NORTH AMERICAN COMPANY - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Corporate Secretary
• General Counsel
• Senior Vice President
• Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Sammons Financial Group

Amy Teas is senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Sammons Financial Group. In that capacity, she leads the legal, compliance, government affairs, and procurement departments of the Sammons Financial Group enterprise. Amy has been with Sammons Financial Group since 2013, after several years as a litigator in Des Moines, Iowa. In her tenure with the company, she has led numerous high-profile projects and initiatives, providing legal counsel and insight to business line leadership and senior staff. Amy received her Bachelor of Arts in communications from University of Missouri - Kansas City, and her Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska.

Job Titles:

• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Senior Vice President
• Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Sammons Financial Group

Anne Cooper, PhD, is senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Sammons Financial Group. In this role, Anne oversees all aspects of human resources strategy and execution at Sammons Financial Group and is a member of the senior executive team. Her primary focus is on sustaining a healthy, high-performing culture and a values-based work environment. Prior to joining Sammons Financial Group in 2013, Anne served as head of human resources for a division of ING/Voya. During her time at ING, she led HR teams and partnered with global businesses, while living in the United States, the Netherlands, and Korea. With over 30 years' experience in organizational development and human resources, Anne brings a deep knowledge of the industry and a successful history of leadership. In addition to her position at Sammons Financial Group, Anne serves on the Board of the Iowa/Nebraska Chapter of the American Red Cross, as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, and as Chair of the Talent Development Board for Greater Des Moines Partnership. She is a member of American Psychological Association and the Society of Industrial/Organizational Psychologists. Anne completed her undergraduate degree at Western Washington University (WWU) where she received a B.A. in Psychology, and she was inducted into the WWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Iowa State University.

Job Titles:

• Member of the North American Company Leadership Team
• President
• President, Sammons Institutional Group

Bill Lowe is President of Sammons Institutional Group SM, Inc. (SIG), a member company of Sammons Financial Group. SIG provides individual retirement solutions to financial professionals in banks and broker/dealers through its wholesale divisions, Sammons Retirement Solutions® and Midland Retirement Distributors SM. Prior to joining Sammons Financial Group in 2011, Bill spent 17 years at ING in a variety of leadership roles. In his over 35 years in the financial services industry, Bill has managed a broker/dealer, run 401(k), IRA, and annuity businesses, and has a successful track record creating and distributing 401(k)s, variable annuities, fixed annuities, life insurance, mutual fund products, and managed accounts. Bill has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Computer Science from Doane College. He has participated in executive programs at Dartmouth and the University of Chicago, and completed the CEDEP General Management Program at Insead in Fountainebleu, France. He is a General Securities Principal, Investment Advisory Representative, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Fellow of the Life Management Institute. He is currently on the boards of the Insured Retirement Institute in Washington, D.C. and Freedom for Youth in Des Moines, Iowa.

Job Titles:

• Chief Development Officer
• Senior Vice President
• Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Sammons Financial Group

Brian Hansen is senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Sammons Financial Group. Brian is responsible for the management and operation of the Legal and Compliance division of the company. Prior to joining Sammons Financial Group in 2008, Brian was a partner at Jenner & Block LLP. He has over 20 years of legal experience in the financial services industry, and has held several roles in the legal and compliance areas within the company. Brian received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa's College of Law.

Job Titles:

• President of Beacon Capital Management at Sammons Financial Group
• President, Beacon Capital Management

Chris serves as president of Beacon Capital Management at Sammons Financial Group. He is a member of the company's senior leadership team. In this role, Chris oversees the registered investment advisory (RIA) and turnkey asset management program (TAMP) channels of Sammons Financial Group. He leads the team supporting advisors and their clients along with the overall corporate growth objectives to expand services in the retirement marketplace. Chris has years of experience in investment management. In 2000, he launched his own registered investment advisory firm, Beacon Capital Management, to provide next-generation investment strategies. He joined Sammons Financial Group in 2021 as part of the company's acquisition of Beacon. He holds a variety of licenses from FINRA. Chris is the author of the bestselling book, "Slash Your Retirement Risk: How to Make Your Money Last with a Simple, Safe, and Secure Investment Plan." He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a concentration in finance.

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Senior Vice President

Don Lyons is the chief financial officer of Sammons Financial Group. As chief financial officer, Don is responsible for the strategic and operational planning, direction, and alignment of the corporate services divisions: finance and accounting, corporate development, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and corporate actuarial. Don oversees each unit's particular strategy and goals, with a distinct focus on executing plans that meet the needs of the operating companies. Don joined Sammons Financial Group in 2002, where he started in annuity product development. From there, he shifted his focus to reinsurance. He moved into the role of corporate actuary where his responsibility focused on valuation, asset/liability management, corporate modeling, and experience studies. Don became the company's chief financial officer in 2013. Previously, he held positions at ING, Amerus, and USG Annuity & Life with a strong history of annuity product development and asset/liability management. In addition to his position as CFO, Don serves as a member of both the Society of Actuaries and the American Academy of Actuaries. He has received the Fellowship of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) designation. Don received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Iowa State University.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Chief Executive Officer
• Member of the North American Company Leadership Team

Esfand Dinshaw is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sammons Financial Group and Chief Executive Officer for Sammons Financial Group. Esfand develops the strategic direction for the insurance organization and turns that vision into a clear path for the business to grow. Since joining the company in 1999, Esfand has held several roles. He has over 39 years of experience in the insurance industry. In addition to his position at Sammons Financial Group, Esfand serves on the Board of Directors of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors for LL Global (LIMRA and LOMA), both insurance-related organizations.

Job Titles:

• Member of the North American Company Leadership Team
• President of the Sammons Life Insurance Group
• President, Sammons Life Insurance Group

Jerry Blair is president of the Sammons Life Insurance Group. Jerry joined Sammons Financial Group in 2005 and was promoted to Chief Distribution Officer for the life group in January 2019. As a member of the life senior leadership team, he was instrumental in redefining the company's go-to-market strategy for the Midland National and North American business lines. Jerry notes his immediate top priorities are an aggressive focus on product development, expanded distribution, and enhanced customer experience. This includes continued investment in technology modernization, capability mapping, and experience prototyping, as well as streamlining internal processes and expediting the end-to-end customer and client experience. Prior to joining Midland National, Jerry spent 13 years in various home office positions with Western Reserve Life and InterSecurities Inc. He has earned his ChFC, LUTCF, and LLIF designations, and is 6, 7, 24, and 63 licensed with the NASD.

Job Titles:

• President
• Member of the American Academy of Actuaries
• President, Corporate Markets Group

Joe Paul is president of Sammons® Corporate Markets Group, a business division of Midland National® Life Insurance Company and North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®. As president of the Corporate Markets business line - which is one of the fastest-growing lines of business for Sammons Financial Group - Joe is charged with building key relationships in the bank and credit union-owned life insurance and the pension risk transfer industries. Sammons Corporate Markets is committed to bringing innovative financial solutions tailored to meet changing customer needs. Joe joined Sammons Financial Group in 2004, and previously led product management for a North Dakota-based life insurance company acquired by Sammons Financial Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Joe is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Job Titles:

• Chief Investment Officer
• Senior Vice President
• Sammons Financial Group As Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

John Melvin joined Sammons Financial Group as senior vice president and chief investment officer in 2021. In his role, John designs and directs the investment strategy for the company's asset portfolio, overseeing financial performance and results. As a member of the senior management team, John creates and enhances the company's investment vision, supports its continued growth, and assures alignment with the company's vision. John joined Sammons Financial Group from Hartford Investment Management Company (HIMCO) where he served as CIO and, previously, head of portfolio management. Prior to The Hartford, John served as CIO of Goldman Sachs Insurance Asset Management, overseeing the firm's global insurance assets and fixed income portfolio. He also served as managing director and head of insurance fixed income, Americas, for Deutsche Bank. John has a Master of Business Administration in finance from The Stern School of Business, New York University, and an undergraduate degree in business and economics from Lehigh University.

Job Titles:

• Member of the North American Company Leadership Team
• President, Sammons Independent Annuity Group

Rob TeKolste is president of Sammons® Independent Annuity Group, a business division of Sammons Financial Group. He is also a member of the Midland National and North American Board of Directors. Rob is responsible for the overall business strategy and leadership of Sammons Independent Annuity Group. This includes leading the fixed annuity distribution through independent agent channels, such as independent agents, Independent Marketing Organizations, and Registered Investment Advisors. He also oversees product development, the profitability of new business and in-force business, sales, and distribution relationships of fixed annuities within these channels. Before he came to the company in 1999 as senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Sammons Annuity Group, Rob was vice president of Sales at Conseco (previously American Life and Casualty Insurance Company). With over 30 years of experience in the life insurance market, he has continually worked to achieve aggressive growth goals by identifying market needs, implementing sales programs, and building teams of innovators. Rob serves on the Principal Charity Classic board, which raises money for children's charities in Iowa. He's also on the Board and Executive Committee of the Federation of Iowa Insurers. Rob received a Bachelor's of Science in business administration and management from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation.

Job Titles:

• President
• Member of the Global Insurance Chief Operating Officer Roundtable
• President, Shared Services Division

Teri Ross is president of the Shared Services division at Sammons Financial Group. As president of this division, Teri is responsible for all operations for the companies' life and annuity product lines, including agency, new business, suitability, underwriting, policy administration, and claims departments. She also oversees the information technology functions for the company. Shared Services is the largest division at Sammons Financial Group, with over 950 employees who provide service to more than 1.6 million in-force life and annuity policies. Teri is also the Site Leader of Sammons Financial Group's West Des Moines office. Before joining the company in 2001, Teri worked at Principal Financial Group where she held a variety of roles focusing largely on 401(k) administration. Since joining Sammons Financial Group, she has been in numerous leadership positions centered on business operations. Teri's expertise is rooted in over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Teri is a member of the Global Insurance Chief Operating Officer Roundtable (GICOOR) and McKinsey Women in Insurance Executive Roundtable. She's earned numerous designations including FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 66, and SIE designations; Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI); LIMRA Leadership Institute Fellow (LLIF); Associate, Annuity Products and Administration (AAPA); Associate, Customer Service (ACS); and Associate, Secure Retirement Institute (ASRI). She serves on the board for Young Women's Resource Center, and previously served on the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Teri is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa where she received a B.A. in management.