Meet the Central California Business Center Team

Mr. Griffith joined Mr. Thornton in 1986 as Co-Regional Managing Director and together they built the Central California Business Center into a network of representatives serving California's Central Valley and San Francisco Bay area.  During their tenure the Central California Business Center has finished each year as one of the best in the company, including the top-honor Grand Trophy in 1991, 1992 and 2006.  Rod and Bill sit on numerous boards including the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the United Way giving back to our industry and our communities by contributing their time and passion. 

Rod joined the Principal Financial Group in 1982 as a Regional Managing Director of the Fresno Business Center.  Bill Griffith joined Rod in 1986 as Co-Regional Managing Director and together they built the Central California Business Center into a network of representatives serving California's Central Valley and San Francisco Bay area.  During their tenure the Central California Business Center has finished each year as one of the best in the company, including the top-honor Grand Trophy in 1991, 1992 and 2006.  Rod and Bill sit on numerous boards including the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the United Way giving back to our industry and our communities by contributing their time and passion.

Martha has been in the insurance industry since 1980 and came to the Central California Business Center in 1988.  She oversees Business Center operations, assists the management team with agency development and supervises our multi location support staff.  Martha is actively involved in her church working with the AWANA program.

Rob began as a Financial Services Representative and a Princor Registered Representative with the Central California Business Center and has chosen a career path into management.  He is responsible for professional development in the Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield offices, spending much of his time training and skill-building with new representatives.  Rob is actively involved in the Fresno-Madera Medical Society, the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and coaching soccer for the California Junior Soccer League.

Michael Dennison has more than eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He attained his financial degree from San Jose State University, and he is a true believer in the power of continuing education. Michael is always learning and developing new ways to stay current and ahead of today's changing economic environment. Born and raised in the heart of Silicon Valley, Michael experienced the effects of a booming and a declining economy first-hand. This has helped him develop a well-rounded approach to the world of finance and financial consulting.

Margot works with management to develop Business Center markets and marketing capabilities.  She works with new representatives to help launch them into appropriate target markets and supports them with ongoing marketing campaigns as they develop their business.   Margot holds leadership positions in local chapters of Public Relations Society of America, Institute for Family Business and Marketing Think Tank.

Bob is the catalyst behind our growth in the South Valley and he is actively expanding our presence in Visalia and Bakersfield.  Bob regularly achieves Management Achievement Round Table (MART), a company award for our top managers.  He is actively involved in Visalia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of the Business Resource Advisory Council and the local Red Cross Chapter.   Bob was the key note speaker at the 2007 NAWIC Regional Conference, and a breakout speaker at the 2007 Bakersfield Women's Conference.

Lisa has been working in financial services since 1985 with her primary focus on serving the Credit Union industry. She joined the Central California Business Center in 2008 as a Financial Services Representative and Princor Registered Representative and is involved with adding financial advisors to the San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield Business Centers. Lisa and her husband Ron have two teenagers, Cole and Madison and she stays active with church, Future Farmers of America family projects and several volunteer organizations.