Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Tampa office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Kevin O'Connell
CFP®
Managing Partner
Kevin began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2002 after graduating from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. In Kevin's first year in the business, he won the New Representative of the Year award with the Meier Agency in Orlando, Florida. Kevin began his involvement in leadership...
Kevin began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2002 after graduating from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. In Kevin's first year in the business, he won the New Representative of the Year award with the Meier Agency in Orlando, Florida. Kevin began his involvement in leadership just 16 months after graduating college. In November 2003, at the age of 23, Kevin was appointed Managing Director of a new district office. After years of advancement, Kevin was chosen to become the Managing Partner of the Northwestern Mutual Greater Tampa Bay firm. Kevin serves as an Executive Board Member on Northwestern Mutual Greater Tampa Bay's Community Outreach Committee, which focuses on childhood cancer research and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. He's also involved in many other non-profits and charitable events.
Anthony (Tony) Holds is the Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual - Sarasota. He stepped into this role in 2016 after relocating to the area from New York City, where he was a Director at Northwestern Mutual's Park Avenue office. In his role as Managing Director, Tony is responsible for recruiting and developing...
Anthony (Tony) Holds is the Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual - Sarasota. He stepped into this role in 2016 after relocating to the area from New York City, where he was a Director at Northwestern Mutual's Park Avenue office. In his role as Managing Director, Tony is responsible for recruiting and developing new representatives, as well as the ongoing expansion of the office. As a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Tony works with executives, business owners, entertainment/arts professionals, military officers, and their families around the country. Tony and his wife Savannah are dedicated to giving back to the Sarasota community. Their passion for education and the arts is evident in their current active involvement in a number of non-profit organizations including Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Asolo Repertory Theatre, and Visible Men Academy Charter School.
Nicole Stokes began her career with Northwestern Mutual in March of 2011 after leading a not for profit enterprise for over 10 years. Achievements throughout the industry include Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year and USF’s Diversity in leadership award. Nicole is currently a Financial Advisor in the Greater...
Nicole Stokes began her career with Northwestern Mutual in March of 2011 after leading a not for profit enterprise for over 10 years. Achievements throughout the industry include Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year and USF’s Diversity in leadership award. Nicole is currently a Financial Advisor in the Greater Tampa Bay area and is also the Managing Director of the New Tampa Office. Nicole’s greatest joy is her three children; Callie, Brooke, and Charlie. She is actively involved with the Girl Scouts, the Athena Society, Crohns and Colitis Foundation, University of South Florida college pf public health and women leadership and philanthropy.
Kacee Howes began her career in 2008 as a College Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual. There, she ranked among the top 15% of NM college representatives nationally. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Clemson University. In 2010, Kacee accepted...
Kacee Howes began her career in 2008 as a College Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual. There, she ranked among the top 15% of NM college representatives nationally. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Clemson University. In 2010, Kacee accepted a College Unit Director contract where she built her district’s internship program from scratch. Now as the Managing Director of our St. Petersburg office, Kacee works through her team of representatives/advisors to provide financial security for families and businesses throughout central Florida. In her spare time, Kacee serves on the Community Action Committee which hosts events raising money for pediatric cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Additionally, she serves as the Co-Chair for the Greater Tampa Bay Diversity and Inclusion council, helping advance the firm’s mission to serve the community.
As a St. Pete native, Copley joined the Northwestern Mutual St. Pete district office in 2011 as an intern. Copley has maintained a personal practice as a financial advisor, while also taking on multiple leadership roles including College Unit Director in 2013 and Growth & Development Director in 2017. Copley recently...
As a St. Pete native, Copley joined the Northwestern Mutual St. Pete district office in 2011 as an intern. Copley has maintained a personal practice as a financial advisor, while also taking on multiple leadership roles including College Unit Director in 2013 and Growth & Development Director in 2017. Copley recently brought his expertise and to our Westshore office where he coaches & develops emerging advisors. He views friends, mentees and clients like family which shines brightly through the unique relationship he fosters with each individual and the passion to make a positive impact on their futures. Copley is a steward of our community, as he is the founder & president of Love McKinley Foundation for pediatric cancer, a board member of the St. Petersburg Police Athletic League (PAL) and is involved in a number of other non-profits in greater Tampa Bay. Copley’s most cherished role is husband to wife, Cecily Valenty Gerdes, and dad to his two children, Calley and Cade.
My practice is located in the Tampa, FL and has a “purpose focused” financial planning approach built to educate, empower and develop the necessary steps toward aligning both current and future dollars with a sense of “Why?”. The Northwestern Mutual opportunity is best suited for anyone who is striving...
My practice is located in the Tampa, FL and has a “purpose focused” financial planning approach built to educate, empower and develop the necessary steps toward aligning both current and future dollars with a sense of “Why?”. The Northwestern Mutual opportunity is best suited for anyone who is striving towards financial security through advisor-client relationships or for those who are looking to lead others towards achieving their dreams. As a Growth and Development Director, my team is equipped to assist and service our clients while also seeking new talented Financial Advisors for our Firm.
As Development Officer for the O’Connell Financial Group, an affiliate of Northwestern Mutual, Dustin serves as a catalyst for career growth for financial advisors in the first years of their business. Through dynamic training, market support, and technology, we offer a framework for the highly motivated to...
As Development Officer for the O’Connell Financial Group, an affiliate of Northwestern Mutual, Dustin serves as a catalyst for career growth for financial advisors in the first years of their business. Through dynamic training, market support, and technology, we offer a framework for the highly motivated to thrive. He loves having conversations with individuals that aren’t yet maximizing their talents and exploring whether financial services is the right career path for them.
Angelina Leonetti
Chief Marketing Officer
Angie Leonetti is the Chief Marketing Officer for Northwestern Mutual Tampa Bay. She joined the firm in 2014. Graduating from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Communications, she has spent her entire career advancing in various marketing roles that combine to over 15+ years of expansive experience...
Angie Leonetti is the Chief Marketing Officer for Northwestern Mutual Tampa Bay. She joined the firm in 2014. Graduating from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Communications, she has spent her entire career advancing in various marketing roles that combine to over 15+ years of expansive experience in all aspects of corporate marketing. She is passionate about giving back to the community. She volunteers for the Northwestern Mutual Community Action Committee in which she spearheads fundraising events and awareness for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation as well as local organizations that support pediatric cancer families. She serves as Chair of Corporate Advisory Council for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and is involved in a number of other local non-profit organizations in Tampa Bay.
Joy Melton
CFP®
Chief Growth Officer
Joy Melton has worked in financial services since 2002. She began her career in 2011 at Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Advisor and currently holds her Series 7 and 65 licenses, and Certified Financial Planner designation. In 2017, she transitioned to Chief Growth Officer where she is responsible for driving...
Joy Melton has worked in financial services since 2002. She began her career in 2011 at Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Advisor and currently holds her Series 7 and 65 licenses, and Certified Financial Planner designation. In 2017, she transitioned to Chief Growth Officer where she is responsible for driving career advisor productivity, sales growth and strategy in the Network Office. In 2019, she became a ClientWise Certified Financial Services Coach. Joy earned a Bachelors of Art in Communication from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, as well as an MBA in Strategic Management from Rutgers Graduate School of Management. She is on the Ambassador Board of Metropolitan Ministries, an organization she is passionate about, and is very active in theChapel, her home church in Tarpon Springs.
Penny Vanhorn
Chief Operations Officer
Penny VanHorn joined the firm in 2013 and has served as the Chief Operations Officer since 2014. Penny is originally from Michigan and has a BS in Accounting from Western Michigan University. She discovered a passion for supporting Advisor success early in her career, and prior to joining Northwestern Mutual...
Penny VanHorn joined the firm in 2013 and has served as the Chief Operations Officer since 2014. Penny is originally from Michigan and has a BS in Accounting from Western Michigan University. She discovered a passion for supporting Advisor success early in her career, and prior to joining Northwestern Mutual Tampa Bay served as the Finance and Operations Principal for a bank brokerage firm for over 15 years. Penny serves on our Community Action and Diversity and Inclusion committees and is passionate about supporting others and giving back to the community.