Associates

Richard Saka

Financial Representative

Richard joined Northwestern Mutual after graduating from Florida International University with a degree in Business Administration. In his short career with Northwestern, Richard has accomplished what many Financial Representatives work toward over an entire career. In 2004, he became a Million Dollar Round Table qualifier, a mark of distinction in the industry.  He has retained this qualification through 2010. 

Richard was recognized nationally by Northwestern Mutual as the #2 Second-Year Financial Representative in 2005 and the #1 Third-Year Financial Representative in 2006. In 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Richard also qualified for the Northwestern Mutual Forum, which places him in the top 4% of the company's field force.  In 2011, Richard was nationally recognized as the #19 Financial Representative in the entire Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

Kristin Francisco

Financial Representative

Kristin began her career as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network while obtaining her BBA in International Finance and Marketing at the University of Miami. Upon graduation, she became a full time Financial Representative. 

In 2006, Kristin qualified as a top 10 college intern in Northwestern Mutual's Southern Region. She also qualified for Northwestern Mutual Pacesetter First 40, an accomplishment that only 11% achieve nationally. In 2007, Kristin was chosen by Northwestern Mutual to be featured on the MTV U program "A Day in the Life," where she shared her successes and experiences as a Financial Representative with students at colleges and universities around the country. 

As a Trustee member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer for the International Kids Fund, Kristin is dedicated to making an impact in the community.

Justin Saka

Financial Representative

Justin came to Northwestern Mutual with an extensive background in sales. He worked for several years within his family's local business, then became a Sales and Project Director for a marketing & promotions firm. During this time, he also studied business at Florida International University in Miami. In 2006, Justin made the decision to join the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and began his career as a Financial Representative. 

In his first 6 months as a full-time financial representative, Justin qualified for Pacesetter First 40, a strong indicator of a future of success and an accomplishment that is achieved by only 11% of new Northwestern Mutual financial representatives nationally. Today, he helps his clients in the areas of Personal Needs Analysis and Asset and Income Protection.

Justin is also dedicated to giving back to the community and being involved. He spends much of his free time at his Synagogue and is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Whitney Ditlow

Financial Representative

Whitney began her career as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network while obtaining her BBA in Finance at the University of Miami. She was impressed by the company’s focus on long-term client relationships and was excited about a career helping others achieve financial security.  Upon graduation in 2008, Whitney became a full time Financial Representative. She currently helps clients work towards achieving their financial goals through Personal Needs Analysis and Asset and income Protection.

Whitney is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and enjoys giving back to the community through local charity events.  She also values time spent outside of work with family and friends.  As a tribute to her hard-work and success, Whitney was featured in Brickell Magazine's  "Top 20 Under 40" earlier this year.  In 2011, Whitney received the Gold Award and was recognized as a one of Northwestern Mutual's Top Woman Leaders.

Akiva Zweig

Financial Representative

Akiva Zweig is a native Floridian originally from the Miami Beach area.  His family, including his 5 children, all live here in Miami and dedicate much of their time to involvement in several local schools of Jewish education.  Prior to making the decision to transition into a career as a Financial Representative, Akiva worked for many years as a Teacher and Rabbi.  

Akiva dedicates much of his free time to studying Torah. He also enjoys reading and spending time with his family.

 

 

Javier Perez-Giz

Financial Representative

Javier began his career as a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual in 2008. After earning his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Tufts University in 2005, Javier spent time as a Credit Analyst and then as a successful Pharmaceutical Representative in South Florida.  Javier was first introduced to Northwestern Mutual in Boston, MA as a college senior, and was eager to join the company's Miami office when the opportunity presented itself.  He was impressed by the company's dedication to its policy owners, relationships with clients,  and unique process.  Today, Javi uses his personal and professional experiences to help his clients in the legal, health, and medical fields develop financial security and accomplish what they've set out to achieve in life.  

Javier also enjoys giving back to the community by participating with and contributing to many charitable organizations, most notably the JDRF, Autism Speaks, and Relay for Life. 

Jaime Hadida, MBA

Financial Representative

Jaime earned his Bachelors in Business Administration from Devry University in 2006, and his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management in 2008.  Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, he worked as a small business owner for eight years.  Jaime now works with business owners and individuals on a daily basis, helping them achieve financial success by offering solutions tailored specifically for their individual needs.  He specializes in retirement solutions, business and personal needs analysis, asset and income protection, wealth accumulation, risk management, long term care, and estate analysis.

Jaime lives in Aventura with his wife Aileen, their beautiful daughter, and new baby boy.  Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing indoor soccer.

Matthew Ferrara

Financial Representative

Matthew joined Northwestern Mutual after ten years in sales and management positions with companies that spanned the range from small technology start-up to Fortune 100 enterprise.  He has a been a client of Northwestern Mutual since he was six months old, and his immediate family has almost 50 years combined tenure working at Northwestern Mutual.  He feels fortunate to work for an organization that believes that acting with the individual policy owner's best interest in mind makes good business sense.  During his first six months with the company, Matthew qualified for Northwestern Mutual's PaceSetter First 40.  He has since implemented an on-going lecture series that educates Medical Residents and Fellows on how to best build Financial Security as they transition into their full-time career.

In 2007, Matthew and his brother Pete (Northwestern Mutual - Boulder, CO) traveled to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan with Surgicorps International - volunteering on a medical mission that provided surgery to burn and bear attack victims as well as those with congenital defects such as cleft palates.  Matthew attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied Western Philosophy, English Literature, and Buddhism.

Aron Blatt

Financial Representative

Aron joined Northwestern Mutual after extensive experience in the non-profit financial world.  Aron has been recognized as among the top 50 Financial Representative’s in his class.  He has a Bachelors in Talmudic Law and Rabbinic Ordination from the Talmudic University of Florida.

Aron has served as a member of the Miami Beach community relations board and many other community projects. 

Aron enjoys spending time on his studies and with his 6 children.

David Gruen

Financial Representative

David graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.  He has worked in the Hospitality industry for the past seven years before coming on to Northwestern Mutual.  His father is a CPA and a CFP with his own firm out of Washington, DC where David was brought up in the financial culture.

David made the career transition so that he can focus on building lasting relationships with clients while creating much larger impacts in their lives, financial futures, and the community.  He comes from the hospitality world where the client is always of paramount importance and fulfilling their needs will result in tremendous relationships.  In evaluating the track records of many of the financial institutions he feels Northwestern Mutual is the only Financial Services Company that has never wavered from being in alignment with those values.

He has recently been awarded as a recipient of the Pacesetter First 40 as well as Pacemaker honors.  Outside of work he spends considerable time as an alumni volunteer for Sigma Phi Epsilon on the Florida Atlantic, Florida International, and University of Miami campuses.  He coached high school football for the past five years, most recently coaching at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

 

  

Hector Ceballos

Financial Representative

Hector Ceballos joined Northwestern Mutual because of the same values of integrity and stewardship that he and the company holds.  Hector comes to Northwestern Mutual with 30 years experience in the financial industry.  Receiving his BBA in Finance from Pace University,  Hector is a Deacon at his Presbyterian church, enjoys spending time on the beach, working outside, staying healthy, and is a competitive chess player.