Management Team
Please feel free to contact one of our management team members to learn more about New York Life.
Stephen Vinson
Managing Partner
John "Jack" Brennan
Partner
Jack graduated from The University of Kansas in 2006. That same year he began his career as a Financial Representative, focusing on helping his clients with their planning needs in the areas of risk management, wealth accumulation and estate and business planning strategies. Jack was drawn to financial services in large part through his aptitude for and love of entrepreneurship.
In addition to his practice, Jack took on leadership responsibilities as a Sales Manager, which included recruiting, training, and developing a growing team of financial services professionals.
Jack joined the management team at New York Life in November 2015 and was quickly promoted to Partner in the Greater Kansas City General Office in May 2016. He went on to achieve the 2016 New Partner of the Year Award and was just recently recognized with the 2018 Partner of the Year Award.
As a leader, coach, and motivator of people, Jack takes enormous pride in helping financial professionals develop world class practices. Having worked with some of the premiere leaders in the industry, Jack understands the financial services business thoroughly, and is currently hiring top notch sales people with an excellent work ethic and the desire to build a successful career in the Kansas City market.
Jack enjoys many sports (is a die hard Kansas City Chiefs fan) & spending time with his family. He currently resides in Leawood, KS with his wife, Megan and their three children, Finley (7), Mack and Millie (5).
Johnny Tucker
Partner
tuckerj@newyorklife.com
Johnny Tucker grew up in Topeka, Kansas where he would later go on to attend Kansas State University. He joined the New York Life family in February 2009 as an Agent in the Greater Kansas City General Office (G.O.). In just his 3rd year in the industry, Johnny was a 2012 $50B Lead Ambassador and a New Org Life Case Leader. Since then Johnny has gone on to accept additional awards ranging from Annuity Elite Gold Member (2014), Life All-Star (2016), Agency Builder of the Year (2016), and most recently, the Most Valuable Professional award in 2017. In 2017 Johnny made the transition into a Partner role at the Greater Kansas City G.O.
Prior to New York Life, Johnny worked as an Operations Manager for Walgreens Pharmacy for 22 years. Throughout the 22 years, Johnny was an Emerging Leader within the company helping mentor several managers and assisted in the planning of the Kansas City market.
Johnny has 2 children (Justin and Jasmine) & resides in the Kansas City metro area supporting the Greater Kansas City G.O. In his spare time, Johnny enjoys supporting his daughter’s activities in the community (Tennis, Soccer, and Pre-Health Professionals) and cheering on KU athletics with his son who attends The University of Kansas. Johnny’s passions include family, fitness, and being active in all aspect of his community.
Robert Shearer
Benjamin "Ben" Schlafer
Associate Partner
bschlafer@newyorklife.com
Ben Schlafer joined New York Life in 2018 as an agent and has built his career around helping individuals, families, and fellow financial professionals achieve their goals. During his time as an agent, Ben qualified for President’s Council and became a Nautilus Agent. He was also a founding member of Bison Financial Strategies, LLC, a practice that remains a thriving part of the New York Life community today under the leadership of Quintin Mueller.
In May 2026, Ben transitioned into management as an Associate Partner. After experiencing firsthand the opportunities that come with building a successful practice at New York Life, he wanted to help others do the same. Today, Ben focuses on recruiting and developing agents, helping them build meaningful careers and successful practices of their own while expanding the number of individuals and families they are able to serve.
Prior to joining New York Life, Ben worked in emergency management planning as well as private-sector sales. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government from Kansas State University and is an Eagle Scout.
Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ben grew up in an Army family and had the opportunity to live in several states as well as Hawaii and Germany. Those experiences helped shape his appreciation for community, service, and the different backgrounds and perspectives people bring to their careers and lives.
Ben and Ann call the Kansas City metro home and also spend time at their farm outside the metro, where they focus on improving and preserving wildlife habitat. An avid outdoorsman, Ben enjoys hunting and traveling and has a longstanding commitment to conservation. He serves on Ducks Unlimited’s National Development Committee and has held various regional leadership roles within the organization. He also supports local and national mental health nonprofits.
When he isn’t working with agents or giving back to the community, Ben enjoys spending time with Ann and their two dogs, Fred and Louis.
Chris Crumpacker, CLF®, CASL®, ChFC®, CLU®, FSCP®, LUTCF
Senior Director of Development
Mobile: (913) 705-0755
clcrumpacker@newyorklife.com
Chris joined New York Life in July 2009 as a TAS Agent in the Boston General Office (G.O.) & later moved to the Midwest to be closer to family. As a 2-time Executive Council Agent, Annuity Elite Champion, and Long-Term Care Award winner – Chris then transitioned into the Sales Development Manager (SDM) rank in January 2013 and was fortunate to remain in the Greater Kansas City G.O. as both an Agent and SDM. Chris is currently the Director of Development and is 1 of 2 Development Manager (DM) resources to support the Agent and Partner Teams of the Greater Kansas City G.O.
Prior to New York Life, Chris followed a sales management track with HSBC Bank for 15 years and held various positions in the Consumer & Mortgage Lending departments of the banking industry. Chris is a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities, LLC & holds Series 6, 63, and 26 Registrations with FINRA. Chris has also obtained his LUTCF®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, and CLF® Financial Designations with the American College.
Chris is married (Amy) and has 3 children (Zachary, Ethan, and Jensen ‘JJ’) & resides in the Kansas City metro area supporting the Greater Kansas City G.O. In his spare time, Chris is an avid University of Florida Gators alumni (bleeds Orange and Blue!) and enjoys supporting his kids’ activities in the community (Swimming, Boy Scouts of America, and Marching Band). Chris’ passion is enjoying the outdoors (biking, hiking, swimming, and frisbee golf) & about helping others to be successful.
Troy McChristian
Sales Development Manager
tmcchristian@newyorklife.com
As an agent and teacher, Troy believes preparation, organization, and creating relationships were vital components of the game. In training new agents, he instills those same concepts. He doesn't believe in mediocrity or excuses.
Versatility when dealing with clients is vital. Throughout training classes new agents learn to read and interpret non-verbal communication (body language and social styles).
However, diligence is a trait that we will work tirelessly to instill in our agents so that we are always putting our clients/prospects first.
Troy has two children and is an avid sooner sports fan.
“The road to success is always under construction.”
Abby Muehlenhardt
Corporate Vice President - Service Leader
Abby joined New York Life in 2015 in the Business Solutions department at the Minneapolis Service Center. In 2020 Abby transitioned to Field Service as an Associate Service Leader in the Minnesota General Office. A year later she was promoted into the role of Service Leader in the Idaho General Office. While at the Idaho General Office she also assisted leading the Montana office for 6 months. In 2024, Abby was promoted to Corporate Vice President in the Greater Kansas City General Office.
Abby earned her Bachelor of Science degree in finance with minors in accounting and business communication from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. After college, she worked in the call center industry within claims and collections before joining New York Life.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures. Her favorite way to travel is by cruising. During college, she studied abroad in New Zealand and Australia learning about sustainability. She has been numerous countries most recently being Greece and Italy. She also enjoys adrenaline rush activities such as bungee jumping and skydiving. When she is not traveling, she spends time at home with her dogs Dublin and Nash.
Charles Bright, LUTCF
Director of Agency Standards
(314) 567-9080
ccbright@newyorklife.com
Charlie Bright came to New York Life as an agent in 2008. In 3 years, he achieved multiple honors including New Associate of the Year and one of the company's top honors of President's Council, quickly ascending to the top 10% of the agents in the United States. In 2012, Charlie was promoted to the role of Partner in the St. Louis office, and became a Top 50 Partner in the country. In 2019, he became the Director of Agency Standards for the Saint Louis office, and has been awarded with the Operational Excellence Award multiple times for his commitment to Agency Standards.
Charlie credits his success to the team at New York Life and the incredible support of his family. He attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he worked in the Math and English departments and worked as a professor. He holds two degrees, carries FINRA SIE and Series 7, 24, 66, 63, 51, and 6 licenses, as well as having the LUTCF designation from the American College.
Outside the office, Charlie has a lifelong passion for travel and theatre.