming soon.

Brigette DiNicola

Director, Head of Client Services

  Brigette DiNicola rejoined Winged Keel Group as Director of Client Services in 2020, 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.
Amy Donaldson
Director
Douglas Doughty
Director, Case Design
John C. Endriss
Director, Case Design
Jennifer Fitzgerald
Director, Client Services

Amy Donaldson

Director

  Biography coming soon.

Douglas Doughty

Director, Case Design

  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. 

John C. Endriss

Director, Case Design

  Biography coming soon.

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
Stephanie Preston
Director, Marketing and Communications
Katharine Vinchot
Director, Head of Underwriting
Mee Mei Zhao
Director, Case Design

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 also holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  Christian resides in Astoria, Queens and enjoys skiing, hiking, and camping.

Stephanie Preston

Director, Marketing and Communications

 
Stephanie Preston is Director of Marketing and Communications at Winged Keel Group.  In this role, she oversees event management and ensures that all marketing and communications initiatives reflect the firm’s core values of client-centric collaboration, unmatched excellence, dedication and integrity, and innovation.  

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2019, she served as Senior Director of the travel and hospitality practice at EVINS Communications.  She previously held the position of Vice President at JConnelly, a financial communications firm, and DKC Public Relations, one of the largest independent communications agencies.  Throughout her career, Stephanie has spearheaded efforts to attract and retain ultra-affluent audiences for a diverse range of financial, travel, hospitality, lifestyle, and technology brands.  

Stephanie is a graduate of Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, where she also spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy.  In addition to traveling, she enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, and listening to NPR podcasts.

Katharine Vinchot

Director, Head of Underwriting

 
Kate Vinchot is the 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.

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.