Corporate Governance

J. Scott Spiker joined First Command Financial Services in September 2007, becoming the first Chief Executive Officer recruited from outside the company. In January 2017, the company’s Board of Directors elected him as Chairman in addition to his title as CEO. In 2020, Scott relinquished the CEO title in January and retired from the company in September, staying on as Chairman. In this role, Scott focuses on the continued development of the strategic direction of First Command, reaffirming and strengthening the company’s commitment to serving our nation’s career military families in their pursuit of financial security.

This emphasis aligns with Scott’s own history of military service where, as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, he served as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard a frigate and served as Head of Enlisted Recruiting for the Midwest Region.

Following his military service, Scott served in a number of senior executive roles in the investment, insurance and banking industries. His previous executive leadership positions include: President and CEO of Destiny Health, President and CEO of the Stanton Group, President and COO of Definity Health, and President of the Business Services Group at Dain Rauscher (now RBC). He also served in senior leadership positions at Norwest Bankcorp (now Wells Fargo Corporation) and Mark Twain Bancshares.

Scott is actively involved in both his community and the financial services industry. In August 2014, he became the Chairman of the Board for United Way of Tarrant County and held that position until July 2016. He was also elected to the 2018 Board of Directors for the Financial Services Institute, an organization dedicated to ensuring all individuals have access to competent and affordable financial advice, products and services. Scott is also on the Board of Directors for CaringBridge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping those with health issues get the support they need through online outreach.

A 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Scott holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business. He is married and has two daughters.

Vice Adm. Jody A. Breckenridge served as Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, from July 2009 to May 2010, overseeing operations of units performing missions across over 73 million square miles throughout the Pacific Basin to the Far East. Additionally, she had oversight of two service level commands — the Deployable Operations Group and the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command.

Previously, Vice Adm. Breckenridge served as the Director, Strategic Transformation Team, where she was responsible for aligning and synchronizing the efforts to transform and modernize the Coast Guard. Simultaneously, she served as Assistant Commandant for Human Resources where she had oversight of the Coast Guard’s HR professionals. From 2006-2007 Vice Adm. Breckenridge served as Commander of the Eleventh Coast Guard District in Alameda, Calif., overseeing Coast Guard operations in the Southwest and the Eastern Pacific. During her tenure, the Eleventh District stepped up its interagency collaboration leading to record drug seizures including the M/V GATUN, the largest maritime interdiction in US history, and the arrest of Francisco Javier Arellano Felix, head of the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel. Her initial flag assignment was as Commander, Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific, with responsibility for all mission support in the Pacific Theater.

Vice Adm. Breckenridge grew up in Potomac, Md., and joined the Coast Guard in 1976, graduating from the Officer Candidate School in June of that year. Her first tour of duty was in the National Response Center, eventually as Senior Watchstander. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Pollution Response Branch of the Marine Environmental Protection Division at the Coast Guard Headquarters. During that time, she served as a White House Social Aide. For a short time, she worked in the Coast Guard Academy for summer training programs.

In September 1979, Vice Adm. Breckenridge reported to Group Seattle, where she served as the Assistant Port Safety Officer and was then selected as the first Group Operations Officer. Subsequent duty assignments have included the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center, Coast Guard Headquarters, postgraduate school at the University of Maryland, Chief of Officer Candidate School at Training Center Yorktown, VA, Executive Officer of Integrated Support Center Seattle, Coast Guard Personnel Command (Chief, Officer Assignments), Industrial College of the Armed Services, the Coast Guard Personnel Command (Assistant Chief and Chief, Officer Personnel Management Division), and Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Recruiting Command. While assigned to the Personnel Command, Vice Adm. Breckenridge represented the Coast Guard on a five-month Department of Defense study titled “The Officer Personnel Structure for the 21st Century.” She also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Coast Guard Headquarters.

Vice Adm. Breckenridge earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, and a Masters Degree of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. While attending the University of Maryland, she was elected to the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi and was presented an Excellence in Scholarship award, graduating with honors. In 2007 she was honored with the University of Maryland Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Awards and Decorations

• Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star
• Legion of Merit with two gold award stars
• Meritorious Service Medal with two gold award stars
• Coast Guard Commendation Medal with three gold award stars
• Coast Guard Achievement Medal with gold award star
• Meritorious Team Commendation with one silver award star

Mark Brickell is Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Blackbird Holdings, Inc. in New York City. He is a graduate of University of Chicago and the Harvard Business School. During 25 years with J.P. Morgan, his responsibilities included treasury, lending, derivatives trading and regulatory concerns. Mr. Brickell joined the First Command Board of Directors in 2006 and serves on its Executive Compensation and the Compliance Committee.

Vice Adm.(Ret.) Barry M. Costello, a native of Vermont, attended Holy Cross College and was commissioned an ensign through the NROTC program in 1973.

His sea commands include: USS Elliot (DD 967), Destroyer Squadron 23, Cruiser Destroyer Group 1, Constellation Strike Group, Task Force 55 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and 3rd Fleet.

Vice Adm. Costello attended Albany Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor, and he is a member of the New York State Bar. He also attended the College of Naval Command and Staff where he was selected as honor graduate, graduating with distinction, and earning a Master of Arts degree in foreign affairs. He has participated in the National Security program at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Vice Adm. Costello’s primary shore assignments included Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy (J5), the Joint Staff, and Chief of the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

Since retiring in June 2007, Vice Adm. Costello has founded The Costello Group, which provides strategic advice and counsel. He recently released "Fortune Favors Boldness", the story of naval valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Vice Adm. Costello is a frequent speaker on leadership topics. He resides in Seattle, Washington.

Awards and Decorations

• Order of the British Empire(CBE)
• Defense Distinguished Service Medal
• Legion of Merit with two gold award stars
• Bronze Star

Logan Dickinson has been actively involved in the employee benefits broker/consulting practice since 1982 starting with The Equitable Life Assurance Society as an individual agent. Logan grew his practice forming The CSG Companies, a comprehensive group of employee benefit planning, consulting and brokerage firms headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. He led the company through multiple mergers, all leading to its acquisition by USI Insurance, a national insurance brokerage firm. Logan earned a BBA in Finance and MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Professionally, he has achieved certification as a CPA, as well as both the CLU and ChFC industry designations. Logan came to the First Command Board of Directors in 1998 and serves on the Finance, Investment and Capital Committee, and is the Chair of the company’s Audit Committee.

General Michael X. Garrett served as the commanding general of the United States Army Forces Command from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, chief of staff of United States Central Command and commanding general of United States Army Alaska.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Gen. Garrett attended high school in Germany. He completed Army ROTC at Xavier University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. He was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1984.

During his service, Gen. Garrett served in multiple joint and operational tours and staff assignments at numerous levels in addition to several commands. Highlights of his service include commanding the 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan as chief of current operations, Combined Task Force 180 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then commanded the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Light), which deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following brigade command, he served as the deputy commanding general of the United States Army Recruiting Command. Following his tour with Recruiting Command, Gen. Garrett returned to Fort Bragg where he served as the Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps. As the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of staff, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, where he served as the deputy chief of staff for United States Forces-Iraq.

Gen. Garrett’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit Medal among several others.

Gen. Garrett and his wife Lorelei live in Charlotte, N.C., and enjoy spending time with their two children and grandchild.

Henry G. Hagan, Chairman of Red Oaks Resources, LLC, a strategic consulting and CEO advisory service, possesses more than 30 years of broad business experience encompassing sales and marketing, business operations, acquisitions, and leadership and governance.

He began his career in 1975 with Southern Life Insurance Company of North Carolina, then from 1981-2010 held executive positions of increasing responsibility with Monumental Life Insurance Company - An AEGON Company, culminating in his tenure as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer from 2002-2010.

A graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., Political Science) and The University of Virginia Colgate Darden School of Business Administration (M.B.A., with Honors), he has served on the boards of numerous corporate, professional, civic, charitable and educational organizations, institutions and foundations. He is a Fellow of both the Life Management Institute (with Distinction) and the LIMRA Leadership Institute, as well as a Board Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Henry and his wife, Sims, reside in Baltimore and have three daughters and one son. He enjoys hunting, fishing, sailing, water skiing and snow skiing.

Paula Meyer's distinguished career in the investment management and mutual fund business began with Vanguard Group in 1981 and most recently has included serving as President of Piper Capital Management (from 1993 to 1998) and in executive leadership positions with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (from 1998 to 2006). She has run her own independent consulting business since 2006 and serves on a number of corporate, professional and foundation Boards of Directors. Paula graduated from Luther College, where she has served on the Board since 2002 and as Board Chair since 2008. She earned her MBA with emphasis in finance and marketing from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business. Paula and her husband Kurt have three children and make their home in St. Ansgar, Iowa, where she is active in their church, the community, and politics.

John Osarczuk is the Executive Vice President and National Director of Advisor Operations at First Command Financial Services. With a focus on company growth, John leads a Field Force of over 500 advisors toward accomplishing the company’s mission of coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, he guides the strategy, culture, and growth of the company.

John joined First Command Financial Services in 2004, starting as a Financial Advisor in Manhattan, Kansas. He held this position until 2013, when he was promoted to the role of District Advisor. In 2017, he served as the District Advisor of First Command’s office in Killeen, Texas, and held this position until he moved to the Home Office to assume the role of Chief of Staff. In 2019, John was promoted to the position of Director of Advisor Operations for the Northeast Division and served until he was promoted to his current position in 2021.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Factors Engineering, John served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot for 10 years, attaining the rank of captain. In 1996, he received an MIS degree in Information Systems Technology from the University of Maryland University College. John worked in the manufacturing industry as both a product manager and new product development manager from 1996 to 2004.

John holds Series 6, 26, 63, and 65 securities licenses, plus state life and health insurance licenses. John and his spouse Teresa have two adult daughters – one is a nurse and the other is currently a teacher in Honduras. His pastimes include hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.

Carroll H. (Chip) Payne II has been a member of the First Command Board of Directors since 1983. Chip is owner of an architectural practice in Fort Worth, specializing in residential design, energy efficiency and historic preservation. Chip’s abiding love and respect for the values of the company founded by his father provide inspiration to Board members. He chairs the Board’s Reputation Risk Committee and serves on the Executive Committee.

Dave Rich is the CEO and Managing Partner of DBR and Associates, a corporate development firm specializing in advising companies in the software and services industries. DBR and Associates also advises executive leadership teams – including the leadership team at First Command Financial Services – on digital transformation initiatives.

In addition to his work with First Command, Dave currently serves as the Executive Chairman of DemandBridge, a company that provides marketing automation and enterprise resource planning software to the marketing services industry. He also serves as the Executive Chairman of Chicago-based InContext Solutions, the global leader in enterprise class virtual reality solutions for retail and consumer packaged goods companies. Previously he was Chairman/acting CEO of Palo Alto-based Revolution Analytics, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2015.

Dave began his distinguished career in the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighter Program as a manufacturing technology engineer. In 1984, he joined the Dallas office of Accenture, a global firm specializing in management consulting, systems integration and outsourcing. Over the next 28 years, he held several key leadership roles there, including global managing director for Accenture analytics, the CRM service line and the high tech industry. He was also responsible for the profits and losses of various operating entities, including North America Communications and the media and high-tech industry operating units.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Technology. He is a board member of the Naval Academy Foundation and BlueStar HonorCare, a start-up led by a retired admiral and classmate of Dave’s which is focused on providing health monitoring services for veterans and their families. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board for the Aidmatrix Foundation, which leveraged supply chain technology solutions to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the United States Naval Academy in 1971. He graduated with honors from the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Lt. Gen. Sattler served as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) the Joint Staff from September 2006 until his retirement in August 2008. Prior to joining the Joint Staff, he was the Commanding General of the First Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command from September 2004 to August 2006. During this period, he commanded all forces in Al Anbar Provence in Iraq from September 2004 through March 2005. Prior to commanding I MEF, he was the Director of Operations (J3) for Central Command from August 2003 to July 2004. In November 2002, he commanded the initial Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and established the headquarters in the country of Djibouti. He commanded the Second Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to sailing to the Horn of Africa.

Lt. Gen. Sattler served in three earlier positions as a general officer. He was the Assistant Division Commander of the Second Marine Division from June 1997 to August 1998. He reported to the Joint Staff in September 1998 and served as the Deputy Director for Operations (Combating Terrorism) J-34 until July 2000, when he reported to Marine Corps Headquarters, where he served for one year as the Director for Marine Corps Public Affairs.

After his retirement in 2008, Lt. Gen. Sattler spent over 200 days each year as a senior mentor with both the Marine Corps and Joint Forces Command. In this capacity, he taught and coached Commanders, their staff and students across the country and around the world; he left the mentoring program in November 2010. In October 2011, Lt. Gen. Sattler was selected to serve as the Naval Academy’s 4th Distinguished Chair of Leadership where he worked with the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership – teaching and mentoring midshipmen, staff and faculty as well as representing the Naval Academy and Stockdale Center at prestigious national and international leadership conferences and events. He left the leadership chair in September 2018, after seven years.

In addition to the normal tours as a junior infantry officer, Lt. Gen. Sattler served three years as an acquisition officer and four years as the Marine Corps Congressional Liaison Officer to the House of Representatives. He brings over 37 years of Marine Corps experience in leadership, command and staff positions, jointness, interagency coordination, strategic planning, congressional liaison, strategic communication and team building to the First Command Board of Directors.

Awards and Decorations

• Basic Parachutist Insignia
• Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit with one award star
• Meritorious Service Medal with one award star
• Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award
• National Defense Service Medal with two service stars
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three service stars
• Arctic Service Ribbon
• Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Mark Steffe is the President/CEO of First Command Financial Services, Inc. which provides personal financial coaching to about 290,000 client families around the world. Mark is responsible for guiding the organization in its efforts to make lifelong financial security possible for all military families. First Command accomplishes this by creating lasting bonds with clients through face-to-face coaching and empowering them to develop positive financial behaviors for every stage of their lives. First Command is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has more than 175 offices worldwide. First Command, through its subsidiaries, maintains more than $35 billion in managed accounts and mutual funds and has more than $62 billion in life insurance coverage in force, while First Command Bank holds more than $960 million in deposits.

Mark joined First Command as a Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Advisor Operations in 2010 and has since played an integral role in evolving the client experience in a digital world. At the same time, he has protected the integrity of the face-to-face coaching that is central to the First Command philosophy. Throughout his subsequent roles as Senior Vice President and Director of Advisor Operations for the Midwest Division and Executive Vice President and National Director of Advisor Operations, Mark helped build strong, collaborative relationships between Advisors and the Home Office. This has been crucial in enabling Advisors to help clients pursue their financial goals more effectively and efficiently. His accomplishments and demonstrated leadership ability led to his promotion to President in 2017 and expanded COO responsibility in 2018.

In January 2020, Mark was appointed as the first CEO in First Command’s history without military service experience. His selection was the result of an ethos of service to the military gained during more than a decade immersed in First Command’s culture, a deep understanding of the challenges faced by our Nation’s military families, and in recognition of the demonstrated leadership skills required to guide the organization in its efforts to make lifelong financial security possible for all military families. On day 70 in his new role, Mark was confronted with a once-in-a-generation crisis as a global pandemic was declared. Under his leadership, First Command rapidly adjusted its operations to continue to help military families pursue financial security amidst a volatile economic landscape in which in-person face-to-face coaching was no longer possible. At the same time, at Mark’s direction, First Command immediately made financial relief programs available to clients to bolster their financial outlook during the crisis.

To ensure that First Command continually adapts to the needs of military families, Mark and his team regularly meet with clients to seek out their perspectives. During his tenure at First Command, Mark has visited more than 50 military installations in 23 U.S. states and three countries. This personal outreach is supplemented by the First Command Financial Behaviors Index®, a monthly survey that assesses the financial behaviors, intentions and attitudes of career military families. Mark also consults regularly with First Command’s Military Advisory Board, a select group of retired senior flag officers and senior enlisted leaders from the Nation’s military services. The 10-member board provides Mark and First Command with an independent perspective on issues relevant to First Command’s work, as well as advice on how to best serve the interests of military clients.

In his role as President/CEO, Mark has spearheaded inclusion initiatives for First Command. Under his leadership, First Command is striving to create a more inclusive culture in which all employees and Advisors feel trusted, valued and empowered. For Mark, advancing equality is not just the right thing to do from a business perspective, but a personal imperative born from a desire for everyone to have the same opportunities he has had in his career. In service of this goal, Mark committed to the CEO ACT!ON pledge for diversity and inclusion in 2020. He also championed the hire of the company’s first Diversity & Inclusion Director. In recognition of Mark’s leadership during the pandemic and on issues of diversity and inclusion, he was nominated as one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Most Inspiring Business Leaders of 2020. Mark was also recognized in 2020 as a member of the Fort Worth 400, an annual list by Fort Worth Inc. magazine of influential community leaders.

Mark actively supports several charitable endeavors, including the annual Spirit of Giving campaign by United Way of Tarrant County and the First Command Educational Foundation (FCEF). United Way of Tarrant County is a local charity focused on providing leadership and harnessing resources to solve persistent social challenges, while FCEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those who serve our Nation by improving their financial literacy. FCEF accomplishes this goal by offering approximately $130,000 in annual scholarships and financial education to America’s military servicemembers, civilian federal employees and their families. In addition to his philanthropic pursuits, Mark is active in LeaderPrime, which fosters connections among Fort Worth business leaders new to the city or to their roles.

Mark graduated with high honors from the University of Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He holds Series 7, 8, 23, 63 and 65 securities registrations. He completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program in 2015.

He lives in Fort Worth, Texas along with his wife and five children. On any given day off, you can find him attending one of his children’s sports games or cooking family dinners.

John Wilson served for five years in the U.S. Navy before beginning his career with Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company in 1976. A Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant, John served with MONY as a Sales Manager, as an Agency Manager, and, until 1999, as Vice President — Marketing/Complementary Distribution, and he received numerous company and industry awards throughout that time. John is currently President of Ottawa Land & Cattle Company, Inc. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Missouri (where he was a scholarship athlete and four year letterman) and an MBA in finance and insurance from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business. He and his wife Susan live in Olathe, Kansas and have five children.