Meet Our Key Players

Jim Maschek, National Sales Director

As a 13-year veteran with Shurwest, Jim rose through the ranks from marketer to national sales director and now leads an elite team of marketing consultants who generate one of the highest annuity sales volumes of any member of The Annexus Group.

Along with coaching his team of top-level consultants, Jim maintains long-standing relationships with key advisors who rely on his broad experience and ability to develop new sales concepts to build their volume. Read more about Jim…Jim Maschek Bio

Marc Montini, Chief Marketing Officer

 Marc sees the world through the eyes of an advisor, having spent 15 years working with them to build their businesses. Originally a marketing consultant, he now runs Shurwest’s daily engine as Chief Marketing Officer. “I know what advisors need and how to help Shurwest’s marketers deliver it,” he says.

Among his advisor-focused innovations are Shurwest’s Retirement Plan Starter Kit, the Beneficiary Review Kit and Shurwest Sales Missions, all tools designed to help advisors generate more annuity sales. He most recent marketing innovations for advisors include social media, branding and video marketing. Read more about Marc…Marc Montini Bio

Amy Brandsoy, Advisor Concierge

As Shurwest’s first employee, Amy believed in co-founder Ron Shurts’ vision from Day One. Officially the company concierge, Amy welcomes all newly licensed agents, rewards advisors for their production milestones and coordinates travel to Shurwest’s Arizona training events. Her mission? To convey that Shurwest has a completely different way of doing business.

Amy also focuses on Shurwest’s Inner Circle, its group of top advisors. Inner Circle members enjoy annual incentive trips that truly set Shurwest apart from its competitors. The next trip will uncover the hidden treasures of Rome. “No matter what it is, we try to do it at a higher level than everyone else,” she says. Read more about Amy…Amy Brandsoy Bio

Carter Wilcoxson, Senior Wholesaler

Carter Wilcoxson is one of the most successful senior wholesalers in the annuity industry. His devotion to helping his advisors find the right solution for every client has helped them build phenomenally successful practices and earn their own rankings at the top of annuity producer lists. He enjoys helping his long-time producers reach new heights and working with new advisors to cultivate their business using his deep knowledge of field-tested sales strategies. Read more about Carter…Carter Wilcoxson Bio

Katie Brenneman, Senior Wholesaler

Because Katie knows successful advisors are busy people, she prides herself on getting them the right information quickly to help them close more sales. Routinely at the top of annuity marketing production lists, and often the only female there, Katie keeps her advisors up-to-date on industry issues and shows them how current market conditions can generate sales opportunities.

Advisors appreciate her analytical approach. “They know I’ll dig a little deeper for them. And that I’m going to tell them the truth about how a product works—whether the answer is positive or negative for a particular case,” she says. “Trust is very important.” Read more about Katie…Katie Brenneman Bio

Marc Lindsey, Senior Wholesaler

Marc is a hands-on consultant whose keen problem-solving abilities have catapulted his advisors to the top of their game. Legendary for his ability to take complex cases and create easily understood illustrations, Marc helps his advisors demystify annuities for their clients.

“When clients can view an illustration and see a product’s predicted performance, they are more confident in their choices,” he says. “And that helps advisors close cases.” Read more about Marc…Marc Lindsey Bio 

Travis Smith, Senior Wholesaler

His fellow marketers will tell you Travis knows the details of every annuity on the market—and every detail of the annuities offered through Shurwest. This makes him a valuable resource to busy advisors who rely on him for a broad perspective of available solutions.

He prides himself on staying current on market conditions and industry changes. “Most of my advisors have been with me for a long time,” he says. “We just want to do good work and get it done now.” Read more about Travis…Travis Smith Bio

Jordan McGrath, Senior Wholesaler

Shurwest offers what Jordan see’s as the three most important advantages: a proprietary product, phenomenal back-office support and cutting-edge marketing support. “When we give advisors every means of support, they can concentrate on their clients, which is a win-win-win for all involved,” he says.

“I know what it takes for top producers to succeed. I worked with them when I was at a major insurance company. I bring that experience to Shurwest, where I continue to work with top advisors.” Read more about Jordan…Jordan McGrath Bio

Kyle Pesch, Senior Wholesaler

Energy and ambition. In the modern era, these two traits are transforming American business.

Senior Wholesaler Kyle Pesch embodies this powerful mixture, using it to help his advisors grow their businesses and discover new ways to strengthen their production.  Working with hundreds of advisors, Kyle has developed a knack for positioning the right product and features to the targeted needs of the client, often suggesting alternatives the advisor may have overlooked. Read more about Kyle…Kyle Pesch Bio

Joe Arsenault, CPA, Qualified Plan Expert

Joe works closely with advisors to provide insight on retirement planning options for a client’s 401k, IRA and pension plan. As an expert in qualified plan tax issues, he routinely conducts conference calls with top advisors and their clients, giving them the information they need to consider their options and make sound decisions.

But Joe is more than a CPA. He helps advisors position Shurwest’s products to maximize a client’s tax benefits, all while keeping ethics at the forefront. He even bolsters advisors’ credibility by hosting conference calls with a client’s CPA or tax attorney, explaining the options in language their other professionals understands.

Shurwest is the only IMO with a CPA qualified-plan expert on staff—proving the company’s commitment to doing everything possible to help its advisors succeed. Read more about Joe…Joe Arsenault Bio

Chris Price, Director of Broker-Dealer Relations

Chris directs Shurwest’s commitment to building strong partnerships with broker-dealers across the country. Before joining Shurwest, Chris managed a $185 million private portfolio and spent more than 18 years working for the four largest investment banks in the country. He shows broker-dealers how their advisors can increase their business by offering new alternatives for the “safe-money” portion of client portfolios.

Chris holds Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses. His favorite part of his job is helping current and prospective advisors open their businesses to new earning potential. Read more about Chris…Chris Price Bio

Mike Wilson, Director of Strategic Partnerships

Successful advisors are often so focused on serving their clients that they have little time to pause and survey the landscape for their next marketing opportunity. That’s why Shurwest created a position, Director of Strategic Partnerships—and brought in a seasoned pro who understands products and positioning—to consult with advisors on a one-on-one basis.

Meet Mike Wilson, a familiar face at Shurwest. Mike was once a marketing consultant here, working day-to-day with advisors, helping them evaluate products and close cases, resulting in satisfied clients and prosperous advisors. Read more about Mike…Mike Wilson Bio

Tessa Ralston, Director of Operations

Tessa leads Shurwest’s administrative team, scrubbing applications, speeding up contracting and commission checks and solving carrier issues—often without advisors knowing these problems ever existed. “We save advisors countless hours they might otherwise spend on hold with the carrier or getting bounced from department to department,” she says. “When they work with us, they are freed up to meet with clients and write new business.”

Just as Shurwest advisors have dedicated support with Tessa’s team, Tessa’steam has dedicated contacts at each insurance carrier, further accelerating resolutions and solutions. “We take a hands-on approach to the daily issues that crop up because that’s how you sharpen your skills and stay current with what’s going on in the industry,” she says. Read more about Tessa and her team…Tessa Ralston Bio