Joel Katz, Chairman of the Board American Business & Professional Program, Inc., has recruited and trained over 2,000 full-time agents in his 40-year career. Over this period of time, the firm has grown to over 35,000 clients.
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Alan Grad, CEO & President, American Business & Professional Program, Inc., graduated from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, and has 26 years of experience in estate planning, business insurance, pensions, financial planning and insurance analysis.
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Steven Brooks is the President of the NYC Division of American Business and Professional Program, Inc., NYC. Steven has been in the financial services industry since 1974. He was the former President of the New York City General Agents and Managers Association and is currently a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
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Sanford H. Robbins, Senior Vice President of American Business, graduated from George Washington University with a BBA in Finance, and from Hofstra University with an MBA in Accounting. Sandy has over 20 years of experience in estate planning, business insurance, financial planning, insurance analysis and pension planning. He is very active with the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting and Million Dollar Round Table. Sandy is also a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, American Society of CLU and ChFCs, Top of the Table and International Forum. He is a highly regarded speaker in the field of estate planning, business continuation planning, asset protection and estate tax reduction and elimination.

Mel Hyman graduated from the University of Memphis with a BSE degree and has been with American Business & Professional Program since 1975. He is a past member of Security Mutual’s President’s Cabinet and Leader’s Council, a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, and a recipient of the NALU National Quality Award. Mel’s specialties are estate planning and retirement planning. “I treat people the way I wish to be treated, it’s that simple.”
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Lou Saltzman, with over 20 years’ experience, manages the American Business Brokerage Department and works primarily with independent property and casualty brokers. This department is an integral part of American Business and is currently servicing approximately 100 active brokers, covering agencies of all sizes. To meet the needs of both personal and commercial line clients, the brokers can utilize our life insurance department offering our products and concepts, such as: executive bonus, split dollar, deferred compensation as well as forms of pension plans. We also recommend and conduct periodic insurance reviews; and with the information obtained, we can prepare several proposals and solutions for each client on an individual basis. Mr. Saltzman states that the relationships developed with the brokers and contacts with our Home Office have greatly contributed to the firm’s successful brokerage operation.

Arnold Goldstein has worked with Joel Katz in the life insurance business since 1968. He has been honored as Agent of the Year for the past 15 years and has received many other prestigious awards for his outstanding performance and production in the areas of pension, financial and estate planning. Arnold is a past chairperson of Security Mutual’s President’s Cabinet, and General Agents Advisory Committee. “Important for continuation of business, now and in the future, is servicing clients on a personal basis. My clients have to have confidence in my expertise and attentiveness, to help them with their problems.”

Philip Kaplan is an insurance specialist with American Business & Professional Program. Philip is an estate-, business-, and retirement-planning specialist. He has dedicated his career to furnishing a full range of services and products with proven performance records. Philip is highly successful in meeting the needs of business owners, successful professionals, retirees, and high net worth individuals. He focuses on tax-advantaged wealth accumulation and preservation strategies.

Michael Kerper joined American Business & Professional Program in 1988. Mike has been the recipient of the Associate of the Month award several times. His specialities are in executive benefits and compensation, asset and estate preservation, wealth accumulation, and personal insurance and college planning. He is a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, the Nassau County Life Underwriters Association, the LUTC, the Million Dollar Round Table, as well as Security Mutual’s prestigious President’s Cabinet. He has been awarded the National Quality Award, National Sales Achievement Award and was a past Chairman of Security Mutual’s Agents Advisory Committee.

David E. Gastwirth, LUTCF, joined American Business & Professional Program in May 1999 as a member of our New York City Division, American Business NYC. David has been in the insurance industry since 1991, specializing in estate planning, wealth preservation and business planning. He works closely with his clients to make use of the available strategies under current law to utilize the techniques that most efficiently pass assets to heirs. David is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and participates in the New York City Association Division. In addition, he is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table as well as Security Mutual’s esteemed President’s Cabinet.

Andrew L. Strum joined American Business & Professional Program in May of 1999. He has been in the insurance business since 1987, specializing in estate planning, wealth preservation and business planning. Andrew and his clients work together in utilizing various strategies and techniques to help them reach their desired goals. In addition, he is a member of Security Mutual’s prestigious President’s Cabinet.
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Rick Wien, CLU, is a financial advisor with American Business & Professional Program, specializing in business and personal estate, retirement and insurance planning for professionals, entrepreneurs and senior executives of larger firms. He received an MBA degree from Harvard Business School and a BS degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Rick is on the Board of Directors of the Wharton School Alumni Association, is Executive Vice President of the Wharton Club of New York, is a member of the Harvard Business School Club of New York and of the National Association of Life Underwriters. He is active in fund raising for Children’s Cancer Research. .
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Bruce Mesner, as director of Sports & Entertainment, brings a unique perspective to the planning needs of professional athletes and affluent individuals. He attended the University of Maryland, earning a degree in Economics. Bruce was a four-time letter winner in the football program and voted to the All Atlantic Coast first team three times. In 1985 Bruce won the Brooklyn Club Outstanding College Defensive Player Award. He was drafted by and played with the Buffalo Bills. Before joining American Business, Bruce owned and operated a woman’s manufacturing company in New York City, whose clients ranged from Nordstrom’s, JC Penny to Walmart. Bruce holds his life and disability licenses. He is also a member of NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) and serves on numerous village and charitable boards.

Paul W. Adamo graduated from West Liberty State College, West Virginia, in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting degree. After working for a regional public accounting firm for three years, he left to start his own practice. In 1989 he moved back to New York and in 1991 founded LPA Associates, Inc., with his brother Lawrence. In 2002, Paul sold his interest in LPA Associates, Inc., and merged his practice with American Business & Professional Program, Inc. Paul is a licensed life and health insurance agent and is a previous member of the Nassau Life Underwriters Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the NYS Society of CPAs. Paul has also achieved the designation of Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) granted by the AICPA and has served on the Personal Financial Planning Committee. Paul also lectures on a number of different financial topics, including: The Use of Long-Term Care Insurance in Eldercare Planning, Employer-Sponsored Qualified Retirement Plans, The Many Uses and Advantages of Charitable Trusts, and The Use of Life Insurance and Annuities in Estate Planning, to name a few. He also received numerous distinctions from the Equitable Companies and Allmerica Financial for superior service to his clients, and was part of the President's Cabinet with Security Mutual for 2003

Barry M. Roth, CLU ChFC, graduated from New York University School of Business with a degree in accounting. He has over 35 years experience in estate planning and business insurance. Barry is a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. Active in industry affairs, he was past president of the Manhattan branch of the Nation Association of Life Underwriters. He is a CLU and Chartered Financial Consultant with a certificate in estate planning and was a previous District and Agency Manager for Equitable Life.

Steven E. Glick, ChFC, CFP®, graduated from Binghamton University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Biology. He entered the financial services profession in 1989, and joined American Business & Professional Program, Inc., in April of 2002. Steven works with high net worth individuals that include successful business owners, executives and entertainers. He has expertise in wealth transfer, estate tax management, pension plans and life insurance. Steven has earned the degrees of Chartered Financial Consultant and Certified Financial Planner™.

Skip Van Bourgondien began his financial service career in 1973. He has dedicated himself to becoming a resource on which his clients can depend for careful detailed work in support of their objectives. He has had a joint venture with one of the world’s largest insurance brokers for 16 years and has concentrated most of his activities in the business insurance, employee benefits and retirement marketplace. Because the typical employer’s business or retiree’s personal finances cannot be considered in isolation, he has extended his practice to include wealth accumulation, estate conservation and retirement strategies. Skip completed studies at Ohio State University where he was a three-time All-American Lacrosse player.

Joseph F. Iemola, LUTCF, joins American Business as a sales manager, with over 29 years of experience in the industry and 20 years as a manager. As a NASD registered representative and investment advisor, he dedicates himself to providing quality service to his clients and maintains an impeccable compliance record while recruiting and training agents for the company. He was a Compliance and Ethics Manager, has been a member of NAIFA since 1976, and a member of NYCAIFA.

George Landa is President of ProAthlete, Inc. He obtained a Bachelor degree from Polytechnic University in 1990 in Computer Science. In addition to his financial planning background. George is multilingual which enables him to effectively communicate many of the financial planning topics to the players in their native language. George resides in Boca Raton with his wife Geannie, and sons Robert and Michael.
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Andrew Katz, First Vice President of American Business East, oversees the business alliances created by American Business East. He brings with him past work experience, specializing in maximizing income from professional affiliates. Andrew graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in finance.
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Martin Hirschfield received his B.A. from Queens College and brings with him 12 years of accounting experience. Marty is a member of NYCAIFA. He has been in the financial services industry for 18 years and specializes in working with small-business owners in the areas of pensions and estate planning. Marty is a past treasurer of the Kiwanis club and is currently the president of Temple Beth Chai of Hauppauge where he devotes most of his spare time.

Emmanuel Cayetano joined American Business in 1990. He is a Certified Financial Planner who provides his clients with all types of life insurance and annuities, as well as long-term care coverage. He specializes in assisting individuals and corporations with their savings, educational and retirement plans, and estate planning.
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Larry Ackerman is a graduate of New York University. He has been in the insurance business for eleven years, the past eight of which have been with American Business & Professional Program. Larry is a member of the NALU, as well as a member of both the Million Dollar Round Table and the Leader’s Council. He specializes in business insurance.
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Rick Hyman is a graduate of Binghamton University with a degree in Finance. He carries a health and life license. Rick's goal is to gain as much knowledge about the life insurance and financial planning industry as he possibly can in order to bring that knowledge to his clients.
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Zachary Siegel joined American Business & Professional Program, Inc., in June of 2003 after spending several years with UBS PaineWebber. His practice guides his clients through a process of uncovering and addressing their critical financial concerns and priorities from a multi-generational perspective. His clients are primarily affluent families, executives, professionals and business owners. His background in finance includes his time on Wall Street, education in Connecticut at the Talcott Academy of Math and Sciences and the University of Connecticut. Zach is a candidate for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Zach is a trusted advisor, guiding his clients through the often complex process of estate planning, insurance design, and retirement/pension plan design. He firmly believes his clients should have the best specialists and resources working for them, and prides himself on having aligned his practice with dedicated attorneys, accountants, and pension administrators whose ability and reputation for excellence have set them apart.

Robert Barclay is an associate with American Business specializing in insurance, estate and retirement planning. Bob is a graduate of Syracuse University, has an MBA from St. Edwards University, and is pursuing his Certified Financial Planning designation from New York University. He is an experienced sales professional after spending 23 years in various sales executive roles with Verizon Communications. Bob is active in his community volunteering in several organization including Friends of the Library and Junior Achievement.

Harvey Friedman has been general counsel to American Business & Professional Program since 1988. He is an attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in New York State and before the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He earned his degree from St. John’s University School of Law and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Queens College. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Panel of Commercial Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. His areas of practice are in real estate law, arbitration, trusts and estates, elder law, transactional matters and litigation.

Thomas Wendel joined American Business & Professional Program, Inc., in 2002 with more than 25 years of investment banking experience. He also worked with Citibank, NA, in structured finance, international trade and derivatives. He headed a merchant bank that specialized in the risk analysis inherent in buying and selling finance companies both domestically and internationally. Tom now concentrates his risk analysis skills on small companies and individuals that need to formulate retirement and estate plans. He is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and has an MBA from the University of Michigan. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy.

Harvey Stein, CLU, ChFC has been with American Business & Profession Program Inc. for 25 years. Professional Specializations: Employee Benefit Programs; Retirement Pension Planning: Estate and Financial Planning. Education: City College of New York- Bachelor of Science Degree; New York University – Masters Degree. Professional Memberships: American Society of CLU & ChFC; National Association of Life Underwriters; Member of the Executive Committee of the Children’s Medical; Fund of the Schneider Children’s Hospital; Board Member of Arthritis Foundation – Broward County Chapter.

For more than 20 years, Steven Goodman has provided insightful solutions to the challenges of business succession, wealth preservation and charitable planning, focusing on the needs of owners of closely held businesses and high net worth individuals. He currently serves over 500 clients.Steven H. Goodman has authored numerous articles for leading trade journals, and has paired with some of the most respected names in banking and finance – among them Chase Manhattan, Bank of New York and U.S. Trust Co. – to sponsor some 100 seminars about business succession and wealth preservation. His accomplishments have brought the attention of such publications as the New York Times. Steven Goodman is a C.P.A. who was vice president of the Trust and Investment Division of Chase Manhattan Bank and a supervisor for KPMG Peat Marwick. He holds an MBA from Fordham University.

Steven H. Budnick joined American Business & Professional Program in May 1982. He is a member of the Life Underwriters Association of Westchester. He attended the University of South Carolina, and has completed a number of insurance courses sponsored by LUTC, The Hartford, and Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He is a recipient of the “Associate of the Month” award from American Business.
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Joseph J. Caterina is a Certified Financial Planner with over 18 years experience in the financial services industry. As a CFP and NASD registered representative, Joseph can help you meet your personal and business financial needs. Ready with the latest financial strategies, he can provide sound advice on how to utilize insurance and investments to achieve financial security, enhance your retirement needs and help preserve your estate. Joseph received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baruch College, The City University of New York.

Barry Mansfield, CLU, Vice President American Business & Professional Program, Inc. Barry has over 35 years of experience advising clients on financial matters. His knowledge, advice and experience have enabled numerous clients to create and protect significant wealth. He has an MBA from Long Island University, is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals and is a Registered Investment Advisor. Barry and his wife Rosalind have been married for 33 years they have 2 sons; Marc, who owns a computer consulting firm in Boston, and Jason, who is studying for his veterinary degree as Ross University. Barry’s favorite hobby is traveling with his wife. He actively supports the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

Abraham Bernstein, Vice President, Graduate Hofstra College 1960 BA. He has been a successful District Manager for Equitable Life, A General Agent for Lincoln Financial and ING. He is a Life member of the National Life Sales Leaders Group. He is one of the first true financial planners in the U.S. In 1963 he was both an investment and Life Insurance Professional Advisor and an early member of the International Association of Financial Planners. He is a registered investment advisor. He is an avid runner and skier. Currently he is the Canadian (2005) National Champion in the 400 meter run for men over 65, and the N.Y. Empire State Games record holder in the 400 meter for men over 65 (2005). As a skier, he has made numerous first descents, while Heli skiing, in British Columbia. He and his wife of 45 years, Adrienne, reside in Manhasset, NY.