Our Team
Bart Bakelaar - CEO / Founder
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
Bart Bakelaar started his career on Wall Street before transitioning to the insurance industry in 2011 with one of the nation’s largest insurance agencies. He later founded Bakelaar Financial Group, a brokerage firm specializing in commercial insurance and tailored risk management solutions. Over his 26-year career, Bart has held prominen
Bart Bakelaar started his career on Wall Street before transitioning to the insurance industry in 2011 with one of the nation’s largest insurance agencies. He later founded Bakelaar Financial Group, a brokerage firm specializing in commercial insurance and tailored risk management solutions. Over his 26-year career, Bart has held prominent roles at firms such as Dean Witter and Allstate, and he is now partnered with Iroquois, one of the largest P&C aggregators in the U.S.
Renowned for his perseverance and creative problem-solving, Bart consistently delivers innovative approaches responding to complex challenges within the insurance sector. His forward-thinking strategies have been key to the success of his firm and the strong, lasting partnerships he’s developed.
Bart is a graduate of Don Bosco Preparatory School and Boston College.
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
David Conkling brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, where he established himself as a seasoned registered principal of a Broker/Dealer, specializing in wealth management services. His extensive expertise also includes a strong foundation in tax and accounting, further enriching his ability to provide comp
David Conkling brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, where he established himself as a seasoned registered principal of a Broker/Dealer, specializing in wealth management services. His extensive expertise also includes a strong foundation in tax and accounting, further enriching his ability to provide comprehensive financial guidance.
In 2016, David transitioned from the financial sector, leveraging his vast experience to excel in business development, both domestically and internationally. As Head of Business Development, he has been instrumental in driving growth strategies, overseeing retail product expansion, and managing complex projects aimed at increasing market share and brand visibility on a global scale.
David’s leadership in corporate business development has been pivotal in fostering key partnerships, enhancing distribution channels, and expanding corporate awareness. His strategic approach continues to strengthen the company’s global footprint, ensuring sustainable growth across diverse markets.
David remains committed to identifying new opportunities and implementing innovative solutions that align with the company’s long-term objectives, ensuring the business continues to thrive in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Dawn Pascale - Director of Operations
David Conkling - Director of Business Development / Founder
Dawn Pascale - Director of Operations
Dawn Pascale is a results-driven business leader with a proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional initiatives that drive growth and operational excellence. As a licensed insurance producer, agency manager, seasoned HRIS professional, and successful entrepreneur, Dawn brings a powerful blend of strategic insight and hands-o
Dawn Pascale is a results-driven business leader with a proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional initiatives that drive growth and operational excellence. As a licensed insurance producer, agency manager, seasoned HRIS professional, and successful entrepreneur, Dawn brings a powerful blend of strategic insight and hands-on execution across human resources, operations, brand strategy, product development, customer experience, and business development.
She collaborates closely with senior leadership, clients, and partners to align execution with business goals—leveraging deep expertise in change management, systems implementation, data governance, process improvement, compliance, and team enablement.
Most recently, Dawn launched Dawn of a Story, a podcast that blends personal narrative with powerful guest conversations to explore how our stories shape who we are. The show reflects her passion for storytelling, connection, and community—values that also fuel her work at BCR Ventures.
Luke Bava - Director of Sales Operations
Ron Roth - Principal Director Private Client Group / Founder
Pete Buxton - Senior Advisor Consultant / Annuities
Luke Bava serves as a Senior Advisor Consultant for Highland Capital Brokerage. With nearly a decade in the financial services industry, Bava specializes in providing clear solutions using life and long-term care insurance to bolster clients’ retirement and financial planning.
Prior to joining Highland, Bava worked as a Health and Life ad
Luke Bava serves as a Senior Advisor Consultant for Highland Capital Brokerage. With nearly a decade in the financial services industry, Bava specializes in providing clear solutions using life and long-term care insurance to bolster clients’ retirement and financial planning.
Prior to joining Highland, Bava worked as a Health and Life advisor, implementing group benefits for small to mid-size businesses, as well as aiding business owners in executive compensation and business planning strategies.
Bava holds the Life, Health, and Long-Term Care licenses.
Bava resides in Loudoun County, Va. He is an avid hiker and frequenter of vineyards, along with his wife, Carly, and their loyal companion, Copper. With strong family ties to New Jersey, he is a big-time New York Giants fan.
Pete Buxton - Senior Advisor Consultant / Annuities
Ron Roth - Principal Director Private Client Group / Founder
Pete Buxton - Senior Advisor Consultant / Annuities
Pete is dedicated and driven advisor consultant; specializing in assisting financial advisors, registered representatives and IAR’s using proprietary products to lower the risk in their clients portfolio, increase their returns, and cut their fees in half. Additionally, Pete works with insurance agents in supporting their clients with leg
Pete is dedicated and driven advisor consultant; specializing in assisting financial advisors, registered representatives and IAR’s using proprietary products to lower the risk in their clients portfolio, increase their returns, and cut their fees in half. Additionally, Pete works with insurance agents in supporting their clients with legacy planning, 401k rollovers, and retirement income planning.
Pete can also provide state of the art, turn-key, customized marketing platforms that are geared to allow his advisors to connect with more prospects and build long-lasting relationships.
Along with being a Senior Advisor Consultant, Pete is an active member of the United States Air Force, 175th Air Wing in Baltimore, Maryland. Dedicated to supporting and securing our community and our country.
Ron Roth - Principal Director Private Client Group / Founder
Ron Roth - Principal Director Private Client Group / Founder
Ron Roth - Principal Director Private Client Group / Founder
Ron has over 30 years of experience advising high net worth and mid-market business clients in the areas of captive insurance company structures, life insurance, and estate planning. Ron has held management positions at the world’s top insurance companies and helped grow and manage a number of nationally recognized producer groups. His ph
Ron has over 30 years of experience advising high net worth and mid-market business clients in the areas of captive insurance company structures, life insurance, and estate planning. Ron has held management positions at the world’s top insurance companies and helped grow and manage a number of nationally recognized producer groups. His philosophy includes leveraging macro views of risk management and insurance planning in order to develop specific strategies for each of his business and individual clients. Ron has unique expertise and specializes in forming private insurance structures for his business and high net worth individual clients.
In his leadership role as President of the National Network of Accountants (NNA), Ron’s goal is to help grow and enhance NNA’s relationships with mid-market business clients, their accounting firms, and other advisory professionals. In addition to traditional methodology, Ron utilizes all aspects of digital communications and marketing to enhance advisors and clients overall experience with the firm.
Ron is also an accomplished author, having penned two books - Invest in Your Life: Why Wall Street Wants You – an insider’s look into the issues regarding the sale of life insurance policies to secondary investor groups. He recently published his second book, Don't Pick Up the Bill: Strategies to Help Affluent Individuals & Families Navigate a New Economic & Tax Paradigm. He has over the years also been a regular contributor to several nationally recognized industry publications, including The CPA Journal, The National Underwriter, and The Journal of Accountancy. He received a B.A. from The George Washington University in 1988, and then went on to earn the industry-respected Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Ron also serves as a board member for a number of nonprofit organizations including the prestigious International Advisory Committee for EcoPeace Middle East – a unique organization that promotes peace in the Middle East based upon the common need for water and other natural resource, He is Treasurer of the Parent Council Board of Directors at Friends Academy in Locust Valley NY and is a Special Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Long Island Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company. Ron Lives in Upper Brookville NY with his wife Claudia and children Zachary & Hanna.