Ron Zaal
Executive Director
Ronald "Ron" Zaal began his professional career within the hospitality industry in 1978. He held various positions from managing hotels to Regional Manager of the Mid-Atlantic region with the Marriott Corporation. Also, Ron contributed his expertise of business and accounting structures to the Contract Services Division at Marriott. He worked exclusively with educational systems, acute care administrations (hospitals,) and senior living to ensure that they were functioning to the best of their abilities both in business and client services. With the Marriott Corporation Ron managed over $100,000,000 in revenue contributing to the proven process of generating a profitable division within the Marriott Corporation.

Ron received his insurance license in 2001. From 2001 to now, Ron has been an integral part of Southwest Financial Group in assisting with all facets relating to health insurance, life insurance and annuities. More importantly he has assisted in strategizing company objectives and goals for the enhancement in all aspects of the SFG.

Ron and his wife, Janet, are very active in church activities and functions. Ron has two married sons, and one granddaughter. He enjoys travelling, reading, and spending quality time with his family.

Richard Whitaker
Vice President of Sales
Richard Whitaker, a devoted family man and highly intensive sales manager, took over the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for SFG in the later part of 2007. Richard has worked within the Southwest Financial Group network of contacts and agents for the past 5 years while diving into his ongoing projects. Chris Zaal believed that Richard had an excellent finesse and ongoing track record that he believed pushed him forward. Richard offers an extensive marketing and sales expertise and a new flair on an old business.

Richard received his general lines license as well as his securities license in 1998, where he opened his own office. His position was that of the Branch Office Manager for the broker dealer and approved by the SEC, where he supervised 20 agents, facilitated and guided, and signed off on business. The Branch Office had over 5,000,000 dollars in sales go through while Richard was the "BOM."

During the years of 2002 – 2005, Richard owned and operated a marketing organization that recruited, trained, and facilitated new agents in the insurance, financial, and mortgage industries. During those three years, Richard recruited and guided 4000 agents, and opened offices in three different states. The company grew very rapidly.

In 2005, Richard was approached by a group of investors to set up and ultimately become the CEO for a mortgage bank. Managing and developing all company functions the bank saw gross revenue of over $1,000,000 within the first year and grew into five states. In 2006, Richard Whitaker became a Vice-President of a mortgage bank and helped facilitate the growth of the company. Ultimately the bank saw a 100% growth within one year.

The qualities that Richard Whitaker brings to Southwest Financial Group are endless. Unlike most V.P.’s who are hands off, Richard begins his day as an agent out in the field continuing to bring business through the door. More importantly he enjoys interacting with others, whether it is a custodian in the cafeteria or a Vice-President of a well known Life Insurance Company. He understands all different types of people on all different levels. He likes to gets his hands dirty and working for a team that not only wants to work with him, but enjoys his company and his tactics.

Richard enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, two sons and a daughter between the ages of 6 – 10. He takes pleasure in golfing and boating. He has served the Church of Later Day Saints, and went on a mission for the church in Colorado from 1993-1995.

Blake Zaal
Vice President of Marketing
Blake Zaal graduated with honors in Business Marketing with a minor in Business Management from Louisiana State University in 2006. While in college, Blake became one of the top producers with Vector Marketing Group obtaining the title of Senior Field Sales leader. Blake is an active member of the business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon as well as the LSU Alumni school of Business organization.

After coming into the business in June of 2006, Blake has proven to be a vital part of the company’s success. He immediately started a branding campaign to expand the company’s awareness in the market place. Furthermore, he has put over $6 million dollars of business on the books. In 2008, he was the company’s overall top producer. He also gained the title of corporate officer and Vice President of Marketing and Sales. In 2008, Blake was elected as the company’s sixth board member. His continued success has earned him several incentive trips with various insurance carriers. In 2008, he earned the “Rookie of the Year” honor with Horace Mann Life Insurance Company. Blake has also trained over 50 agents nationwide. His roll is expanding into one of the companies two national sales trainers.

Blake is very active in his personal life. He workouts rigorously, plays golf, basketball, and tennis and enjoys boating as often as possible. He was recently married in October of 2008 to Ashley. Ashley and Blake enjoy travelling whenever possible. He enjoys learning about different cultures through his travels to Hawaii, New Zealand, Mexico, and Jamaica.

Lindsay Richardson
Operations Director & Corporate Secretary
Lindsay Richardson comes from a background in marketing and administrative management. She has helped several organizations brand and develop needed marketing material and outline clerical necessities. From the moment that Chris met Lindsay he knew that she had the spark that would continue to help and funnel growth at SFG. With a keen eye for graphics and formatting and excellent technical / creative writing skills, she has created countless highly rated marketing materials such as brochures and advertisements for the multiple divisions within Z&Z International, Inc. Since joining the organization in February of 2006 she has helped with the creation of principals and fundamentals that have been implemented and successful. As of June, 2009 Lindsay is a Property and Casualty Licensed Agent within the State of Texas.

During the years 2003 – 2005, Lindsay enjoyed the workings of two separate private companies that helped her reach her potential of becoming what she is today, by teaching her the fundamentals and hard work that is associated with the setting up and development of entities, including HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses), developing marketing ideas and solutions, and empowering her to take action.

Lindsay Richardson brings to Z&Z International, Inc. a kind of passion like no other, she has an astute presence and brings that level of appreciation and gratitude to not only the entire staff but also to our clients. She is a quiet leader with a great depth of personality, that amazes all those around her.

Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and two dogs, Presley and Maxie. She enjoys reading fictional novels, and playing gin. Lindsay and her husband are Harley Davidson fanatics, and enjoy taking weekend long trips through the beautiful sights of the United States.

Andrea Berry
Assistant Sales and Marketing Director
Andrea Berry has over 10 years of administrative and project oversight experience. Prior to joining SFG, Andrea held several management positions at not only private and public corporations but she also brings about experience with municipalities.

Andrea joined SFG in June of 2008 as the Assistant Sales and Marketing Director. She has assisted with the growth of over 2000+ clients and Andrea facilitated the movement of qualified monies totalling over 1 million, all within the last year. She has also trained and provided marketing support for several field Sales Agent and Managers, providing them with all of the tools necessary to meet and exceed all of their sales goals and intentions. Andrea has been recognized many times by clients for her dedicated service and quick responses.

Andrea Berry brings to Z&Z International, Inc. talent and skill in directing, steering, and executing sales and marketing programs that have proven to be successful. Her determination with either aiding a client or assisting an agent is great and definitely shows how much she is willing go to help with the needs of those around her.

Andrea, originally from Colorado, takes pleasure in hiking and looking at the view from the mountaintops. Andrea has two sons, Austin & Alex who love the outdoors including 4-wheeling and dirt biking. Andrea has definitely proved that she can be a valuable asset to not only SFG but also to her community by volunteering in many local community events including bike runs and golf events.

Ashley Zaal
Operations Assistant Director
Ashley Zaal graduated in 2008 from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. Before joining Southwest Financial Group in August of 2008, Ashley held positions with several marketing organizations that included Recruiter, Scheduler, and Office Assistant.

Since joining SFG, Ashley has become the liaison for many of the third party administrators for not only the agents and administrators but also to clients. Ashley’s expertise lies in her ability to assist clients in getting their contributions to start and helping clients wade through the language of the paperwork itself. Ashley also assists clients with loans, withdrawals, transfers, and rollovers.

Ashley’s passion include spending time with family, hunting, fishing, reading, vacationing, and hanging out with friends.