Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Fort Lauderdale office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
M Lawhon
Managing Partner
M. Kevin Lawhon, CLU, is an industry expert with over twenty-seven years of service with Northwestern Mutual. Kevin was appointed as Managing Partner of The South Florida Group (TSFG) for Northwestern Mutual on January 1, 2008 and since appointment, his organization is one of the fastest growing in Northwestern...
M. Kevin Lawhon, CLU, is an industry expert with over twenty-seven years of service with Northwestern Mutual. Kevin was appointed as Managing Partner of The South Florida Group (TSFG) for Northwestern Mutual on January 1, 2008 and since appointment, his organization is one of the fastest growing in Northwestern Mutual. As Managing Partner, Kevin is responsible for sales and service operations in southern Florida. He is committed to the company’s mission of providing superior products and services to its clients. He is also committed to attracting and developing diverse financial representatives and advisors who represent the communities they serve. Under his leadership, TSFG has become one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations in Northwestern Mutual. Kevin and his wife, Wendy, have three children together. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and attending sporting events.
Brian Reas
Chief Operations Officer
Brian joined Northwestern Mutual in 2006 as an intern at our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. In 2017, Brian joined Northwestern Mutual - The South Florida Group in Fort Lauderdale as Chief Operating Officer and in 2020 was promoted to Chief Development Officer. In this role, Brian collaborates with...
Brian joined Northwestern Mutual in 2006 as an intern at our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. In 2017, Brian joined Northwestern Mutual - The South Florida Group in Fort Lauderdale as Chief Operating Officer and in 2020 was promoted to Chief Development Officer. In this role, Brian collaborates with our managing partner Kevin Lawhon to drive network office growth through targeted recruiting and improved performance of financial representatives and career advisors during their first five years. Brian is also dedicated to making an impact in the South Florida community where he serves on the board of the Fort Lauderdale Chamber – Rising Leaders as well as partnering with community organizations such as I Care I Cure/Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital and Urban League of Broward County – Young Professionals Network.
Jeffrey Fisher
Chief Financial Officer
As a South Florida native, my team and I work with families, successful professionals and business owners to help them achieve their financial goals. We focus on your insurance, investments and retirement plans. I live in Weston, FL with my wife Leslie and my three girls: Paige, Peyton and Tara.
Rob Poleo has led a tremendous career as a financial advisor and leader. A business that has been built upon the foundation of two words - intention versus action. While intention is but a plan or an aim to do something, action is the fact or process of doing something -- in other words, to achieve an aim. Rob...
Rob Poleo has led a tremendous career as a financial advisor and leader. A business that has been built upon the foundation of two words - intention versus action. While intention is but a plan or an aim to do something, action is the fact or process of doing something -- in other words, to achieve an aim. Rob has found that while most people don’t have trouble aiming to do something, achieving tends to be much more difficult. Rob helps his clients transition from intention to action, and in turn build a life in which they are in more control over. As a young man, Rob recognized that taking action and control, must begin with an individual's finances, and in many ways, this is why he decided to become a financial professional. When Rob is not helping professionals take control of their financial futures, he is educating the next wave of financial professionals. An active member of his community, Rob lives in Parkland, Florida with his wife Jennifer, his daughters Madison and Alexandra.
I am a strategic partner who can help you achieve your goals. The best part of my career is working closely with individuals, families and business owners to develop plans for their financial lives. After developing an understanding of who you are and what you want, we will work together to provide a clear vision...
I am a strategic partner who can help you achieve your goals. The best part of my career is working closely with individuals, families and business owners to develop plans for their financial lives. After developing an understanding of who you are and what you want, we will work together to provide a clear vision for your future. Then we will implement a strategy to help you achieve your goals.
Esmeralda Rodriguez
Director of Recruitment
Emmy joined us in 2019 and is originally from Orange County, CA. She leads our Recruitment team at Northwestern Mutual Fort Lauderdale to attract and develop top performers who are looking to make a career change and align with a Fortune 100 company. Emmy works alongside our financial advisors to identify and...
Emmy joined us in 2019 and is originally from Orange County, CA. She leads our Recruitment team at Northwestern Mutual Fort Lauderdale to attract and develop top performers who are looking to make a career change and align with a Fortune 100 company. Emmy works alongside our financial advisors to identify and selectively source the right individuals to join the firm. She builds quality relationships in the community and in our office to promote the Northwestern Mutual career, generate referrals, and develop centers of influence.
Erica Neumark
Campus Recruiter
Being born and raised in Miami, FL gives me great joy in helping students land their ideal internship in the South Florida area. After graduating from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business I found a passion for recruitment and aiding people in discovering their career path. As a Campus Recruiter...
Being born and raised in Miami, FL gives me great joy in helping students land their ideal internship in the South Florida area. After graduating from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business I found a passion for recruitment and aiding people in discovering their career path. As a Campus Recruiter with Northwestern Mutual - The South Florida Group, I look forward to giving opportunities to students that are looking for an internship in the Financial Services industry.
Monica Aguiar
Recruiter
I was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when I was 7 years old. I grew up in South Florida which is why I enjoy helping individuals start their careers with Northwestern Mutual in the South Florida area. I’ve always had a passion for helping others but my passion for recruiting began at the University...
I was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when I was 7 years old. I grew up in South Florida which is why I enjoy helping individuals start their careers with Northwestern Mutual in the South Florida area. I’ve always had a passion for helping others but my passion for recruiting began at the University of Central Florida where I recruited students to join our International Business Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. I loved helping students set themselves apart in one of the largest university campuses. Choosing a career is one of the very many important decisions we make as adults and as a Recruiter with Northwestern Mutual I look forward to providing a life changing opportunity to those looking for a career in the Financial Services industry.