About Brent
"Through the course of my career, one year stands out as the most pivotal and transformative of my life. It was the year of perhaps my greatest professional contributions and my greatest personal growth. It was both exhilarating and exhausting... energizing and debilitating. It required sacrifices at a level I never imagined. And it brought learnings that have transformed me as a person, as a leader, as a husband, as a father, as a son, as a friend, as a coach, really in every way… and all for the better. I feel the effects every day of my life. It's not all good, but I’m deeply grateful for the joy, the pain, and most of all the powerful learnings. I’ll save the full story for another day, but the lessons that grew out of that pivotal year fuel my passion to help others live joyfully, love freely, and lead whole-heartedly."
About Brent
His roots: Brent grew up in the heart of the Midwest, amidst the farm country of IL. Born the fourth of five children (oldest sister and three brothers), he experienced a lively and full childhood and learned the value of faith, family, friendship, working hard at neighboring farms, playing fair, doing your best, and serving others. His mother had boundless positive energy, his father a quiet thoughtfulness and thoroughness, both with a heart of love and compassion.
Brent attended the University of Illinois and earned a B.S in Actuarial Science,. He was the first of his family to move more than ten miles away as he accepted the opportunity to join CIGNA’s Actuarial Executive Development program. He earned the FSA designation a few years later, and spent the next 25 years growing, learning, and leading in both technical and business leadership roles at CIGNA and then Prudential. Brent is deeply grateful for the privilege to partner with and learn from some of the best and brightest leaders in the financial services industry, and together transform entire businesses and even industries.
Soon after moving to CT, Brent made one of the most impactful decision of his life, marrying a wonderful young woman, Naomi. After nearly twenty-five years, he continues to treasure her companionship and influence as she has taught him more about love, compassion, mercy, and gentleness, then he ever could have learned on his own. Through hard work, much vulnerability, and good counsel, they’ve been blessed immensely, and together they find great joy and learn much from their four children who are quickly establishing themselves as young adults.
Brent is deeply committed to his faith and church community, which has helped to shape and mold him at the deepest level. He enjoys meditating, reading, singing acapella and playing instruments with his family. Brent loves the natural beauty and grandeur of the great outdoors and on vacation can typically be found hiking in a favorite destination. His family has embarked on three cross-country RV trips, capped off by a COVID-19 summer trip to Olympic National Park (WA), the Oregon Coast, and Grand Teton National Park (WY).
Professional Highlights
Brent spent the last 25 years growing as a leader, building and leading high-performing teams, helping transform businesses and industries, and developing emerging leaders.
Transformed and built high-powered, business-focused Prudential Retirement Actuarial team from 100 to 200 associates as the engine to enable profitable growth and prudent risk management of multiple $100B businesses.
Trained and mentored chief actuaries for multiple Prudential businesses.
Developed and mentored numerous emerging, diverse leaders across product, actuarial, finance, risk, and investment teams.
Helped spearhead ground-breaking jumbo pension risk transfer transactions (General Motors - $25B, Verizon - $8B, and in the UK - British Telecom).