Frank Robertson joins NGL as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Madison, Wis. (September 29, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Robertson as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Robertson is an experienced financial executive who has led finance teams and successfully driven several large-scale transformational initiatives. He joins NGL with nearly 30 years of experience in insurance financial services.

Robertson will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting and strategic planning. He will work directly with Joe Celentano, NGL President & CEO, along with the executive leadership team to drive NGL’s growth in selected markets and focus on long-term organizational success.

“We are excited to welcome Frank to our team,” shared Celentano. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic financial planning, business transformation and leadership. Frank’s expertise aligns with NGL’s vision for the future. His financial and insurance knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and operational efficiencies.”

Prior to joining NGL, Robertson served in several financial functions and senior leadership roles at Global Atlantic Financial Group (formerly Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group). During his tenure at Global Atlantic, Robertson drove the buildout of the controllership function, worked closely with all areas of the firm to drive strategic growth initiatives and was responsible for helping design and build the infrastructure and processes that enabled Global Atlantic to operate successfully as a stand-alone company.

“I’m honored to join a financially strong, century-old company with a legacy of serving its policyholders and partners,” said Robertson. “NGL’s values-driven culture, long-term stability and forward-looking approach to growth makes this an exciting opportunity. I am committed to working alongside a collaborative, talented team that contributes to NGL’s continued success, as well as driving sustainable long-term growth for our partners and policyholders.” 

Robertson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He earned a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from Boston College Carroll School of Management. Robertson is also a certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey.

Robertson currently resides in New Jersey. He is an active member in the community and proudly supports a variety of youth and humanitarian focused organizations. 

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

Starmark Appoints Dan Cook as Vice President of Business Development

Recognition Reflects Cook’s Leadership and Commitment to the Funeral Profession

RICHMOND, IN, June 19, 2025 – Starmark, the cremation solutions leader, has announced the appointment of Dan Cook as its Vice President of Business Development. Cook joined Starmark in 2023 as a leader from day one. His appointment as Vice President of Business Development can be compared to graduating from “Funeral Care University.” Cook gets the funeral business. 

Cook shared: “I love working with the Starmark team, who shares the common goal of helping families navigate loss and honoring their loved ones through funeral service. What I have found most rewarding is developing strong relationships with funeral professionals and helping them do better.” 

“Cook’s appointment as Vice President of Business Development marks another step forward for Starmark’s organization. His strategic insight, passion for the funeral profession, and commitment to excellence epitomize what makes Starmark special to funeral professionals.” – Justin Davis, President.

Cook holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Psychology (B.B.A.) but credits his most significant learning to hands-on experience. “I’m honored to serve funeral professionals through Starmark. Having a background in sales, accounting, and finance, I see so many ways that Starmark can improve funeral service. What a pleasure it is to build upon existing and develop new Starmark friendships.”

About Starmark: Starmark creates Sensible Solutions® for funeral professionals to help families more easily honor life’s most meaningful moments with grace and respect. It is all about celebrating the lives of loved ones with dignity and care. This belief inspires everything we at Starmark do, allowing funeral service professionals and families to focus on love, legacy, and healing.  For more information, visit: www.starmarkcp.com 

Leigh Klemencic joins NGL as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications

Madison, Wis. (February 17, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Leigh Klemencic as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications. Klemencic will lead the marketing team in the development of strategic external marketing communications initiatives to further enhance NGL’s position as a leader in the Preneed insurance industry.

Klemencic has experience in developing marketing campaigns and collateral, writing editorial content for industry publications, and building strong relationships to further enhance partners’ ability for future growth. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Leigh to our team. With her extensive experience in the Preneed profession, we are confident she will play a key role in advancing our vision to work with strategic clarity, creativity and operational excellence as NGL focuses on being a leader in chosen insurance markets,” said Jeremy Ragsdale, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at NGL. “Drawing on her skills in marketing and communications, with her background in Preneed, she will work to strengthen our marketing services for everyone who collaborates with us.”

Prior to joining NGL, Klemencic held a variety of roles at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, including Director-Preneed, and Preneed Marketing Manager. During her tenure with the organization, she helped funeral homes find and amplify their strategies for growth, designed and managed tradeshow sponsorships and exhibits, and implemented marketing campaigns.

“NGL is a leader in Preneed insurance and I’m excited to join the team and continue building on the foundation to grow in the marketplace,” said Klemencic. “I thrive on discovering opportunities to innovate through Preneed marketing and making a notable difference for the funeral homes that serve our communities.”

Klemencic earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brooklyn College. She is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Klemencic is a native of Ashland, Neb. and resides in Omaha, Neb., with her husband and three dogs.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

Express Funeral Funding Promotes Andy Buckman to President and Deanna Wilkinson to Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Jeffersonville, IN – Express Funeral Funding (EFF), the nation’s largest privately held, FASTEST and EASIEST at-need insurance assignment funding company is pleased to announce the promotion of Andy Buckman to president and Deanna Wilkinson to vice president of sales and marketing.

Joining EFF in 2013, Buckman brought a wealth of experience from the finance sector, specializing in healthcare cost containment services for several Fortune 500 companies and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University. He brings a comprehensive understanding of EFF to this new role, having gained valuable experience across all departments during his 11-year tenure.

“Andy has been pivotal in the growth and success of EFF,” said Kevin Tkacz, CEO and president of The Messenger Company. “With a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of the company’s vision, he is well-positioned to lead the organization into its next phase of growth.”  

As president, Buckman will work closely with the executive team to ensure the continued success of EFF and will drive forward initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction, product development and market expansion.

“I am honored to take on this new role and lead such an exceptional team,” said Andy Buckman, president of EFF. “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and deliver outstanding value to our clients and stakeholders. I am deeply committed to furthering our mission and driving continued success for the company.”

With this transition, Deanna Wilkinson will assume Buckman’s previous role as vice president of sales and marketing.

Wilkinson brings a decade of extensive experience and understanding of the field to this role, having started her funeral service career in 2015 with one of the nation’s largest casket suppliers. Since her start at EFF in 2017, Wilkinson has been instrumental in developing and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives designed to drive growth and enhance brand visibility among funeral and cemetery professionals nationwide.

“With the support of our shareholders, I am confident under these leadership changes, EFF will continue to thrive and maintain its position as the leader in insurance assignment funding,” said Kevin Tkacz.

Express Funeral Funding, a Messenger Family Company, has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide the ultimate funding experience since 2002. EFF eliminates the challenges of working with insurance companies by limiting administration, providing immediate payment, and advancing complete policy funds. For more information on Express Funeral Funding, please visit www.expressfuneralfunding.com, email contact@expff.com or call 812.949.9011.