Ronald Sussman President / C.E.O Ronald Sussman, Chief Executive Officer, is the founder of CPI Companies. Ron has over 25 years experience in risk management analysis, product design and development, and insurance planning strategies.   Working closely with clients and their advisors, Ron engineers tailor made strategies designed to facilitate the purchase of significant amounts of life insurance with minimal tax exposure, outlay or risk. Ron’s clients include some of the country’s most affluent families and businesses.  Ron is the author of the Large Case Design Memorandum, a widely read newsletter among successful financial service professionals and advisors. Ron has appeared on CNNFn as an expert on the topic of Life Settlements, was featured in an article in the Philadelphia Business Journal entitled ‘CPI manages the big picture’, and most recently appeared on Business Week’s Weekend Journal discussing the benefits of Health Savings Accounts.  Ron is licensed for Investment Advisory Services, is a Registered Securities Principal, and holds life insurance licenses in over 30 states.

Tricia Pilone Chief Operations Officer / Medical Underwriting Director Tricia (Pip), a Principal of the CPI Companies and President of Insurance Services, is responsible for the management of all life insurance related services. Tricia’s main areas of expertise are medical underwriting, negotiation of risk and product pricing. Tricia is the partner in charge of our insurance company relationships.   Tricia’s vast experience with medical issues, physician relationships, and client medical issues make her an invaluable asset when representing our clients to insurance carriers. Tricia and her team of underwriters make sure that every client receives the best possible offer by providing carriers the most in-depth analysis of each client’s medical history.  In addition, Tricia is responsible for spearheading CPI’s marketing initiatives. Tricia’s efforts have resulted in groundbreaking media campaigns and successful long term marketing strategies that benefit CPI Companies and its affiliates nationwide.   Tricia holds licenses for Life, Health, and Casualty insurance, as well as Investment Company Transactions and Investment Advisory Services.

Gary DeVicci, MSFS, CFP President, Advisory Services  Successful business owners and professionals have relied on Gary’s expertise for their financial, estate and business planning for three decades.  Gary has earned a Master of Science degree in Financial Services from the American College and holds designations as a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant and Accredited Estate Planner.  He has authored numerous articles, taught classes in investing, financial planning and conducted continuing education courses for financial planners, attorneys and accountants. Gary heads CPI’s planning team, which is responsible for the design and implementation of investment strategies, business and estate plans for CPI’s high net worth clients.  In addition, he provides planning advice and works jointly with CPI’s affiliated financial service producers nationwide.  Gary serves as President for The Brady Kohn Foundation.  He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Southern NJ, The Financial Planning Association, Association for Advanced Life Underwriting and is a Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals/SJ Chapter.  Gary holds multiple securities licenses (series 1,7,63,65,24,27) including those for Investment Advisory Services, as a Registered Securities Principal and Financial Operations Principal.

Curt Abbott Senior Design Analyst Curt entered the insurance industry first as a producer with Connecticut General, and then as an independent broker with a financial planning firm. After three years in the field, Curt made the jump to brokerage with CPI, where he now heads up our Design and Presentation team.    As Senior Design Analyst, Curt is the person responsible for creating the software that models our advanced planning transactions. Curt is familiar with the inner workings of all of the products offered by our carriers, as well as the intricate details of currency and options calculations.  For any given situation, Curt can find you the best product(s), prepare comparative spreadsheets, and provide you with detailed financial information and ratings on almost any insurer. By combining his sales experience and technical knowledge, Curt is able to help you design a winning sales strategy for both the simplest and most complex cases. Curt majored in Marketing at Bryant University, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In addition, he is licensed for Life and Health, Series 6 and 63.

Mike McKee Account Manager Mike entered the insurance business right out of college and has been with CPI for seven years.  During that time Mike has worked with agents specializing in the high net worth markets, providing them with unique sales ideas, product information, policy audits and customized presentation materials. Mike has extensive experience with both insurance products and life settlements.    Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rutgers University, as well as an A.S. in Business Administration.

Trish May New Business Manager Trish has been with CIP since 1991, beginning as an administrative assistant and now as our underwriting manager. Trish's understanding of medical terminology as it relates to life insurance is especially helpful in identifying any concerns with our carriers during our pre-underwriting process.

Gail Boycks Executive Administrator / New Business Manager Gail Boycks, one of CPI’s most senior associates, manages all of the premium finance administration and implementation. In addition, Gail’s duties include marketing of the G.I.F.T. program to advisors and coordinating marketing and media for all of CPI’s activities.

Rachael DeFazio New Business Manager Rachael has been with CIP since August 2001, beginning as an administrative assistant and now as an underwriting case manager.  She graduated in 1994 from an accredited medical assisting course.  Rachael's knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology has been particularly useful to her as an underwriting case manager.   She is also responsible for keeping state licensing and carrier contracting and appointments current, for both our in-house agents, as well as our agents across the nation.

Kim Richardson New Business Manager   Kim has been with CIP since September 2002.  Starting out as an administrative assistant she is now responsible for underwriting life cases and all of CIP’s disability cases. In addition, she processes death claims, re-instatements, term conversions, APS reimbursements, and MDRT certification letters.   Kim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Rowan University, as well as an Associates Degree in Psychology.

Jeremiah (Jay) O'Connell Manager - Investment Services Jeremiah (Jay) O'Connell, a graduate of West Chester University, came to CPI from the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies, where he was an equity trader. Before becoming a full time trader, Jay worked with Vanguard's Information Center where he gave detailed instructional classes to Vanguard's telephone associates. A registered investment advisor, and a NASD General Securities Principal, Jay has extensive experience with the inner workings of mutual funds and the stock markets. Jay holds numerous securities licenses including the Series 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65. As CPI’s Manager of Investment Services and Compliance Officer, Jay is responsible for the daily operation of CPI Capital (a Securities Broker/Dealer) and CPI Advisors (a Registered Investment Advisory).  Jay is also responsible for much of the firm's equity research and mutual fund analysis, as well as personally assisting clients in implementing their financial planning.

Gayle Mergenthal Comptroller Gayle has been with CIP since 1996. She controls all internal accounting functions for both CIP and CPI Capital, including commissions and financial reporting for the NASD. Gayle has an A.S. in Accounting and a series 27 (Financial Operations Officer).

Michelle Kril Executive Administrator Michelle has been with CPI Companies since February 2000. She works primarily with Gary DeVicci, the Broker Dealer business and the registered representatives at our satellite offices. She is responsible for the daily operations and the back office paperwork generated from our registered representatives, clients and clearing firm.