Management Team

Managing Partner

(713) 408-2222

Blake McKinney serves as the Managing Partner of New York Life - Greater Kansas City. Blake is known for his skill in agent and management development. Blake has been a leadership role in several New York Life offices over his 28 year career. 

Blake has been recognized company-wide for his leadership. He was elected to MPAC (Managing Partners Advisory Council) by his peers in 2022 and was recently elected as the President of MPAC to lead the conversations between Managing Partners and New York Life’s Senior Leadership Team. 

Prior to coming to the Greater Kansas City Office Blake served as the Managing Partner of the West Texas New York Life Office for 4 years. He had tremendous success - even through the challenging pandemic years. 

Prior to his time in West Texas, Blake served, with much success, as the Managing Partner of the Greater Oregon New York Life Office for nearly 12 years from early 2006 to late 2017. 

Blake started his career in the Houston New York Life Office in 1996. In 1999, he became a Partner in the Houston Office and by 2002 had been a top 25 Partner in the company twice and was promoted to Senior Partner. As the top Senior Partner in the company in 2004, he was invited to serve on MPAC in 2005 and 2006. 

Blake grew up in the small “cotton” town of Lamesa, TX.  

Blake has a BS in Education from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining New York Life, he was a high school football and baseball coach and taught math in Amarillo, TX and Katy, TX. 

Blake and Andrea have been happily married since 1989. They have 3 adult children and 3 and 5 grandchildren. 

In his spare time, Blake and Andrea enjoy being involved their church, travel and spending time with family.  

Senior Partner

(417) 831-5230

Don grew up on a farm near a small town south of St. Louis Missouri. Here he learned the value of hard work. After high school he attended University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a BS in Business Administration. While attending MIZZOU he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. (FIJI) He was on the Inter Fraternity Council. He was also a member of the Student Society of Human Resource Management.

Prior to graduation, Don did an internship in the financial services industry with MetLife. Don is passionate about helping people. He chose to dive into this field after graduation. He spent 4 years in sales learning the business. He got his Life and Health license and passed the series 6 and 63 for investments. Don completed two designations while in the field. LUTCF- Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow and Associate Financial Planner. He then accepted a leadership position with MetLife. He moved to Springfield Missouri in March of 1997. He was the Associate General Manager. He oversaw the entire operation of recruiting and developing insurance and investment agents. It was at this time he passed his series 7 and series 24 to become a Registered Principal.

In December 2001 Don was offered a position to become a Partner with New York Life. In his first year he led the West Central Zone in many categories including the GPA award, View from the top and Partner of the year. He also completed His CLU-Chartered Life Underwriter designation. Throughout the next several years Don earned many more awards. Partner of the Year, Rookie of the year, Top Gun Award three consecutive years, View from the top and many more. He also earned his CLF-Chartered Leadership Fellow designation. In 2009 Don was promoted to Senior Partner. In that same year he was the number one Senior Partner in the Company. He won his first Roundtable membership. He won trophies in every category. He was also the number 2 recruiter in the entire company. He has since passed his series 66 and qualified to join Eagle Strategies as a Financial Advisor to help bring more diversity to the office. He has enjoyed his 27 years in the industry. Helping agents grow their business and protecting thousands of lives in the process.

Don is married to his beautiful wife Kristen and has six children. The have made their home in Nixa Missouri.

Partner

(913) 661-7207

Jack graduated from The University of Kansas in 2006. That same year he began his career as a Financial Representative, focusing on helping his clients with their planning needs in the areas of risk management, wealth accumulation and estate and business planning strategies. Jack was drawn to financial services in large part through his aptitude for and love of entrepreneurship.

In addition to his practice, Jack took on leadership responsibilities as a Sales Manager, which included recruiting, training, and developing a growing team of financial services professionals.

Jack joined the management team at New York Life in November 2015 and was quickly promoted to Partner in the Greater Kansas City General Office in May 2016. He went on to achieve the 2016 New Partner of the Year Award and was just recently recognized with the 2018 Partner of the Year Award.

As a leader, coach, and motivator of people, Jack takes enormous pride in helping financial professionals develop world class practices. Having worked with some of the premiere leaders in the industry, Jack understands the financial services business thoroughly, and is currently hiring top notch sales people with an excellent work ethic and the desire to build a successful career in the Kansas City market.

Jack enjoys many sports (is a die hard Kansas City Chiefs fan) & spending time with his family. He currently resides in Leawood, KS with his wife, Megan and their three children, Finley (7), Mack and Millie (5).

Partner

(417) 829-2256

Kevin Stokes joined the industry in 2003 as a financial services professional after graduating from Southwest Missouri State University with a Management Degree. After 15 years helping clients, Kevin joined our management team in 2018. Kevin grew up on a dairy farm in Hartville, MO where he learned the value of hard work and responsibilities.

Partner

(816) 812-1508

tuckerj@newyorklife.com

Johnny Tucker grew up in Topeka, Kansas where he would later go on to attend Kansas State University. He joined the New York Life family in February 2009 as an Agent in the Greater Kansas City General Office (G.O.). In just his 3rd year in the industry, Johnny was a 2012 $50B Lead Ambassador and a New Org Life Case Leader. Since then Johnny has gone on to accept additional awards ranging from Annuity Elite Gold Member (2014), Life All-Star (2016), Agency Builder of the Year (2016), and most recently, the Most Valuable Professional award in 2017. In 2017 Johnny made the transition into a Partner role at the Greater Kansas City G.O.

Prior to New York Life, Johnny worked as an Operations Manager for Walgreens Pharmacy for 22 years. Throughout the 22 years, Johnny was an Emerging Leader within the company helping mentor several managers and assisted in the planning of the Kansas City market.

Johnny has 2 children (Justin and Jasmine) & resides in the Kansas City metro area supporting the Greater Kansas City G.O.  In his spare time, Johnny enjoys supporting his daughter’s activities in the community (Tennis, Soccer, and Pre-Health Professionals) and cheering on KU athletics with his son who attends The University of Kansas.  Johnny’s passions include family, fitness, and being active in all aspect of his community.

Senior Director of Development

Mobile:  (913) 705-0755

clcrumpacker@newyorklife.com
 
Chris joined New York Life in July 2009 as a TAS Agent in the Boston General Office (G.O.) & later moved to the Midwest to be closer to family.  As a 2-time Executive Council Agent, Annuity Elite Champion, and Long-Term Care Award winner – Chris then transitioned into the Sales Development Manager (SDM) rank in January 2013 and was fortunate to remain in the Greater Kansas City G.O. as both an Agent and SDM.  Chris is currently the Director of Development and is 1 of 2 Development Manager (DM) resources to support the Agent and Partner Teams of the Greater Kansas City G.O.

Prior to New York Life, Chris followed a sales management track with HSBC Bank for 15 years and held various positions in the Consumer & Mortgage Lending departments of the banking industry.  Chris is a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities, LLC & holds Series 6, 63, and 26 Registrations with FINRA.  Chris has also obtained his LUTCF®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, and CLF® Financial Designations with the American College.

Chris is married (Amy) and has 3 children (Zachary, Ethan, and Jensen ‘JJ’) & resides in the Kansas City metro area supporting the Greater Kansas City G.O.  In his spare time, Chris is an avid University of Florida Gators alumni (bleeds Orange and Blue!) and enjoys supporting his kids’ activities in the community (Swimming, Boy Scouts of America, and Marching Band).  Chris’ passion is enjoying the outdoors (biking, hiking, swimming, and frisbee golf) & about helping others to be successful.

CVP - Field Service Leader

(913) 661-7210

As a Corporate Vice President and Field Service Leader, Steve is responsible for the completion of all administrative and processing functions with respect to new business and related accounting.  He also ensures appropriate internal controls are maintained.  As the immediate supervisor of the General Office clerical and customer service team, he provides training and guidance.

During a career at the New York Life that began at in 1993, Steve has also earned the following LOMA designations:  Associate, Customer Service (ACS), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Associate, Insurance and Regulatory Controls (AIRC), Associate, Insurance and Agency Administration (AIAA), and is a licensed Operations

Director of Agency Standards

Raised in Missouri, John is a former executive council agent from the Saint Louis General Office. A military veteran and former police officer, he briefly left New York Life and gained a broad experience in the brokerage industry working first at Scottrade Investment Management, and then TD Ameritrade as a supervising principal. Returning to New York Life, he spent the last three years as Agency Standards Manager for the South Texas General Office.

His undergraduate degree is from Saint Louis University in Philosophy and his Masters Degree is from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

He enjoys spending time at home with his wife and dogs.