INSURANCE PLANNING ADVISORS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
Known for his solutions-based, high-touch approach, Chad Thacker delivers valuable expertise in developing and executing business plans that revolve around creating new life insurance opportunities. After starting his career in retail for an insurance firm in 2007, he soon moved on to general agency space at Phoenix Life within the next year. Chad's career in the financial services industry has seen him awarded numerous accolades; in the last eight consecutive years, he earned a place among the top ten point of sale professionals for Wells Fargo, and even landed in the top three for three of those years. Many advisors who work with him not only see an increase in revenue, but also learn how to present their clients with comprehensive wealth protection and transfer planning while remaining focused on their core practices.
Chad earned his Charter Life Underwriting designation from the American College. He places his highest priority on learning to better serve those with whom he has the privilege of working. He and his family currently reside in McKinney, TX and are active members of their church.
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
With over 6 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry, Dillon Crist consults with select financial advisors and their high-net worth clients, specializing in advanced planning solutions such as supplemental retirement planning, wealth transfer, long-term care, and risk mitigation strategies. Prior to his current position, he spent four years working for an REIT focused on unlisted securities, 1031's, private placements, and CDO's to the IBD space.
Growing up in a family of financial advisors, Dillon understands the importance of working hands-on with the advisor and their clients as they navigate the difficult journey of creating, accumulating, and preserving their wealth. He excels in working through complex problems and turning them into manageable solutions that clients can easily understand and implement.
Dillon graduated from Florida State University in 2013 and holds his Series 7 and 66 Licenses, as well as Life/Health & Variable Insurance License. He currently lives in Tampa, FL with his wife and their newborn son. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, boating, golfing, and staying active.
Job Titles:
- Advance Design Specialist
20-year veteran of the financial service industry, James Henley consults with select financial advisors, private wealth bankers, and their high net worth clients, specializing in supplemental retirement planning, wealth transfer and risk mitigation strategies. He also plays an integral role in assisting his partner advisors with growing their practice through his client identification process. He is most known for his ability to boil complex strategies down to easy actionable steps. James' success is clearly displayed through his performance: in the last eight consecutive years, he earned a place among the top ten point of sale professionals for Wells Fargo, and even landed in the top three for three of those years.
James is a graduate of Florida State University, where he was an all-conference swimmer. He holds his Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Financial Consultant designations from The American College. James and his wife, Kara, reside in Apollo Beach, FL with their two teenage children. Away from work, James is active in youth sports coaching and spends time running, biking, boating, and playing basketball.
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
Job Titles:
- Associate - Insurance Solutions
Bringing a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Josh Gamberale is extremely passionate about objectives-based solutions and building authentic relationships, and he enjoys leveraging his expertise around life Insurance and long-term care solutions to help fulfill the needs of the clients he serves. His career has afforded him many different opportunities, including wholesaling for a Fortune 500 Insurance Company, as well as providing independent consulting services on major industry trends and product offerings. As a result of his diverse background and experience, Josh is gifted in making big ideas much smaller and more easily digestible.
Josh currently resides in the state of Connecticut, and he graduated from Eastern CT State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is blessed to be married to his wife, Ashley, and is proud to be a father to two young children, Logan & Chloe. Josh enjoys soccer, fitness, boating, golfing, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- SVP Case Design & Advanced Planning
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
Over the course of her over fifteen-year career in the financial services industry, Laura MacInnis has consistently proven her value as a hardworking, motivated individual who is determined to help advisors grow their revenue, profitability, and value. After graduating from George Mason University's business school with a Bachelor of Sciences in Finance in 2005, she began her career at Wachovia Bank as a licensed financial specialist. After shifting her career path from banking to insurance in 2007, she has since worked for multiple financial institutions, including The Hartford and Penn Mutual. Laura specializes in all areas of insurance planning, with a particular and personal connection to long-term care planning; she has acted as her grandmother's power of attorney for the past seven years. Her extensive proficiency allows her to make the insurance process streamlined for both the advisor and their clients.
Laura lives in Houston, Texas with her two dogs, Chloe and Kaia. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, biking, fishing, clay shooting, brunching.
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
With 15 years in the financial sector, Lou Dondero consults with select financial advisors, private wealth bankers, and their high-net worth clients, specializing in supplemental retirement planning, wealth transfer, long term care, and risk mitigation strategies. Having previously worked as an investment banker, Lou understands financial advisors' need for a trusted partner that can provide quick and accurate solutions; communicates complex strategies into clear, actionable terms; and can assist in developing blueprints for client presentations, client acquisitions, and growth strategies.
Lou holds a bachelor's degree in History and Political Sciences from Florida State University, where he attended as scholarship athlete, served as captain of the Swim & Dive team, and was honored as both Academic and Athletic All-American. He holds his Series 6 and 63 registrations and requisite insurance licenses. In his youth, Lou was an Eagle Scout and was highly involved with the Order of the Arrow, a group of elite scouts that upholds the traditions and history of Boy Scouts for future generations. Lou currently resides in Atlanta, GA, where he enjoys fly fishing, golf, and serving as a judge for local and regional diving meets in his spare time.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales & Distribution
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
Michael Cianci brings nearly two decades of experience to his role as a wholesale wealth management consultant. He has spent the last ten years working closely with advisors and working on the point of sale side. Michael specializes in client identification processes and advanced planning solutions, including estate preservation, supplemental retirement planning, business planning strategies. His acumen in these fields is clearly displayed through his performance: he placed in the top ten for point of sale advisors for eight consecutive years at Wells Fargo, and he will bring the same dedication that earned him those rankings when working with you.
Michael earned his Bachelor of Sciences in Business Management from Keene State College. He was a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and served on their Board of Directors as Membership Chair for Western MA. Michael currently resides in Northern CT with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golf, and soccer.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Scott Meadows brings a unique blend of expertise and dedication to his role. Known as much for his attention to detail as his hands-on approach, Scott's specializations range from wealth transfer to estate preservation, retirement planning, executive benefits, and more. He prides himself on his ability to simplify complex strategies into understandable language for both the advisor as well as their client. For years, Scott has partnered with financial advisors to enhance their clients' planning solutions and assist them in achieving their personal goals. In addition, Scott can help assist in preparing for client presentations and meetings, and he possesses an extensive knowledge of underwriting and case facilitation.
Job Titles:
- Licensing & Contracting Manager
Job Titles:
- Director - Insurance Solutions
Wai Miks graduated from USC with a Business Marketing degree, and she started working in the financial services industry immediately after. She spent her first 20 years recruiting, training, and developing Financial Advisors, later overseeing 5 branch offices. Her office was consistently #1 in life insurance production year after year. Her passion for implementing life insurance ultimately led to her becoming Regional VP of Sales at Prudential in 2013. At Prudential, Wai's focus was key financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others. Seeking a more holistic planning approach, she eventually left Prudential to become a Dedicated Life Insurance Consultant with Edward Jones, partnering with financial advisors to provide point of sale support.
Wai's areas of expertise are wealth transfer, leveraging tax-favorable strategies, and tailoring protection strategies fit clients' overall needs. Her ability to understand and coach both the financial advisors and their clients through a complex industry makes the process easier and efficient. In addition, she has maintained her Finra 6, 7, 24, 25, 63 and 65 licenses for 30 years.
Wai resides in the Bay Area. She has 3 children, 2 adults and one a junior in high school. She is also helping with her aging parents, which has helped her see the benefits of coordinated care. Besides loving her time with family and friends, she also enjoys Bikram Yoga, Zumba, wine tasting, and travel.