About Us

What was Brett’s driving force in creating Retirement Architecture? Here is a worst-case scenario history that may help.

Brett grew up in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York. He decided to pursue a career in the newly evolving modular home industry. The Mid-Hudson region, which was also the manufacturing center of IBM (largest employer in the area at the time), presented a great opportunity for middle class real estate development. IBM was growing and they paid their employees well.

Targeting the IBM workforce, Brett quickly became one of the area leaders in the modular home construction business. Business was good and growing into the early 90s. Brett started developing land in a targeted zone between Poughkeepsie and Kingston, NY both of which had large IBM plants. With a multi-lot subdivision ready, IBM unexpectedly announced the closure of its Kingston plant and the consolidation of their Mid-Hudson workforce; 12,000 jobs were eliminated or transferred out of the state. This created a local real estate collapse - Brett ended up losing everything. Brett often says, “it doesn't matter how hard you work, there will always be something that can blindside you and take it all away!" It took Brett years to rebuild his life.

Today, Brett is helping his fellow "Baby Boomers" prepare for their own blindside. One that could destroy their retirement dreams. He believes a massive financial disaster is in the makings and should it happen, baby boomers will not have the time to recover. Not wanting to be considered an alarmist, he felt the bast way to help people is through awareness. With his construction background, the idea of using blueprints to expose what a financial “Worst-Case Scenario” would do to a retirement plan would be the best way to get the masses to make the worst-case scenario part of the retirement planning process. Today, more than 20,000 people a month are being introduce to their Worst-Case Scenario and how they can reduce their exposure should it come to fruition.

Stephen Cella joined KeyArx in 2012 and sits on the Executive Committee.

He has over twenty years of experience in brokerage, investment banking, trading and retail sales management. As a branch manager and then regional branch manager, Stephen supervised and managed over 100 reps in Red Bank, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois. Stephen was later promoted to Institutional Sales where he focused his efforts on private and public equity funding with both domestic and international institutions. Stephen has raised over $60,000,000 in capital and debt financing for small to midsize companies, allowing them to maximize their profit potential.

Stephen started his career in 1984, when he joined E.F. Hutton in its retail sales department. He progressed into a senior managerial role at both First Montauk Securities and H.J. Meyers & Co. From there, Stephen took a position as the Managing Director of Institutional Sales at M.H. Meyerson & Co from 1998 to September 11, 2001. Stephen is the proud parent of two sons, Max graduated from Arizona State University and Nicholas graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Cody Lowry takes vision and makes it a reality. He is also an inspirational leader whose stories move people to action and foster a winning, can-do attitude.

 Here are just a few of those stories:

• Setting up a meeting with the President of the United States in one week.
• Being asked to carry the torch in the Olympic torch relay.
• Getting a baseball signed by the Pope.
• Being presented with a Super Bowl ring from one of the NFL’s Hall of Fame coaches.
• Auditioning for Saturday Night Live with only a 48 hour notice.
• Schmoozing his way on to Augusta National.

Cody Lowry’s story is an upbeat and hilarious one. But it wasn’t always that way. His past knew poverty, abandonment, and a family that moved thirty-two times within a seven-year period. Yet today, he’s a Pied Piper of positivity with advice for your group on how to Schmooze your way into a better life.

Cody takes on life with a unique perspective, executing bold ideas, making others laugh, and being ever mindful of the little guy. Past divisional President of The Intermark Group, a full-service advertising digital and branding agency located in Birmingham, Alabama, Cody is a refreshing change of pace and a welcome addition to any corporate boardroom looking for innovative, realistic, out of the box ideas and solutions.

Prior to joining the Intermark Group, Cody was Founder and President of DynaMedia Of America, a full- service advertising agency located in Tampa, Florida. With his instinctive Ritz Carlton-esque commitment to customer service, Cody successfully built a multi-million-dollar agency with client retention lasting as long as 30 years.

Cody holds a marketing and communication degree from the University of South Florida, but because of his humble and chaotic beginnings, he is most proud of his graduation from what Alan Dershowitz once termed Cody’s diploma from the “The School of Hard Knocks.”

Susanne evaluates sub-standard risks and acts as liaison between the producers/wholesalers and various underwriting companies and administrators. She regularly interacts with the client, particularly in the fact-finding and initial policy implementation phases. In addition, she discusses appropriate plan designs with the producer and prepares the final product for presentation purposes.

Susanne also performs in-force policy research and analysis with the goal of providing, not only continuing client service and contact, but also assuring that the customer’s insurance portfolios are reflective of current market-place benefits and conditions.

In addition to his corporate clientele, he represents over two hundred orthopedic surgeons across the United States. Some of these include the Team Doctors for all of New York's professional sports organizations.

With his many years of experience, Jack and his associates are well equipped to offer their clients a wide range of insight and expertise to help them navigate the complex nature of today’s financial environment. Working together with his team of diversified professionals, they evaluate and analyze risk and risk tolerance in order to identify potential vulnerabilities in their clients' personal planning.

Prior to starting JSL Associates in 2017, M.r Lee spent 20 years with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. While at Northwestern Mutual, he was the leading national producer for disability insurance. In 2000, Jack joined MetLife as their disability insurance advisor. During his tenure as an agent and advisor, he was a consistent leading producer, earning many corporate and industry awards along the way.

Mr. Lee has his FINRA Series 63 and 7 licenses.

Jack lives in Aquebogue NY with his wife of 34 years, Lisa. They have two children and a granddaughter.

Jack is an accomplished amateur golfer and enjoys boating with his family and friends.

Todd Neville joined The KeyArx Group in 2022 after graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Finance from the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business. Todd has experience in developing and implementing strategic marketing initiatives by creating content in diverse channels and managing outreach to generate engagement, drive revenue, and catalyze deal flow.

Todd collaborates with the other members of the executive team in order to deliver optimized services to existing and prospective clients as well as engage with groups to build customized plans through KeyArx insurance products and services.

Gavin is licensed in most states, accredited insurance designations and has a bachelor’s degree in business management. Located in Las Vegas, NV, he built a large Managing General Agency that focused on all forms of insurance. In 2021 he worked as a Strategic Partner with Ethos and then became the VP for a startup Insurtech company called Asteya until April of this 2023. Currently, Gavin’s expertise focuses on level funded and self-funded group benefits with additional strategies involving captive management, risk management, employee benefits and lifestyle benefits.

Larry Dykes, SkyView Partners, has over 42 years of experience in the financial services field with a specialty focus in the Healthcare Industry. SkyView and KeyArx have over a decade relationship in providing benefits, retirement planning, and specialty retirement plans for physicians and Healthcare leadership. SkyView and KeyArx work together in providing all of the above in the Midwest.

Dan has over 10 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry providing advanced planning strategies to "Main Street". Throughout this time he's cultivated relationships across the country that provide differentiated value in a number of areas including, current and future tax planning, safe alternative asset allocation, capital raise, precious metals and more.

Ben started his career at MassMutual in 2009 after graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He discovered a passion for helping people protect their families and built up his knowledge in the insurance field. He launched a retail business, successfully grew it into a franchise, and sold it six years later. This experience gave him valuable insights into the challenges faced by business owners and their employees, so he returned to the insurance industry as a broker, ready to offer a fresh perspective and an enhanced ability to meet diverse client needs.

A true San Diego native, Ben loves surfing, grilling, and staying active. He lives in Del Mar with his two dogs, Kadie and Bailey, and works out of his office in the La Jolla UTC area.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Paul and his team at KeyArx. My goal has always been to help clients secure the most cost-effective coverage. To do this, I need strategic partnerships with carriers that give my clients access to exclusive discounts—which KeyArx provides—along with a proven track record of professionalism and results.” - Ben Farrell

Dave uniquely bundles group health care plans and group hospital indemnity plans that provide high levels of employee benefits and customer service while reducing overall costs for the employer and their employees (typically $3,400 per employee per year). Thanks to our years of experience in the benefits business and our unique approach to bundling various services, we’re able to offer benefits packages that you won’t find elsewhere.

After being recognized as the number #1 Aflac broker for three consecutive years (2018, 2019, and 2020), Anthony Libecci uncovered many ways for companies to optimize their Employees Benefits packages through Worksite Benefits while continuing to keep their carrier holders intact. For the last 13 years, Mr. Libecci has exhibited an innate ability to connect deeply with clients through educating and implementing great worksite benefit plans.

In 2020, he launched a new company called BENEMONT - a worksite benefits brokerage - to better address and customize corporate packages for companies in the continental US. The areas he specializes in are Pricing, Policy Design and Implementation.

Anthony lives in Holmdel, N.J. with his wife Lauren, and their children: Anthony Jr. (6 yr. old), Leo (4), Amelia (1), along with their newest addition, a dog named Corona (at 1 year of age).

Danielle is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Live.2.100, Inc. Danielle holds a New York Real Estate Broker License and a Property and Casualty Insurance Brokerage license. She also maintains Life and Health Insurance licenses in 46 states. In addition to her professional licenses, she earned her B.S. degree in business management from Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY). Danielle lives in Gardiner, NY, with her husband, David, three children, and two german shepherds. 

Danielle and Brett Saso have been business partners for 35 years. While Brett is known as the company’s “frontman,” Danielle is responsible for all matters that involve the company’s well-being. The two credit their business success to this operating balance.

Gina will update all client assets and make sure all aspects of the portfolio are accurate and determine if there are any areas for improvement. Gina speaks with carrier wholesalers to keep the team advised of new and innovative products. She interacts with the advisors to coordinate the best possible outcomes for the client.

Dustin Beekman began his career with Mass Mutual Financial Group helping clients to find the best solutions to meet their insurance needs and financial goals. Over the past 10+ years Dustin has worked in a variety of capacities for a state-based Healthcare Association, where he has developed and offered unique solutions to best meet the needs of the physician community. Through his role Dustin has formed a strong partnership with a Lloyd’s of London coverholder that specializes in offering highly customized insurance solutions to the high income “C Suite” executive market and physicians that have incomes of $2 million+. Dustin has a deep understanding of the excess accident & sickness market which includes high-limit disability (HLDI) insurance, as well as buy-sell, key-man and business overhead disability expense coverages.

Dan Thompson has 20+ years of experience working as an advisor with companies such as Paychex, Schwarz Pharma, ADP & 13 years with a large independent insurance brokerage, where he became partner of the firm.

As CEO of Clinical Wellness Network & Thompson Risk, Dan Thompson works with Carriers, Benefits Advisors, Physicians, and Employers to bring a new collaboration to the broken healthcare system.

Clinical Wellness Network was created as a SAAS platform that provides technology and business support services to medical providers.

KeyArx Thompson Risk is founded on the principal that there is much more to offer consumers than insurance for employee benefits. While Thompson Risk has access to 50+ traditional carriers, it also provides insight for employers around developing direct contracting solutions. Thompson Risk is one of the leading agencies in the healthcare sharing space and is licensed nationwide with its principal offices located in Naples, Florida. Dan's philosophy is to disrupt status quo, drive innovation in healthcare by pioneering new ideas to help fix a broken system. This has led companies to improved benefits, higher quality healthcare, lower costs and happier employees. Dan is a member of an elite National Next Generation Advisor group, Ascend. He belongs to the Agency Mastermind Growth Network and supports the Association of Insurance Leadership where he was awarded the National Innovation Award for 2018. Dan was selected as a 40 Under 40 member by Gulfshore Business in 2010. He has been featured in National Publications such as Benefits Pro, Rough Notes, SIIA (Self Insurance Institute of America) EBA (Employee Benefit Advisor). Dan was featured as a cover story in the November 2017 edition of Benefits Pro. He is often cited in trade publications and is a sought after writer / speaker for content in various publications in the industry. Dan has an open sharing network to help advisors that participate in the Next Gen Mastermind network by growing through education on prospecting, marketing, social media and next level/best practices strategy innovation.

Joel focuses on delivering high impact, low disruption solutions that help consultants and their clients to solve complex cost containment problems, without disrupting the ecosphere already in place. Joel has significant experience in the healthcare industry, working with hospitals and health systems in the human capital management arena. His focus in the healthcare industry led him to the KeyArx team over a decade ago, and their combined expertise has proven invaluable for many clients. Joel began his career in the insurance industry with Sun Life Financial in 2005, supporting mid to large sized employers. His determination to deliver deeper insight regarding healthcare spend, and drive better health outcomes for patients is at the core of the Keyarx 360 Smarter Care solution. Joel lives in St. Augustine, FL with his wife Meredith and three children.

Anthony is currently the Art Director for Retirement Architecture. He produces the Deserve Podcast, designs the Deserve Magazine, and prints the blueprints that get shipped out to clients. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz in Graphic Design & Photography in 2015.

From 1983 through the present, David Hambright has worked as a broker representing healthcare providers and served as Director of Business Development for medical professional liability carriers insuring physicians and hospitals. He is currently licensed in 20 states. ​ David has a BS and MBA from Indiana State University.