Our Team

Varun Agnihotri, Senior Vice President of Investments at Newport Capital Group brings over 14 years of investment experience to the firm.  Varun’s responsibilities include portfolio construction, conducting performing manager searches and trading for institutional and high net worth client.  Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Varun was a Mergers & Acquisitions Trader at Twin Capital Management, a privately-owned hedge fund.  He began his career as a Quantitative Analyst for a New Jersey hedge fund focused on a pairs trading strategy.

Varun is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society New York.  He studied Mathematics of Finance and Actuarial Science at The New Jersey Institute of Technology, earned the AIF® designation and is a CFA Charterholder.

Ellen Arendt is Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting at Newport Capital Group and brings over 20 years of experience in the Qualified Retirement Plan industry to the firm. Ellen’s responsibilities include coordinating team efficiencies in areas such as retirement plan operations with Senior Management, Service Providers and Plan Sponsor clients.  Her main responsibilities include preparing and scheduling all client related activities including meetings, producing client reports, meeting materials including minutes and agendas, and managing the fiduciary vault for clients. She also manages team workflows including Salesforce and the P.R.O.T.E.C.T.™ Platform.

Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Ellen was the Operations Manager of the Discontinuance and Plan Termination Departments with Citistreet Retirement Services (now ING). Prior to being promoted to Operations Manager, Ellen held positions in New Business and Account Management. 

Earlier in her career, Ellen worked at Meeker Sharkey Associates as the paralegal to the firm’s ERISA attorney. She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ. Ellen is currently pursuing her Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360.  Ellen resides in Aberdeen Township with her husband and two sons.

Nicholas Bellia is Senior Vice President Retirement Plans at Newport Capital Group.  He brings over 9 years of experience to his team, focusing on business development. As an Investment Adviser Representative, Nicholas specializes in building customized solutions for prospective institutional clients. His expertise includes Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit, and Deferred Compensation retirement plans. 

Nicholas graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Legal Studies and also has a MBA in Finance from Monmouth University. He was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma and Beta Sigma Gamma honor societies. Nicholas is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) through fi360, holds the Series 65 and completed the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) RPF course. He is a volunteer with the Red Cross, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and remains involved with the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved the rank of Eagle. Nicholas lives in Tinton Falls with his wife.

Michelle Bennett is the Executive Vice President and founding partner at Newport Capital Group, responsible for client relationships. As a Primary Advisor to clients, Michelle directly counsels and provides integrated financial advice to plan sponsors to help them with all aspects of managing retirement plans. Michelle has a particular expertise in assisting clients in the areas of retirement planning and employee education.

Michelle was honored by NJBIZ magazine as one of New Jersey’s 2010 Forty Under 40 award winners and as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business for 2010.

Michelle graduated with honors from Georgian Court University in New Jersey where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She also attended the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School. Michelle is a graduate of the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania where she completed the education requirements for the Certified Financial PlanningTM (CFP®) designation. She also received the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360. Michelle currently holds the Series 7, Series 27, Series 28, Series 63, Series 66, Property and Casualty and Life and Health licensing.

Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Michelle was an Investment Management Analyst for Smith Barney. While at Smith Barney, Michelle was responsible for researching and analyzing the performance of money management firms. Michelle’s responsibilities also included the ongoing monitoring of portfolios, completing statistical probability analysis on diversified asset classes and hedging equity positions with an array of option strategies.

Michelle currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for the DiLella School of Real Estate at Villanova University and a member of the Board of Trustees for Springpoint Senior Living where she Chairs the Compensation Committee and sits on the Investment Committee and the Audit and Compliance Committee. She also sits on the portfolio management team of Newport Holdings, L.P. a private equity fund. Michelle is a board member of The Two River Times. She is a former Board Member of the Monmouth Day Care Center and enjoys assisting local charities with fund raising events. Other not-for-profits Michelle supports are Deborah Heart and Lung Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Alzheimer’s Association.

Domenic DiPiero III is President and Founder of Newport Capital Group, a national independent investment advisory firm. Newport Capital Group has been named The 2016 PLANSPONSOR Large Team of the Year, PLANADVISER’s Top 100 Advisers for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011. Domenic was named 2019, 2018 and 2016 Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Plan Advisers. Newport Capital Group was named to the listing of the 2017 National Association of Plan Advisor (NAPA) Top DC Advisor Firms. 

Domenic is a Board Member of Zipz, Inc. and FGI Worldwide. He was member of the Board of Directors for GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (GLK) which had a successful sale to Tidewater (TDW).  He was appointed to the Board of Directors of University Hospital by Governor Chris Christie in 2013. He was previously nominated for the State Police Retirement System of New Jersey Board of Trustees by Governor Christie in 2012. 

He is involved with numerous Non-Profits. He is currently on the Board of Trustees Drexel University and the Board of Trustees for Hackensack Meridian Health Network. Domenic is the former Chairman of the Board for Riverview Medical Center Foundation in Red Bank, NJ. He successfully co-chaired the Capital Campaign, as well as Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Major Gifts Committee. Domenic is a past Chairman of Meridian Health System’s Foundation Board. He also served on the Strategic Planning Committee. He previously served an Advisory Board Member for the DiLella School of Real Estate at Villanova University. He’s also a former member of the President’s Advisory Council at Salve Regina University. 

The Jersey Shore Partnership honored Domenic with the 2017 Outstanding Leadership award for Community Service. Domenic was presented the 39th Joshua Huddy Distinguished Citizen Award by the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America in 2012. NJBIZ honored Domenic as one of New Jersey’s Forty Under 40 award winners and has been named as a finalist for Corporate Citizen of the Year. 

Domenic DiPiero graduated cum laude with a degree in business administration from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. He was also instrumental in the University founding a football program, as well as serving as the captain of the team. On June 7, 2009 he was recognized by Salve Regina University with an Alumni Achievement Award. 

Domenic is a past board member of the Two River Theatre, former member of The Count Basie Theatre’s Foundation Board, a past member of The Investment committee for the Rumson Country Day School and a past member of the Diversity Committee for the Rumson Country Day School. He is also a past Board Member, and a past Finance Committee member for the Two River Film Festival. 

He’s also a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) an international organization of young business leaders. He is a member of the New York Chapter.

Lauren Goldfarb, AIF®, is Senior Vice President Business Development at Newport Capital Group; she joined the firm in 2009 as Vice President of Marketing.  Her primary responsibilities include managing and coordinating the marketing, sales, and business development activities of the firm some of which include attending prospective client meetings, industry networking, and award nominations.  She is responsible for managing relationships with centers of influence, referral partners and community members and meeting with business executives. Lauren leads the team responsible for RFPs for Newport Capital Group’s advisory and consulting business. 

Lauren was honored by NJBIZ as one of New Jersey’s 2019 Forty Under 40 award winners. She has been quoted in Investment News, Financial Advisor Magazine, The Star Ledger and The Daily Record.  She has been invited to speak at numerous industry conferences including the Financial Advisor Symposium and FPA NexGen on various marketing and financial services topics. Previously, Lauren was Director of Marketing at RegentAtlantic in Morristown, NJ, where she was responsible for coordinating business development activities, client events, and performing target market research. 

Lauren recently was elected to the Board of Trustees for Count Basie Center for the Arts in May 2019 and sits on the Education Committee.  She’s joined the Board of Directors for The Jersey Shore Partnership in December 2018 and part of the Membership Committee. She joined the Board of Trustees of 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. in 2014.  She is currently Board Secretary and a member of the Nominating Placement, Development and Finance Committees. She participated in the Strategic Planning Committee Task Force in 2017 and co-chaired the Golf Outing in 2015.  Lauren has been an active member of the Junior League of Monmouth County since 2010. She was on the Board of Directors from 2011 to 2013 as the Assistant Treasurer, then Treasurer of the League.  

Lauren’s previous not-for-profit experience includes Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey where she was a member of the Board of Directors from 2008 to 2010. Her responsibilities included CEO Review, Board Development and Finance Committees.  She also took part in the Strategic Planning, Alignment, and Implementation Retreat in 2010. Lauren also volunteered with Cornerstone Family Programs assisting with their marketing and public relations efforts and was a founding advisory member of the Young Professionals Group.  She also had an internship while in college at The Women’s Fund of New Jersey.  

Lauren received the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360.  She graduated with honors from Rutgers Business School with a BS in Marketing. She has an AS and AA from the County College of Morris in Business Administration and Fine Arts and has studied abroad in Rome, Italy.    Lauren and her husband reside in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

David Kozodoy, Senior Vice President of Investments at Newport Capital Group specializes in advising investment committees of qualified retirement plans on their investment programs. David brings over 20 years of investment experience, and over 15 years in the consulting industry to Newport Capital Group, in helping committees meet their fiduciary duties under DOL guidelines. David’s responsibilities include conducting due diligence on plan investments, delivering investment evaluations and performing manager searches. Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, David acted in a similar capacity as a consultant with Hewitt EnnisKnupp and previously spent a number of years as a senior investment analyst with a smaller consulting firm.

David graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Long Island University majoring in finance and earned his MBA from Rutgers University. David is a Registered Investment Adviser Representative, FINRA Series 65 and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360. 

David is an active member of his synagogue community, holds various committee positions and sits on the Temple’s Board of Directors.  He lives in East Brunswick, NJ with his wife and two daughters.

Joe Kyrillos focuses on business development for Newport Capital Group. A licensed Series 65 professional, he’s been affiliated with Newport Capital Group since 2008. 

Kyrillos has enjoyed a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. Senator Kyrillos ended a thirty-year tenure in the New Jersey Legislature in January 2018.

First elected at age 27, Joe served two terms in the General Assembly. Sworn in to the state Senate in 1992, he was re-elected to serve eight terms. During a visible and productive career representing Monmouth and Middlesex counties, Joe emerged as a statewide leader in job creation, economic growth, shore protection, and good government. A former Majority Conference Leader and committee chairman, he voted more than 140 times to reduce taxes and fees, and developed a reputation for practical, reform minded politics while working with both sides of the aisle.

A respected voice in New Jersey’s business community, Kyrillos also serves on the Boards of Directors of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, and Miami International Holdings MIAX Emerald, and is chairman of the advisory board of OceanFirst Bank and a director of its foundation. In addition, he has been on numerous national and local non-profit boards, and currently a trustee of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, and Monmouth Historic Association, and sits on advisory boards for Lunch Break, and the Count Basie Center for Arts.

From 2001 to 2004, Senator Kyrillos served as Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee and as a member of the Republican National Committee.  In 2008, Joe was NJ chairman of Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign and the following year was chairman of Chris Christie’s successful gubernatorial campaign and subsequently a member of his transition team. Joe was a leading supporter of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in the 2016 presidential primary.

In 2012, Kyrillos won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Senator Kyrillos is the second youngest person elected to the state Senate since the 1947 Constitutional Convention, and the tenth youngest since 1844. He served as only the 29th Republican state chairman in recorded history of the party since 1880, and one of four to serve simultaneously in the Legislature. When he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2012, Joe joined a small group of 135 individuals who, since the founding of New Jersey, earned the privilege to be nominated for Governor or U.S. Senator by the major political parties.

Active and accessible at home and around the State, Joe has appeared on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, New York network affiliates, and local New Jersey outlets. He will be the 2018-2019 Public Servant-In-Residence at Monmouth University.

In June 2018, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders designated the West Front Street bridge spanning the Navesink River and connecting the towns of Middletown and Red Bank, the Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Bridge.

Senator Kyrillos graduated from Hobart College and earned a master’s degree at Boston University. He attended Middletown public schools, the Rumson Country Day School, and the Lawrenceville School. Joe and his wife live in Middletown with their teenage children. They are members of Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank.

Maryann McGloin, Senior Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting, brings over 30 years’ experience in the Qualified Retirement Plan industry to Newport Capital Group.  She specializes in managing retirement plan relationships with a focus on vendor pricing and provider management; she is instrumental in RFP process through coordination and completion with Plan Providers. Maryann’s responsibilities also include meeting and supporting Plan Sponsors by offering in depth expertise in retirement plan design and solutions on a variety of inside and outside retirement plan offerings.  Maryann serves as her team’s primary resource offering industry information, product features and competitive analysis for clients.  

Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Maryann held various Vice President Positions with Buck Consultants, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch.  She was formally recognized for outstanding client service relationships at each company, due to her dedication to building and strengthening client relationships.

Maryann graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She is currently pursuing her Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360, and previously held Series 7 and 63 licenses.  Maryann is very active in St. James Church where she serves as a Eucharist Minister as well as conducting Communion services at Navesink House in Red Bank, NJ.  

Katie McIntyre brings over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry.  As Senior Vice President of Investment Operations, she is primarily responsible for monitoring client asset allocations and preparing and executing trades for high net worth client accounts. She also is responsible for researching and implementing technology solutions to improve accuracy and efficiency of investment operations from client reporting and communication to trading and execution.

Katie began her career at KPMG as a CPA, auditing clients in the financial services industry, before transitioning into wealth management where she was responsible for aggregating and reporting over $1B of Assets Under Management for a boutique RIA serving Ultra High Net Worth Clients. Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Accounting from the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond. Katie lives in Rumson, NJ with her husband and two children. *Inactive

Robert J. Milmore, Senior Vice President of Investments at Newport Capital Group brings over 23 years of investment experience to the firm.  Rob’s responsibilities include conducting due diligence on plan investments, performing manager searches and delivering investment evaluations.  Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Rob was an Equity Portfolio Manager and Analyst at Fox Asset Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance.  Earlier in his career, Rob worked in Corporate Treasury at Cendant and was an Equity Analyst at Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.  He began his career in International Securities Lending at Bankers Trust.

Rob is a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts and previously held the Series 7 and 63 licenses.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with Honors from The Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. A lifelong Monmouth County resident, he was raised in Holmdel and currently lives in Middletown.  

Jenna Pollicino, Senior Vice President of Operations brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry to the Newport Capital Group team.  She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operating activities including trading and compliance support, client service and other operating activities tied to Private Wealth clients.  Jenna is extremely passionate about knowing each client on a personal level. She acts as the liaison between our clients, advisors and investment team.   Her previous roles included various operations functions such as account administration processes, creation and implementation of portfolios, trading, as well as staff training and development. Prior to working at Newport Capital Group, she worked in New York City in the Private Equity industry. She credits her success, strength, work ethic and adaptability to her experiences starting out in a male dominated industry.  She currently holds the Series 7 and Series 63. 

Jenna graduated from University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentration in Marketing, and an Economics minor.  She is a board member and First Vice President of Shore Youth Football and Cheer, a local non-profit organization, which both of her sons participate. Jenna resides in Monmouth Beach, NJ with her husband and two sons.

Sara Rothfuss is Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting at Newport Capital Group.  Sara’s responsibilities include coordinating team efficiencies in areas such as retirement plan operations with Senior Management, Service Providers and Plan Sponsor clients.  Her main responsibilities include preparing and scheduling all client related activities including meetings, producing client reports, meeting materials including minutes and agendas, and managing the fiduciary vault for clients. She also manages team workflows including Salesforce and the P.R.O.T.E.C.T.™ Platform.

Sara joined Newport Capital Group in 2010.  She graduated from Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing.  She currently holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360. 

Kate Roselli is Vice President Financial Planning at Newport Capital Group where she assists the team in comprehensive financial planning. Kate is also involved in meeting preparation, client service, operations and planning analytics. She is currently studying and taking Financial Planning courses, while working towards obtaining her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® designation.  

She joined the team in 2011 as a Marketing Associate helping the sales and marketing team with various responsibilities including preparing for meetings, event coordination, business development activities, and target market research. She received her Bachelor of Science in Employment Relations from Rutgers University in 2011. Kate lives in Tinton Falls, NJ.

Gail Thompson is Senior Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting at Newport Capital Group and brings over 21 years of experience in the Qualified Retirement Plan industry to the firm.  Gail serves as her team’s primary resource offering industry information, product features and competitive analysis for clients. Gail’s responsibilities include meeting and supporting Plan Sponsors by offering in depth expertise in retirement plan design and solutions on a variety of inside and outside retirement plan offerings.  She is instrumental in RFP process through coordination and completion with Plan Providers. Gail stays abreast of the industry by attending retirement provider product update meetings.

Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Gail held a Client Executive position for Executive Benefits Life Insurance plans with MetLife.  She also held various positions with Prudential Retirement, such as Account Executive, Relationship Manager, and Team Leader of MidMarket 401(k) Plan Administration. Gail currently has her Accident, Health or Sickness and Annuities License and her Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360.  She previously held FINRA Series 26, 6, and 63 licenses. Gail resides in Port Monmouth, NJ with her husband and their three sons.

As Senior Vice President of Financial Planning, Jocelyn DeGroote-Venables, CFP®, brings over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry.  She is responsible for developing, supporting, and managing client relationships, thinking both strategically and tactically to identify financial planning solutions appropriate for each client’s situation. Prior to joining Newport Capital, Jocelyn spent most of her career as a High Net Worth Financial Planning Specialist at Merrill Lynch.  She worked with clients to understand their overall financial situation and implement a strategic plan to help them realize their goals. She also worked with the managed money platforms, constructing, analyzing and implementing managed portfolios for private clients.  During this time, she completed her education requirements and passed the exam to earn her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) designation.  She currently holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360, Series 7 and Series 66. 

Jocelyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Villanova University.    Jocelyn and her family reside in Brielle, NJ.

Kristine Vining is Senior Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting at Newport Capital Group and brings over 25 years of experience in the Qualified Retirement Plan industry to the firm. Kristine’s responsibilities include meeting and supporting Plan Sponsors by offering in depth expertise in retirement plan design and solutions on a variety of inside and outside retirement plan offerings.  She serves as her team’s primary resource offering industry information, product features and competitive analysis for clients. She is instrumental in RFP process through coordination and completion with Plan Providers. Kristine stays abreast of the industry by attending retirement provider product update meetings.

Prior to joining Newport Capital Group, Kristine held various management positions with Merrill Lynch, such as Vice President of Product Development, Senior Business Analyst and Team Leader of 401(k) Plan Administration.  Earlier in her career, Kristine held various management positions with Citistreet Retirement Services (now ING) such as Director of Administrative Operations, Director of Project Management and Manager of MidMarket Account Management. 

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers Graduate School of Management in New Brunswick, NJ. She currently has the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360 and previously held Series 7 and 63 licenses and completed the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) Pension Administrators 1A, 1B and C1 courses. She is formerly a member of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP).  Kristine resides in Oceanport, NJ with her husband and three children.

Samantha Ward is Vice President Retirement Plan Consulting at Newport Capital Group. Samantha’s responsibilities include coordinating efforts with Senior Management, Service Providers and Plan Sponsors. Samantha assists with coordination of all meeting needs with Plan Sponsors including maintaining the online fiduciary archive, managing the P.R.O.T.E.C.T.™ Platform, creating and maintaining meeting minutes, preparing quarterly reporting, managing team workflows, and creating meeting agendas. Prior to becoming a member of the service team, Samantha spent time as a member of the company’s sales team. She also assisted with marketing and business process projects, meeting preparation, and client correspondence as needed. 

Samantha graduated from Monmouth University with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and is currently pursuing her Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from fi360.

John Wibbelsman brings over 25 years of investment experience as Senior Vice President Investments to Newport Capital Group. He is responsible for asset allocation, investment and trading activities. His responsibilities include the holistic design and management of investment portfolios across all asset classes and liability-driven investing for the firm’s pension plan clients. John’s prior experience includes managing $3 billion of defined benefit assets at NYNEX and Bell Atlantic Asset Management in New York (now Verizon Asset Management), foreign exchange sales and trading at NatWest Bank in New York, and starting and managing a global equity hedge fund in Rumson, NJ. 

John is a member of the CFA Institute and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Villanova University.   Mr. Wibbelsman also earned an MBA from Columbia University and has the Series 7 investment license. He is a co-founder of TROG Lacrosse, a men’s lacrosse club in Monmouth County.  Previously, John served on the Board of Directors for the Monmouth County Historical Association and was Treasurer for the Rumson, NJ local First Aid Squad.