Advisors Excel Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Advisors Excel has 7 executives leading key functions including operations, finance, technology, information security, and life insurance product strategy.

Focused on empowering independent financial professionals, Advisors Excel delivers a comprehensive platform integrating annuities, life insurance, and investment services to drive national market growth and professional success.

Leadership Roles at Advisors Excel

  • Chief Financial Officer - Amy Klotz
  • Chief Operating Officer - Mike Miller
  • President of Operational Edge - John Nowak
  • President, Life - Jim Bowman
  • Chief of Staff - Thad Halstead
  • Chief Information Officer - Jared Arnold
  • Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer - Ryan Fickel
  • Amy Klotz - Chief Financial Officer

    Amy Klotz, the Chief Financial Officer at Advisors Excel, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the national firm. Klotz oversees capital allocation, budgeting, and financial reporting to ensure the long-term sustainability of the integrated platform. By managing the economic framework for annuities, life insurance, and investment services, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of services for financial professionals. Amy Klotz analyzes market trends to identify growth opportunities, providing the executive team with data-driven financial projections. This leadership role involves maintaining rigorous compliance standards and optimizing revenue streams to bolster the company's market position. Through careful management of assets and liabilities, the Chief Financial Officer secures the financial foundation necessary for innovation. Klotz drives fiscal discipline across all departments, ensuring that operational investments align with the overarching goal of delivering superior support to the firm's network of independent financial professionals.
    Amy Klotz

    Mike Miller - Chief Operating Officer

    Mike Miller, the Chief Operating Officer at Advisors Excel, manages the day-to-day business operations and service delivery systems of the national firm. Miller oversees the execution of operational strategies that support the integration of annuities, life insurance, and investment products. By refining internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that financial professionals receive seamless support across the comprehensive platform. Mike Miller drives efficiency in service delivery, monitoring performance metrics to maintain high standards of operational excellence. This role involves coordinating with other C-suite leaders to align operational capacity with the firm's growth objectives. Through the implementation of scalable business practices, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the overall experience for the firm's clients. Miller focuses on optimizing the infrastructure that powers the company's national operations, ensuring that all service channels remain robust and responsive to the evolving needs of the financial services industry.

    John Nowak - President of Operational Edge

    John Nowak, the President of Operational Edge at Advisors Excel, drives the strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the firm's competitive advantage through operational precision. Nowak oversees the implementation of specialized programs that provide financial professionals with a distinct edge in the marketplace. By refining the delivery of annuities, life insurance, and investment services, the President of Operational Edge ensures that the company's support remains superior to industry standards. John Nowak collaborates with other executives to integrate these operational improvements into the broader company platform. This leadership role involves identifying bottlenecks and executing solutions that accelerate service delivery and improve client outcomes. Through the application of data-driven insights, the President of Operational Edge optimizes the firm's internal processes. Nowak focuses on scaling these operational advantages across the national firm, ensuring that independent financial professionals receive the highest level of support to grow their own practices effectively.

    Jim Bowman - President, Life

    Jim Bowman, the President, Life at Advisors Excel, directs the life insurance division and its contribution to the firm's integrated platform. Bowman oversees product development, carrier relationships, and the distribution strategy for life insurance solutions offered to financial professionals. By aligning life insurance offerings with the broader portfolio of annuities and investments, the President, Life ensures a holistic approach to client financial planning. Jim Bowman manages the growth of the life insurance segment, monitoring market trends to introduce competitive products that meet the needs of independent advisors. This leadership role involves working closely with the executive team to expand the firm's national footprint in the life insurance sector. Through the cultivation of strong partnerships with insurance carriers, the President, Life secures access to top-tier products. Bowman drives the strategic vision for the life insurance division, ensuring that it remains a cornerstone of the company's comprehensive service model.
    Jim Bowman

    Thad Halstead - Chief of Staff

    Thad Halstead, the Chief of Staff at Advisors Excel, coordinates cross-departmental initiatives to ensure organizational alignment with corporate objectives. Halstead manages internal communications and streamlines executive decision-making processes to enhance operational efficiency across the national firm. By facilitating collaboration between leadership teams, the Chief of Staff optimizes resource allocation for the support of independent financial professionals. Thad Halstead monitors key performance indicators to track progress on strategic goals, providing actionable insights to the executive board. This role involves refining internal workflows to support the integration of annuities, life insurance, and investment services on the company platform. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, the Chief of Staff maintains the structural integrity of the organization. Halstead drives initiatives that foster a cohesive corporate culture, ensuring that all departments remain focused on the core mission of providing holistic support to financial advisors throughout the United States.

    Jared Arnold - Chief Information Officer

    Jared Arnold, the Chief Information Officer at Advisors Excel, directs the digital transformation and information systems strategy for the national firm. Arnold oversees the development and maintenance of the comprehensive platform that supports annuities, life insurance, and investment services. By architecting scalable technology solutions, the Chief Information Officer ensures that financial professionals have access to reliable data and digital tools. Jared Arnold manages the IT infrastructure, prioritizing system integration and data accessibility to drive operational efficiency. This leadership role involves collaborating with the executive team to align technology investments with the company's long-term business goals. Through the deployment of advanced software and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer enhances the firm's competitive advantage. Arnold drives innovation in digital service delivery, ensuring that the company's technological capabilities remain at the forefront of the financial services industry while supporting the needs of independent professionals.

    Ryan Fickel - Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer

    Ryan Fickel, the Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer at Advisors Excel, leads the technical development and cybersecurity posture of the national firm. Fickel oversees the security of the integrated platform, protecting sensitive data related to annuities, life insurance, and investment services. By implementing robust security protocols, the Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer mitigates digital risks and ensures compliance with industry standards. Ryan Fickel directs the engineering teams responsible for building secure, high-performance software solutions for financial professionals. This dual leadership role involves balancing rapid technological innovation with stringent security requirements to maintain the integrity of the company's digital ecosystem. Through the continuous monitoring of threat landscapes, the Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer safeguards the firm's assets. Fickel drives the adoption of secure coding practices and advanced encryption, ensuring that the company's technology remains both cutting-edge and resilient against evolving cyber threats.
    Ryan Fickel

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Advisors Excel Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Advisors Excel?
    Advisors Excel is led by Amy Klotz (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Mike Miller (Chief Operating Officer) and John Nowak (President of Operational Edge).
    Who is part of Advisors Excel’s executive team?
    The executive team of Advisors Excel includes leaders such as Amy Klotz (Chief Financial Officer), Mike Miller (Chief Operating Officer), John Nowak (President of Operational Edge) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Advisors Excel have?
    Advisors Excel has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Advisors Excel’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Advisors Excel includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President of Operational Edge, President, Life, Chief of Staff.