Our Team
Vincent Spaniolo, CLU®, ChFC®
Managing Partner
Vince is the Managing Partner of the Michigan General Office, which is a multi-location, 100+ employee insurance and investment agency in the Greater Michigan area. He is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of financial services experience and 2 advanced industry designations.
After running a successful financial services practice for 4 years, he found his “true calling” by entering into leadership in 2001. Since then he has personally recruited, trained, and/or worked with 100 Insurance Agents and Financial Advisors to assist them with the growth and development of their practice, many of whom now run some of the most respected and successful financial services practices in the region. Vince is a graduate from Western Michigan University where he studied Finance. He and his wife, Amy, have three children and live in Hudsonville, MI.
Charles "Chuck" Selinger
Partner
Chuck joined New York Life in September of 2017 following being a State Farm agent/owner in Lansing and a 16 year career in pharmaceutical sales as an executive sales consultant and 5 years in event management working with General Motors traveling the country.
While earning bachelors and masters degrees from Central Michigan University, Chuck was a four year starter and two time All-MAC kicker. Volunteer activities include premier travel soccer coach and referee and CMU National Alumni Board Emeritus member, former regional commissioner for AYSO 1097, Junior Achievement and Olivet Schools.
Chuck currently lives in Battle Creek area with his wife Kari, son Clayton and eight dogs.
Daniel Pardy
Partner
Dan joined New York Life in September 2018. He began his insurance career directly out of college. Dan has over 36 years of industry experience. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business and Marketing from Oakland University as well as an associate degree in Business Administration and Operations from Kirtland College. In addition to working in the insurance industry Dan spent five years on the Madison Heights Police Reserves where he was awarded a medal for valor. When not working Dan loves to be on the water. He has a vacation home at Higgins Lake, MI. In addition, he enjoys visiting different beaches around the United States. His favorite beach is at Hilton Head, South Carolina. Dan, his wife Sheryl, and their daughter Tatiana live in Lyon Twp., Michigan where he is a diehard fan of all four of Detroit's professional sports teams. He drinks a lot of Lions Kool-Aid!
"Wake up each morning with determination to go to bed with satisfaction" George Lorimer
Craig A. Potter, CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®, RICP®
Senior Development Manager
Craig started his career in Financial Services with New York Life in 2007. After earning multiple Life Insurance sales awards as a part of the Michigan General Office New Organization, he became a three time Council qualifier as an established agent. Craig is a lifelong resident of Cedar Springs, MI with his wife Heather and their two children, Daniel and Lenora.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Aquinas College where he was a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field Teams earning “All-Region” honors in Cross Country in 2002. Craig is currently a Senior Development Manager in the Michigan General Office and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter ® and Chartered Financial Consultant® designation from the American College. He is a Registered Investment Advisor with Eagle Strategies and is licensed as a Limited Principal.
Chip Whalen, FLMI, ACS
Corporate Vice President - General Office Administration
Chip started with New York Life Insurance Company in June 1994. He currently supervises 8 staff members in 3 locations and provides administrative support to 100 agents and 9 managers. Prior to coming to the Michigan General Office, Chip worked in the New York Life Offices in Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, Lawrenceville, NJ and at the New York Life Home Office in New York. Chip graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Business Administration. Chip and his wife, Amy, have been married for 20 years and reside in Ada with their son Jonah.
Eric W. Deems, AAMS
Agency Standards Director
Eric is a Senior Associate, Director of Agency Standards and provides field operations and supervision support to the Michigan based field offices of New York Life. Eric was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has worked in finance for the past 7 years including roles in both supervision and wealth management. Eric is a graduate of Aquinas College with a focus in business administration. He is a veteran of the United States Army, including one tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq. Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, traveling the world, and working on his motorcycle.
Janina Valenza, MS
Director of Marketing
Janina began working with New York Life in 2010 and assisting agents in developing their practice. In 2015 she began working as NYL Michigan's Marketing Director. Prior to New York Life, Janina’s background was a government contractor for social programs through the US Department of Labor.
She is passionate about hiring the right talent and developing an agent's practice. When she has her "trainer" hat on, she enjoys working with our agents - brainstorming, and encouraging them while sharing how to use our marketing platforms. She was born and raised in Brazil for part of her life. When she returned to "The States", she landed in Grand Rapids, MI. She graduated with her Associate's at GRCC, her Bachelor's from Spring Arbor University and her Master's from Minot State University. She and her husband have a blended family of 5 children and 1 amazingly spoiled dog. She loves traveling, cooking and gardening.
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