NAFA Board of Directors

Each year, the nomination process is open to the NAFA membership at large for new board of director candidates. Nominations are received and candidates are thoroughly vetted by the current board. The general membership of NAFA then approves or disapproves recommendations at the association’s annual meeting held during its annual Annuity Distribution Summit.

Executive Operating Committee

David Wolfe
David WolfeChair – 12/2025
General Counsel
Advisors Excel
Andrew Payne
Andrew PayneVice Chair – 12/2026
Vice President & General Counsel
CreativeOne
Eric Taylor
Eric TaylorSecretary – 12/2027
SVP, Distribution – Independent Annuities
Corebridge Financial
Dan Acker
Dan AckerTreasurer – 12/2028
President & CMO
SILAC Insurance Company
Kevin Mechtley
Kevin MechtleyImmediate Past Chair
VP-Business Development and Chief Innovation Officer
North American Company

Board Members

Jeff Barnes
Jeff BarnesMember – 12/2025
Regional Vice President
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company
Bryce Biklen
Bryce BiklenMember – 12/2027
Chief Distribution Officer
North American
Jay Brown
Jay BrownMember – 12/2026
Vice President of Relationship Management
Delaware Life Marketing
Tom Bumbolow
Tom BumbolowMember – 12/2027
Head of Business Development & Distribution
American Life
Emily Cramer
Emily CramerMember – 12/2025
Vice President of Business Development
Simplicity Group
Jill Esser
Jill EsserMember – 12/2026
Chief Actuary
Magellan Financial
Tad Fifer
Tad Fifer Member – 12/2025
Vice President
AmeriLife
Paul Garofoli
Paul GarofoliMember – 12/2026
Regional Vice President
The Standard
Sarah Garrity
Sarah GarrityMember – 12/2027
National Sales Manager
BlackRock
Jason Gould
Jason GouldMember – 12/2025
Of Counsel
Carlton Fields
Matt Johnson
Matt JohnsonMember – 12/2025
Production & Distribution Strategist – Marketing
American Equity
Jamie Kosharek
Jamie KosharekMember – 12/2027
Managing Director, Head of Independent Distribution
Global Atlantic
Paul Kruth
Paul KruthMember – 12/2026
Vice President and National Sales Manager
W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc.
Ryan Lex
Ryan LexMember – 12/2025
Head of Retail Distribution
Talcott Financial Group
Luke Loewen
Luke LoewenMember – 12/2025
President
Gradient Annuity Brokerage
Branislav Nikolic
Branislav NikolicMember – 12/2026
Managing Director, Head of Insurance
The Index Standard
Brian Peterson
Brian PetersonMember – 12/2026
President of Accumulation & Retirement Income Distribution
AmeriLife
Ann Raible
Ann RaibleMember – 12/2027
AVP Specialized Distribution
Nationwide
Rocky Robbins
Rocky RobbinsMember – 12/2026
Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Counsel
Brokers International
Mike Tripses
Mike TripsesMember – 12/2026
Owner
Annua Profectus