Our Team

Our senior management team averages 20 years of service with the firm. Our employees are selected from the best in the industry judged by merit and by personal standards of commitment, discretion and integrity.

Rick Thomas, CLU® | Founder and Chairman Emeritus

Rick Thomas is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Thomas Financial which he founded in 1975. His firm focuses on estate planning and wealth transfer for high net worth individuals and firms as well as business continuation and executive benefits for both the public and private sectors.

meet Rick

Helping high-net-worth
individuals and growth
companies achieve
financial security for
this generation and
the next

Lauren Thomas Compton, CFP®, CLU® | President and CEO

Lauren Thomas Compton CFP® and CLU® |
President and CEO

Lauren began her insurance career with Thomas Financial in 2004 and is now President and CEO of the firm. She is responsible for revenue growth, finance, operations and cultivating the relationships of the firm’s second- and third-generation clients, especially those of family businesses.

meet Lauren

Joel Stephens, CLU® | Principal and President,
Life Insurance

Joel specializes in life insurance planning for business owners and executives of both closely-held and publicly-held companies. He concentrates in Estate Planning for High Net Worth Individuals, Business Continuity and Executive Benefits.

meet Joel

Craig Faassen, CFP® | Principal and President,
Wealth Management

Craig Faassen, CFP®, is Principal and President of the Wealth Management Division. He combines deep technical expertise with a client-centric network of professional relationships.

meet Craig

Leslie Darrigo, CLU® | Principal and Chief Operating Officer

Leslie began her insurance career with Thomas Financial in 1984. Leslie is a Principal and the Chief Operating Officer, involved in all facets of the business including overseeing coordination of the departments and flow of business, improving procedures, assisting in strategic planning and training and mentoring the team.

meet Leslie

JS Gagnon | President, Group Benefits

JS is the President of the Group Benefits Division at Thomas Financial. A 15-year veteran of the health insurance field, he is widely recognized in the industry as a consumer driven healthcare and benefits technology expert.

meet JS

Kyle Medley | Director, Corporate Retirement Plans

Kyle Medley CPFA | Director,
Corporate Retirement Plans

Kyle specializes in individual disability insurance and retirement planning including 401(k)’s. Prior to joining Thomas Financial, he was in comprehensive business risk management, assisting specific business niches mitigate losses and maximize returns.

meet Kyle

Kory Lenz | Financial Planner

Kory is a Certified Financial Planner™ who recently joined Thomas Financial from Morgan Stanley. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University in 2012 and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Tampa in 2017.

meet Kory

Andy Cremer | Director of Case Design

Andy is the Director of Case Design, responsible for design, implementation, and in force management life insurance, retirement planning, wealth transfer, and business continuation plans.

meet Andy

Darielle Drummond | Director of Client Services

As the Director of Client Services, Darielle is a vital point of contact for life insurance, annuity and disability income insurance related service inquiries. While being responsible for assisting with managing our current in-force business, Darielle provides exceptional customer service and upholds the fundamental principles Thomas Financial was founded on – accountability and integrity.

meet Darielle

Lori Taylor | Executive Assistant

During her 25+ year career with Thomas Financial, Lori has worked in the areas of client service and underwriting. She now serves as Executive Assistant to both Lauren Thomas Compton and Joel Stephens.

meet Lori

Jeremy Schoenfeld | Head of Operations,
Wealth Management

Jeremy is Head of Operations for our Wealth Management Division. He brings 12 years of financial services experience from Wall Street where he worked in operations, trading and management.

meet Jeremy

Alexa Isetts | Client Services Analyst

Alexa joined the Thomas Financial team in 2017 as the Office Coordinator. Her role has since expanded, and she now additionally supports both the accounting and client services departments with policy management and services, invoicing, and agent commissions.

meet Alexa

Mickey Bryan | Client Service Associate

Mickey is responsible for the implementation and ongoing support of the firm’s Group Benefits clients. He also oversees the Group Benefits service team and manages day-to-day activities. With over 15 years of experience in health insurance, both on the carrier and agency side, Mickey’s brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.

meet Mickey

Jake Klinge | Case Design Analyst

Jake joins Thomas Financial as a member of our Case Design team and assists in the design, implementation, and management of life insurance plans.

meet Jake

Nathalie Daniele | Underwriting Account Manager

As a member of both the Case Design and Client Services teams, Nathalie’s responsibilities include both the design and plan administration of life insurance policies.

meet Nathalie

Aaron Neumann | Client Services Analyst

Aaron is responsible for reviewing client policies and making sure they are up to date and in good order. He believes in being proactive and finishing work for clients before the sun sets on Tampa Bay.