Our Management Team

The Long Island General Office is one of New York Life's largest and most successful providers of insurance, financial products and services. Our unparalleled commitment to agent development has earned us the company's highest honor, The Chairman's Trophy, a record 13 times, including year 2000. We at the Long Island General Office base all of our relationships on our corporate values of integrity, strength, and humanity.

Please feel free to contact one of our Management Team Members to learn more about New York Life.


Salvatore F. Farina, MSM CLU ChFC CLF
Managing Partner
(631) 391-2901
SFarina@ft.newyorklife.com

Sal is a Managing Partner for New York Life's award winning Long Island General Office. As Managing Partner he oversees the operation and activities of one of New York Life’s largest producing agencies, with over 450 active agents throughout Long Island and the Greater New York area.

Sal joined New York Life as an agent in the Long Island office in 1985. He was promoted to Sales Manager in 1987, and in 1990 he was promoted to General Manager for New York Life in Pittsburgh Pa. In 1993 Sal was awarded the Northeastern Zone’s Agency Growth Award for Outstanding Sales Growth during 1992. In 1993 Sal was promoted to Agency Vice President in the Company’s Northeastern Zone. In 1996 he was promoted to Zone Vice President and served in the Company’s Home Office for ten months during 1998 on a special assignment reporting directly to the Chairman of the Board. In 1999 Sal was promoted to Senior Vice President for New York Life’ s Northeastern Zone, directly responsible for a field force of 1800 agents and over $75 million of agent First Year Commissions.

While Zone Senior, Sal took the territory through unprecedented life premium sales growth. During his three-year tenure as Zone Senior, life premium rose 18%, 11% and 30% respectfully, leading to Sal being awarded New York Life’ s Zone Award of Excellence Trophy.

In 2002 Sal had the opportunity to return to his roots, becoming Managing Partner of one of New York Life’ s most successful agency, Long Island — the agency where he started his New York Life career.

Sal is a 1977 graduate of the New York Institute of Technology and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations.

Sal has been a guest lecturer at the American College on Management Development Strategies and Systems.

In 2004 Sal was honored by the Salvation Army as their Man of the Year.

Sal and his wife Linda reside in Glen Cove, New York. They have three sons.

Eugene Lutz, CLF LUTCF
Senior Partner
(631) 391-5839
elutz@ft.newyorklife.com

Eugene graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York in May of 2000 with a degree in Marine Transportation, and received a commission as an Officer in the United States Naval Reserve. Upon graduation, Eugene put his degree and coast guard license to good use sailing around the world as an Officer with Military Sealift Command in support of U.S. Naval Operations.

In December 2003, Eugene was recruited to New York Life by a fellow Merchant Marine Academy Alumnus. Eugene became an agent in the Long Island General Office and was a top producer, qualifying for Executive Council in 2004 and 2005. In August 2006 Eugene earned the Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF) designation through the American College.

In October 2006, Eugene was promoted to Partner in the Long Island General Office and is offering new agents the opportunity for a fulfilling career with New York Life.  In September 2009, Eugene was promoted once again to his current role as Senior Partner.

Eugene and his wife Regina reside in Floral Park, New York with their son Jack and daughter Ava.

Martin Lu
Senior Partner
(718) 353-7514
LUM@ft.newyorklife.com

Martin was a mechanical engineer in Shanghai, China when, in 1987,he decided to come to the United States to study for his MBA. In 1989 he graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with his MBA and became a sales rep for a major life insurance company in 1990. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning company distinctions and awards along the way, and by 1992 was promoted to Agency Director. Starting from scratch, Martin built a unit with production of $700,000 FYC.

He was a recipient of the GAMA International Career Development Award in 2001, 2003 and 2004. For more than ten years Martin has been a designated LUTC moderator for the American College. He is a New York State Licensed Continued Education Monitor and a Pre-licensing Instructor.

Martin became a Partner at New York Life’s Long Island General Office in April 2006.  In September 2009, Martin was promoted to his current role as Senior Partner.  He lives in Flushing with his wife, Xinhua Liu (a professor of Columbia University), his daughter Zhenzhen Lu (a recent Harvard University graduate), and his daughter Weihui Lu (a student of Hunter College High School).

Yong Chen
Senior Partner
(718) 670-4011
cyong@ft.newyorklife.com

Yong was born in Nanchang, China. After he got his B.A. degree from Zhe Jiang University in1988, he became a news reporter for major television network. He continued his journalist career with Sino Vision Inc, New York after he immigrated to U.S.A. in 1991. Yong’s interest in the financial industry rooted from his experience of covering financial industry news. In 1994, he began to study his MBA program in Baruch College, and in the mean time, worked for the Commission on Human Rights of New York City government as a specialist with its Community Relationship Bureau.

Yong achieved his MBA degree in 1996, and became a sales rep for a major insurance company. Through his hard work, he was promoted to Recruiting Manager in the year 2000, and marketing manager in 2001. In the year 2002, Yong took the challenge and became the Agency Director to rebuild a detached office in Brooklyn, New York. Under his leadership, this office’s production rose from $250K to $510K in 3 years. He achieved Management Leaders Conference status in 2002, and as one of the Top 25 Agency Directors in 2003. He is a member of GAMA International too.

Yong became a Partner at New York Life’s Long Island General Office in December 2006.  In September 2009, Yong was promoted to his current role as Senior Partner.  He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Lucy and two children, Kevin and Kelly.

Scotto Caggiano, CLF LUTCF
Partner
(631) 391-2935
scaggiano@ft.newyorklife.com

Scott Caggiano has earned many accolades throughout his illustrious career in the financial services industry and the Long Island General Office was proud to welcome him as a Partner in November of 2004!

Scott started his career on Wall Street as a stockbroker. Soon after beginning his career, Scott achieved the status of a wealth and asset manager for high net worth individuals. His drive, persistency and knowledge made him a well respected portfolio manager on Wall Street. He managed millions of dollars, leaving his clientele with a lasting impression due mainly to his consistently professional demeanor with his clientele. Then in 1990, a family member who was a well known financial advisor, introduced him to the insurance industry. He was intrigued by the concept of meeting clients face-to-face and building long lasting and in-depth relationships with them.

In 1990, Scott made the decision to join a well known insurance company. Scott quickly discovered a new and exciting business opportunity - one where he found a great deal of satisfaction in helping clients meet their insurance and financial needs by helping to ensure that their future financial goals could be met. Scott soon became one of the top managers at his company.  He qualified for his first Leader’s conference in only nine months, which is rarely accomplished in such a small length of time. He then further astonished the Insurance industry and qualified for the President’s Conference and Million Dollar Round Table - qualfying member(MDRT*) (93, 94, 96). As his promising career continued to develop, he then received the American College Quality Award, and the NALU, National Sales Achievement Award.

In 1995, still looking to be challenged, Scott was promoted to Agency Director. Once again being recognized for his persistency and professionalism- he was then given the GAMA International Career Development Gold Award at the Management Leaders Conference (1995). He won the prestigious Regional Agency Director of the Year Award for the outstanding achievements in recruiting and retention of agents he managed.

In 2004 Scott was hired as a Partner in the Long Island General Office of New York Life Insurance Company. Soon after joining New York Life, Scott’s career soared. In 2005, Scott hired a team of 9 agents and exceeded the Company’s production standards by 297%. In June 2005 Scott earned The Gathering of Eagles award because of his unit’s recruiting, retention and production.

Scott resides in Stewart Manor with his wife Andrea and his daughter Bianca.

*MDRT is recognized throughout the industry as the standard of excellence in life insurance sales performance.


Sweeta Khona
Partner
(631) 391-2945
skkhona@ft.newyorklife.com

Sweeta Khona joined New York Life Insurance Company as an agent in Oct 2004. She qualified for Executive Council Status two years in a row — 2005, 2006. She was promoted to a Partner in July 2006.

Sweeta has been in the financial industry for the past 15 years. Before joining New York Life Insurance Company she was a very successful Financial Service Manager at a bank.

She joined New York Life Insurance Company “For a new challenge,
growth and the high income potential”.

On a personal note, Sweeta has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from
Gandhiji University, India.

Sweeta and her husband Kirti, currently reside in Syosset with their 2 sons, Rushab and Sagar.

Caleb Kim, CLF
Partner
(516) 934-9268
kimhj@ft.newyorklife.com

Caleb came to the United States in 1981 from Seoul, Korea where he was in the real estate business. Once in the United States, he worked in wholesale distribution in the New York Metropolitan area.

IN 1997, Caleb started his career in the Insurance and Financial Services industry with a major life insurance company. Since that beginning, he has been a Leaders' Conference qualifier seven times and has been a MDRT qualifier five times.

Caleb joined New York Life Incurance Company at the Long Island General Office in August 2008 where he looks forward to recruiting and developing respectful agents to serve the Korean community. He welcomes the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives.

Caleb lives in Westbury with his wife Kyoungsoon. They have two sons - Matthew and James (both are serving in the US Navy).

Bianca O'Brien, CLF
Partner
(631) 391-2931
bhobrien@ft.newyorklife.com

For 23 years Bianca has enjoyed a successful and varied career at New York Life. She is a successful businesswoman, mother, wife, PTA parent, and friend. Her career at New York Life has allowed her to balance her life both professionally and personally. Bianca attended the State University of New York at Oneonta majoring in Economics with a minor in Communications and advanced her studies through an exchange program in England where she further developed her international business and economic studies. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Science degree Bianca started her career at New York Life’s Home Office in November of 1985.

For years Bianca has proved herself successful in the corporate Home Office where she held various officer positions, including Assistant Vice President in the Corporate Compliance and Agency Departments. Prior to her move to the field as an agent, Bianca was responsible for overseeing New York Life’s Out-Brokerage Program where she negotiated contracts with outside insurance carriers and ran the national program for over 8,000 New York Life Agents. In addition, she was responsible for the formation of NYLINK Insurance Agency subsidiary and also spearheaded many special projects for senior management. Throughout her career in the corporate headquarters Bianca was a committed leader who achieved results.

In order to attain career goals along with flexibility for her family in 2004, Bianca became an Agent in the prestigious Long Island General Office and instantly achieved success. In her first year she was recipient of the Award of Excellence as a Top Producing Agent in the North Eastern Zone. Bianca also became a member of the Million Dollar Round Table – a rare achievement for first year agents. Bianca continued to receive many awards – two-time Rookie of the Month Career Success Award, Annuity Champion, and Leading FYC Associate for the Class of 2005.

Making another important career decision, in August of 2008, Bianca joined the management team of the Long Island General Office. She is only the second woman Partner in the 37-year General Office history.

Bianca is a member of the Executive Women’s Gold Associations (EWGA), the Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women, and on the Advisory board for Nassau Community College’s Paralegal Program. In March 2008, Bianca was elected to Vice President of the New York City chapter of Women in Financial Services (WIFS). From her all girls High School education to her network of women agents in the Long Island General Office, Bianca has always been an advocate for women.

Bianca, her husband Jim, and their daughter Mikayla reside in Point Lookout.

Scott Rosenfeld
Partner
(631) 844-3010
srosenfeld@ft.newyorklife.com

Scott graduated from West Virginia University in 1991 with a BA in Communication Studies. He began his career on Wall Street as an Insitutional Equity Trader. Scott joined the Long Island General Office agent force in 2007 where he chose to pursue the opportunity that New York Life Insurance Company offered him for a career with growth potential and stability.

In 2008 Scott achieved the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award. His other accomplishments for that year included leading producer for life case rate, leading producer for first year commissions, Annuity Champion and Life All-Star. As an agent, he achieved Executive Council in two consecutive years and we were proud to welcome him to the ranks of Management as a Partner in 2009. He is currently working towards earning his LUTC designation from the American College.

Scott enjoys skiing, running and coaching Little League baseball and soccer. He lives in Bellmore with his wife Angela and their three children Jessica, Zachary and Justin.

Sean LaValle, CLF LUTCF
Partner
(631) 391-2925
sflavalle@ft.newyorklife.com

Sean LaValle served four years in the United States Navy prior to entering the Insurance and Financial Services Industry. He joined New York Life in 2008 with 20 years of industry experience. As a Registered Representative, he qualified for MDRT in 1992. In his tenure as a Registered Representative and manager, Sean has achieved over 16 company conference qualifications and has been one of the top ten managers with two other organizations. Sean has been managing and develpoing insurance agents for over 17 years. He has had experience in every aspect of the management process as a Sales Manager, Site Manager, Vice President, and Agency Sales Director. As a Site manager, with a well known insurance Company, he was responsible for running an office with over 50 insurance agents. In 1995, Sean completed the Agency Management Training Course and in 1996 completed a course of study through the American College and attained the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow designation. Sean has been involved in the industry through GAMA, IAFP, and NAIFA membership. Sean was a board member of NAIFA as well as the LUTC Chairperson for Nassau County from 1998 to 2000. Sean lives in Suffolk COunty with his wife and three children.

Vincent J. Palma, CLU ChCF CLF
Senior Sales Development Manager
(631) 391-2919
VincentPalma@ft.newyorklife.com

Vincent Palma joined New York Life in May 1981 as an agent. During his time as an agent he qualified for Executive Council two times, he was a Centurion and an MDRT* qualifying member(1982).

In November 1983 he was promoted to Sales Manager and in 1986 was the No. 1 Sales Manager in New York Life’s Northeastern Zone.

In May 1987 he was again promoted — this time to General Manager of the Rhode Island General Office. In 1992 he became General Manager/Managing Partner of the Huntington New York General Office.

In March 1994 Vincent took over the lead training role at the Long Island General Office — New York Life’s No. 1 agency at the time. He continues in that capacity today.

Vincent is committed to the training and development of New York Life agents! He is a member of SAIFA, and is a moderator/facilitator in the American College LUTC Program — all witness to his commitment to continuing education and keeping abreast of the evolving insurance and financial industries.

He lives in Wading River with his wife, Suzanne; his son, Joseph; and his two dogs Lily and Jasper.



John Vasilakos
Development Manager
(631) 391-5803
jvasilakos@ft.newyorklife.com

John comes to New York Life with ten years of financial service experience — nine of those in management. He has earned numerous local and national citations for outstanding sales production.

John is a graduate of the College of Aeronautics. He had a distinguished career in the aviation industry as a helicopter Flight Inspector and then as an Air Traffic Controller before deciding on a career in financial services at another large insurance company.

John’s philosophy is not how long you have lived but how have you lived. He says he enjoys coaching his new agents. “I relate it to watching my own children learning first how to crawl and then to walk and run. I am especially touched by looking at all the lives my agents have been able to affect and protect over the years.

“I came to New York Life because of the training programs offered to help ensure career success. I look forward to attracting and empowering new agents to make a difference in their respective communities!”

John resides in Wantagh with his wife Sarah and their children, Matthew, Nicole and Gregory. He is actively involved in his community and enjoys coaching basketball and flag football.

Mark S. Haik, MBA
Agency Standards Consultant
(631) 844-3081
mshaik@ft.newyorklife.com

Mark joined NYLIFE Securities (a subsidiary of New York Life) in 2004. While working in the Home Office, Mark gained extensive knowledge of brokerage products. In 2006, Mark was promoted to the Securities Standards department of NYLIFE Securities / Eagle Strategies (A Registered Investment Adviser), where he was responsible for ensuring that NYLIFE and Eagle remained compliant with applicable Federal, State, and Company securities regulations.

While working at NYLIFE Securities, Mark attended evening classes at Mercy College in pursuit of his MBA degree. In 2006, Mark accomplished his goal, having earned his MBA degree with honors.

In 2008, Mark was promoted to his current role as Agency Standards Consultant for the Long Island General Office, where he works closely with the management team, agents, and the Home Office to ensure that the agency remains compliant and operates in an ethical manner. Further, Mark fully recognizes the business needs of the agents and serves as a valuable resource in assisting the agents achieve their goals.

Mark holds the Series 7, 24, and 63 securities licenses.

Mark and his wife Sarrit reside in Greenlawn with their daughter Ilana, and son Oren.

Bill Melcher
General Office Administrator Officer
(631) 391-3420
WMelcher@ft.newyorklife.com

Bill Joined New York Life as an Office Manager Trainee in January 1984 in the Nebraska General Office. After Training in the Nebraska General Office, as well as short-term service in two other offices (Wyoming and Colorado Springs General Offices), he was promoted to Office Manager in the St. Joseph General Office in 1985.

After 5 years serving the Agents in the St, Joseph General Office, Bill was invited in 1990 to take over the Alaska General Office located in Anchorage Alaska. Bill spent 8 years in Alaska and was then promoted to the Arizona General Office in 1998. Bill was then offered the opportunity in August 2006 to come to the Long Island General Office where he lived happily ever after!

Bill Graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Bill and his lovely wife Sheri live in Oyster Bay and have three children, Bill Jr, Allison and Josiah.

His responsibilities include the administrative end of out business including staff development, service functions, accounting, training and several other support areas. 

EOE M/F/D/V