National Guardian Life Insurance Company reorganized the structure of its preneed sales team to enhance its preneed sales growth potential. John Baker was promoted to vice president of strategic partner development and will work closely with regional vice presidents to provide NGL’s marketing partners with service and support. He joined NGL in December 2013 as regional vice president.
Cameron Black was promoted to vice president of sales and business development and will assist NGL’s marketing partners in growing their preneed sales. He joined NGL in January 2019 as regional vice president and has more than 12 years of experience in the insurance industry. Baker and Black will partner to lead the preneed sales team and work to optimize growth and maintenance of key marketing and sales efforts.
Jennifer Kaset joined NGL in December 2019 as regional vice president and develops and nurtures preneed partnerships with NGL’s marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies. She also oversees partners’ service needs related to marketing goals. Kaset has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, and her expertise is in guiding funeral home owners and counselors on marketing, advertising, competitive analysis and future planning.
Judy Olson was promoted to regional vice president and will continue to work with NGL’s marketing partners to support their growth and business development opportunities. Olson has more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry and prior to joining NGL in January 2008 had spent more than 15 years in financial services, where she was responsible for sales development, marketing and community relations.
Regional Vice President Carl Wackerle has worked for NGL for nearly 20 years and will now assist marketing partners with preneed as well as AssetGuard sales (NGL’s product that helps clients transfer and/or protect their assets while setting aside funds to cover final expenses). Wackerle joined NGL as the company entered the preneed space and has been an integral part of the growth of its preneed business.
Casey Wolfe is regional vice president and joined NGL in 2011. Wolfe’s nearly 40-year career has been in the funeral industry, including at-need and preneed sales. In his role, Wolfe develops partnerships with NGL’s preneed marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies. Prior to NGL, Wolfe held various leadership positions at Forethought Financial Services and Batesville Casket Company.
Dave Anderson brings more than 30 years of financial services and technology expertise to NGL as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will now also provide overall leadership and direction to the preneed business. Since joining NGL, Anderson has led the introduction of a new planning discipline, a revamped Project Management Office and improvements in project and service delivery. Prior to joining NGL, he served as president and CEO of InsPro Technologies and as president and CEO of TIAA Life, a wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA.
In other news, NGL announced that AM Best revised its outlooks to positive, from stable, and affirmed its A- (Excellent) rating effective February 28, 2020. This rating reflects the ability of NGL to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations and further attests to its financial strength. AM Best also reaffirmed the A- (Excellent) rating, with positive outlook, for NGL subsidiaries Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company and Settlers Life Insurance Company. nglic.com