Board of Directors
OFFICERS
James J. Sorebo, CLU®
President
James J. Sorebo serves as Senior Vice President, Community Banks & IBDs for Highland Capital Brokerage. Jim started his financial services career in 1979 and was an executive with an industry-leading insurance and investment company. While there, he led the company’s wholesaling efforts and was president of a wholly-owned subsidiary.
As a recognized speaker and sales trainer, Jim has been a featured speaker before industry trade groups like Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), bank and broker/dealer sales conferences, and insurance company conventions. A graduate of Minnesota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Jim is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and Bank Insurance and Securities Association (BISA).
Jim has given back to the industry in numerous ways over his career. He served on the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) board for six years and was Chairman in 2017. Additionally, he participates in the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) Brokerage Task force, building relationships with the Members of Congress on the issues affecting our industry. Jim serves on the board of directors for The Lone Survivor Foundation, which restores, empowers, and renews hope for our wounded warriors and their families suffering from PTSD.
Robin S. Landers, CLU
Immediate Past President
Robin Landers is a principal at NAILBA member agency Landers-Stein & Associates, Inc., a Miami-based BGA founded in 1959 by Bernie Landers and Marty Stein.
A graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism, Robin has a degree in Advertising. She started as a file clerk at Landers-Stein in 1983, earned her insurance license, followed by her CLU designation. She partnered with Carmen A. Rodriguez in 1995 to begin their agency together, choosing Robin’s sister, Diane Preuss, as their first staff person, all of whom had worked for the original agency.
She has been president of both the Miami SFSP (CLU) and NAIFA–Miami. In addition to serving on the NAILBA Charitable Foundation Board, she also served on the NAILBA Marketing Committee and works on NBA’s Nomination and Bylaws committees. Along with her volunteer commitments to the insurance community, Robin has served on the board of The Heart Association and the Women’s Fund. She is the wife of a prize-winning journalist, and is the proud mother of five children and grandmother to five grandchildren.
Victoria Van Dusen-Roos
Treasurer, NAILBA
Ex-Officio Member
Tori Van Dusen-Roos, co-principal and 50% owner of Diversified Brokerage Services, joined DBS in 1993 and currently serves as its Chief Operations Officer. In this role, Tori is responsible for overseeing its Director of Operations, Director of Finance, Director of IT, Chief Underwriter and Director of HR.
Tori stays very active in the industry and currently sits on the advisory councils of a few different insurance companies. She is a current LIBRA Insurance Partners Board Member, a member of NAILBA’s Executive Board where she serves as treasurer, and on the NAILBA Foundation Board of Directors as its current Grants Committee Chair. She is also a past Board Member of LifeMark Partners, past President of LIFE, Inc. (a National Life Brokerage Study Group), and has served on numerous NAILBA committees in the past.
Tori lives in Shorewood, Minnesota with her husband Greg and two beautiful children, Parker and Piper. Most of her spare time is spent with her family but she still finds time for her monthly cooking club, summer golf league, boating, dining with friends, and gardening around the house.
John Gilbert
The National Benefit Corp.
West Des Moines, IA
John Gilbert is the President for The National Benefit Corp (TNBC). John’s financial services career began in 2002 as an agent for Banker’s Life and Casualty. He served the central Iowa senior marketplace with life insurance, long term care, annuities, and Medicare supplements. John joined The National Benefit Corp. in 2004 as a marketing consultant specializing in annuity marketing. Gaining a strong knowledge of the brokerage world and the independent broker dealer community was a key to the early successes of the TNBC annuity department.
In 2009 John was named the director of annuity marketing at TNBC. The annuity department continued to flourish, posting several consecutive record years in total annuity production. In 2014, John accepted the role of VP of Business Development and has continued to help TNBC grow its distribution of insurance products in the institutional space while taking on a larger role in relationship management and agency operations.
John has been active in NAILBA, serving as the Agency Successor Networking Group (ASNG) chair for the past three years, and was recognized in 2017 with the NAILBA Chairman's Award. John has also been active in the local NAIFA chapter and was the 2016 President of The TYGERS, a study group of second and third generation insurance professionals. he attended Northwest Missouri State and Iowa State universities. John is series 6, 63 and life and health licensed. John is married to Lindsay and together they have three wonderful children Jack, Julia, and Jenna.
James Wong
Partners Advantage
Irvine, CA
James Wong is the Area Executive Vice President of Partners Advantage, a Gallagher Company. Agencies looking to elevate their business growth strategy, enhance production, and eliminate inefficiencies have come to depend on James’ expertise. Throughout his time in the industry, James has deepened his understanding of agency needs, but places high importance on building relationships with owners and encouraging them to share challenges to work together towards solutions.
James entered the insurance industry in 1999 and has served in all facets of agency operations, so he knows first-hand from the inside out the issues agencies face. In 2006, Partners Advantage acquired his agency and since then he has served in an executive leadership role. During his tenure, he helped facilitate dozens of mergers and acquisitions, which fueled the company’s growth. Through these experiences, James has developed a deep appreciation for what it takes for an agency to thrive.
James believes in giving back to the community, which is why serves on many carrier advisory boards and participates in industry associations. Since 2018, he has served on the NAILBA (National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies) Board of Directors, where he diligently supports the needs of agents and agencies. James’ passion is consulting with businesses to foster innovation and growth. He’s always looking for ways to provide greater value and help establish overall financial well-being for the agencies he supports. Although business is important to him, James also knows the value of life outside of work. At home in southern California, he spends his time running and playing basketball as well as enjoying time with his wife, Valerie, and their two sons.
Dan LaBert
NAILBA
Dan LaBert is NAILBA CEO and serves on the Foundation Board as an ex-officio member.
DIRECTORS
David R. Braun, CLU
Senior Vice President , LIBRA Institutional Insurance Platform
David has been in the insurance business for over forty years serving in several capacities both on the carrier side as well as the institutional side.
He has spent the majority of his career working with institutions in the sale of life, LTC, and disability insurance. He built the Wells Fargo platform in 1998 and many of the original components are in use today.
Besides his service to the NAILBA Foundation, David serves as a disaster services manager with the American Red Cross and served for ten years on the Board of Directors for the Blind Childrens Center. He also chaired for six years the Tom Sullivan Celebrity Golf Tournament held each June at Riviera Country Club.
David resides with his wife, Janna, an accomplished musician in Ft Myers, FL.
Pete Chrisos
Protective Life Insurance Company
Pete Chrisos is the Vice President and National Account Manager for Protective Life Insurance Company.
He has more than 37 years of insurance industry experience. He began his career in 1979 at North American Company for Life and Health Insurance working in multiple areas of the company before starting his career as a as a Senior Life Underwriter. He joined the Zurich Life Underwriting Team in 1998 as a Senior Life Underwriter and Sales Support Manager.
He began establishing his career as a Sales Vice President in the brokerage community in 2001. Pete joined Protective Life in 2006 and is currently a National Account Manager in the Brokerage Distribution channel, managing relationships with multiple strategic marketing organizations. Pete is a lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area and currently resides in Hoffman Estates, IL with his wife Karen and their two children, Kevin and Stephanie.
Colleen Horner
Colleen has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years focusing in BGA Distribution. She has spent the last 23 years at Nationwide, initially as a wholesaler and then moving in her current role as a National Account Manager for the last 15 years.
PJ Doyle
CPS / Gulf States Brokerage
Paul (P.J.) Doyle, Jr., LUTCF, is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He joined his father, Paul Doyle, Sr., at Crisis Management Agency in 1990. In 1997, the agency merged with the Harrison James Group, where P.J. was a partner and regional brokerage manager.
In 2002, P.J. and long-time business partner Angie Dean opened up a CPS affiliate office, CPS/Gulf States Brokerage, LLC, where he serves as principal/owner. In 2008, CPS/Gulf States Brokerage merged with Crisis Management Agency.
Andrew M. Hamill, CLU, ChFC
Breeze
Andrew M. Hamill is the Head of Distribution for Breeze. As the Head of Distribution, Andrew has a passion for protecting American families and making the process of getting disability income, critical illness, and other much-needed coverage faster and easier and proudly leads the distribution expansion and strategy at Breeze.
Andrew is an active member of AALU, NAILBA, NAIFA, and the Society of Financial Services Professionals, for which he served several terms as a board member. He was Education Chairman of the European LUA, is a past board member of March of Dimes Central Virginia Chapter, a founding board member of Regents School of Charlottesville, and a member of the AALU “Future of the Industry” working group. Andrew attended Penn State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He has earned CLU, ChFC, CLTC and LTCP designations. Andrew and his wife Eileen reside in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with their three children, Michaela, Shannon and Ian.
Amy Kniseley
Vice President, Distribution Partners, Highland Capital Brokerage
Amy Kniseley serves as Vice President, Distribution Partners, for Highland Capital Brokerage, driving Highland’s commitment to grow distribution more comprehensively serving the RIA and IBD community. Amy’s primary responsibility is the procurement of relationships and the 360-degree onboarding process. With a general theme in mind; creating raving fans and ensuring she is educating with transparency, knowledge, and all “cards on the table” so clients and prospects can make their best decision.
She did not create the distribution model but is determined to make it better. She has a passion for independent distribution and her experience provides a unique perspective in helping Highland’s distribution partners get the most from their partnership. There may not be a person in the industry more excited than Amy Kniseley about risk management strategies and how they are applied to modern investment and protection theories.
Prior to joining Highland Capital Brokerage, Amy started in the captive insurance world but quickly moved to a large multi-national carrier and spent over nine years in various divisions, including leading strategic initiatives. She has spent the last 11+ years in the distribution channel fine tuning her skills to further help RIAs and IBDs navigate the complicated world of insurance distribution.
A native of Wisconsin and Super Mom, Amy enjoys music, watching the Green Bay Packers, and reading for both professional and personal advancement. She currently lives in Waterford, Virginia, with her husband and four children, Luke who is 10, Quinn 5, and twins Dominique and Angelique almost 4.
John J. Kuk
Security Mutual Life
John is Vice President, National Sales – Individual Solutions & Agency Head with Security Mutual Life. In his current role, he is responsible for strategy, business development, field sales, marketing and operations for industry leading PPGAs, IMOs, NMOs and financial institutions. He successfully manages a team of highly seasoned sales and operations professionals to achieve the organization’s goals of revenue growth, national expansion and brand recognition.
John has over 30 years of experience in the life insurance industry. He is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island and is Life & Health, Series 6, 26 and 63 licensed. He resides in Farmington, CT with his wife Christine.
Chris Orestis
Retirement Genius
President of Retirement Genius, Chris Orestis is a nationally recognized financial, health/LTC, and retirement issues expert. He has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance and long-term care industries and is credited with pioneering the Long-Term Care Life Settlement over a decade ago. Known as a political insider and senior issues advocate, Orestis is a former Washington, D.C. lobbyist who has worked in both the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill. He has been speaking for two-decades across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with financial and physical health and dignity. He has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC News, Fox News, USA Today, Kiplinger’s, Investor’s Business Daily, Market Watch, AARP, PBS, and numerous other media outlets, is a frequent columnist for Newsmax Finance, The Street, Broker World, ThinkAdvisor, Advisorpedia, and has been a guest expert on over 100 radio programs and TV appearances.
Mark Pellicano
Vice President, Financial Advisor Network
Mark Pellicano is the Vice President of the Financial Advisor Network, comprised of Long Term Care, Edward Jones, Wirehouse, Marketing Organizations, WFG, Key Account Marketing and Broad Markets. Pellicano is responsible for overseeing the national sales and distribution of Pacific Life insurance products, including Pacific PremierCare, and brings over 25 years of insurance industry expertise and an exceptional sales track record to his role at Pacific Life.
Mark began his financial services career at John Hancock before moving on to MassMutual and later to Lincoln Financial Distributors. He has held positions as a Branch Sales Manager Recruiter, Trainer, and Assistant Vice President. Prior to joining Pacific Life, Mr. Pellicano was National Sales Manager for Lincoln MoneyGuard Reserve.
Mark was born in Long Island, New York, and currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Jerren, and their three boys, Cole, Wyatt, and Jed.
Todd Villeneuve
Co-Owner and President of IFC National Marketing and Managing Partner at Integrity Marketing Group
Todd is the Co-Owner and President of IFC National Marketing and Managing Partner at Integrity Marketing Group. Originally from Fairmont, Minnesota, Todd first entered the financial services industry in 1993. Todd is actively engaged in his community as a member of his local NAIFA organization, Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus. Todd is proud to consider many of his agents as his closest friends and he loves helping them successfully market and grow their agencies. Having an attitude focused on family and friendship is what he strives for at IFC National Marketing. Todd and his wife, Denise, are proud parents of Audrey, Frankie and Tessa. His love of his family and love of life are worn on his sleeve and usually followed by a hardy laugh. Todd enjoys spending time at his cabin with family and friends. He is a huge sports fan and an avid golfer. He is a proud University of Minnesota alumnus and booster.
Chuck Anderson
Diversified Brokerage Services
National Sales Director
With over 35 years in the business, Chuck has held key positions in sales, operations, technology and marketing. Prior to DBS, he served as National Sales Vice President for the Independent Distribution Group at Securian Financial’s individual life insurance division. Prior to that he worked for Prudential as Senior Vice President of Business Development for their individual life insurance sales and served for many years there in various other roles.
Very active in the industry, Chuck is passionate about life insurance and has held several industry leadership roles within NAILBA, LIDMA, ACLI and AALU. He was recognized in 2015 for his outstanding role in the industry by receiving the NAILBA Chairman’s award, presented annually to the individual who has most exemplified leadership and contributions to the Life Brokerage Industry during the current year.
Chuck and his wife, Teri live in Maple Grove, Minnesota. They have a blended family with 8 children and 8 grandchildren. While their primary leisure activity is time with family, Teri and Chuck are avid travelers including several international destinations. Chuck is a proud cancer warrior having battled and won against lung cancer in 2020.
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