President & Chief Executive Officer

Joseph Celentano is President & CEO of NGL and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Celentano joined NGL in 2024 with more than 30 years’ experience in leadership positions at a mutual insurer. He held a variety of positions ranging from retirement solutions and product development to Divisional Chief Financial Officer to Enterprise Chief Risk Officer, as well as involvement in digital transformation efforts and setting overall company strategy.

Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer

Kimberly Shaul, JD has 30 years of legal and insurance experience and joined NGL in 2014. She is responsible for leading and directing all legal matters relating to NGL and its subsidiaries and has provided legal expertise on a variety of insurance regulatory and compliance issues. Prior to her role at NGL, she served in both legal and business leadership roles for several insurance companies and for the State of Wisconsin. 

Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Jeremy Ragsdale joined NGL in 2020 and has more than 25 years of leadership expertise encompassing all aspects of a life insurance company, including advance markets, distribution, executive leadership, IT, marketing, new business, operations, product, project and risk. His role brings the Marketing, Strategic Partner Development, Sales and Business Development, and Product teams together to strengthen and grow our business.

Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Corporate Secretary

James Boll has 30 years of legal experience, including litigation and corporate, as well as insurance operations and regulation. He joins NGL’s leadership team and manages corporate legal operations.

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Cara Capretta is an experienced strategic business leader with more than 30 years in human resources. She joined NGL in October 2024 and leads the human resources, corporate communications and facilities teams. Capretta is focused on advancing culture, as well as standardizing processes to enhance the development of team members and the organization’s growth.

Senior Vice President, Chief Business Development Officer

Patrick Juarez joined NGL in 2015 with more than 20 years in the insurance industry. He is responsible for managing marketing and sales strategies for NGL’s product lines, including individual and group products for limited benefit medical, dental and vision.

Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

Marita LaChapell, CPA.PFS, CLTC, CKA has more than 30 years of experience designing and implementing enterprise systems, compensation strategies, and driving organizational change through continuous improvement. She oversees and manages all aspects of the Risk, Audit, Policy Accounting, Reinsurance and Tax departments.

Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer

David Puckett joined NGL in 2020 and has more than 30 years of experience managing insurance company assets. He oversees all aspects of managing NGL’s investment portfolios, as well as provides support for various strategic initiatives.

Senior Vice President, Chief Actuary

Andrea Rouleau joined NGL in 2011 and has nearly 18 years of insurance experience that includes pricing, product development, in force management, sales, distribution and marketing in a variety of life, annuity, and health products. She oversees all new product pricing, product development, and in force management.

Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer

Brian Saperstein joined NGL in 2023 and manages the evolution of IT capability growth, with a focus on strategic alignment. Saperstein is an accomplished senior leader with more than 20 years of experience in the technology and insurance industries at organizations including Sapiens, Sammons Financial Group and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. 

Vice President, Sales and Business Development

Jennifer Kaset focuses on developing and nurturing Preneed partnerships with NGL’s marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies. Kaset has nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Vice President and Appointed Actuary

Scott Michels joined NGL in 2020 and has 23 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily as an actuary. He is focused on directing and managing the valuation area of the actuarial financial reporting team. Additionally, he serves as the Appointed Actuary and is responsible for reserve adequacy, asset/liability analysis, valuation, forecasting and other various actuarial related matters.

Vice President, Controller

Michelle Niemec joined NGL in 2021 and was instrumental in determining the accounting treatment for the sale of various blocks of business, as well as managing the relationship with NGL’s external auditors. She is a CPA with a background in public and technical accounting, as well as private equity and strategic transition support. Niemec oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, accounting policy, expense analysis and financial planning functions.

Vice President, Operations

Jerie Olson joined NGL in 1999 and throughout her tenure has worked with a variety of areas supporting our partners and policyholders. She leads the operations area and end-to-end processes to align with corporate strategies and provide exceptional customer service. She draws on her background in legal and compliance to manage NGL’s operational and workforce risks.

Vice President, Sales and Business Development

Judy Olson focuses on developing and nurturing Preneed partnerships with NGL’s marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies. Olson joined NGL in 2008 and uses her background in marketing and sales to support partners.

Vice President, Business and Lending Development

Kenn Peterson is a leader in the Preneed insurance industry with 36 years of experience helping companies grow their revenue. He is developing a consultative business model, establishing NGL’s lending program and assisting the sales team in achieving company objectives.

Vice President, Associate General Counsel Regulatory and Risk

Richard Wicka joined NGL in 2023 and has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney, primarily in the area of insurance law and has 13 years of experience in insurance regulation both on the regulator and company side. He serves as NGL’s primary regulatory and compliance attorney, providing legal guidance to NGL and its partners on regulatory questions, in addition to acting as NGL’s liaison with state insurance regulators.