Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Upstate office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
John Tripoli is the managing director of the Greenville & Spartanburg district office group. He leads an incredible group of advisors and representatives who are others minded and forward focused, helping their clients make great decisions with their resources. John is passionate about his involvement in the community...
John Tripoli is the managing director of the Greenville & Spartanburg district office group. He leads an incredible group of advisors and representatives who are others minded and forward focused, helping their clients make great decisions with their resources. John is passionate about his involvement in the community having served as a member on the Board of Directors and former chair of the Tocqueville Society for United Way of Greenville County, the past president of Greenville Estate Planning Council, a former executive member of the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball and the past president of Northwestern Mutual’s Managing Directors Association. In 2014, John was awarded the Community Service Award by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation for his work with the Center for Developmental Services.
Mandee Armfield
Executive Director of Development
Originally from Western NY, Mandee relocated to Greenville in 2009. She started with Northwestern Mutual in 2011. In her role as the Executive Director of Development in Upstate SC, she oversees new financial representatives onboarding, licensing and creates ongoing training and coaching schedules for their first...
Originally from Western NY, Mandee relocated to Greenville in 2009. She started with Northwestern Mutual in 2011. In her role as the Executive Director of Development in Upstate SC, she oversees new financial representatives onboarding, licensing and creates ongoing training and coaching schedules for their first several years of business. Mandee also manages the New Business Services team who provides administrative support to these newest financial representatives. In addition, Mandee runs our highly ranked internship program with interns who represent over 8 local universities. She is passionate about the entrepreneurial opportunity at Northwestern Mutual and enjoys assisting our newest representatives in growing their careers. Mandee is a certified business coach, she was recognized as Greenville Business Magazine’s Best and Brightest in 2021, and holds SIE, Series 6, and Series 63 licenses. Mandee is married to her husband Bo, and they have two sons, Rowen and Remington.
Claire graduated May 2007 from Furman University in Greenville, SC, with a B.A. in Political Science. She has deep family roots in the Greenville community and is involved in the United Way as well as supporting the Furman Paladins. Claire joined Northwestern Mutual February 2017. She leads the recruiting efforts...
Claire graduated May 2007 from Furman University in Greenville, SC, with a B.A. in Political Science. She has deep family roots in the Greenville community and is involved in the United Way as well as supporting the Furman Paladins. Claire joined Northwestern Mutual February 2017. She leads the recruiting efforts as Executive Director of Recruitment by developing our expertise and presence with closely held businesses, professionals and business leaders in our community. Additionally, she recruits and develops top quality interns and financial representatives. Claire is married to her husband, Wes, and they have two daughters, Marley and Riley.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Tony relocated to the Upstate of South Carolina 10 years ago. He and his wife, Courtney, have 4 children and enjoy going on trips together to the mountains and beaches nearby and watching Chicago Bears football. When he's not hanging with family, he enjoys running half marathons...
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Tony relocated to the Upstate of South Carolina 10 years ago. He and his wife, Courtney, have 4 children and enjoy going on trips together to the mountains and beaches nearby and watching Chicago Bears football. When he's not hanging with family, he enjoys running half marathons and playing golf. In addition to building his financial planning practice, he gets to seek out and recruit top professionals to join our all-star team in the upstate of South Carolina. He also serves in a leadership role where he has the opportunity to select, mentor and train new financial representatives who are interested in the business by teaching them how to run a business, be professional, and reach for their dreams! Since joining Northwestern Mutual, he has developed a specialty working with physicians, dentists, business owners, and pre-retiree families.
Joe Funderburk was born and raised in Greenville, SC, where he attended Greenville High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. After 12 years in Charleston, Joe returned to Greenville in 2008 and joined the Northwestern Mutual team in 2015. Joe...
Joe Funderburk was born and raised in Greenville, SC, where he attended Greenville High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. After 12 years in Charleston, Joe returned to Greenville in 2008 and joined the Northwestern Mutual team in 2015. Joe is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and serves as a Financial Advisor and Growth and Development Director. Joe spends his free time in many outdoor activities and has completed numerous marathons, ultra-marathons and is a two-time Ironman finisher. Joe also serves as Vice President of the Greenville County Foster Parent Association.
Nate is a Growth and Development Director in the Spartanburg office. Raised in the Colorado Rockies, he and his family relocated to the Upstate in 2021. Nate has been a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual since 2014. Having found value in financial planning as a young adult, he loves the opportunity to...
Nate is a Growth and Development Director in the Spartanburg office. Raised in the Colorado Rockies, he and his family relocated to the Upstate in 2021. Nate has been a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual since 2014. Having found value in financial planning as a young adult, he loves the opportunity to add value to his clients through creative planning for every season of life. Nate specializes in strategic planning in the military marketplace and closely held businesses. He and his wife, Sasha, have 3 kids and have fallen in love with the southern lifestyle. When not in the office, he can be found cruising around in his 1968 corvette, helping his wife finish DIY projects, and developing their new multigenerational ranch in Woodruff, SC.
Meredith Fallon
Executive Assistant
Meredith is John Tripoli’s executive assistant; she joined Northwestern Mutual in 2020. In her role, Meredith provides operational support for the district agency leadership team and Upstate Legacy Planning Group. She also oversees agency and client events. A graduate of Bob Jones University, Meredith enjoys...
Meredith is John Tripoli’s executive assistant; she joined Northwestern Mutual in 2020. In her role, Meredith provides operational support for the district agency leadership team and Upstate Legacy Planning Group. She also oversees agency and client events. A graduate of Bob Jones University, Meredith enjoys meeting new people and supporting others. She loves traveling, spending time with family and friends and discipling women.
Starla Brown
Director of Finance and Operations
Starla is originally from North Carolina, currently lives in South Carolina, and has two daughters. She considers herself a true Carolina girl, born in one and raised in the other. She began her career at Northwestern Mutual in 2013. As Director of Finance for the agency, Starla oversees the areas of finance and...
Starla is originally from North Carolina, currently lives in South Carolina, and has two daughters. She considers herself a true Carolina girl, born in one and raised in the other. She began her career at Northwestern Mutual in 2013. As Director of Finance for the agency, Starla oversees the areas of finance and administration including accounting, commissions, payroll, human resources, facilities, and office management.
Brett Smith is one of Northwestern Mutual’s most experienced fee-based business planning advisors and is co-founder of the Upstate Legacy Planning Group. As a Business & Estate Planning Specialist, Top 50 Northwestern Mutual Fee-Based Planner, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Brett predominantly...
Brett Smith is one of Northwestern Mutual’s most experienced fee-based business planning advisors and is co-founder of the Upstate Legacy Planning Group. As a Business & Estate Planning Specialist, Top 50 Northwestern Mutual Fee-Based Planner, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Brett predominantly works with high-income/net worth individuals and business owners desiring comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to grow/steward assets for themselves and/or future generations. Brett is a West Point graduate, served in the XVIII ABN Corps at Fort Bragg, NC and has an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual and founding the Upstate Legacy Planning Group, Brett ran several businesses and was nationally recognized to include an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in retail manufacturing.