Our Team

Joseph G. Barkate, Jr. – Co-founder, CEO

Joe Barkate, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of American Safe Retirements, LLC, is the visionary of our company.  His belief in developing products and methods of shifting risk from individual investors back to institutions is seen throughout our company’s history and will continue to be the focal point of our company’s future.  Joe is a life long learner is as continually seeking new opportunities to bring value to our sales force and their clients.

Joe received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.  He was then commissioned and served as an A-10A Thunderbolt II fighter pilot stationed in the United Kingdom and West Germany.  Joe received his Masters of Science in Business Administration from Boston University and his JD from the University of Texas School of Law.  Joe is a Certified Financial Planner TM, and is engaged in various local and national business organizations.

Rich DePaolo – Co-founder, President

Rich Depaolo, co-founder and President of American Safe Retirements, has been the backbone of the company since its inception in 2006, developing a strong team of executives and agents, which has propelled the company’s core product, Life Settlement Investment, to the level it is today. More recently, Rich has been an integral part of the firm’s expansion into additional alternative investment products. Among his many responsibilities as President, he oversees the sales and marketing operations, selecting and vetting new products and Public Relations.

Rich is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he also earned his Bachelor of Science Degree. Upon graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant and Air Force Pilot. For 17 years after, he maintained his Captain status with Northwest Airlines now Delta while building his financial career with World Savings Bank, where is held various managerial positions. After leaving WSB, Rich founded a very successful boutique mortgage company that served the needs of a high-end clientele, 13^th Green Mortgage.

Rich currently resides in Colleyville, Texas with his wife Kim and their five children. Originally from Boston, he is an avid RedSox fan.

Tim Wright – Sr. Partner, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development

Tim joined American Safe Retirements in 2007 and currently serves as Vice President and Senior Partner. His many responsibilities include marketing and business development. As a key front player and point of contact for ASR, Tim has been an integral part of the companies expansion and revenue growth in recent years. His unquestionable grasp of the industry coupled with his astute marketing skills has earned him the highest respect from both clients and financial professionals.

Prior to ASR, Tim worked for Enterprise Rent a Car for 18 years. During this time, he held several executive positions including Assistant Vice President at the World Wide Corporate Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. He was responsible for European  operations expansion in the UK, Germany and Republic of Ireland. His most recent position with Enterprise brought him to the Dallas/Fort Worth area where he served as the Regional Vice President and Corporate Officer of a 50 million dollar operation, responsible for 300 employees in 40 locations, including the DFW Southwest Regional Headquarters. In 2007, Tim chose to retire from Enterprise and join American Safe Retirements.

Tim grew up in Southern California and Washington State. He attended Washington State University in Pullman Washington and currently lives in Southlake Texas with his wife, Theresa, and their five children.

Stephen Ziadie – Sr. Partner, Vice President – Business Development & Special Projects

Stephen is a proactive, results-driven business executive with over 25 years experience in the Hospitality industry. He has especially excelled in the areas of operations, business development, marketing and finance development in both start-up and growth oriented multi-national environments.  Prior to joining the ASR team, he served as Owner/President for a leading hospitality-consulting firm, Root Hospitality Solutions. In addition, he simultaneously took on the roll of Chief Operating Officer with BG Capital Group for one of their start-up companies. Responsibilities included; day-to-day operations, financial accountability, business development, marketing and public relations.

Following the down turn of the hospitality development industry in 2009, Stephen made a choice to switch his focus to financial marketing. With his strong business acumen and a solid record of business development, driving revenues and maximizing profits he joined American Safe Retirements.

Subsequent to founding Root Hospitality Solutions, LLC, Stephen was a founding member of RockPoint Consultants, LLC. Prior to that, for 15 years he was an member of the executive team for Sandals Resorts International and has been an integral part of its significant growth. He has also held management positions for Wyndham and Radisson Hotels. Additional strengths include recruiting, motivating, directing high performance teams, resolving service issues, improving internal and external communication and being an exceptional problem solver.

Stephen has a Bachelors degree from Florida International University and now resides in Southlake, Texas with his wife and three children. His passions include his family, sport fishing and Golf.

Ron Brown – Sr. Partner, Vice President – Operations

Ron became a part of the team at American Safe Retirements in 2006. Since then he has been an essential player in the development of the ASR’s back office systems flow. As VP, Operations, Ron handles all day-to-day operations his responsibilities include the placement of all client funds, processing applications, company financials and office management.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College, Ron became the number one sales agent for a large boat manufacturer in California while earning his wings. He went on to become a pilot with American Airlines for the 18 years, where he served as Chief Pilot, FAA Designated Examiner and Flight Engineer Check Airman.  While flying with AA, he became a partner with 13th Green Mortgage in Southlake, TX Where honed in on his financial and analytical skills. This prepared him for the transition into alternative investments and his ASR role

Ron was born in Providence, RI, currently resides in Southlake, TX with his wife Nobu and son Evan. An avid sports and football fanatic from his college days, he spends most of his free time coaching Evan to fulfill his dream to be in the NFL.

Angela Lee – Director of  Business Operations