Central States Business Center
The Central States Business Center is a group of local offices representing Principal® in Tennessee and Kentucky. We are dedicated to helping individuals, businesses and their employees achieve financial security and success in our communities. We proudly represent Principal with integrity and professionalism.
Working with us
If you’re interested in working with us as an advisor, we’ll provide you a professional and supportive environment that helps you build your knowledge and skills. Learn more about what it’s like to work with us and meet our management team.
See our office locations & advisors
If you’re looking for a financial services product, we can help you find a local financial professional at Principal® to discuss your financial needs, as well as purchase life insurance, annuities, securities and investments.
See a list of advisors in the Central States to contact one directly.
Do you want to make a difference and help others solve problems? We do too. That’s why we want to talk to you about your future with Principal. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to move your business in a new direction, we’ve got your back.
An inclusive culture and tools to build your career
The one thing we have in common is that each of us is different. That’s why we seek diversity in the people we hire. Our inclusion extends to the way we do business with a flexible work culture. That may mean you want to focus on a specific market, be a solo practitioner or join a team. No matter what you choose, we’re here to give you the right tools to build your confidence and help you succeed.
Meet the management team
Now that you know a little about our business center, we’d like to tell you about the amazing folks you’ll be working with.
Eric Howell ChFC® - Regional Managing Director
Eric leads the business center with over 28 years of experience in meeting the diverse financial needs of individuals, professionals and the small to mid-size businesses. His team focuses on the culture of heartfelt relationships; Eric believes unequivocally that clients understand the value of relationships and seek trusted advisors who will guide them in their individual journey toward success. Active in industry organizations such as NAIFA, GAMA, and the Society of Financial Services Professional (FSP), where he currently serves as a board member for the Nashville Chapter; a graduate of University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Business Administration, Eric currently resides in Brentwood with his wife Laura.
Contact information
615-651-7928
howell.eric@principal.com
Todd Schoonover - Managing Director
Todd started his financial services career in 1997 and was a personal financial advisor for his first eight years, during that time he developed a passion for leading advisor and producer groups. Todd currently has the rewarding position of Managing Director and is responsible for leading, training and mentoring financial professionals throughout the state of Tennessee, including offices in Memphis, Nashville, and most recently Chattanooga. Todd currently serves on the Board of the Chattanooga Chapter of NAIFA. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Economics and is an active alumnus with Kappa Sigma Fraternity currently serving as a Board Member. Todd particularly enjoys his favorite past times of golfing and boating when surrounded by family and friends, he and his wife Nickie reside in Chattanooga with their three children Reese, Tess and Ariana.
Contact information
423-424-4181
schoonover.todd@principal.com
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Karla Davis - Associate Managing Director
Karla brings to the Central States Business Center five years of experience in the financial industry and an excitement in helping families and businesses reach their financial goals. She received her Bachelor's in Media Management and Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Karla is a member of the Nashville Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and the Nashville Songwriter Association International (NSAI). Karla is an avid singer, having preformed at The Grand Ole Opry and The Ryman. She was even a Top 16 contestant on The Voice! Outside of work, Karla is an active volunteer with Brightstone, where she helps adults with special needs, as well as with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Karla and her fiancé Taylor have one dog, a miniature dachshund named Mimi.
Contact information
615-651-7936
davis.karla@principal.com
Kira Deck FLMI, MBA - Operations Manager
Kira oversees operations of the Business Center, assists the management team with agency onboarding and development, monitors budgeting, handle compliance activities as well as leads and directs administrative staff functions. Kira joined Principal Financial Group in 2010 as a Sales Support Specialist and was promoted to Operations Manager in September 2013 with a primary focus of ensuring all clients, representatives and employees of the business center receive a high level of support and service. Kira and her husband, Kevin, reside in Franklin, TN with their two daughters.
Contact information
615-651-7910
deck.kira@principal.com
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Sarah Lindsay - Sr. Marketing Coordinator
Drawing from her previous experiences as a Financial Representative and General Agent’s assistant, Sarah was the ideal addition to our Business Center to provide marketing and admin support to our advisors. Sarah is passionate about helping advisors realize their business plans either through working their natural market or by attracting new business through marketing objectives and resources, local branding and increased social media presence. Originally from England, Sarah moved to the United States 18 years ago, having lived in Germany for four years before that, she now resides in Collierville, TN with her husband Grant, they have two children.
Contact information
901-312-3910
lindsay.sarah@principal.com
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Sarah Zinnel - Recruiting Support Coordinator
Sarah brings to the Central States Business Center over three years of recruiting and HR support experience in the staffing industry. She specializes in candidate experience and delivering quality recruiting support. Sarah is a dog enthusiast who has a personal goal of visiting one global location per year. She is dedicated to continuous education and personal improvement through overcoming fears, learning new skills, and being open-minded.
Contact information
515-878-6333
zinnel.sarah@principal.com
Laura Sperduto - Sales Support Specialist
Laura joined the Central States Business Center in July 2013 as private staff for two financial professionals; in October 2014 she transitioned into the Sales Support Specialist role as a Principal employee for the Brentwood office. Laura processes all new business and provides administrative support for management and multiple financial professionals, acting as a liaison with home office departments including underwriting and sales support. Originally from Boston, Laura and her husband, Pat, moved from Florida to Tennessee in 1996, where they now call Brentwood home, with their three children.
Contact information
615-615-7925
sperduto.laura@principal.com
Interested in meeting with an advisor near you? Great! Check the list below to see who’s available in your area and learn more.
Nashville office
109 West Park Dr., Suite 430
Brentwood, TN 37027
615-377-6780
Directions to the Nashville office
Chattanooga office
605 Chestnut St., Suite 300
Chattanooga, TN 37450
423-648-9896
Directions to the Chattanooga office
Clarksville office
1444 Horn Street, Suite 102
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-206-7105
Directions to the Clarksville office
Knoxville offices
8113 Laurel Falls Lane
Knoxville, TN 37931
865-850-3098
Directions to this Knoxville office
218 S. Peters Road
Knoxville, TN 37923
865-357-8484
Directions to this Knoxville office
Memphis office
51 Germantown Court, Suite 101
Cordova, TN 38018
901-312-3902
Directions to the Memphis office
Richmond office
104 Sunset Ave.
Richmond, KY 40475
859-623-1413
Directions to the Richmond office
The financial professionals of the Central States Business Center are licensed in AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, NH, NY, OH, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, and WI to offer insurance products, life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), securities and investment advice.
This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state.
Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co. (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Securities and advisory products offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, and Principal Securities are members of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.
* Advisors marketing under DBA are not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®.
Important Consumer Information: The Central States Business Center Financial Professionals of Principal Securities may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he or she is excluded or exempted from the state's registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by any of the Financial Professionals of Principal Securities that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state's requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he or she represents, contact your state securities law administrator.
The Financial Professionals of Principal Securities are licensed in a number of states to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and are securities and advisory registered in a number of states This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state.
Principal Life maintains certificates of authority to transact insurance in all 50 states. Principal Life NAIC identification number is 61271. Principal National NAIC identification number 71161.
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