Your life. Your safety. Your legacy.

Protect, manage, and grow them all with one call.

We are an independent Brokerage General Agency in Life Insurance, Long-Term Care, Annuities, and Disability. We work with financial planners, producers, and agencies to provide everything their client needs: management, support, and expertise. We’re there to help, every step of the way.

BGA Insurance proudly represents over 40 top insurance carriers. From risk management to wealth transfer to long-term care, we structure solutions with the best selections to meet your clients’ individual needs.

CONNECT WITH AN AGENT

Meet Our Team

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Barry Zimmermann

President

P: (949) 769-5785

E: BarryZ@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Barry's Bio

Shawn Bragdon

Managing Partner

P: (949) 769-5787

E: ShawnB@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Shawn's Bio

Justin Shultz

Senior Vice President

P: (949) 769-5781

E: JustinS@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Justin's Bio

Ken Williams, MBA

Senior Vice President

P: (949) 769-5783

E: KenW@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Ken's Bio

Jonna L. Billesbach, CLU

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 385-7234

E: JonnaB@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Jonna's Bio

Matt Stout, CLU

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 769-5784

E: MattS@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Matt's Bio

Steve Jones

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 385-7225

E: SteveJ@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Steve's Bio

Trent Zimmermann

Broker

P: (949) 763-2657

E: TrentZ@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Trent's Bio

Mark Rowe, CLU, ChFC

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 385-7243

E: MarkR@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Mark's Bio

Kit Carson

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 385-7244

E: KitC@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Kit's Bio

Jaron Nunez

Brokerage Director

P: (714) 476-3245

E: JaronN@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Jaron's Bio

Steve Morris

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 385-7227

E: SteveM@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Steve's Bio

Nick Costello

Senior Case Manager

P: (949) 769-5788

E: NickC@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Nick's Bio

Dina Mabry

Managing Director, BGA premier

P: (818) 601-3049

E: DinaM@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Dina's Bio

Badriah Nordstrom

Brokerage Director

P: (949) 210-3773

E: BadriahN@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Badriah's Bio

Stefanie Abbott

Case Manager

P: (818) 836-5628

E: StefanieA@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Stefanie's Bio

Russell Boring

Vice President

P: (818) 836-5629

E: RussellB@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Russel's Bio

Ken Asbury

Controller

P: (949) 769-5790

E: KenA@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Ken's Bio

Danielle Geissler

Operation Manager

P: (949) 769-5796

E: DanielleG@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Danielle's Bio

Christie Courtney

Case Manager

P: (949) 385-7228

E: ChristieC@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Christie's Bio

Meredeth Williams

Case Manager

P: (949) 769-5792

E: MeredethW@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Meredeth's Bio

Lisa Zimmermann

Commissions Specialist

P: (949) 769-5789

E: LisaZ@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Lisa's Bio

Kathryn Ward

Creative Director

P: (949) 769-5795

E: KathrynW@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Kathryn's Bio

Kalen Molloy

Communication Director

P: (949) 385-7223

E: KalenM@BGAinsurance.com

Orange County, CA

Kalen's Bio

P: (949) 769-5781

E: JustinS@bgainsurance.com

Justin Shultz

Senior Vice President

Working with Wire-house in New York for MetLife Variable Annuity department is how Justin began his insurance career. He later moved to the full line of insurance products in the General Agency world. Working with some of the best in the brokerage world Justin quickly advanced and decided to take a leap and work as a Marketing Representative. Focusing on estate planning for the senior market and helping his agents take their business to a higher level, Justin is establishing a name for himself in this industry.

P: (949) 385 7225

E: SteveJ@BGAinsurance.com

Steve Jones

Brokerage Director

Steve Jones has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and joins BGA Insurance as our newest Brokerage Director. A seasoned wholesaler, Steve specializes in supporting financial advisors with tailored strategies that help grow and strengthen their practices. His expertise spans disability insurance, group employee benefits, life insurance, and long-term care, allowing him to provide comprehensive support across a wide range of client needs.

With a career that includes roles on both the general agency and carrier sides, Steve brings a well-rounded perspective and a proven ability to identify customized solutions. He holds the DIA designation through the AHIP program and the GBA designation through the CEBS program, along with life and health insurance licenses. Advisors working with Steve can expect thoughtful collaboration, deep product knowledge, and actionable insights to help clients protect their income and secure their financial futures.

P: (949) 769-5785

E: BarryZ@bgainsurance.com

Darrien Mazariegos

President

Barry is the President and founder of BGA Insurance. Today, he is well into his second century working in the insurance and financial industry. Barry began his career conducting retail seminars on estate and financial planning, using that knowledge to springboard into starting his own company. BGA Insurance was founded in 2008, but soon thereafter, the financial world collapsed. However, BGA survived and flourished. Since then, BGA has quickly grown to become one of the top independently owned General Agencies in the country, with strong ties to all the top insurance carriers. Barry has always been very active in his community and supportive of the life insurance industry. He is a member of Finseca, NAILBA, and NAIFA, as well as other non-profit organizations.

P: (949) 385-7243

E: MarkR@bgainsurance.com

Mark Rowe, CLU, ChFC

Brokerage Director

Mark is a recognized expert in estate planning, wealth transfer, business continuation planning, and a true point-of-sale specialist. His career began in 1978 with Massachusetts Mutual Life in Detroit, and he eventually transitioned into agency management with John Hancock. In 1997, he moved to California and opened several insurance agencies and a broker-dealer, working with independent financial advisors and property-casualty producers.

In 2012, Mark began working with the top Raymond James and Morgan Stanley advisors along the West Coast, with a mission to provide them with reliable and comprehensive support for cutting-edge knowledge and expertise in insurance solutions and services. In 2017, he joined Wells Fargo as a Wealth Insurance Specialist, and in 2019, he became affiliated with PLAN and BGA Insurance.

Mark regularly meets with advisors and their clients to fully understand their goals, and he coordinates with their team of professionals to prepare a comprehensive plan involving financial, tax, legal, and insurance solutions. Mark’s approach is twofold: fully evaluating the specifics of a client’s financial situation and then offering sound recommendations for better financial decisions.

Mark provides holistic, consultative planning suggestions while structuring proposals with maximum flexibility. This ensures that clients maintain control over their net worth with clear and understandable solutions.He understands all aspects of the advisory business, and he’s ready to provide you and your clients the objective analysis and consultative process necessary to properly guide and assist you with insurance, wealth transfer, retirement, long-term care, and business planning issues.

P: (949) 769-5788

E: NickC@bgainsurance.com

Nick Costello

Senior Case Manager

Nick graduated from San Diego State University and began his career in the insurance brokerage industry in 2004. Over his many years in the business, he’s built strong relationships with carriers and agents alike, gathering invaluable expertise along the way. He fights for every case with a high sense of urgency and an eagerness to provide the most positive outcome possible for his clients.

Outside of work, Nick is happily married with one son. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, taking advantage of all that Southern California has to offer, surfing in the summer and skiing in the winter.

P: (949) 385-7244

E: KitC@bgainsurance.com

Kit Carson

Brokerage Director

Coming to BGA Insurance after many years with Wells Fargo, Kit honed his skills in protection planning, wealth accumulation, supplemental income planning, and wealth transfer strategies, specifically for high income and high net worth clients. He specializes in developing solutions that are designed to be in harmony with overall financial, estate, and business succession goals to help protect and preserve assets for the next generation.

Kit has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, and his extensive knowledge of advanced life insurance strategies and their applications allows him to work closely with agents, attorneys, and accountants, all in order to execute the program best suited to meet the client’s needs. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he started his career with Mass Mutual, then transitioned to the life settlement industry, before joining Wells Fargo for 11 years, where he worked with over 400 advisors.

Outside of work, Kit likes to stay active. Biking, playing a relaxing round of golf, and traveling with his wife Jan are his favorite ways to spend his free time.

P: (949) 385-7242

E: BrandtB@bgainsurance.com

Brandt Bangs

Brokerage Director

Brandt graduated from Chapman University in 2008 and majored in Business Marketing. He played four years of college basketball, two of which were with Chapman. His first job in the insurance industry was as an intern and life insurance case manager for a local GA.

After 6 months, he was hired on full time as sales assistant and head brokerage director for the same firm. In the past 5 years, he has focused his efforts on helping local brokers increase their life insurance, annuity, and long-term care business through many unique sales designs and in-depth business/estate/retirement planning knowledge. He is looking forward to continuing to develop closer relationships with his brokers in the future.

P: (949) 385-7228

E: ChristieC@bgainsurance.com

Christie Courtney

Case Manager

The Cal State Fullerton Titans are proud to have Christie as an alumna with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. Upon graduation, her career took an unexpected shift and she started her career in the life insurance industry.

Now a “Titan” as a case manager, Christie is experienced, seasoned and exceptional. She pays high attention to detail and prides herself to always provide the best possible service possible. Christie is happily married with two young daughters who keep her very busy. She enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.

P: (949) 385 7241

E: JeffM@bgainsurance.com

Jeff Martinelli

Brokerage Director

Jeff joined BGA with more than 14 years of experience while working for several well-known Southern California life insurance agencies. During that time, he developed a solid background in life insurance sales and life new business/underwriting tendencies.

Well versed in sales concepts and techniques, Jeff is focused on partnering with financial professionals that count on him for his high-level service and expertise. He is currently in the process of obtaining his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from American College.

Office: 949-955-0255
Cell: 818-388-3423

P: (858) 210 3773

E: BadriahN@bgainsurance.com

Badriah Nordstrom

Brokerage Director

Badriah is a well-known force in the insurance industry. With a Computer Science degree from Northrop University, she didn’t expect her career to unfold the way it did. But she needed a job out of college and found one with Executive Life back in the ’80s. Her talents were showcased and she excelled. She has been unstoppable ever since. She has probably worked every job in this industry along the way. She now has all that knowledge to draw upon and use. Her strengths are her commitment to others and her unwillingness to let others down. She fights every case to the end to get what’s best for her clients.

P: (949) 769 5784

E: MattS@bgainsurance.com

Matt Stout, CLU

Brokerage Director

Matt started his financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 1991. Matt was a Financial Consultant focusing his practice on the use of stocks, municipal bonds, mutual funds and variable annuities as long-term investment tools for his clients. In 1996, he joined Ashton Group, an estate planning firm headed by a large life insurance producer in Irvine, CA. Bringing with him his experience from a wire-house he added diversity and portfolio analysis to help their affluent clients.

Matt realized firsthand the power of life insurance as an investment class and its immediate impact when a loved one passes away. In 2004, he joined Integrity Wealth Management headed by a former partner of Ashton Group as their Director of Insurance Services. In February, 2010 a joint venture between IWM and BGA brought Matt over as a Brokerage Director for BGA.

Matt grew up on his family’s farm in Central Illinois and currently lives in Brea, California with his wife, Victoria and their daughter Maya. Matt is a CLU, a member of FPA of Orange County, Provisors and supports German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County.

P: (949) 385 7227

E: SteveM@bgainsurance.com

Steve Morris

Brokerage Director

Beyond his extensive experience working with a variety of life insurance cases, Steve specializes in business planning involving buy-sell agreements, keyperson insurance, and the use of valuations to support the planning needs of the owners and the advisors that work with them. His passion for long- term care has been gained over the last two decades from the many life experiences of his agents, their clients, and his own family.

Steve has 25 years of expertise in life, long-term care, and disability insurance, plus annuity direct sales, point-of-sale, and territory management. Prior to joining BGA Insurance, he was the Western Insurance & Annuity Territory Manager for the largest independent broker-dealer in the country. Before that, he developed and led the insurance sale desk of a major national insurance general agency.

In the 1990s, Steve was in a recruiting office for the largest protective life general agency in the country.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Azusa Pacific University. He holds FINRA 6 and 63 licenses, life, and health licenses, and is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and a Certified Advisor for Senior Living. He currently resides in San Diego County with his wife Barbara, and they are blessed with three children and five grandchildren.

P: (818) 836 5629

E: RussellB@bgainsurance.com

Russell Boring

Vice President

Prior to joining BGA, Russell pursued a career playing professional golf. He was a two-time Academic All-American playing golf at University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After two and a half years of professional golf, he transitioned into the financial world and has become a valuable asset to the BGA team with a specialty in advanced market life insurance concepts and servicing fee-only advisors.

Russell has a passion for giving back and is involved with Project Kindle, an organization that provides support an education to children affected by HIV/AIDS. He is also an active member of Athlete’s Touch and Kingdom Advisors. He and his wife Lisa got married in 2014 and reside in Westlake Village.

P: (949) 385 7234

E: JonnaB@bgainsurance.com

Jonna L. Billesbach, CLU

Brokerage Director

Jonna has been building her career in the life insurance industry for nearly 30 years. Starting at Old Line Life Insurance, which was later acquired by AIG American General, she honed her skills in a marketing support role. She was then promoted to regional vice president where she managed independent wholesale distributors.
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In 2007, Jonna was recruited by Credit Suisse, where she was a vice president in the Life Finance Group, focusing on premium finance and life settlements. From there, she held the position of brokerage director for a Los Angeles-based firm, where she recruited and managed independent producers.

Jonna joined BGA Insurance as a brokerage director in January 2017, bringing with her an extensive amount of product knowledge, a determination to get things done, and a proven ability to build long-term relationships. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal State University Northridge. Her CLU designation from The American College, and she holds Series 6, 7, 63, and 24 licenses.

P: (949) 385 7233

E: KalenM@bgainsurance.com

Kalen Molloy

Communication Director

Prior to joining BGA Insurance in 2017, Kalen was an elementary school teacher in the Midwest, but he eventually decided to move west, change careers, and started work in the marketing business. He has several years of experience with a variety of design tools, and he brings a strong attention to detail and a creative thought process to his work. Kalen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Missouri, and although he now resides in Southern California, his loyalties still lie with the sports teams in his childhood home of NorCal. When he’s not rooting for the San Francisco Giants, he enjoys spending time playing disc golf, hiking in the mountains, exploring the coast, and nerding out over cinema.

P: (949) 769-5795

E: KathrynW@bgainsurance.com

Kathryn Ward

Creative Director

Before joining BGA Insurance, Kathryn worked in marketing and advertising for the fashion and action sports industry. She has an expertise in website design. Additionally, she has experience in product development, marketing, online sales and social media. Kathryn successfully increased sales and awareness for the various brands she supported. Her marketing and graphic design experience in a fast paced industry enables Kathryn to both conceptualize and execute creative marketing tasks.

Kathryn graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Graphic Design. She now resides in Newport Beach, CA. She enjoys running, Spin, yoga, hikes and being on the water. She is passionate about living her happiest, healthiest life and promoting that in her professional endeavors.

P: (949) 763-2657

E: TrentZ@bgainsurance.com

Trent Zimmermann

Broker

Trent joined BGA Insurance in 2020 after 4 years of fundraising for prestigious catholic organizations. He graduated Loyola Marymount University in 2016 with a political science degree and during his years at LMU, was a member or service organization, Magis, an organization whose goal is to develop men who strive toward key Jesuit ideals; a thirst for the more, for the greater good, and for a life-long disposition to a fuller service of God and others.

Trent has been a lifelong athlete and practices dedication and perseverance in every aspect of his life. Trent’s pursuit for the greater good and his sales skills and certifications are a huge asset to the BGA team and his clients.

P: (818) 836 5628

E: StefanieA@bgainsurance.com

Stefanie Abbott

Case Manager

Stefanie earned a business degree from the University of San Diego and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She has spent her sales career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and she brings new perspective to BGA Insurance.

As a creative critical thinker committed to customer service and education, her primary goal is to provide clients with accessible expertise and an honest, thoughtful, problem-solving approach to life and long-term care insurance. Stefanie’s passion is helping women gain protection of their financial futures. She currently resides in Oak Park with her family, and she’s an active volunteer with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women.

P: (949) 769-5787

E: ShawnB@bgainsurance.com

Shawn Bragdon, CLU, ChFC

Managing Partner

Shawn has been a fixture for over 30 years in the insurance industry. He spent 14 years with Lincoln as Regional VP for the Western Region. Shawn has coached financial professionals and clients on retirement planning, business continuation and how best to transfer their wealth. Shawn is a frequent industry speaker on a variety of advanced planning techniques and tax strategies. It’s often said, there isn’t a problem that Shawn can’t figure out a solution by using life insurance.

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Your life. Your safety. Your legacy.

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