P: (949) 769-5785
About Us
BGA Insurance has built a reputation for delivering sales, marketing, planning and underwriting support to the upscale life insurance producer.
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“When it comes to Brokerage General Agencies, BGA Insurance definitely sets the gold standard. The New Business team at BGA provides unparalleled customer service and works tirelessly to process your cases in a timely manner.
Barry Zimmermann
President
P: (949) 769-5785
E: BarryZ@BGAinsurance.com
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Orange County, CA
Shawn Bragdon
Managing Partner
P: (949) 769-5787
E: ShawnB@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Justin Shultz
Senior Vice President
P: (949) 769-5781
E: JustinS@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Ken Williams, MBA
Senior Vice President
P: (949) 769-5783
E: KenW@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Jonna L. Billesbach, CLU
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 385-7234
E: JonnaB@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Matt Stout, CLU
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 769-5784
E: MattS@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Steve Jones
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 385-7225
E: SteveJ@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Trent Zimmermann
Annuity Director
P: (949) 763-2657
E: TrentZ@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Mark Rowe, CLU, ChFC
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 385-7243
E: MarkR@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Kit Carson
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 385-7244
E: KitC@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Jaron Nunez
Brokerage Director
P: (714) 476-3245
E: JaronN@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Steve Morris
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 385-7227
E: SteveM@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Nick Costello
Senior Case Manager
P: (949) 769-5788
E: NickC@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Chase Cunningham
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 779-3275
E: ChaseC@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Badriah Nordstrom
Brokerage Director
P: (949) 210-3773
E: BadriahN@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Ken Asbury
Controller
P: (949) 769-5790
E: KenA@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Danielle Geissler
Operation Manager
P: (949) 769-5796
E: DanielleG@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Christie Courtney
Case Manager
P: (949) 385-7228
E: ChristieC@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Meredeth Williams
Case Manager
P: (949) 769-5792
E: MeredethW@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Lisa Zimmermann
Commissions Specialist
P: (949) 769-5789
E: LisaZ@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Kathryn Ward
Creative Director
P: (949) 769-5795
E: KathrynW@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
Kalen Molloy
Communication Director
P: (949) 385-7223
E: KalenM@BGAinsurance.com
Orange County, CA
You're in good company
Here is a list of our trusted carrier partners
P: (949) 769-5785
E: BarryZ@bgainsurance.com
Barry Zimmermann
President & Founder
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) 769-5781
E: JustinS@bgainsurance.com
Justin Shultz
Senior Vice President
Justin Shultz is a founding member of BGA Insurance, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the brokerage world. He launched his career in New York with MetLife’s Variable Annuity department, where he built a strong technical foundation before expanding into the full spectrum of insurance solutions. Over the years, Justin has become a trusted resource for agents, known for his expertise in estate planning and the foreign national market.
Beyond his technical knowledge, Justin is valued for the relationships he builds. He has a genuine passion for helping agents strengthen their practices and uncover new opportunities, always with a focus on delivering exceptional results for their clients. His combination of professional insight and approachable style has made him a go-to partner for those looking to grow with confidence in an ever-changing 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) 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, providing them with expertise and comprehensive support with insurance solutions and services. In 2017, he became a Wealth Insurance Specialist with Wells Fargo, and in 2019, he joined PLAN and BGA Insurance.
Mark provides holistic, consultative planning suggestions while structuring proposals with maximum flexibility. This ensures that clients maintain control over their net worth with clear, understandable solutions. He understands all aspects of the advisory business, and he’s ready to provide the objective analysis and consultative process necessary to properly guide 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) 385-7228
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) 769 5790
E: KenA@bgainsurance.com
Ken Asbury
Controller
Since graduating from college, Ken has spent the last 10 years in the accounting departments for a few different organizations. The majority of those years have been spent working for insurance wholesaling companies. Ken has acquired an equally strong background in commissions as well as contracting and licensing. With few things in a sales organization more important than getting people paid quickly and accurately, Ken was a much-needed addition to BGA.
P: (949) 769 5796
E: DanielleG@bgainsurance.com
Danielle Geissler
Operations Manager
Danielle spent 5 years with Pacific Life where she worked with the Director of Underwriting and supported the top M Group Offices in the country. She decided to join the brokerage world in order to advance her career. A quick study and a fast learner, Danielle wears many hats and all very well. She is currently enrolled in the American College and will be completely her LUTCF and moving onto her CLF.
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) 779-3275
E: ChaseC@bgainsurance.com
Chase Cunningham
Brokerage Director
Chase brings a strong foundation of experience to the insurance industry after spending seven years in the mortgage finance sector. During that time, he specialized in refinancing and developed a deep expertise in working with veterans, helping them navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence.
Chase earned his political science degree from Rice University in 2014 and grew up in Southern California. With a strong financial background and a commitment to personalized service, he focuses on helping clients protect what matters most.
P: (949) 769 5783
E: KenW@bgainsurance.com
Ken Williams, MBA
Senior Vice President
Ken started his insurance career with Columbus Life where he worked in product development and provided competitive benchmarking analysis by day while getting his MBA from Xavier at night. Ken’s vast product knowledge and competitive spirit has become a difference maker for his agents over the last 10 plus years in the brokerage space. Ken has qualified for both Top of the Table and the International Forum.
P: (949) 769 5792
E: MeredethW@bgainsurance.com
Meredeth Williams
Case Manager
Meredeth started in the travel industry (when travel was fun) where she was a corporate travel agent for several Fortune 500 companies. Meredeth entered into the brokerage industry three years ago. Her extraordinary attention to detail that was honed from her days in travel business has stood her apart with agents she works with. No detail is too small. Her ability to prioritize, and her multi-tasking skills quickly made her a great Case Manager.
P: (949) 769 5789
E: LisaZ@bgainsurance.com
Lisa Zimmermann
Commissions Specialist
Lisa joined BGA Insurance in 2013 after 9 years of teaching at a private school in Newport Beach. Prior to teaching, Lisa was in Sales and knows firsthand the issues that salespeople face. She earned her BA at UCLA where she minored in mathematics. Lisa has always enjoyed numbers. Transitioning into commissions was an easy fit. The proud mother of two, she enjoys the challenges that her department brings.
Office: 949-955-0255
Fax: 949-955-9215
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.
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, CharteredFinancial 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: (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.
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
Annuity Director
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: (714) 476 3245
E: Jaronn@bgainsurance.com
Jaron Nunez
Brokerage Director
Brokerage Director at BGA
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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