Get to know our leadership team

Leadership at the Bakersfield office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.

Photo of Managing Director James Hefley

James Hefley

Managing Director

James Hefley began his career with Northwestern Mutual ten years ago in the internship program. James attended CSUB and earned his degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Through his eagerness and work ethic, James has become one of the top Wealth Management advisors in the company. He is currently the Managing Director of the Bakersfield District office. In his free time, James enjoys playing golf and competing in golf tournaments. He enjoys attending sporting events and is an avid Dodger fan. He loves spending time with his family and friends. James enjoys giving back to his community. In 2021, he founded the Fore the memories golf tournament in support of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Photo of Managing Partner Mitchell Beer

Mitchell Beer

CLU®, ChFC®

Managing Partner

Mitchell Beer started his career 35 years ago as a fulltime financial rep in Princeton, New Jersey and quickly rose in leadership. His leadership roles included College Unit Director and Field Director, and then in 1998, was promoted to Managing Director of the East Brunswick office. In January 2006 he moved across the country and assumed Managing Partner responsibilities for the Woodland Hills Network Office. Under Mitchell’s leadership, the Beer Network Office has seen tremendous growth since his arrival opening 3 additional district offices: the first in Bakersfield in 2008, the second in Santa Monica in 2017 and most recently, the Westlake Village office in 2023. Mitchell’s passion for growth and leadership development has driven expansion, more than doubling its size since inception. When he’s not training for his next triathlon he and his wife Carolyn enjoy traveling with their 3 children, Peter, Jillian and Jesse, playing golf, and watching his son on the pitcher’s mound.
Photo of Director of Financial Planning Brittany Shultz

Brittany Shultz

PHR

Director of Financial Planning

Brittany has been with Northwestern Mutual for over 17 years. She began her career as an advisor's assistant and quickly moved into leadership roles coaching new reps. While continuing to hold the Office Manager role, she's most recently been promoted to the Director of our Financial Planning Department. With the experience she gained in these positions and her well-rounded knowledge of the business, Brittany has played a significant role in growing the Bakersfield District office into what it is today. She and her husband, Ryan, enjoy spending time with their 3 children: Emery, Everett and Eleanor. She especially loves taking the kids on adventures such as hiking, camping, and even just scootering around the neighborhood.
Photo of Chief Financial Officer Alexandra Bulcke

Alexandra Bulcke

MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Alex Bulcke has served as our CFO since 2013. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and her Master of Business Administration in Finance from California Lutheran University. With 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, she oversees all financial aspects of our network and district offices. In addition, Alex works closely with our organization’s leaders to support our business planning and strategy analysis. Outside work Alex enjoys spending time with her husband and playing with her kids. She loves travel, gardening, and reading a good book.
Photo of Chief Operations Officer Colette Chrisman

Colette Chrisman

Chief Operations Officer

Colette Chrisman our Chief Operations Officer has been with Northwestern Mutual for over 25 years and has held just about every position in the organization including previously holding the of Network Office Supervision role. She holds her Life & Health license and Series 6, 63, 7, 26, 65, 9 & 10 registrations. When not at work her interests include spending time in Mammoth skiing, hiking, road biking as well as riding horses.
Photo of Chief Supervision Officer Judy Jbara

Judy Jbara

MBA

Chief Supervision Officer

Judy joined Northwestern Mutual as a mid-life career changing advisor in 2006. She has held many roles & responsibilities with the firm during her tenure including Client Relations Center Director, Director of Operations and Associate Director of Supervision leading to her current role as Chief Supervision Officer. Judy and her wife Dee Fairbanks, reside in Ventura, California with their English springer spaniel, Leila. Judy and Dee enjoy golf, travel and time with family including a love of creating wonderful, healthy meals and celebrations.
Photo of Chief Growth Officer Kathleen Ford

Kathleen Ford

Chief Growth Officer

Katie Ford, CLF® joined Northwestern Mutual in April 2015 as Beer Financial Group’s full-time Recruiter; today she is the agency’s Chief Growth Office and holds her Series 6 & 63 licenses and Certified Trainer designation. As the CGO, Katie oversees the agency’s growth efforts including early development and training, career advisor productivity, and strategy execution; her team’s mission is to attract top talent that reflects the local community and develop those individuals and teams to achieve at high levels and effectively serve those in the Los Angeles area and beyond. Katie is a member of the firm’s Community Impact Committee and is proud to work with the Diversity and Inclusion Council to help advance efforts to recruit, develop, and retain diverse advisors. Outside of work, Katie is involved in the National MS Society and enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and fur babies, and loves to work out, travel, and enjoy a nice glass of wine or tequila with a great meal.
Photo of Director of Recruitment and Selection Rojia Rashidfarrukhi

Rojia Rashidfarrukhi

MBA

Director of Recruitment and Selection

Rojia Rashidfarrukhi joined Northwestern Mutual in January 2020 as Beer Financial Group’s full-time recruiter while obtaining her MBA at Pepperdine University in leadership. Today she is the Director of Recruitment and Selection for the Beer Network Office and holds her Life & Health Insurance License. She grew up in Woodland Hills and was part of several charity organizations as giving back to the community is a passion of hers. After volunteering for over 15 years, joining Northwestern Mutual was her way of enriching her community with a career opportunity that could change their lives. Her team’s mission is to contribute to the career growth of high-performing individuals who have a vision to empower the financial strength of individuals, families, and businesses. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing with her four dogs, hiking and coffee!
Photo of Financial Advisor Christopher Ardoin

Christopher Ardoin

Financial Advisor

Chris began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2010. In 2011 Chris transitioned to a college unit director where he coached 9 power of 10’s. Currently Chris is the Director of Development for the under 5-year team within Beer Financial. He earned a Business Marketing degree from Cal State Northridge and was the captain of the men’s swim team.
Photo of Field Director Carlos Lovera

Carlos Lovera

MBA

Field Director

Carlos began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2020 as a Financial Advisor. Carlos received his Bachelors in Business Administration and Masters in Management from California Coast University in Santa Ana, CA. He comes from years of experience in a corporate level background in the E&P sector dealing in a wide range of expertise such as; Capital Projects, Operations, Compliance, Marketing, Exploration, Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Business Risk & Advising. Currently resides in Bakersfield where he has spent majority of his life. He enjoys playing golf and spending quality time with his family. Carlos is devoted to his community and has shown his involvement over the years in his early stages of his career by staying engaged, donating, volunteering and helping others to succeed.

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