Nassau Executive and Leadership Team

Phillip Gass, the Chief Executive Officer at Nassau, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Overseeing the entire enterprise, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that insurance products align with the evolving retirement goals of 400,000 policyholders. This leadership role involves managing $18 billion in assets under management while fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all departments. By coordinating with the Board and senior leadership, Phillip Gass drives the company toward achieving best-in-class service standards. The Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the firm remains a reliable carrier for individuals seeking guaranteed income and savings protection. Through rigorous oversight of market positioning, Gass secures the financial health of the organization, ultimately reinforcing the reputation of the firm as a trusted partner in the insurance industry.

Diana Piquette, the Chief Financial Officer at Nassau, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Overseeing fiscal planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the $18 billion in assets under management remain protected and optimized for long-term growth. This leadership role involves rigorous analysis of insurance product performance and the maintenance of robust financial reporting standards. By collaborating with other C-suite leaders, Diana Piquette drives the development of strategies that support the retirement goals of contract holders. The Chief Financial Officer monitors market trends and regulatory requirements to ensure the firm maintains a strong balance sheet. Through precise management of financial risks and investments, Piquette secures the necessary capital to deliver guaranteed income to policyholders, ultimately strengthening the market position of the company within the competitive insurance landscape.

Richard Cannone, the Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas at Nassau, directs the financial operations specific to the Texas-based insurance portfolio. Overseeing regional fiscal performance, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the local insurance products meet the specific retirement and savings needs of the regional market. This role involves managing the financial reserves and underwriting profitability for the Texas entity, ensuring alignment with the broader corporate financial strategy. By monitoring regional market trends, Richard Cannone drives the optimization of capital allocation to support local policyholders. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to ensure that regional financial outcomes contribute positively to the overall $18 billion in assets under management. Through the precise management of regional financial risks, Cannone secures the long-term viability of the Texas operations, ultimately supporting the mission of the firm.

Justin Banulski, the Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Asset Management at Nassau, manages the financial strategy and performance of the asset management division. Overseeing the investment accounting and reporting functions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the $18 billion in assets under management are tracked and reported with absolute accuracy. This leadership role involves analyzing investment returns and ensuring that the asset management arm provides the necessary liquidity to meet the obligations of the insurance business. By driving financial discipline within the investment team, Justin Banulski ensures that the firm meets its retirement goals for contract holders. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with portfolio managers to optimize asset allocation strategies, ultimately enhancing the overall financial performance of the company. Through the rigorous oversight of investment financials, Banulski secures the stability of the firm, ensuring that the organization remains a reliable carrier for long-term savings.

Junping Shao, the President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) at Nassau, directs the operations and regulatory compliance of the broker-dealer arm. Overseeing the distribution of financial products, the President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) ensures that all brokerage activities align with the retirement goals and savings protection needs of the clients. This role involves managing relationships with financial advisors and ensuring that the distribution network adheres to strict industry standards. By driving the growth of the brokerage business, Junping Shao expands the reach of the insurance and retirement solutions offered by the firm. The President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) collaborates with the broader leadership team to integrate brokerage services into the overall client experience. Through the effective management of the broker-dealer entity, Shao secures the distribution channels necessary to support the long-term growth and market impact of the company.

Diane Ellsworth, the Chief of Staff at Nassau, coordinates executive initiatives and streamlines communication across the leadership team. Managing the flow of strategic priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational goals remain synchronized with the mission of providing accessible retirement solutions. This role involves facilitating high-level decision-making processes and optimizing internal workflows to support the broader business objectives. By acting as a central point of contact for various departments, Diane Ellsworth drives efficiency and clarity throughout the corporate structure. The Chief of Staff monitors the execution of key projects, ensuring that the firm maintains its 170-year legacy of service while adapting to modern market demands. Through careful management of executive agendas, Ellsworth supports the alignment of resources with the needs of policyholders, ultimately contributing to the overall stability and growth of the company.

Thomas Culbertson, the Chief Technology Officer at Nassau, architects the digital infrastructure required to support modern insurance operations. Overseeing the development of scalable software solutions, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that the firm provides a seamless experience for policyholders and contract holders. This role involves integrating advanced technologies to simplify the delivery of retirement products and health care cost management. By driving innovation in digital platforms, Thomas Culbertson enables the company to maintain its competitive edge in the insurance sector. The Chief Technology Officer collaborates with internal teams to modernize legacy systems, ensuring that all technological assets align with the broader corporate mission. Through the implementation of robust digital tools, Culbertson enhances operational efficiency, ultimately allowing the firm to serve its 400,000 policyholders with greater speed, accuracy, and reliability in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Neel Datar, the Chief Information Officer at Nassau, manages the data governance and information security frameworks that protect sensitive policyholder information. Overseeing the integrity of corporate data, the Chief Information Officer ensures that all information systems remain compliant with industry regulations and internal security standards. This leadership role involves developing strategies to leverage data analytics for better decision-making regarding retirement savings and insurance product offerings. By directing the implementation of secure data storage solutions, Neel Datar drives the protection of the $18 billion in assets under management. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with the technology team to ensure that information flows efficiently across the organization, supporting the goal of providing best-in-class service. Through the rigorous management of information assets, Datar secures the trust of contract holders, ultimately reinforcing the commitment of the firm to data privacy and operational excellence.