Agency Directors

Brett Amendola

Agency Sales Director

Barnum Financial Group
an office of MetLife
100 Great Meadow Road Suite 200
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Phone: (860) 258-3801
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: bamendola@metlife.com

Brett M. Amendola, Agency Sales Director, Financial Planning Director is responsible for the coaching and development of a team of advisors. Since joining Barnum in 2002, Brett has developed a team of 100 Financial Advisors and his team is consistently found amongst MetLife's top three sales units. Brett oversees the Hartford, New London, Guilford and Wethersfield offices of Barnum. In 2005 Brett was named the number 2 Agency Sales Director in all of MetLife.

Brett has been in the Financial Services Industry since 1991. Starting at American Express Financial Advisors working as a Financial Advisor and District Manager. Prior to joining Barnum, Brett was an Associate Managing Director with Prudential Financial Planning Services and a Divisional Vice President with UBS.

Brett holds a degree in Finance from Quinnipiac University. Brett holds the Series 6,7,9,10,24,63,65 securities registrations, and state Life & Health Insurance Licenses and is a member of NAIFA and GAMA International. Brett resides in Clinton, CT with his wife and 3 children.

Thomas Cardini

Agency Sales Director

Barnum Financial Group
an office of MetLife
100 Great Meadow Road Suite 200
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Phone: (860) 258-3804
Fax: (860) 563-0651
E-mail: tcardini@metlife.com

As an Agency Sales Director for BFG, Thomas Cardini manages and coaches a team of financial professionals in Wethersfield, CT. He plays an instrumental leadership role in the training, development and education of the representatives on his team. His dedications allow his team to build successful careers and help their clients achieve financial freedom.

Tom has more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and is the past President of the Central CT Chapter, NALU. His professional qualifications include: Chartered Life Underwriter designation (CLU); Certified Long Term Care designation; Life Underwriter's Training Council Fellow (LUTCF); and Certification in CT Partnership for Long Term Care.

Consistent with the values that BFG places on charitable giving, Tom is an active member of his community. He is married to his wife Diane and has 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Maria Conlon

Agency Sales Director

6 Corporate Drive
Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 513-6322
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: mconlon@metlife.com

• BS – University of Connecticut
• Licensed to sell Life, Accident and Health Insurances, Series 6 & 63 Securities Registered
• Member of the Alumni Association of Connecticut
• Leader's Conference Qualification

Maria is an Agency Sales Director with Barnum Financial Group, An Office of MetLife. As an Agency Sales Director, Maria is dedicated to building a highly productive team of Financial Services Representatives. She is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to assist these Financial Service Representatives to build a successful practice within Barnum Financial Group.

Maria is a former "Husky" women's basketball player with the University of Connecticut who helped lead her team to three Division I National Championship victories. In addition, Maria was the Head Coach of the Women's Basketball Team at Southern Connecticut State University and led them to win the National Championship in 2005.

Maria currently lives in Milford, CT with her husband Carmine. In her free time Maria enjoys public speaking and giving back to her community by volunteering her time with various charitable organizations.

William Hite - LUTCF

Agency Sales Director

6 Corporate Drive
Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 513-6127
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: white@metlife.com

Bill is an Agency Sales Director at Barnum. Bill has been in the financial services industry for 20 years and with MetLife for ten years. Bill has built his team of representatives around the importance of education, training and experience in order to bring the most accurate information and appropriate strategies to their clients. As a part of Barnum Financial Group, Bill shares the firm's passion for giving back and is very active in the community. Bill is currently involved in several business associations, and is currently a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He has served on the Board of Directors for The Italian Community Center, Fairfield Junior Babe Ruth Baseball League and he was the Co-President of the Fairfield National Little League for five years. Bill has been coaching youth baseball, football and basketball locally for fourteen years. Bill resides with his wife Faith and his son Billy Jr. in Shelton, CT.

Joseph Kotula

Agency Sales Director

Barnum Financial Group
an office of MetLife
100 Great Meadow Road Suite 200
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Phone: (860) 258-3818
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: jkotula@metlife.com

Joseph LoPresti

Agency Sales Director
Financial Services Representative

6 Corporate Drive
Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 513-6132
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: jlopresti@metlife.com

Joe serves as Agency Sales Director at BFG. Since joining MetLife in 1992, Joe has held several leadership positions. For the last 9 years at Barnum, Joe is responsible for managing the Recruiting, Training, Case Design and Strategic Alliance Programs in addition to managing a Sales Team of over 100 associates. In 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Joe was named MetLife's Number One Agency Sales Director. Joe was also named by Fairfield County Business Journal as one of the top 40 leaders under the age of 40 in Fairfield County.

Joe earned his BS and BA from Nichols College where he specialized in Finance. He completed the Agency Management Training Course (AMTC) of LIMRA International and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and GAMA International.

Joe lives in Woodbury, CT with his wife Amy and their four children.

Morris E. Mete, LUTCF, CLTC

Agency Sales Director

6 Corporate Drive
Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 513-6382
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: mmete@metlife.com

Morris is an Agency Sales Director at Barnum Financial Group, MetLife's #1 Office.  As a part of BFG, Morris is committed to building a team of diverse professionals and providing them with continuous and current training opportunities and resources that help them build their business and maximize opportunities.  Clients turn to BFG because of our longevity, the service we provide and the experience that has made us the strong and stable company we are today.

Morris has been in the industry since 2003 and is an experienced manager.  He joined BFG from Prudential where he started as an advisor and was quickly promoted to the position of Branch Manager for the Middlebury Office.  During his time at Prudential, he qualified for MDRT and President's Conference in his first year, and finished #2 in the country for Rookie of the Year.  As a manager, he was named one of the top 15 managers nationwide.

In addition to his role as Agency Director, Morris is also an active member in the industry.  Some of the organizations he is involved in, include: NAIFA, NSHMBA AND ALPHA.  He received a double Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Connecticut and currently lives in Naugatuck, CT.  In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, going to dinner and participating in sports such as flag-football and basketball.  

Brian Segel

Agency Sales Director

Barnum Financial Group, An Office of MetLife
707 Westchester Ave, Suite 105
White Plains, NY 10604

Phone: (914) 272-2206
Fax: (914) 963-8014
E-mail: bsegel@metlife.com

Brian Segel is an Agency Sales Director for Barnum Financial Group, an office of MetLife. Brian manages a team of highly productive Financial Advisors in BFG's White Plains, NY office. Brian's team consists of both experienced advisors who challenge themselves everyday to take their career to the next level, as well as young professionals eager to learn from the best and build their business. Brian's mission is to build the strongest team of Financial Advisors possible and support them in their efforts to create successful practices within the Barnum Financial Group. Brian provides his team with the tools, and resources needed to assist them in becoming highly productive, entrepreneurial advisors.

Barnum Financial Group has been MetLife's number one sales agency nationwide for the past four consecutive years. BFG's extreme dedication and commitment to servicing its clients' financial needs and goals is what keeps it consistently rated among the top MetLife firms. Brian joined BFG because he believes in these same values. He also appreciates BFG's continued efforts to support its community. BFG has contributed to various nonprofit organizations, children's organizations and more. Brian has also been a consistent advocate in his community. He coaches little league and youth basketball in his hometown as well as a lot of his time and resources to his Alma mater, Binghamton University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management. Additionally, Brian is also the former Chairman of The Tau Alpha Upsilon Fraternity Alumni Society.

Brian has been in the Financial Services Industry for over 24 years. When he was a Financial Executive with Citicorp Investment Services, currently Citi Smith Barney, Brian was placed into the Citicorp Investment Services Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester's 2008 Corporate Leadership Award for his outstanding commitment to community and humanitarian causes. Brian holds his series 6, 7, 63, 65 securities registrations and is licensed to sell Life and Health Insurance in NY, NJ and NC.

Brian is a resident of Larchmont, NY where he resides with his wife Jamie, four children, Ryan, Jordyn, Alexandra and Kimberly and their dog Maddy. In his spare time, Brian enjoys golf, softball and tennis and spending time with his family.

Scott Sokolowski

Agency Recruiting Director

Barnum Financial Group
273 N Colony Road
Wallingford, CT 06492

Phone: (203) 513-6276
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: ssokolowski1@metlife.com

"For me the two great rewards for the hard work involved in executing a search are exceeding the client's expectations and delivering on the promises and resources that I represented about Barnum Financial Group, an office of MetLife."

Scott Sokolowski, Agency Recruiting Director at Barnum Financial Group, MetLife's #1 office, came into the recruiting business over 10 years ago with broad experience in the financial and insurance industry. Scott began his recruiting career at Grayling Associates, where in a short period of time became a top producer. While there, Scott was on the team that was responsible for one of the largest placements in the firm's history, moving a producer that did $1.8 million in first year commissions. During the course of his career, Scott worked for companies such as Mass Mutual, Prudential Securities, Hartford, Mony Group, New York Life and Amerprise.

Scott's success and entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of his own company, Park Avenue Group, where he focused on the insurance and financial planning markets. Scott focused on MDRT, Court of the Table, Top of the Table Producers, Financial Planners, Investment Specialists, Wirehouse Advisors and Managers. Having successfully recruited many top producers for Barnum Financial Group, Scott was recruited by Paul Blanco, managing director of Barnum, and MetLife's youngest inductee to the Hall of Fame, to join his award winning team and become part of a firm that is widely regarded, recognized and respected throughout the country. Sharing Blanco's mission and passion for excellence, as well as understanding BFG's uniqueness and appeal, Scott joined the company in January, 2008 and in his first year recruited 25 experienced advisors and three sales managers.

Scott works with each producer on an individual basis to find the right match within the firm. Scott has a reputation for exceptional client service. Scott has garnered praise from both clients and candidates for the professional manner in which he handles the process. Scott's honest and ethical manner yields comments like; "I felt Scott was working for me;" he wants it to be a good fit on both ends;' "Scott delivered on every promise;" Scott's interest in helping me, continues even after working at BFG for over a year. "

Prior to working in the recruiting arena, Scott's interest was in health and fitness. After graduating college with a degree in Sports Medicine he worked at the popular Reebok Sports Club in New York City training corporate executives and celebrities.

Scott served 6 years as a Medic in the United States Air Force/Air National Guard as a Staff Sergeant. One of his memorable experiences while serving his country was creating medical clinics in remote places in Honduras where he was part of the team that helped immunize thousands of people living in extreme poverty. It was there that Scott learned about the importance of a team and developed leadership skills that are an integral part of his business success today.
Recent economic factors have led Scott to establish a non-profit organization that is geared to provide business clothing for men and women unable to afford to buy the attire needed for the interview process.
Scott earned a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Connecticut and resides in Hartford County with his 2 year old Black German Shepard.
Scott still maintains his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. He works out at the gym five times a week, plays racquetball, tennis and basketball.

Brian Walsh - CLTC

Agency Sales Director

Barnum Financial Group
225 High Ridge Road, East Building, 1st Floor
Stamford, CT 06905

Phone: (203) 658-1940
Fax: (203) 513-6080
E-mail: bwalsh1@metlife.com

Brian Walsh, Agency Sales Director for Barnum Financial Group, an Office of MetLife currently manages an office of 30 advisors in Stamford. Connecticut. Brian has thirteen years experience in the financial services industry and has been with Barnum Financial Group since 2002. As Agency Sales Director, he is instrumental in coaching and developing his advisors, which work out of several locations throughout CT and NY.

During his tenure with Barnum Financial Group, he has consistently qualified for MetLife Leaders Conference and has received both the GAMA Platinum and Silver Award. Brian has his BA from SUNY Stony Brook and currently holds his Life & Health and Property & Casualty Insurance Licenses and FINRA Series 6, 63, 65 and 7 securities registrations. He is also an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), GAMA International and the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Brian currently lives in Shelton, CT with his wife and two sons. He enjoys giving back to his community through involvement with the Boy Scouts, coaching Shelton Flag Football and supporting our local Junior Achievement.

William Weiss

Agency Sales Director

200 Park Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10166

Phone: (212) 922-9100
Fax: (212) 922-9195
E-mail: wweiss@metlife.com

William is an Agency Sales Director at Barnum Financial Group, MetLife's #1 Office (for the past 4 years). He has been in the financial services industry for 21 years, 19 of which have been with MetLife. For the past 8 years, he has been managing our Manhattan office of financial services representatives, where he has led them to a dramatic increase in sales.

As a part of BFG, William is able to provide his team of professionals with continuous and current training opportunities and resources that help them build their business and maximize opportunities. Clients turn to BFG because of our longevity, the service we provide and the experience that has made us the strong and stable company we are today.

In addition to his role as Agency Director, William is also an active member in the industry and his community. Some of the organizations he is involved in, include: Master Drive, NAUI, AYSO-Soccer, WYSL-Soccer and EHYSL-Soccer. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Quinnipiac College and currently lives in Ossining, NY with his wife Tammie and has one child, Richard Weiss. In his spare time, he enjoys diving, fishing, boating, tennis and traveling.

MetLife is an equal opportunity employer.