meet our team of experts
and advisors
Robin Houston CCP®, CPSP®
SVP, Compensation Advisors
![Headshot of Robin Houston, CCP®, CPSP® SVP, Newcleus Compensation Advisors](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Robin-Houston.jpg)
Robin Houston CCP®, CPSP®
SVP, Compensation Advisors
Robin comes to Newcleus with an impressive background in compensation and total rewards to brand name companies such as The J.M. Smucker Company, Chiquita Brands International, Avery Dennison, US Acute Care Solutions, The Scotts Company, Mead, and Dayton Power and Light. Most recently, she was an independent consultant. As an independent consultant, Robin completed a variety of projects including four interim roles as Interim Head of Total Rewards or Interim Head of Compensation, setting up compensation structures, grading roles and designing and implementing a variety of incentive plans
Robin’s skills and expertise include executive compensation, sales compensation, incentives, pay equity, compensation structures and planning, and benefits design.
Jah-Healla Daniel
Compensation Analyst
Flynt Gallagher
President
![Flynt Gallagher, President Newcleus Compensation Advisors and LINQS+ Lifetime Income Non-Qualified Solution expert](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Flynt-Gallagher-2023-1.jpg)
Flynt Gallagher
President
Flynt Gallagher heads Compensation Advisors in its mission of assisting clients in attracting, motivating and retaining personnel critical to achieving success. Mr. Gallagher brings considerable experience and expertise to his role of providing CA’s clients with comprehensive and effective support. He combines extensive knowledge of accounting and income tax matters related to community banks with years of experience within the financial services industry.
Mr. Gallagher has a strong history of assisting financial institutions. His career began in the field of Public Accounting and continued for ten years while moving into manager and ultimately partner positions with a Regional firm before accepting the Tax Manager positions with Florida National Bank and its successor First Union National Bank. In this capacity, he reviewed and developed compensation plans focused on retaining current and future wealth for executives of both large banks and community banks. Mr. Gallagher also worked with key clients of these banks on compensation, wealth management, income tax and related IRS issues. Subsequently, Mr. Gallagher established his own consulting firm and began offering these services to the banking community for the past twenty years.
Contact Flynt at fgallagher@newcleus.com.
Patrick Turnipseed
Compensation Analyst
![Patrick Turnipseed Compensation Analyst at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Patrick-Turnipseed.jpg)
Patrick Turnipseed
Compensation Analyst
Patrick Turnipseed joins Newcleus Compensation Advisors as an Analyst after two years in public accounting as a staff auditor. He received his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of West Florida, and is currently enrolled in Graduate School at UWF in pursuit of a Master’s in accountancy and is studying for his CPA license. He also holds a CAM (Community Association Manager) License.
Patrick was a previous president of the UWF Argonaut Investment Fund and a member of Beta Alpha Psi Accounting and Finance honors society. In his free time, he enjoys going to the beach, reading, playing pickup basketball and camping.
Our executive team
Daniel L. Barbaree
President and CEO
![Daniel Barbaree President and CEO of Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Daniel-Barbaree-min-1.jpg)
Daniel L. Barbaree
President and CEO
Dan Barbaree serves as President of Newcleus, the preferred national provider of benefit and insurance administration formed from the combination of Bank Financial Services Group and Meyer-Chatfield Group. Dan leads the development of the organization by ensuring foundational philosophies and first-class servicing standards remain upheld. His supervision ensures all departments meet their goals in alignment with Newcleus’ vision and the needs of the ever-evolving marketplace.
Dan’s career began as a consultant working with various financial and technology companies in the Tri-State area. He began working at JPMorgan Chase in 2002 and was later appointed as the Senior Financial Manager for the Home Equity and Capital Markets IT businesses, overseeing $150 million in expenses and $350 million in resources. In February of 2008, Dan joined BFS Group as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer where his role played an integral part in the development and growth of BFS Group’s national sales team and back office support in Newtown. In 2013, he was named President of BFS Group.
Dan is licensed for life and health insurance in over 40 States and also holds his Series 6 and Series 63 securities licenses.
Kamel Boulos
EVP, Chief Operating Officer
![Headshot of Kamel Boulos, Newcleus Chief Operating Officer](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Kamel-Boulos.jpg)
Kamel Boulos
EVP, Chief Operating Officer
Kamel Boulos is Newcleus’ Chief Operating Officer, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations and information technology. A strategic business leader with over 25 years of operations and IT success in financial services, his past accomplishments include improving operational efficiency and delivering innovative technology solutions that drive growth, increase profitability and improve customer experience.
As CTO for Strong Home Mortgage, a non-bank mortgage lender, Kamel enhanced the sales technology that led to the attainment of revenue goals. By streamlining operations, he increased efficiency which enabled rapid company growth.
Prior to Strong Home Mortgage, he was CTO for ClosingCorp where he oversaw the development and management of their proprietary data platform that handled a third of all US residential mortgage applications. Kamel designed and implemented operational processes to provide exceptional customer service and support some of the largest mortgage lenders in the country.
Mike Dudrear
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
![Headshot of Mike Dudrear, Newcleus' Chief Finance Officer](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MikeDudrear-1.jpg)
Mike Dudrear
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
Michael Dudrear serves as Chief Financial Officer of Newcleus and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s financial reporting and accounting activities.
Mike brings over 20 years of financial management experience to Newcleus from roles in investment banking, public accounting, and corporate finance. Mike’s experience in investment banking includes the successful execution and completion of over 60 high-value equity and debt financing transactions (IPO’s, follow-ons and private placements) and M&A transactions that totaled more than $10B of transaction value.
In his most recent roles, Mike has served as CFO and VP of Finance at leading companies in the technology and healthcare verticals including Paragon Technologies, Keeler USA and PRN Vision Group. Mike has led teams overseeing accounting, HR, and IT functions and has delivered improved financial performance by optimizing financial reporting, implementing cost-saving initiatives, and introducing advanced business analytics tools. Proficient in budgeting, M&A, financial reporting and analytics, and corporate audits, Mike plays an important role contributing to the future success and growth of Newcleus.
Mike graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Accounting and received his MBA (Finance) from Columbia Business School and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Richard Pearson
EVP, Chief Client Officer
![Richard Pearson, EVP, Chief Operating Officer at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Richard-Pearson-min.jpg)
Richard Pearson
EVP, Chief Client Officer
Rich is a graduate of Lehigh University, class of 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Information Systems. He went on to hold positions with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals as the Client Services Support Leader and with The Vanguard Group as a Web Support Specialist.
Rich joined BFS Group in 2006, and has worked in various departments including roles within Design & Analysis, Client Service and Information Technology. In October of 2014, Rich was appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of BFS Group, a role he continued to serve under Newcleus.
Currently, as Chief Client Officer, Rich oversees all enterprise resource management systems, which include Newcleus MINTS, processes related to compliance, new business and benefit plan servicing.
Christopher J. Pezalla
EVP, Chief Product Officer
![Christopher J Pezalla](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Chris-Pezalla.jpg)
Christopher J. Pezalla
EVP, Chief Product Officer
Chris Pezalla serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Newcleus, a national executive benefits and BOLI/COLI consulting firm.
With his extensive background in life, annuity and investment products, taxation, regulatory compliance, accounting methodologies and actuarial modeling, Chris works with Newcleus’ clients to design, implement, and administer executive benefit plans and financing strategies. He also manages insurance carrier relationships and works to design new products and strategies. For example, our proprietary LINQS+ strategy provides lifetime retirement benefits for a fixed expense, and the Titanium plan transfers the plan liability off the sponsor’s balance sheet and provides the executive more control of their benefits. Being an industry thought leader, recently he has been called upon by the FFIEC to participate in the Emerging Issues Conferences and assist in educating the national banking regulators on bank and credit union-owned life insurance.
Prior to working in the executive benefits and BOLI/COLI space, Chris has worked for three insurance carriers in a variety of actuarial roles including financial reporting, asset liability modeling, product development, marketing, underwriting, and administration.
Having graduated from the University of Minnesota at Morris with a BA degree in Statistics and Economics, Chris received his master’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa. He also is a fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA), and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He has his FINRA series 7 and 63, and life insurance licenses.
Our core staff
![Jonathan Barnes, Vice President of Business Development at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jonathan-Barnes.jpg)
Jonathan Barnes
VP, Non-Qualified Benefits
![Bill Barr, Network Administrator at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Bill-Barr-1.jpg)
Bill Barr
Network Administrator
![Shera Brady, Director of System Operations](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Shera-Brady-min.jpg)
Shera Brady
AVP, Dir of System Ops and Product Management
![Mike Bruschini, VP, Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Michael-Bruschini-min.jpg)
Mike Bruschini
VP, Products and Solutions Manager
![Kevin Burns, SVP, Director of IT at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kevin-Burns-min.jpg)
Kevin Burns
SVP, Director of IT
![Tara Canniff, Sr. Policy Serving Specialist at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tara-Canniff-min.jpg)
Tara Canniff
AVP, Director of Policy Services
![Headshot of Melissa D'Amico](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Headshot-2020.jpg)
Melissa D’Amico
Director of Compliance and Agent Operations
![Amy Feminella, Director of Marketing at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Amy-Feminella-min.jpg)
Amy Feminella
Director of Strategic Programs
![Mark Grant , VP, Non-Qualified at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mark-Grant-min.jpg)
Mark Grant
SVP, Non-Qualified
![Sarah Grutka, Executive Assistant at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Sarah-Grutka-min.jpg)
Sarah Grutka
Manager of Marketing Ops, Events and Hospitality
![Yul Hawkins, Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Yul-Hawkins-min.jpg)
Yul Hawkins
AVP, Client Success Manager
![Headshot of Amanda Hoffman, VP Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Amanda-Hoffman.jpg)
Amanda Hoffman
VP, Client Success Manager
![Steve Kezel, Jr. Software Developer at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Steve-Kezel-min.jpg)
Steve Kezel
Jr. Software Developer
![Dolores Marinucci, Accounting Support Associate at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Dolores-Marinucci-min.jpg)
Dolores Marinucci
Accounting Support Associate
![Brian McCracken, VP, Account Executive Director at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Brian-McCracken-min.jpg)
Brian McCracken
SVP, Director of Administration
![Karen Reed, Sr. Accounting Specialist at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Karen-Reed-min.jpg)
Karen Reed
Sr. Accounting Specialist
![Jill Ricci, Executive Assistant at Newcleus Credit Union Advisors](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jill-Ricci.jpg)
Jill Ricci
Business Development Manager
![Andrea Sandlin Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Andrea-Sandlin-1.jpg)
Andrea Sandlin
AVP, Client Success Manager
![David Schwartz VP, Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/David-Scwartz.jpg)
Dave Schwartz
VP, Analyst
![Headshot of Jonathan Schwartz, Newcleus Data Analyst](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jon-Schwartz.jpg)
Jonathan Schwartz
Data Analyst
![Joe Verrecchio Newcleus Systems Coordinator](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-23-at-10.32.48-AM.png)
Joe Verrecchio
Analyst
![Jared Watson, Account Executive at Newcleus](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jared-Watson-min.jpg)
Jared Watson
Analyst
![Headshot of Rachel Wentz, VP Account Executive at Newcleus, LLC](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Rachel.jpg)
Rachel Wentz
VP, Client Success Manager
knowledge center
![Credit Unions are Hot on the Bank M&A Trail](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/maksim-shutov-H8vhhepiiaU-unsplash.jpg)
Credit Unions are Hot on the Bank M&A Trail
Credit Unions are Hot on the Bank M&A Trail Just a few months into 2024 and 22 bank acquisition deals […]
![](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/volodymyr-hryshchenko-L0oJ4Dlfyuo-unsplash.jpg)
HSA Deductions Get a Boost
HSA Limits Have Increased HSA Deductions Get a Boost: Employees who have health savings accounts (HSA) and employers contemplating adding […]
![](https://newcleus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/farnoosh-abdollahi-vIkABUsLEDY-unsplash.jpg)
The Solution to the Retirement Income Gap
The Solution to the Retirement Income Gap Consider NQDC to Build Value and Reward Your Best Talent There’s growing […]