Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Clayton office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Steve Gross
Managing Partner
Steve Gross is the Managing Partner in Clayton, Missouri. Steve is married to Kelly. Together they have 5 children - Stephen, Zach, Ryan, Sean, and Megan. Steve and Kelly enjoy spending their free time cheering on their kids at various sporting events. Steve joined Northwestern Mutual in July, 1991 after graduating...
Steve Gross is the Managing Partner in Clayton, Missouri. Steve is married to Kelly. Together they have 5 children - Stephen, Zach, Ryan, Sean, and Megan. Steve and Kelly enjoy spending their free time cheering on their kids at various sporting events. Steve joined Northwestern Mutual in July, 1991 after graduating from Marquette University. He is a qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT, 1996-2001, 2003, 2005-2013). Steve was appointed Managing Director in 2002, and most recently Managing Partner in 2011. While Managing Director, Steve and his team led the system multiple times in recruiting and won the prestigious achievement award in 2007. His district ranked in the Top 10 in the college marketing program 7 out of the last 11 years. Steve is committed to the recruiting and development within his network office.
Chris Lowery is the Managing Director in the office located in Belleville, Illinois. Chris began his career with Northwestern mutual in 1995 and has received numerous company and industry awards during his successful career with the company. Chris is an MDRT Qualifying Life Member (2000-2013). He has also won...
Chris Lowery is the Managing Director in the office located in Belleville, Illinois. Chris began his career with Northwestern mutual in 1995 and has received numerous company and industry awards during his successful career with the company. Chris is an MDRT Qualifying Life Member (2000-2013). He has also won the National Quality Award every year from 2000-2010. He has received the National Sales Achievement Award in 1999, 2001, and 2003-2010. Chris completed his B.S. in Accounting from Miami University. he has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)professional designations. Chris Lowery currently resides in O'Fallon with his wife, Marci, and two boys, Quinn and Logan. He is very active in his boys' athletics, enjoys fold and Cardinals baseball, and is very active in the community. he is on the board for United Way, is a member of the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce, and is involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Jim Zara joined Northwestern Mutual in January of 1991 and was named Rookie of the Year. Within two years he was a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table. he was also the youngest Advisor ever to qualify for Northwestern Mutual's Recognition Dinner, which was held for the top 150 Advisors in the Country....
Jim Zara joined Northwestern Mutual in January of 1991 and was named Rookie of the Year. Within two years he was a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table. he was also the youngest Advisor ever to qualify for Northwestern Mutual's Recognition Dinner, which was held for the top 150 Advisors in the Country. Jim is a founding member of the Northwestern Mutual Forum, which began in 1998 to recognize the NM Advisors who have reached the highest level of productivity and excellence. He has continued to qualify every year since its inception. Jim was named the Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual in Chesterfield April 1, 2014. The team works to select and develop the next generation of the most productive Northwestern Mutual Advisors in the country.
Mike has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years. He has been affiliated with Northwestern Mutual for the last 16 of those 30 years. He has held various positions guiding and coaching advisors to provide excellent financial planning solutions to clients. He specializes in comprehensive retirement...
Mike has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years. He has been affiliated with Northwestern Mutual for the last 16 of those 30 years. He has held various positions guiding and coaching advisors to provide excellent financial planning solutions to clients. He specializes in comprehensive retirement distribution planning and wealth transfer strategies alongside our trusted advisors.
Janice Wilson
Chief Operations Officer
Janice Wilson started her career with Northwestern Mutual in November, 1997 as the Director of Operations and Compliance Officer with The Qualy Group. She joined the NM-Clayton team on November 1, 2011. Today as Chief Operations Officer and Diversity and Inclusion Lead, her contributions include strategic planning...
Janice Wilson started her career with Northwestern Mutual in November, 1997 as the Director of Operations and Compliance Officer with The Qualy Group. She joined the NM-Clayton team on November 1, 2011. Today as Chief Operations Officer and Diversity and Inclusion Lead, her contributions include strategic planning for the growth and development of support teams, as well as creating a culture to enhance Diversity and Inclusion within the firm, as well as the community.
Peter Ferrara
Chief Financial Officer
Matthew Laws
Chief Supervision Officer
Jeffrey Jackson
Director of Financial Planning
Regina Wittich
Director of Talent Acquisition
Danny Babitz graduated from Mizzou in May of 2009 and converted from an intern contract to a full-time contract. He is only one of four people in the history of the St. Louis offices to write Granum Lives each year in his first four years. Danny got into leadership at the start of his 7th month and each year that...
Danny Babitz graduated from Mizzou in May of 2009 and converted from an intern contract to a full-time contract. He is only one of four people in the history of the St. Louis offices to write Granum Lives each year in his first four years. Danny got into leadership at the start of his 7th month and each year that he has been given more responsibility his production has increased. In 2011 he became College Unit Director. While in that role he continued to write Granum Lives and also received honors for being the #4 CUD in the country in 2012 and 2013. In January of 2013 Danny began recruiting and developing full-time financial representatives as well as interns. In 2013 he lead the St. Louis agency in new clients, and qualified for Million Dollar Roundtable. In 2014 Danny took over as the District Director in the San Diego office. At the age of 29 Danny was the youngest CDO in the Northwestern Mutual System.
