Employees

Executive Officers

Scott Tietz joined the insurance industry in 1982 and opened Partners Advantage Insurance Services in 1993. Prior to the formation of PAIS, he worked as an Agent, Sales Manager, Home Office Regional, and General Manager. Through these experiences, Scott has piloted PAIS to be one of the most successful insurance marketing companies offering the total platform for Insurance Professionals to grow their businesses and agencies.

After serving at the helm of his own IMO for many years, Jim Lehmann merged his company with Partners Advantage in 2011 and joined the executive management team at Partners Advantage as a Senior Vice President. He currently heads up the Direct Division.

Brian D. Mann is the Senior Vice President of the Annuities and RIA Division for Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC. In 1997, Brian founded First Choice Financial (FCF), and led the company as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for over a decade prior to merging FCF with Partners Advantage in May of 2008. The combined company of Partners Advantage and FCF now proudly serves as a one-stop shop to over 20,000 independent insurance agents, financial planners, and broker-dealers. Brian has continued to build his personal practice well into the Top of the Table production levels. He is a licensed insurance agent and holds several securities licenses. He enjoys sharing the knowledge and success he has gained from his own experiences with others. He has invested hundreds of hours providing practice management coaching and mentoring to independent agents throughout the country. Brian and the entire staff at Partners Advantage are focused on providing producers with an unforgettable service experience, effective tools and valuable resources to assist in the growth of their business. Brian is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Financial Advisor’s Soul and Chicken Soup for Every Retiree’s Soul. He attended Utah State University. He loves to play golf, exercise, read, travel, and spend quality time with his family which includes his wife Heidi and their two children.

I entered the insurance industry in 1999 working as a temp for an insurance and financial services firm. Upon graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in economics, I pursued a career as an independent Life Agent. As the internet boom changed the way insurance information and products were delivered to the client, I focused my efforts on internet lead generation. Working with Low Cost Financial, over 2,000 clients were added to our database primarily through internet leads. In 2004, I helped co-found Loyalty Performance Marketing, a company dedicated to providing the independent agent with superior insurance sales tools and service. The company later merged with Partners Advantage Insurance Services in 2006. I take my experiences building insurance marketing agencies into my role as the Senior Vice President of Partner Distribution. It is my honor to lead this terrific team that esteems customer service and has extensive knowledge in products, programs, and sales concepts. Our Platinum Partner Team serves marketing organizations by providing them with the tools to enhance their business and cultivate long term agents. Through our broad-based product portfolio, the sharing of successful programs and a unique approach to customer service, PAIS is poised to dramatically increase its reach and positive influence on the insurance industry.

I joined Partners Advantage through the merger with Independent Brokerage Network in April of 2008. I am a Sales Vice President at Partners Advantage and the Branch Manager for ING Financial Partners.* Prior to that, I spent 22 years as CFO of IBN and worked closely with all of IBN’s field force on commissions, marketing, and case placement. I am an Iowa State University graduate and have my MBA from the University of South Dakota. I look forward to growing the securities business along with supporting the growth of our former IBN business. If you are interested in working with an industry leader poised for tremendous growth, please give me a call today.

*Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through ING Financial Partners Member SIPC.

Partners Advantage is not a subsidiary nor controlled by ING Financial Partners.

Steve joined Partners Advantage during the merger with Independent Brokerage Network, Inc. in 2008 and serves as Senior Vice President of Operations. He is responsible for the teams that handle the contracting and new business aspects of our agents’ relationship with Partners Advantage, along with our agency management system. Steve is also head of our health products division where we market long term care, disability income and Medicare supplement insurance. Partners Advantage is here to serve all of your insurance opportunities and we have a great team of associates poised and ready to help you achieve your goals. Steve is a CLU and has received his Associate designation from the Society of Actuaries.

Registered Representative of and Securities offered through ING Financial Partners Member SIPC.

Partners Advantage is not a subsidiary nor controlled by ING Financial Partners.

Kyle Mann has joined Partners Advantage as the Vice President of Sales. Previous to First Choice Financial and Partners Advantage merging, Kyle was the Vice President of FCF for the last 7 years. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, UT where he studied Chemical Engineering, but once out of school decided that the insurance business was the place for him. During his time at BYU, he took a 2 year break to go to Argentina to be a missionary for his church and through that experience became fluent in Spanish. Due to that, Kyle works with many of our Spanish speaking agents. The excitement of working with agents and helping them grow their business drives him every day. Kyle lives in Southern California and enjoys all things sports and spending time with his wife, two children, and their two dogs.

Life Sales

I am excited to be part of the Partners Advantage team in North Palm Beach, Florida. I first started my career in the insurance industry more than 20 years ago as an independent agent and later expanded my expertise to Life, Disability, and Annuities. Additionally, I became certified as a Long Term Care Planner. Through these unique and varied experiences, I came to respect the daily challenges each independent agent faces, further equipping me to assist you with your every need. I think of myself as a problem solver, and love to work with agents who bring me a prospect so that I can match them with the companies and products that best suit their needs. I look forward to assisting you and showing you exactly how Partners Advantage makes life easy.

After completion of my BS in Communications from North Dakota State in May of 2007, I was fortunate to join the team here at Partners Advantage. At PAIS, we strive for excellence in everything we do. With helpful solutions, creative ideas and a highly experienced staff, we are committed to continue to be one of the nations top brokerage companies. Give us a call today and learn how we can take your business to the next level!

Rick Pinarija joined Partners Advantage through the merger with Innovative Marketing Strategies in January of 2011. He started in the industry as a career agent with Prudential in 1989, and was shortly promoted to Sales Management.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from California State University, Fullerton.  Rick has a strong background in the retail sales of Life insurance, Annuities and Mutual Funds, earning the top company Sales Awards while at Prudential, John Hancock and the AAA Life for the past 20 years prior to coming to Partners Advantage.  

I had the pleasure of joining Partners Advantage in 2002 as a Life Marketer. In addition to life sales I also have extensive knowledge in the Advanced Markets arena. Give me a call to discuss your next life case.

I joined Partners Advantage in August of 2004 as a General Agent Recruiter. After recruiting close to 500 agents in 2 years, I moved to the role of Senior Marketing Associate in September of 2006. My position is very rewarding as I get to work daily with agents on quotes, case design, and risk assessments.

Annuity Sales

Kalem Mackey is an Annuity Marketing Consultant and has been an integral part of the PAIS team since 2003. Kalem graduated from the University of California at San Diego in 1999. Kalem has spent the last 9 years in the field of finance. He has extensive knowledge of the securities and annuity markets. Kalem works in our Huntington Beach, CA location.

Monica Young is the newest member of our growing annuity marketing team. She has over 15 years of experience with Independent Marketing Organizations and has over eight years of experience marketing annuity products. Monica also has a background in licensing, graphic design, and advertising. Monica is married with two children. In her spare time, she enjoys camping in the Sierras, spending time at the Colorado River, or relaxing on the beach. Monica works in our Huntington Beach, CA office.

I joined Partners Advantage in 2007 and bring over 10 years of insurance experience. As an Annuity Marketing Consultant with Partners Advantage I strive to provide each and every insurance advisor with exceptional service. If an advisor is looking for advance case design, marketing support, up to date resources or an illustration I will provide it in a timely manner. My main goal is help Partners Advantage, along with its advisors, to grow and become one of the industry’s leading field marketing organizations. 

Health Sales

I joined Partners Advantage through the merger with Independent Brokerage Network in April of 2008. I worked with life insurance for 9 years and 2 years ago I moved over to the Disability Income, Medicare Supplements, and Critical Illness Insurance department. I can also help assist you with your Long Term Care needs. I am very excited to help you grow your business with your clients by making sure they have the proper Disability and Health insurance. I look forward to working with you so please let me help you grow your business. What are you doing to protect your income?  Protect yourself and your client with Disability insurance. If you need anything, please call or email me today!

I joined Partners Advantage in October 2010. I am excited to be a part of our Health Marketing Department where we can help you with Long-Term Care insurance, Disability Income insurance, Critical Illness insurance and Medicare Supplements. I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve all your clients’ health insurance needs. If you need a quote or just have a question please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Recruiting

Events and Training

Securities

Compliance

Underwriting

I have 20 years of insurance industry experience! After graduating from Northern Kentucky University in 1988, with a B.A. in English, I secured my first industry position as a claims examiner for Pacific Mutual (now Pac Life). While working in group health claims I learned to review medical records, interpret findings and apply guidelines to group health policies.In 1996 I accepted a position with Cincinnati Insurance Company as an underwriting trainee. I learned the property and casualty business first and was a Senior Personal Lines Underwriter for 4 years, before accepting an underwriting position with Cincinnati Life Insurance Company. Underwriting life insurance policies allowed me to fully utilize the medical knowledge that I’d attained from all of my years in the group health area and combine it with the skills that I had developed as an underwriter. I was promoted to a Sr. Underwriting position in this Life area as well. In July 2006 I accepted a position with Partners Advantage where I am able to put my medical underwriting knowledge to use for our agents. I can help determine the severity of a condition and assist in gathering all of the needed information BEFORE our applications are submitted to a carrier for consideration. When a case goes “off track”, or we are not getting the offer that we need in order to place the case it is sent back to my desk for another look. Because I am an underwriter I can typically speak to an underwriter at a carrier and obtain the details of the case that are the REAL issue and sometimes we can resolve them and get the case back on track for a very competitive offer. I love what I do, and although I often do not have the pleasure of working with our agents directly, I often have a hand in helping to place some of most difficult cases.

I began working in the insurance industry in 2002.  I have worked in multiple departments including:  marketing and case management.  Working in multiple departments has helped me to become well rounded and to fully understand how business moves through the organization and the steps necessary to submit an application, which will ultimately result in a delivered  policy.  My current role as life underwriting assistant allows me to put my knowledge to work in regard to our largest policies.  

Life Case Management

Bernie assists in the processing of new business applications. She communicates with various insurance carriers, our marketing team, and the writing agent to see that all items needed to issue the policy are complete and that the policy is issued as quickly as possible. .

I process new business applications by reviewing, submitting and following up on their status. I communicate with the insurance carriers, our marketing team, and the writing agent to see that all items needed to issue the policy are complete and that policies are issued as quickly as possible. I am very committed to my position, a hard worker and a team player. I am eager to see that new business is handled properly and quickly.

I joined the Partners Advantage team in May 2010. I came to know the insurance business a few years back, but now I get to grow with the industry as part of an amazing, well-structured team here at Partners Advantage.

I joined Partners Advantage in February of 2010 as an application processor. It is a great pleasure working for Partners Advantage with a goal of providing excellent customer service to agent’s with their cases. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. 

Annuity Case Management

Linda Rivera has been with the PAIS team since 2002. Linda is a vital part of the New Business Team, assisting agents with case management on the annuity side to insure that business is processed in a timely manner for our agents and their clients. Linda works in our Huntington Beach, CA office.

Health Case Management

Contracting and Licensing

Kristine is a Senior Contracting and Licensing Specialist and has been with the company since 2003. Our dedicated team of Contracting Specialists are ready to assist you with your contracting needs as you begin your relationship with Partners Advantage. Please feel free to contact Kristine for any of your C&L needs.

I am honored to be a part of the Partners Advantage Team! I first was hired back in 2008 as the receptionist. I also helped on the New Business side, scrubbing the applications, and on the Contracting & Licensing side with scrubbing contracts and doing the seven day follow up. In 2009, I was promoted to the Contracting & Licensing side full time and that is where I am today! I love meeting and talking with all new and existing agents about their questions regarding contracting and strive to implement a positive experience with all producers. Contact me with any of your contracting needs!

Christian assists the contracting and licensing department with day to day requests which includes the processing of agent contracts, carrier follow-up, data entry and weekly reporting.

I started with Partners Advantage in August 2008 as a Case Manager in the New Business department. In January 2009 I moved to the Marketing Department as a Service Rep for Mortgage Leads assisting with contracting, licensing, new business and quotes. Currently, I am a Marketing Analyst, responsible for communicating with our marketers, tracking campaign results and providing daily and weekly reports to management. This is a very important role for our organization to ensure we are capturing the full opportunity with every marketing campaign.

Accounting

I received my Bachelors of Science from Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in Accounting,and went straight into public accounting after I graduated. I worked for a medium sized firm in Redlands for ten years where I focused on tax preparation and auditing and became a licensed CPA in 2002. After having my two boys, I left public accounting and began my career as a controller. I just joined the Partners Advantage team and look forward to strengthening the organization and providing excellent service to our agents.

Liz assists the accounting department in the areas of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable Clerk and production reporting. Liz also assists the controller on special projects.

Commissions

I began my career in the insurance industry in 1995 with Independent Brokerage Network, Inc. in Sioux City, IA. Over the past several years with IBN I have been responsible for the Agent Commission processing along with providing administrative support, customer service, reporting and various other duties within the agency. IBN merged with Partners Advantage in April 2008. I worked in Case Management for the first few months with Partners Advantage after our merger and I am now very excited to begin working in the Commission/Accounting area. I look forward to providing many more years of excellent service to our producers with the Partners Advantage Team.

After graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting I joined Independent Brokerage Network; where I gained my knowledge as the Health Marketing Specialist. I have been assisting producers with quotes, marketing supplies, application processing, and case management for Long Term Care, Medicare Supplements, Disability, Individual Major Medical, Individual Dental, and Group Insurance for over 4 years. I have been providing my knowledge to the producers in some of the same areas I am already familiar with as I join the Partners Advantage Team as part of the IBN merger to Partners in April 2008. I am now very excited to be moving to be part of the commissions team.

I joined Partners Advantage in August, 2010.  I’m working in the Commissions Department helping with commission schedules, processing, and day to day requests.

Information Technology

I joined Partners Advantage through the merger with Maxx Financial Partners. Prior to Maxx Financial, I worked for Clarica in agency services and also the customer services department.

I joined the Partners Advantage Team in June of 2010. I’m very proud to be a part of this dynamic team of people and appreciate the warm, family-like environment of our offices. I trust that Partners Advantage will continue to grow and I am very enthusiastic to grow with it! 

Operations

Human Resources

Carolyn joined Partners Advantage in 2011. She is the Human Resources Manager at Partners Advantage.

Platinum Partners Team

Platinum Partners Website.

Click here to view our Platinum Team members and contact information.

Regionals

Tom began his insurance career 30 years ago in Pittsburgh as an insurance agent, moving into field management within two years. He has held positions of Director of Agent Development, Director of Qualified Plans and Annuity support team, and Regional Vice President and Wholesaler for AXA-Equitable. Tom and his team have provided marketing, technical and product support for approximately 5,000 advisors. Tom enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He is also on the board of directors of the Northeast Cobb YMCA in Marietta, GA.

Denny as an Independent Regional Vice President brings over 27 years experience in the insurance market. Before joining PAIS team, he has served in many leadership roles with Columbus Life Insurance, Clarica and North American Life and Health. He is a graduate of Capital University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Jim has been in the insurance industry for 26 years as an agent, recruiter and marketer. Over the past 22 years, Jim has worked with Clarica/North American and Indianapolis Life/Aviva. His primary responsibilities have been working with BGAs/IMOs and their producers to actively enhance their life and annuity production with the respective companies. Jim’s skill sets include: public speaking, communicating marketable sales ideas with the field force, developing workable and meaningful relationships between field and home office and being a mentor for new agents/marketers coming into the insurance industry. He is a member of NAIFA, Society of Financial Service Professionals, Certified Senior Advisors and is past Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Alliance of Financial Marketing Professionals (an insurance industry organization). Jim has a B.A. degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in Social Work and a M.S. degree from North Dakota State University in Counseling and Guidance. Jim has the following industry designations: CLU, CSA and LUTCF.

Pillars of Platinum

I bring 17 years of insurance and financial services experience to the Platinum Team.  I will be providing you with consistent sales training on concepts and selling systems that you can deliver to your downlines.   I have vast expertise in field sales development, relationship management, product development, project management, teambuilding/training, and strategic planning. During my career, I have built business relationships across all product lines of business, ensuring goal-surpassing fiscal performance.  Before joining Partners Advantage Platinum Team, I worked at Mutual Trust Financial Group (MTFG) where I held many roles. I am a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and Women in Insurance and Financial Services, and I am life/health and securities licensed.

As a 7^th generation Californian, my roots are deep and varied, receiving a degree in Philosophy from St. John’s Seminary College, followed by a military career as an Army Captain that somehow introduced me to the insurance industry.  I thoroughly enjoy spare time with my wife, four children and two grandchildren, not to mention hobbies extending to writing, astronomy, genealogy, travel and voracious reading.   My insurance experience now spans several decades, and included development and marketing of both annuity and life products for two insurance carriers.  Prior to joining Partners Advantage, I spent 15 years marketing annuity, life and LTC products for CFC Capital Partners.  I am a seasoned coach in building and protecting the business of the insurance professional.  I am beyond fortunate to employ my skills with the Partners Advantage team.  My motto: The fun never stops.

 

I started at Partners Advantage as a receptionist in March of 2006. In November of 2006 I transferred to the New Business Team as a Case Manager and became a Case Manager Specialist in December of 2007. In January of 2008 I moved to the Marketing Department to work as the assistant to the Colton Marketing Team. Currently, I am using the knowledge obtained from cross training in both New Business and Marketing to enhance my ability to provide specialty service to our Platinum Partner Agencies. My goal is to perform at the highest standards in the industry and achieve spectacular results for our partner agencies who entrust their business to Partners Advantage. I believe that personal contact makes a world of difference when working with agents. It gives them a more secure feeling knowing that there is someone they can call to get answers and help solve any issue that may arise. Please call me to discuss your next case!

Perla Guevara is Director of Licensing & Contracting and has been on the PAIS team since 2002. Perla works in our Huntington Beach, CA office. Perla has extensive experience in Licensing, Contracting, and many other functions within the company.

 

 

Platinum Sales/Marketing Support

Richard Finkelstein has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry.  Rich began his career at Met Life as both a producer and sales manager, developing expertise in both the business and estate planning market.   He joined Financial Network (ING Financial Partners), a major broker dealer, as an Advanced Markets consultant where he helped brokers and their clients in all aspects of life, retirement, charitable, business and estate planning.  The past few years, he continued to share his expertise with the brokers and agents of Total Financial & Insurance Services, part of National Financial Partners.  At Total Financial, he continued to help brokers with large case design which incorporated advanced planning techniques as well as a strong emphasis on premium financing.

Vanessa Gonzalez brings consistent marketing support to our Platinum Partner groups nationwide. With over 7 years experience working at an independent marketing organization, she has learned and excelled in the areas of Case Management and Marketing Liaison supporting the Marketing Director’s initiatives. A common thread between each role has been Vanessa’s dedication to the client. This fundamental, yet often forgotten skill, enhances the Platinum Team’s ability to structure marketing support and communications to our Platinum shops in a timely and consistent basis.

After graduating from CSU San Bernardino and WSU College of Law, I joined a financial planning firm as an independent agent. I focused on offering life and annuities to my clients for 6 years. I joined Partners Advantage in March 2007 in the advanced market division helping agents on their premium finance cases as well as showing them how to recruit and grow their agencies. I currently work as an Implementation Manager in the Platinum Division.

Platinum New Business Support

I started at Partner Advantage in March 2010, working with the Platinum Partner Division processing New Business and assisting the contracting department when needed. My goal is to provide excellent customer service to our Platinum Level Agencies - processing their applications in a timely manner and providing case status as soon as it is requested.

 

 

Stephanie Conrad comes to us as a case manager from the Partners Advantage direct side. She has been recognized as a leader on her team and a go-to person for both our internal and external clients when they have a task that needs to get done. We are very excited for the opportunity to serve this great need for our Platinum shops and for Stephanie to make a huge impact on our customer service goals to help IMOs thrive. She can be reached at SConrad@partnersadvantage.com or at ext 144 via the Platinum Team extension at 713.

Specialists

Tracy has 20 years experience in the life insurance industry. After graduating from Northern Kentucky University in 1988, with a B.A. in English, she secured her first industry position as a claims examiner for Pacific Mutual (now Pac Life). While working in group health claims she learned to review medical records, interpret findings and apply guidelines to group health policies. Tracy learned the property and casualty business first and was a Senior Personal Lines Underwriter for four years, before accepting an underwriting position and later senior underwriter positions. In July 2006 she joined Partners Advantage where she is able to put her medical underwriting knowledge to use daily. She can help determine the severity of a condition and assist in gathering all of the needed information BEFORE the applications are submitted to a carrier for consideration. When a case goes “off track” or we are not getting the offer that we need in order to place the case it is sent back to Tracy for another look. Because Tracy is an underwriter, she can typically speak to an underwriter at a carrier and obtain the details of the case, find out the real issues and resolve them so the case can get back on track for a very competitive offer. 

Platinum Contracting/Comp Grids/Licensing

I started at Partners Advantage in February 2010 in the Contracting & Licensing Department as a Contracting & Licensing Associate. I recently moved up to the Platinum Partner Team helping our Platinum Level Agencies with day to day requests. My goal is to provide excellent customer service!

 

 

I joined Partners Advantage through the merger with Innovative Marketing Strategies.  I’ve been in the insurance industry since 2005 and have knowledge of the many aspects of operating an insurance marketing company.  My experience will enhance my ability to provide astounding service to all of our Platinum Partner agencies specifically in the areas of commissions and contracting.  I believe that building relationships with carrier contacts and agents is what makes a difference to making our company successful.  I look forward to working with you to help build your business.

Implementation

Annuity Consultants

I entered the insurance industry in 1998 working in the P&C markets.  After three years, I pursued a career working with CFC Capital Partners as a marketing consultant.  I successfully helped thousands of agents grow their business in annuities, life and LTC sales.  My extensive knowledge of products and advance case design will help you grow your average size case.  I look forward to working with you.