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.
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.
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.
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.
Sameer Nagdev is the Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern Mutual Tampa Bay. He is originally from Long Island, NY and joined the firm in 2020. Sameer graduated in 2012 from the Fordham University with an undergraduate degree in Finance, and earned his MBA from DePaul University. He has spent a majority of...
Sameer Nagdev is the Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern Mutual Tampa Bay. He is originally from Long Island, NY and joined the firm in 2020. Sameer graduated in 2012 from the Fordham University with an undergraduate degree in Finance, and earned his MBA from DePaul University. He has spent a majority of his career working in corporate finance across various industries. As the CFO, Sameer oversees all finance/accounting functions and contract education across the firm. Personally, he and his wife Natasha are enjoying their new roles as parents to their son, Jaidan. Sameer is passionate about his sports teams (Giants, Mets, and Islanders) and his golf game.
The son of a service member, Dustin lived on both coasts and oversees growing up. While attending the University of Central Florida, he initially joined NM as College Financial Representative in Downtown Orlando. Upon graduation, he decided to pursue an opportunity with PepsiCo where he spent seven years, coupled...
The son of a service member, Dustin lived on both coasts and oversees growing up. While attending the University of Central Florida, he initially joined NM as College Financial Representative in Downtown Orlando. Upon graduation, he decided to pursue an opportunity with PepsiCo where he spent seven years, coupled with another two years overseeing Florida sales and ops for the second largest wine supplier in the country. After a return to NM as an advisor, Dustin continued to pursue his calling in leadership. He decided to transition into a dedicated leadership role where he could focus on his passion for attracting and developing top talent. Today, he oversees the recruiting, development, and internship efforts across NM-Greater Tampa Bay & serves as District Director in the Westshore Office. Personally, Dustin and his wife Jen are enjoying their new roles as parents to their son, Jack. He leads an active lifestyle making time for exercise, the outdoors, travel and golf.
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.
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.
Shay Russell
Director of Selection
Michael Calamaras is a Financial Advisor and Field Director who focuses on proactively overseeing and coordinating the financial affairs of high-net-worth individuals, emerging affluent professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and their families. Backed by the strength, stability and...
Michael Calamaras is a Financial Advisor and Field Director who focuses on proactively overseeing and coordinating the financial affairs of high-net-worth individuals, emerging affluent professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and their families. Backed by the strength, stability and vast resources of Northwestern Mutual.
With a specialized focus on engineers, medical professionals, attorneys, and successful business professionals, Lamar and his team help provide financial education and comprehensive through long-term relationships with their clients. They focus on building and protecting assets with tax efficiency and wealth preservation...
With a specialized focus on engineers, medical professionals, attorneys, and successful business professionals, Lamar and his team help provide financial education and comprehensive through long-term relationships with their clients. They focus on building and protecting assets with tax efficiency and wealth preservation and distribution in mind.
OUR MISSION is driven by passion, supported by knowledge & devoted to helping our clients attain financial security for their families and businesses. The future is unpredictable, but with a comprehensive plan, our clients can feel confident for whatever challenges they face. We make life changing impacts through...
OUR MISSION is driven by passion, supported by knowledge & devoted to helping our clients attain financial security for their families and businesses. The future is unpredictable, but with a comprehensive plan, our clients can feel confident for whatever challenges they face. We make life changing impacts through our personal relationships, our world class solutions & our commitment to service.
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.