Management Team

Matthew P. Rubin

Managing Partner

Originally from New York City, Matt moved to New Orleans in 2007 and attended Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Upon graduating, Matt joined Teach For America as a 2011 Corps Member. His service with TFA kept him in New Orleans where he taught Kindergarten and was recognized as the School's 2013 Teacher of the Year.

Upon completing his two-year stint as a TFA Corps Member, Matt was introduced to New York Life as an agent in 2013 and was recognized as an Executive Council^{^}Advisor. In 2016, Matt was promoted to Partner in the New Orleans office where his focus was on selection and development of new advisors. As a Partner, Matt was recognized as the Zone’s New Partner of the Year, View from the Top Qualifier, Partner of the Year, and National Top 50 Partner with his team ranking in the top 15 nationally. In 2018, Matt was promoted to Senior Partner in the New Orleans General Office. That same year Matt received a call to move to Dallas to take on the role of Corporate Vice President in the West Central Zone where his primary focus was on coaching and development of 130 managers and driving performance in the 29 offices that make up the region. In 2020, Matt and the zone team were awarded the Zone Award of Excellence as the top performing zone within New York Life Agency.

In November of 2021 Matt accepted the Managing Partner position of the Richmond General Office. Matt leads a team of over 60 agents and managers whose mission is to serve clients with a broad range of financial needs – from families just getting started in their planning, to individuals and businesses who require sophisticated wealth management and planning expertise. He holds a Life/Health license as well as FINRA Series 6, 63, 7, 24, and 66. In his free time, Matt enjoys golf and spending time with his wife Brynna, son Jack, and dogs Moses and Nyx.

^{^Awarded by New York Life Insurance Company for outstanding sales achievements. Council is an annual company recognition program based on agent production from July 1- June 30.}

Cherron B. Johnson, Sr

Partner

Cherron Johnson began his career in the financial industry with New York Life in 2020 after an accomplished career as a business and professional development consultant to clients in the entertainment, publishing, consumer goods, and fashion industries. Cherron was inspired to focus on financial services because so many of his clients voiced a need for a trusted financial professional. Cherron’s proven integrity and track record of successfully solving his clients’ personal and professional challenges has made him a valued confidante to a vast network of individuals and businesses. He specializes in New York Life’s life, health insurance and annuity suite of products (Fixed & Variable¹), as well as retirement, estate conservation and tax diversification strategies². Cherron has earned his FINRA Series 6 and Series 63 licenses and holds life, health, and annuities licenses in 20 states. He achieved NYL Executive Council (2021-2023)³ , qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable (2021-2023), and has received New York Life’s prestigious Career Success Award (2021). ²

Neither New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any decisions. ³A warded by New York Life Insurance Company for outstanding sales achievements. Council is an annual company recognition program based on agent production from July 1- June 30.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Government & Economics, Harvard University Financial Professional New York Life Insurance Company Agent 2020 Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC a Licensed Insurance agency and a New York Life Company 2021-Present

Erika Dendtler

Partner

Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Erika Dendtler is a Partner at New York Life dedicated to supporting the continued growth and success of the Richmond General Office by helping develop the agents on her team. She proudly attended both Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University and brings a strong foundation in leadership and service to her work. Before joining New York Life, Erika served as a Program Manager in a group home setting, where she worked closely with foster children. This experience shaped her dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others—both personally and professionally.

She began her career at New York Life as an agent, quickly distinguishing herself by earning New Agent of the Year and qualifying for two Executive Councils within her first 14 months. Her early success reflects her commitment to excellence and her passion for serving clients with integrity and care.

Today, Erika is passionate about helping her agents guide families in the Richmond community through important financial decisions, building long-term security, and contributing to the overall success of the local office.

Samuel Pugh

Partner

Samuel Pugh is a Prince George County native; after graduating high school he moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He worked in the glass industry for 6 years and then became a General Manager for a retail organization for 3 years.

After meeting his wife, they moved back to Virginia to start a business in Petersburg, VA. The couple found success with the business and established a reputation in the area. Their store won several awards, and Samuel was selected for the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce "40 under 40" award.

Interactions with his Financial Advisor from New York Life led to conversations about joining the company, which he did in 2024. Working a shortened year, Samuel was awarded Life Case Rate Leader (New Org), First Year Commission Leader (New Org), Life Foundation Award, and the prestigious New Org Agent of the Year. Samuel triggered his Associate Partner contract in May 2025. Samuel achieved Full Executive Council for 2024-2025 year.

Samuel lives in Prince George County, buying a house less than a mile from his childhood home. Samuel and Katherine have 3 children, whom the couple are homeschooling. Kaia (age 1) is the self-proclaimed leader of the pack. Konrad (age 3) is training to be Spider Man. Kylie (age 7) is planning to be a NYL Agent and a farmer, growing blueberries and horses. The couple have a self-imposed limit of 3 dogs. The family are members of The Heights Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA. Samuel is animated by a combination of his incredible family, 100% commitment to his clients, his faith, and reading history while gazing at the ocean. Samuel lives by the philosophy that true happiness can only be found by living for others.

William A. Harris ChFC® CLU® FSCP®

Development Manager

William (Will) Harris began his career with New York Life in 2008 after graduating from Louisiana State University. He launched his practice in the Louisiana General Office, where he quickly distinguished himself, earning New Org Agent of the Year in 2010. The following year, he transferred to the New Orleans General Office to be closer to his hometown.

Throughout his career, Will has consistently demonstrated excellence, achieving Council status 10 times. Committed to professional growth, he earned his CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter) and ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) designations in 2022 and completed the FSCP® (Financial Services Certified Professional) designation in 2025.

In August 2023, Will embraced a new chapter in leadership as he accepted the role of Development Manager for the Richmond General Office. He and his family—his wife, Ryan, and their son, Franco—relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where he continues to support and develop the next generation of financial professionals.

Sean M. Barker, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®

Agency Standards Manager

Sean Barker joined the New York Life Kentucky General Office as a Financial Services Professional in July 2017. He was awarded the Kentucky GO Rookie Agent of the Year and New Organization Agent of the Year in 2017, and Associate of the Year, New Organization Agent of Year, and Long-Term Care Champion in 2018. In addition to his many annual awards, Sean was recognized as an Executive Council Premier Agent in 2018, an Executive Council Agent in 2019, and was a Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in 2019.

Sean joined the Management Team as an Associate Partner in the Kentucky General Office in April 2019. He graduated the 6-month Associate Partner Program at the top of the class, and after his first full year in management, Sean was recognized as the Rookie Partner of the Year for the New York Life South-Central Zone. His management accolades also include Partner of the Year for the Kentucky General Office in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and he was named the Partner of the Year in the New York Life South-Central Zone in 2021. In January 2022, Sean transferred as a Partner to the Norfolk General Office.

In December 2023, Sean accepted the position of Agency Standards Manager (ASM). Sean is currently the ASM for the Norfolk, Richmond, and Raleigh General Offices.

During his career at New York Life, Sean has acquired numerous FINRA related licenses to include his Series 7, 24, 51, 63, and 66. Additionally, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®).

Prior to joining New York Life, Sean was an Economics Writer for the American Veterinary Medical Association in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky. He is a native of Lexington, Kentucky, but now calls Virginia home.

In his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends.

Stacie Rice, ALMI, ACS

Service Leader

Stacie Rice began her career at New York Life in July 2000 as a Customer Service Representative. Her dedication and leadership led her to become Office Coordinator in 2007, and she was promoted to Service Leader in 2018. With 25 years of service in the Richmond GO, Stacie has built a career centered on helping agents grow their businesses while fostering a warm, welcoming culture in the office. She leads with heart, consistently prioritizing service and creating meaningful connections throughout the organization.

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Stacie now lives in Glen Allen with her partner Greg Lovelace, their three pups, two kitties, and a signature blend of Southern warmth and hospitality. She’s a proud mom to Zachery (32) and Victoria (30), and loves spending time with family, thrifting for hidden treasures, crafting creative projects, and relaxing on her front porch swing.