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, CLU, ChFC, CLF

Managing Partner

(631)391-2900

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 160 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 Northport, New York. They have three sons.





Akram Abbassi

Senior Partner

(631) 391-2965

aabbassi@ft.newyorklife.com

Akram and his wife Marlene live in Smithtown with their two sons George and Mike. Originally from Bethel, Jordan, he came to the United States in 1986 to study at State University of New York at Old Westbury and, recognizing the lifestyle opportunities here, he decided to stay and make a home for his family on Long Island.

Akram graduated from SUNY Old Westbury with a BA in Business Management. He went on to become a successful business owner and, after 15 years in order to have more flexibility in his hours, decided to try his talents in a new field — insurance and financial services.

He started his new career in financial services at another large insurer and came to the Long Island General Office in 2003.

“What a privilege working for a company like New York Life. I find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I find the training and products second to none and the support is the best I’ve seen! I hope to have a long and healthy relationship with New York Life.”

In Akram’s first six months as a Partner at the Long Island General Office, he guided three of his new agents to Council status — an impressive accomplishment indeed! In 2006 Akram has seven Council agents under his direct supervision.

He recommends a career at New York Life because it offers the agent both unlimited income opportunities (commissions/income is dependent on the sales activity of each particular agent) and an opportunity to help others.





Dominick M. Kortkamp

Partner

(631) 391-3446

dmkortkamp@ft.newyorklife.com

Born in Middle Village and raised in East Northport, Dominick learned to be a team-player and leader on the many athletic teams he joined in our local schools. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University and upon graduation in 2001 began his search for a rewarding career in a company with long-term growth potential.

“I wanted a career that would take me where I wanted to be!” Today, Dominick is where he wants to be — he’s a partner at the Long Island General Office of the New York Life Insurance Company. After joining us as an agent in 2002 he went on to capture most of our top awards — Life Centurion Award (2003, 2004), Life All-Star Award (2003, 2004), Career Foundation Award (2003). He was the first LIGO agent to achieve over 100 paid cases in his first contract year.

In 2004 he was recognized as the New Organization Agent of the Year and qualified for two consecutive Executive Councils.

“I believe knowledge is key in this business.” With this in mind, in 2003 Dominick earned his Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF) from the American College.

Dominick has always been very motivated and with great determination, works to achieve his goals. That’s why, Dominick, at the age of 25, was one of the youngest partners appointed at New York Life.

The price of success doesn’t come easy — it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Dominick says, “As I enter the next phase of my career, I look forward to meeting the challenges I encounter and surpassing the goals I set.”



Scott Caggiano

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 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.


John Vasilakos

Partner

(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 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.



Martin Lu

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 Insurance’s Long Island General Office in April 2006. 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).




Eugene Lutz

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.

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


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 a potential to earn unlimited income”.

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



Yong Chen

Partner

(718) 670-4011

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 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 year 2000, and marketing manager in 2001. In 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. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Lucy and two children, Kevin and Kelly.



Vincent J. Palma, CLU, ChCF, CLF

Sr. 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, enrolled in the Masters Program of the American College 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.



Arthur J. Keegan, III

Associate Sales Development Manager

(631) 391-2937

AKeegan@ft.newyorklife.com

Artie graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York with a degree in engineering and commision
as an Officer in the Navy and Merchant Marine Reserve.

Artie began his career at New York Life as an Agent. In December, 2002, Artie was joined the Management Team as an Associate Sales Development Manager.

Artie and his wife, Melissa, reside in Merrick, New York.





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.


Joseph Allard

Agency Standards Consultant
(631) 844-3081
jallard@ft.newyorklife.com

Joseph came to New York Life with ten years of financial service experience, three of those years in financial sales and seven in management. He has been an agent with New York Life for three years and qualified for Executive Council in 1999 and Centurion in 1998. Joseph has also worked at UBS Wealth Management for six years as a supervisor in equity compensation plan trading and administration, as well as project manager in FAS 123® financial reporting department, and was a project manager in securities class action litigation settlements for The Garden City Group, Inc.

Joseph graduated from C.W. Post/Long Island University in 1995 with a Bachelor Degree, and in 2005 he graduated from Pace University with a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management and International Economics.

He is committed to ensuring that New York Life Agents and Financial Service Professionals conduct business in an ethical manor and adhere to New York Life’s Agency Standards.