
Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Mount Pleasant office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.

A South Carolina native, I built my financial planning practice in Charlotte, NC for over a decade and recently relocated to Charleston with my wife McKensie. My team and I focus on providing financial confidence to the families and businesses we serve by aligning great intention with action. Our goal is to help...
A South Carolina native, I built my financial planning practice in Charlotte, NC for over a decade and recently relocated to Charleston with my wife McKensie. My team and I focus on providing financial confidence to the families and businesses we serve by aligning great intention with action. Our goal is to help reduce financial stress so you can focus on what matters most to you.


A 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and native of Lexington, SC, Michael has been with NM since May 2019. Michael is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Michael is married to Elizabeth and they have two boys. He is also an active member of the Daniel Island Rotary Club.


Martim has been a part of the Low-country community for the past 10 years. An alumni of the College of Charleston, Martim has a passion for people. He believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to be financially secure and this is what drives his motivation to help as many people as he can. Martim specializes...
Martim has been a part of the Low-country community for the past 10 years. An alumni of the College of Charleston, Martim has a passion for people. He believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to be financially secure and this is what drives his motivation to help as many people as he can. Martim specializes in financial planning for young families, business owners, attorneys & physicians.

I specialize in working with driven, successful professionals looking for financial education, a comprehensive plan, and a long-term relationship. My team and I are focused on creating an unforgettable experience to reduce financial stress so you can focus on what matters most to you.


Patrick Smith
Director of Development
Patrick joined Northwestern Mutual as the Director of Development for the Charleston area in November of 2019. He has an extensive background in sales and business development and is licensed in health and life insurance. Patrick's primary responsibilities include implementing training, development strategies,...
Patrick joined Northwestern Mutual as the Director of Development for the Charleston area in November of 2019. He has an extensive background in sales and business development and is licensed in health and life insurance. Patrick's primary responsibilities include implementing training, development strategies, and programs to drive success. Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Patrick graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management. He moved to Mount Pleasant in December of 2017 where he was a Corporate Executive for the South Carolina Stingrays. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys fishing, playing sports, and living the lowcountry lifestyle.

Erica Beckert
Director of Client Services
Erica was born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina and studied Psychology at Lander University. She has been a resident of Charleston since 2010 and loves the coastal life. Erica joined the Northwestern Mutual team in April of 2018 and assists with office administration, client relations, policy owner...
Erica was born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina and studied Psychology at Lander University. She has been a resident of Charleston since 2010 and loves the coastal life. Erica joined the Northwestern Mutual team in April of 2018 and assists with office administration, client relations, policy owner service, and administrative tasks. In her off time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband CJ, two dogs, and two cats.

Rebecca Cross
Office Manager

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 Licensed: IL, TN, FL, CA, OH, GA, MT, VA, WA, NE, NC, HI, NY

Alexa Martens
MBA
Executive Director of Recruitment
Alexa graduated from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL (where she is from) with a Masters Degree in Business Management. Alexa currently oversees the search and selection of professionals in the Northwestern network for coastal South Carolina. She has been a resident of Charleston since 2013 and loves...
Alexa graduated from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL (where she is from) with a Masters Degree in Business Management. Alexa currently oversees the search and selection of professionals in the Northwestern network for coastal South Carolina. She has been a resident of Charleston since 2013 and loves the lifestyle Charleston has to offer. In her off time, Alexa enjoys visiting the beaches, spending time with her husband, Mike, and their two dogs, as well as exploring the outdoors in the Low Country.