Leadership
Our Leadership Team, comprised of highly skilled team members, is deeply committed to our core values and to ensuring that the success of our clients is at the heart of everything we do. We unite to collaborate, align our objectives, make strategic decisions, and provide effective leadership to guide the overall direction of the company. We work closely to address challenges, manage resources efficiently, foster long-term growth and success.
Partners
Kevin R. Luchetta CFP®, AEP®
Co-Founder, Wealth Management Advisor & CEO
About Kevin:
Kevin began his career as a financial advisor in 1996, he is a Wealth Management Advisor and a Partner of Pioneer Financial, which was formed in 2005, based in New York, NY. Pioneer Financial consists of over 30 highly credentialed financial professionals, collectively focused on providing comprehensive, customized, objective financial planning and wealth management advice. The Pioneer Financial advisor team has more than 75 combined years working to meet the varied and personalized needs of their clients. They are one of Northwestern Mutual’s largest multi-leader ensembles. Pioneer Financial is recognized as a Private Client Group firm within Northwestern Mutual. Private Group represents a small group of advisors who have the sophistication, experience, and tools to tailor investment strategies to high-net-worth clients.
Kevin meets individually with high net worth/emerging high net worth individuals and business owners to develop customized financial plans suited to their unique situations. He creates a financial blueprint and road map for his clients and their families to follow. Kevin’s approach is very simple; through a qualitative process he gets to know his clients, their concerns, goals and objectives. Utilizing that information, he takes a quantitative approach to design a distinct tailored plan. Plans range from simple needs-based insurance planning to complex estate planning designed to protect one’s assets upon transfer.
Kevin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics while attending Rhode Island University. His commitment to higher learning has allowed him to not only differentiate himself from his peers but significantly advance his competency, knowledge and skill set. As a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, Kevin has access to a wide array of investment products and services. He maintains securities Series 7, 63 and 66 registrations and his Life, Accident & Health Insurance license. Kevin holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, and the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation.
Kevin has achieved various professional accomplishments over the years including qualifying for membership with the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial security professionals. In 2018 he was named one of the Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Advisors. Kevin was also named to the Forbes Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professionals List in 2022. Kevin has qualified for Forum Recognition thirteen times between 2007-2022, which is an accolade achieved by the most elite financial representatives within the Northwestern Mutual distribution system. He was honored in Northwestern Mutual’s 2016 Annual Report for the meaningful impact he made on his client’s life, helping him to leave Wall Street for a career in medicine by creating a holistic financial plan. Kevin also sits on the Northwestern Mutual Sophisticated Advisors and Ensembles Committee which provides a roadmap for advisors and their teams within the Northwestern Mutual system.
Kevin is active in his community and is a member of the Lower Fairfield County Estate Planning Counsel. He is consistently sought after to speak at company forums sharing his experience on building and sustaining a comprehensive financial security practice. He is a member on the Yale Eye Center Advisory Board. Additionally, Kevin and his Pioneer Financial colleagues’ team up each year since 2015 with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation dedicating time and money to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation; a leading national nonprofit organization focused on fighting childhood cancer and helping their families.
Kevin lives in Wilton, Connecticut with his wife Karen, his two children Riley and Ryan, and their dog Rascal. Kevin enjoys staying active coaching his kids sporting teams, traveling, as well as playing soccer and golf.
The Financial Times “401 Top Retirement Advisers” list, (Sept 2018), based upon data as of December 31, 2017. Listing is produced annually by the Financial Times. Forbes Best-in-State Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2022), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Research and ranking provided by SHOOK Research. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.
About Stephen:
Stephen A. Schwartz, CFP®, AEP® began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 1999 and is a Wealth Management Advisor and founding partner of Pioneer Financial, formed in 2007, one of Northwestern Mutual’s largest multi‐leader ensembles They are recognized as a Private Client Group firm within Northwestern Mutual. Private Group represents a small group of advisors who have the sophistication, experience, and tools to tailor advisory strategies to high‐net‐worth clients. As the name implies, Pioneer Financial has been a trailblazer in identifying early on the need to provide holistic financial planning through the integration of all aspects of their clients’ lives, insurance, investment, company benefits, and tax implications. They have grown into a team of over 30 highly credentialed professionals and have consistently invested heavily in themselves and their team, with the belief that education, innovation, and hard work enables them to provide industry‐leading advice to their clients today and throughout future generations to come. The shared values of Courage, Loyalty, Commitment, Exceptionalism, and Impact are embraced by the Pioneer Financial team that inform all their engagements among colleagues and clients.
Stephen collaborates with his high‐net‐worth clients to help achieve their goals and objectives related to accumulation, protection, and distribution of wealth by applying a special blend of knowledge and skill that he has obtained throughout his years of experience.
Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics while attending Quinnipiac University. His commitment to higher learning has allowed him to not only differentiate himself from his peers, but significantly advance his competency, knowledge and skill set. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification in 2004, he holds the Accredited Estate Planner™ designation, and is a licensed Investment Adviser Representative, maintaining securities Series 6, 7, 63, 66 registrations and Life/Health Insurance licensing.
Stephen has achieved many professional accomplishments over the years including qualifying for membership with The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®. Stephen is consistently named to the top of the table within the Million Dollar Round Table Association (MDRT). He has been honored for the last 16 years with Forum Membership, recognizing the top level of excellence within Northwestern Mutual. Stephen has placed in the top 3 of 5 Star Pathfinders in the Eastern Region at Northwestern Mutual for 6 of the last 7 years. The 5 Star Pathfinder recognition is only given to the most elite and sophisticated advisors within Northwestern Mutual. Stephen was selected as one of the top financial advisors by Financial Times, on their Top 400 Financial Advisors list published in 2020. He has also been named to the Forbes Best Financial Securities Professional List in 2021, 2022,2023 and the Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Advisor list in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He is ranked by Forbes as the #11 Best in State Financial Security Professionals for 2023, #55 Best in State Wealth Advisors for 2023 and #51 Best in State Wealth Advisors in 2024. Stephen and the Pioneer Financial team were also named to Forbes Best Wealth Management Teams in 2024.
His accomplishments have been shared online by CNBC, REUTERS, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL’s ‐ MARKET WATCH, THE STREET, YAHOO FINANCE, and WORTH magazine. Stephen is also a published author.
Stephen and his wife Gretchen, along with their daughter Olivia, reside in Greenwich, CT. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising, reading, travelling, and spending time with his family.
James L. DiNardo CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, MSFS, RICP®
Partner and Wealth Management Advisor
About James:
James received his Undergraduate Degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and is a Wealth Management Advisor and founding partner of Pioneer Financial, formed in 2007. Pioneer Financial is one of Northwestern Mutual’s largest multi-leader ensembles and they are recognized as a member of Northwestern Mutual’s Private Client Group. James and his partners are true trailblazers and have grown into a team of over 30 highly credentialed professionals. Their shared dedication to their values of Courage, Loyalty, Commitment, Exceptionalism and Impact are embraced by every member of Pioneer Financial and inform all their engagements among colleagues and clients.
In guiding his clients as an advisor and financial resource, James strives to go beyond providing expert guidance in the creation of their financial plan. James works with his clients to pull a thread through their estate planning, wealth management, deferred compensation and insurance needs in a tax efficient manner. His goal is to build values driven relationships that help create financial security which impact clients for a lifetime.
As a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, James has access to a wide array of investment products and services. He maintains securities Series 7, 63 and 66 registrations and his Life, Accident & Health Insurance license. James also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designations. He earned his Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
He has achieved recognition through accomplishments such as the prestigious National Quality Award from The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and Northwestern Mutual Forum Recognition. He is a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) and a Worth Magazine Leading Wealth Advisor™. James was also named to the Forbes Best-In-State Financial Security Professional List in 2021, 2022 and the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in 2022.
Jim resides in Larchmont, NY with his wife Mary and their two daughters, Cadence and Reagan. Jim enjoys competing in triathlons and the occasional Iron Man competition.
The Worth® Leading Wealth Advisors™ Program is a marketing program for top wealth, legal and insurance advisors. Advisors who apply for admission into the program are evaluated by Worth to help ensure advisor quality. In order to be considered, professionals must be complete an application and provide firm data and statistics to evaluate their credentials, ethics and business practices. Once admitted, advisors pay a fee to be included in this marketing program. Worth magazine is a publisher and does not recommend or endorse investment, legal, insurance or tax advisors. The listing of any firm in the Worth® Leading Advisors Program does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Worth magazine of any such firm and is not based upon Worth magazine’s experience with, or prior dealings with, any advisor.
Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2022, October 2021), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Research and ranking provided by SHOOK Research. Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list (April 2022), Research and ranking provided by SHOOK Research, LLC. Based upon data as of 6/30/2021. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.
Paul D. Tortorella
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
About Paul:
Paul began his career in financial services in 2001 and is a founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Pioneer Financial, which was formed in 2005 and based in New York, NY. Pioneer Financial is one of Northwestern Mutual’s most prominent multi-leader ensembles They are recognized as a Private Client Group firm within Northwestern Mutual. Private Group represents a small group of advisors with the sophistication, experience, and tools to tailor advisory strategies to high-net-worth clients. Pioneer Financial consists of 30 highly credentialed financial professionals who collectively focus on providing comprehensive, customized, objective financial planning and wealth management advice. The Pioneer Financial Partners team has over 85 years of working experience that meet their client's varied and personalized needs.
As the second highest-ranking executive, Paul provides strategic direction and leadership, setting the overall vision and goals for the organization. He is responsible for making critical decisions that impact the company's growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability. He oversees various departments and functions, ensuring operational efficiency and effective resource allocation. Paul actively engages with stakeholders, including owners, employees, clients, and business partners, fostering relationships, and representing the company's interests.
Paul is an active member of Northwestern Mutual’s field and home office committees and has sat on several committees advocating and contributing to the direction and development of home office and field initiatives dating back to 2012 when he was a founding member of the NM Connect sub-committee dedicated to advancing the client-facing web experience. He currently sits on the Wealth Committee and the PCG COO Ad Hoc Committee.
Paul earned a bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. He maintains securities Series 7, 63, and 66 registrations and his Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license.
Paul lives in Westport, CT, with his wife Maria, his three daughters Katelyn, Malena, and Evelina, and their two dogs, Yoda, and Ruby. Paul enjoys staying active by coaching his daughter’s sports teams and recreational and competitive clay shooting.
Stephen began his career in finance in 2008. He is an Investment Analyst with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, maintaining securities Series 7 and 66 registrations. Stephen earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2015 and Certified Financial Planner professional certification in 2017. Prior to joining the firm Stephen worked in Institutional Sales at Sidoti & Company where he covered hedge funds and mutual funds in Boston and New York City, and he has experience working in private wealth management from his time at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
Stephen grew up in Pelham, New York. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and minor in Economics. He resides in Manhattan.
Brandon has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2010 and joined our team in 2011. Brandon is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC maintaining securities Series 7 and 63 registrations and his Life, Accident & Health Insurance license. Brandon also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Retirement Income Certified Professional® designations.
Brandon grew up in Kailua, Hawaii and moved to New York in 2005. He is a graduate from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Education. Brandon is on the Junior Board of Read Ahead, a non-profit organization focused on mentoring children to succeed in school through literacy. He resides in the Bronx, NY with his wife Miho.
Sarah Urichianu MBA
Director of Client Engagement & Associate Lead Advisor
Sarah joined our Pioneer team in 2016. She is an Associate Lead Advisor, a member of our Leadership Team, and serves on the D&I Committee.
She graduated in 2015 with her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where she was a member of the Women’s Volleyball Team and the Cheer Team.
Sarah was born and raised in Texas. She and her husband Mihai have lived in Texas, New Jersey, and Buffalo, NY, where their two children, Luca and Mia, were born. She and her family now reside in San Antonio, TX. She enjoys music, singing, running, outdoor sports, and hiking and kayaking with her family.
Ray has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2011 and joined our team in 2013. Ray is an Insurance Agent with Northwestern Mutual and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC maintaining securities Series 6 and 63 registrations and his Life, Accident & Health Insurance license.
Ray grew up in Rockaway Beach, NY. He graduated from Amherst College with a Bachelor of Arts in Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought. While there he balanced his time between academics and athletics, playing point guard on the varsity basketball team. Ray has a passion for music and currently lives in Greenwich, CT with his wife Sarah and their three boys Kieran, Jack, and Casey.
Rita has been an integral part of the team since 2006. As an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, Rita is a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, holding Series 7 and 63 securities registrations. In her role as Senior Director of Operations, Rita oversees internal controls, risk management, and all operational aspects of Pioneer Financial, ensuring a seamless experience for clients.
Rita's leadership extends beyond her operational responsibilities; she is an original member of the Pioneer Financial Leadership Team, established in 2018. This select group consists of individuals recognized for their leadership in client-facing roles and as mentors for their colleagues. The Leadership Team advises and collaborates with ownership on all matters related to internal policies, client service, and talent development.
Rita earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Hunter College in 2008. Outside of work, Rita loves to travel, she is fluent in Russian, and currently resides in Merrick, NY, with her husband Dmitriy and their two children, Chloe and James.
Lucas Scocchia CFP®, CPWA®, WMCP®, ChFC®
Director of Business Analytics & Lead Advisor
Lucas joined Pioneer Financial in 2016. He currently holds the titles of Lead Advisor and Director of Finance & Analytics. In addition, Lucas is the Chair of the Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Partnership Committee within the organization. He also is a member of Pioneer Financial’s Leadership Team. He holds multiple certifications and designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification (CFP®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor™ certification (CPWA®), and also the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations.
As a Lead Advisor, Lucas details a comprehensive financial planning approach, focusing in the areas of complex estate & next-generational wealth, wealth accumulation, retirement distribution, & risk management strategies. Within his leadership team position as the Director of Finance & Analytics, he analyzes firm financial data & industry trends to provide insights & strategic recommendations to improve efficiency, optimize profitability, manage expenses, and support informed decision making within the organization.
Lucas was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, where his time was occupied as an outdoorsman, an athlete, and grinding with his father within the family construction business. He accepted an athletic scholarship and graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor's of Science in Finance and a Minor in Accounting. Academically, Lucas was a four-time Horizon League Honor Roll Student. Athletically, he competed for the NCAA Baseball Division 1 Golden Grizzlies for 4 seasons in a late-bullpen role. He also met his wife, Elizabeth (a tennis team athlete) during their time in school.
Lucas rigorously trains Jiu Jitsu, enjoys riding his motorcycle and competing in any athletic activity. He is an avid reader of educational material and fantasy novels. He currently resides in Long Island City, NY with his wife Ellie and two Australian shepherds Maya & Zuko.
He is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC maintaining securities Series 7 and 63 registrations and his Life, Accident & Health Insurance license.
Victoria joined Pioneer in April 2020 as Assistant to the COO. Victoria graduated magna cum laude from the Sawyer Business School of Suffolk University, where she was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
She worked as a wealth management consultant at a major financial institution in Boston, and later served as office manager for a technology company in New York City. Victoria has also worked in fashion sales.
Victoria’s interests include baking, traveling and finding cool new restaurants to try in New York City. She is a native New Yorker, living with her family, her cat, Baby, and the family dog and cat.