About Us

P: (949) 769-5787

E: ShawnB@bgainsurance.com

Shawn Bragdon, CLU, ChFC

Managing Partner

Shawn has been a fixture for over 30 years in the insurance industry. He spent 14 years with Lincoln as Regional VP for the Western Region. Shawn has coached financial professionals and clients on retirement planning, business continuation and how best to transfer their wealth. Shawn is a frequent industry speaker on a variety of advanced planning techniques and tax strategies. It’s often said, there isn’t a problem that Shawn can’t figure out a solution by using life insurance.

P: (949) 769-5781

E: JustinS@bgainsurance.com

Justin Shultz

Senior Vice President

Working with Wire-house in New York for MetLife Variable Annuity department is how Justin began his insurance career. He later moved to the full line of insurance products in the General Agency world. Working with some of the best in the brokerage world Justin quickly advanced and decided to take a leap and work as a Marketing Representative. Focusing on estate planning for the senior market and helping his agents take their business to a higher level, Justin is establishing a name for himself in this industry.

P: (949) 385 7225

E: Ryan.Chester@BGAinsurance.com

Ryan Chester

Brokerage Director

Ryan started his career in the finance business in 2006 working for an independent Broker Dealer while studying Finance at Cal State Fullerton. After obtaining his Series 7, Series 66, and CA Insurance License, he quickly climbed the ranks to the VP of Marketing. With that promotion, Ryan was responsible for recommending investment and insurance solutions to over 600 financial advisors nationwide. After several years of helping financial advisors build their practices within the Broker Dealer, he decided focus his abilities in the life insurance and annuity space. In 2014, Ryan became the Director of Annuities at BGA Insurance. The expertise he has gained in the retirement and estate planning sectors over the last 10 years has been instrumental in growing the annuity division to an all-time high.

P: (949) 385-7237

E: DarrienM@bgainsurance.com

Darrien Mazariegos

Brokerage Director

Prior to joining BGA Insurance, Darrien spent time in the Pacific Northwest, working as a caregiver in Oregon. He then realized he could assist people in a variety of new ways: constructing roofs, designing dream backyards, laying foundations, and even restoring historical landmarks. Eventually, his experience in construction led him to the world of life insurance, since he knows a thing or two about building a solid foundation for the future.

During his free time, Darrien enjoys playing a wide variety of instruments and working on home improvement projects for his friends and family. Helping others is what he’s truly most passionate about. When he’s not doing that, you can catch him exploring the coast, scoping out the wildlife, and finding driftwood on the beach to whittle. He’s currently in college, majoring in business administration with a focus on real estate and real estate appraisal.

P: (949) 385-7243

E: MarkR@bgainsurance.com

Mark Rowe, CLU, ChFC

Brokerage Director

Mark is a recognized expert in estate planning, wealth transfer, business continuation planning, and a true point-of-sale specialist. His career began in 1978 with Massachusetts Mutual Life in Detroit, and he eventually transitioned into agency management with John Hancock. In 1997, he moved to California and opened several insurance agencies and a broker-dealer, working with independent financial advisors and property-casualty producers.

In 2012, Mark began working with the top Raymond James and Morgan Stanley advisors along the West Coast, with a mission to provide them with reliable and comprehensive support for cutting-edge knowledge and expertise in insurance solutions and services. In 2017, he joined Wells Fargo as a Wealth Insurance Specialist, and in 2019, he became affiliated with PLAN and BGA Insurance.

Mark regularly meets with advisors and their clients to fully understand their goals, and he coordinates with their team of professionals to prepare a comprehensive plan involving financial, tax, legal, and insurance solutions. Mark’s approach is twofold: fully evaluating the specifics of a client’s financial situation and then offering sound recommendations for better financial decisions.

Mark provides holistic, consultative planning suggestions while structuring proposals with maximum flexibility. This ensures that clients maintain control over their net worth with clear and understandable solutions.He understands all aspects of the advisory business, and he’s ready to provide you and your clients the objective analysis and consultative process necessary to properly guide and assist you with insurance, wealth transfer, retirement, long-term care, and business planning issues.

P: (949) 769-5788

E: NickC@bgainsurance.com

Nick Costello

Senior Case Manager

Nick graduated from San Diego State University and began his career in the insurance brokerage industry in 2004. Over his many years in the business, he’s built strong relationships with carriers and agents alike, gathering invaluable expertise along the way. He fights for every case with a high sense of urgency and an eagerness to provide the most positive outcome possible for his clients.

Outside of work, Nick is happily married with one son. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, taking advantage of all that Southern California has to offer, surfing in the summer and skiing in the winter.

P: (949) 385-7244

E: KitC@bgainsurance.com

Kit Carson

Brokerage Director

Coming to BGA Insurance after many years with Wells Fargo, Kit honed his skills in protection planning, wealth accumulation, supplemental income planning, and wealth transfer strategies, specifically for high income and high net worth clients. He specializes in developing solutions that are designed to be in harmony with overall financial, estate, and business succession goals to help protect and preserve assets for the next generation.

Kit has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, and his extensive knowledge of advanced life insurance strategies and their applications allows him to work closely with agents, attorneys, and accountants, all in order to execute the program best suited to meet the client’s needs. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he started his career with Mass Mutual, then transitioned to the life settlement industry, before joining Wells Fargo for 11 years, where he worked with over 400 advisors.

Outside of work, Kit likes to stay active. Biking, playing a relaxing round of golf, and traveling with his wife Jan are his favorite ways to spend his free time.

P: (949) 385-7242

E: BrandtB@bgainsurance.com

Brandt Bangs

Brokerage Director

Brandt graduated from Chapman University in 2008 and majored in Business Marketing. He played four years of college basketball, two of which were with Chapman. His first job in the insurance industry was as an intern and life insurance case manager for a local GA.

After 6 months, he was hired on full time as sales assistant and head brokerage director for the same firm. In the past 5 years, he has focused his efforts on helping local brokers increase their life insurance, annuity, and long-term care business through many unique sales designs and in-depth business/estate/retirement planning knowledge. He is looking forward to continuing to develop closer relationships with his brokers in the future.

P: (949) 385-7228

E: ChristieC@bgainsurance.com

Christie Courtney

Case Manager

The Cal State Fullerton Titans are proud to have Christie as an alumna with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. Upon graduation, her career took an unexpected shift and she started her career in the life insurance industry.

Now a “Titan” as a case manager, Christie is experienced, seasoned and exceptional. She pays high attention to detail and prides herself to always provide the best possible service possible. Christie is happily married with two young daughters who keep her very busy. She enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.

P: (949) 955 0255

E: PatrickC@bgainsurance.com

Pat Crawford

Brokerage Director

Pat spent 12 years working for Manulife/Hancock in their Orange County office. Mentored by one of the industry’s best, Pat joined BGA to expand his legendary status.

Pat can quickly separate the chaff from the wheat with any product and turn a tough prospect into an easy sale. Pat is everyone’s “go to guy” when it comes to blending concepts with product design.

P: (949) 955 0255

E: BarryZ@bgainsurance.com

Brian Galey

Brokerage Director

Yes, Brian started with a carrier as well. His first job out of college was with Manulife Financial (Now John Hancock). After three years in the Regional Office, he joined the Advanced Markets group in Manulife’s U.S. home office in Boston.

In Boston, he worked closely with a special team of estate planning attorneys and CPA’s supporting top tier producers throughout the country. Their task was helping these top producers implement high-level estate planning tools and techniques.

P: (949) 769 5790

E: KenA@bgainsurance.com

Ken Asbury

Controller

Since graduating from college, Ken has spent the last 10 years in the accounting departments for a few different organizations. The majority of those years have been spent working for insurance wholesaling companies. Ken has acquired an equally strong background in commissions as well as contracting and licensing. With few things in a sales organization more important than getting people paid quickly and accurately, Ken was a much-needed addition to BGA.

P: (949) 769 5796

E: DanielleG@bgainsurance.com

Danielle Geissler

Operations Manager

Danielle spent 5 years with Pacific Life where she worked with the Director of Underwriting and supported the top M Group Offices in the country. She decided to join the brokerage world in order to advance her career. A quick study and a fast learner, Danielle wears many hats and all very well. She is currently enrolled in the American College and will be completely her LUTCF and moving onto her CLF.

P: (818) 601 3049

E: DinaM@bgainsurance.com

Dina Mabry

Managing Director, BGA Premier

Dina Mabry, mother of three, who received her BA in Sociology at Loyola Marymount, has spent most of her 20-year sales career in the pharmaceutical industry and was recently a sales and management leader at Bristol Myers Squibb. Her sales and marketing background will strengthen BGA’s presence among financial service professionals in L.A. and Ventura Counties.

P: (949) 385 7241

E: JeffM@bgainsurance.com

Jeff Martinelli

Brokerage Director

Jeff joined BGA with more than 14 years of experience while working for several well-known Southern California life insurance agencies. During that time, he developed a solid background in life insurance sales and life new business/underwriting tendencies.

Well versed in sales concepts and techniques, Jeff is focused on partnering with financial professionals that count on him for his high-level service and expertise. He is currently in the process of obtaining his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from American College.

Office: 949-955-0255
Cell: 818-388-3423

P: (949) 375 0362

E: ArthurM@bgainsurance.com

Art McLean

Senior Vice President

Art cut his teeth in the insurance industry with Security Life of Denver (now owned by ING). He has been in the Financial Services industry for 25 years.

Whether it is a $33,000,000 second-to-die case, a $50,000 Guaranteed Premium UL case, or anything in between, Art will help design a solution for you and your client. Art has an invaluable resource to the agents he works with and for. Art is the consummate team player.

P: (858) 210 3773

E: BadriahN@bgainsurance.com

Badriah Nordstrom

Brokerage Director

Badriah is a well-known force in the insurance industry. With a Computer Science degree from Northrop University, she didn’t expect her career to unfold the way it did. But she needed a job out of college and found one with Executive Life back in the ’80s. Her talents were showcased and she excelled. She has been unstoppable ever since. She has probably worked every job in this industry along the way. She now has all that knowledge to draw upon and use. Her strengths are her commitment to others and her unwillingness to let others down. She fights every case to the end to get what’s best for her clients.

P: (949) 769 5784

E: MattS@bgainsurance.com

Matt Stout, CLU

Brokerage Director

Matt started his financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 1991. Matt was a Financial Consultant focusing his practice on the use of stocks, municipal bonds, mutual funds and variable annuities as long-term investment tools for his clients. In 1996, he joined Ashton Group, an estate planning firm headed by a large life insurance producer in Irvine, CA. Bringing with him his experience from a wire-house he added diversity and portfolio analysis to help their affluent clients.

Matt realized firsthand the power of life insurance as an investment class and its immediate impact when a loved one passes away. In 2004, he joined Integrity Wealth Management headed by a former partner of Ashton Group as their Director of Insurance Services. In February, 2010 a joint venture between IWM and BGA brought Matt over as a Brokerage Director for BGA.

Matt grew up on his family’s farm in Central Illinois and currently lives in Brea, California with his wife, Victoria and their daughter Maya. Matt is a CLU, a member of FPA of Orange County, Provisors and supports German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County.

P: (949) 769 5783

E: KenW@bgainsurance.com

Ken Williams, MBA

Senior Vice President

Ken started his insurance career with Columbus Life where he worked in product development and provided competitive benchmarking analysis by day while getting his MBA from Xavier at night. Ken’s vast product knowledge and competitive spirit has become a difference maker for his agents over the last 10 plus years in the brokerage space. Ken has qualified for both Top of the Table and the International Forum.

P: (949) 769 5792

E: MeredethW@bgainsurance.com

Meredeth Williams

Case Manager

Meredeth started in the travel industry (when travel was fun) where she was a corporate travel agent for several Fortune 500 companies. Meredeth entered into the brokerage industry three years ago. Her extraordinary attention to detail that was honed from her days in travel business has stood her apart with agents she works with. No detail is too small. Her ability to prioritize, and her multi-tasking skills quickly made her a great Case Manager.

P: (949) 769 5789

E: LisaZ@bgainsurance.com

Lisa Zimmermann

Commissions Specialist

Lisa joined BGA Insurance in 2013 after 9 years of teaching at a private school in Newport Beach. Prior to teaching, Lisa was in Sales and knows firsthand the issues that salespeople face. She earned her BA at UCLA where she minored in mathematics. Lisa has always enjoyed numbers. Transitioning into commissions was an easy fit. The proud mother of two, she enjoys the challenges that her department brings.

Office: 949-955-0255
Fax: 949-955-9215

P: (949) 385 7227

E: SteveM@bgainsurance.com

Steve Morris

Brokerage Director

Beyond his extensive experience working with a variety of life insurance cases, Steve specializes in business planning involving buy-sell agreements, keyperson insurance, and the use of valuations to support the planning needs of the owners and the advisors that work with them. His passion for long- term care has been gained over the last two decades from the many life experiences of his agents, their clients, and his own family.

Steve has 25 years of expertise in life, long-term care, and disability insurance, plus annuity direct sales, point-of-sale, and territory management. Prior to joining BGA Insurance, he was the Western Insurance & Annuity Territory Manager for the largest independent broker-dealer in the country. Before that, he developed and led the insurance sale desk of a major national insurance general agency.

In the 1990s, Steve was in a recruiting office for the largest protective life general agency in the country.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Azusa Pacific University. He holds FINRA 6 and 63 licenses, life, and health licenses, and is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and a Certified Advisor for Senior Living. He currently resides in San Diego County with his wife Barbara, and they are blessed with three children and five grandchildren.

P: (818) 836 5629

E: RussellB@bgainsurance.com

Russell Boring

Vice President

Prior to joining BGA, Russell pursued a career playing professional golf. He was a two-time Academic All-American playing golf at University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After two and a half years of professional golf, he transitioned into the financial world and has become a valuable asset to the BGA team with a specialty in advanced market life insurance concepts and servicing fee-only advisors.

Russell has a passion for giving back and is involved with Project Kindle, an organization that provides support an education to children affected by HIV/AIDS. He is also an active member of Athlete’s Touch and Kingdom Advisors. He and his wife Lisa got married in 2014 and reside in Westlake Village.

P: (949) 385 7234

E: JonnaB@bgainsurance.com

Jonna L. Billesbach, CLU

Brokerage Director

Jonna has been building her career in the life insurance industry for nearly 30 years. Starting at Old Line Life Insurance, which was later acquired by AIG American General, she honed her skills in a marketing support role. She was then promoted to regional vice president where she managed independent wholesale distributors.
‍
In 2007, Jonna was recruited by Credit Suisse, where she was a vice president in the Life Finance Group, focusing on premium finance and life settlements. From there, she held the position of brokerage director for a Los Angeles-based firm, where she recruited and managed independent producers.

Jonna joined BGA Insurance as a brokerage director in January 2017, bringing with her an extensive amount of product knowledge, a determination to get things done, and a proven ability to build long-term relationships. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal State University Northridge. Her CLU designation from The American College, and she holds Series 6, 7, 63, and 24 licenses.

P: (949) 385 7233

E: KalenM@bgainsurance.com

Kalen Molloy

Communication Director

Prior to joining BGA Insurance in 2017, Kalen was an elementary school teacher in the Midwest, but he eventually decided to move west, change careers, and started work in the marketing business. He has several years of experience with a variety of design tools, and he brings a strong attention to detail and a creative thought process to his work. Kalen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Missouri, and although he now resides in Southern California, his loyalties still lie with the sports teams in his childhood home of NorCal. When he’s not rooting for the San Francisco Giants, he enjoys spending time playing disc golf, hiking in the mountains, exploring the coast, and nerding out over cinema.

P: (949) 769-5794 ext. 128

E: BevZ@bgainsurance.com

Beverly Zimmermann

Administrative Assistant

After college graduation, Bev moved across the country to California to work for Ocean Pacific Sunwear in Tustin, CA. She worked in outside sales for OP in OrangeCounty, San Francisco and Annapolis, MD. Later, she moved to Wilmington, DE where she was appointed to the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. For 12 years she was the cities event coordinator and charged with opening and operating the only independent film theater in the state. Bev was appointed to the State ofDelaware’s Real Estate Commission in late 2020 representing the City ofWilmington. In April 2021, Bev was appointed to the Delaware State Arts Council. She remains well known in Wilmington as a person that gets things done.Bev joined BGA Insurance in 2019 as part of the Commissions team, became a Case Manager in 2020, and works remotely from the First State. Bev is a graduate of the University ofDelaware.

P: (949) 385-7240

E: DavidK@bgainsurance.com

David Kwak

Broker

David works closely with financial advisors where his professional approach accommodates all general forms of insurance: Home, Auto, Life, Commercial, Health, and Medicare.

David focuses on commercial insurance with a goal to become an insurance solutions specialist. In his free time, he likes working out, trying new restaurants, hosting special events, and practicing martial arts. David is an avid sports fan with his favorite being Ice Hockey.

P: (949) 769-5795

E: KathrynZ@bgainsurance.com

Kathryn Zimmermann

Creative Director

Before joining BGA Insurance, Kathryn worked in marketing and advertising for the fashion and action sports industry. She has an expertise in website design. Additionally, she has experience in product development, marketing, online sales and social media. Kathryn successfully increased sales and awareness for the various brands she supported. Her marketing and graphic design experience in a fast paced industry enables Kathryn to both conceptualize and execute creative marketing tasks.

Kathryn graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Graphic Design. She now resides in Newport Beach, CA. She enjoys running, Spin, yoga, hikes and being on the water. She is passionate about living her happiest, healthiest life and promoting that in her professional endeavors.

P: (949) 763-2655

E: KathyR@BGAinsurance.com

Kathy Rhodes

Broker

Kathy’s motto in life is best defined by Hellen Keller’s quote, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Kathy brings over 25 years of experience in sales. She started her sales career at Dataquick, working primarily with Insurance and Real Estate professionals. She was recognized as a top performer within their sales team.

Her experience includes; marketing, strategizing with clients, customer service and always coming from the standpoint of delivering to complete client satisfaction. With her background, relationships and experience, Kathy moved to the insurance sector where her positive, driven attitude are a huge asset. Kathy was born and raised and Palos Verdes and now resides in Manhattan Beach. She is the proud mother of two adult children; Max and Hannah. In her free time, you can find Kathy playing tennis, mahjong and being out nature with friends.

P: (949) 763 2658

E: TommyL@bgainsurance.com

Tommy Livesay

Broker

Tommy served in the Army as an Airborne Infantrymen for 8 years. He attended Airborne School, Advanced Leadership School, Warrior Leadership School, EMT- Basic, Long Range Marksmanship School, Army Recruiting School amongst many more.

After serving the country, Tommy worked has been a salesman in the Oil and Gas industry, the trucking industry and most recently at AAA.Tommy joined BGA in order to expand his products for his clients and utilize his skills and expertise specifically in Personal lines. In his free time, Tommy is spending time with his son, mountain biking, baseball, playing ping pong and doing combat sports.

P: (949) 763-2657

E: TrentZ@bgainsurance.com

Trent Zimmermann

Broker

Trent joined BGA Insurance in 2020 after 4 years of fundraising for prestigious catholic organizations. He graduated Loyola Marymount University in 2016 with a political science degree and during his years at LMU, was a member or service organization, Magis, an organization whose goal is to develop men who strive toward key Jesuit ideals; a thirst for the more, for the greater good, and for a life-long disposition to a fuller service of God and others.

Trent has been a lifelong athlete and practices dedication and perseverance in every aspect of his life. Trent’s pursuit for the greater good and his sales skills and certifications are a huge asset to the BGA team and his clients.

P: (818) 836 5628

E: StefanieA@bgainsurance.com

Stefanie Abbott

Case Manager

Stefanie earned a business degree from the University of San Diego and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She has spent her sales career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and she brings new perspective to BGA Insurance.

As a creative critical thinker committed to customer service and education, her primary goal is to provide clients with accessible expertise and an honest, thoughtful, problem-solving approach to life and long-term care insurance. Stefanie’s passion is helping women gain protection of their financial futures. She currently resides in Oak Park with her family, and she’s an active volunteer with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women.

P: (949) 763-2654

E: ChrisM@bgainsurance.com

Chris Moe

Brokerage Director

Chris is a seasoned advisor with more than 15 years of experience in financial services, dedicated to helping families secure their future. He has worked diligently with advisors in brokerage to identify the most advantageous solutions for their customers regarding life insurance, long-term care, annuities, and disability products.

Academically, Chris is an alumnus of the University of Hawaii and the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS). In the financial services industry, he boasts an impressive two-decade track record. His commitment to excellence is evident through his esteemed designations, including CHARTERED LIFE UNDERWRITER® and CHARTERED FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT℠, complemented by a certificate in federal HR Counseling. Moreover, he has successfully completed licenses such as Series 7, 65, 63, and 3, alongside Life & Health licenses, underscoring his expertise as an investment advisor.

Currently residing in Dana Point, CA, Chris shares his life with his beloved wife, Ashley, and their three adorable dogs - Lilly, Minnie, and Poppy. Beyond his professional pursuits, he actively supports various charitable organizations, including The American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, and Bunny's Buddies.

Outside of his professional realm, Chris is an enthusiastic freshwater fisherman, relishing his time spent in the great outdoors. This blend of personal interests and professional achievements makes Chris a well-rounded and empathetic advisor, dedicated to serving his clients with the utmost care and expertise.

P: (714) 476 3245

E: Jaronn@bgainsurance.com

Jaron Nunez

Brokerage Director

Brokerage Director at BGA

About Us

Meet the BGA Team

BGA Gives Back