Michael V. Ceci, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CLTC®
Managing Partner
Mike has worked in the financial services industry for over thirty years. Upon graduation from San Diego State University, he entered the field as an insurance agent. In 1995 he joined New York Life in the San Diego General Office as a direct appointment to Partner. Over the next five years, he built a unit, culminating in promotion to Senior Partner. Shortly after, Mike accepted the offer as Managing Partner of the Reno General Office where he served for over six years. In 2006 he was promoted to lead the General Office in Hawaii. During his tenure, the leadership team expanded, and the office experienced its greatest year of production in its history. 2013 brought a new opportunity, as Mike moved to Southern California to lead the Fullerton General Office. 2018 proved to be a special year in creating success that surpassed all previous years.
In 2019 Mike’s leadership responsibilities expanded as he became the Vice President of the Pacific Zone.
Then, in 2023, he assumed responsibility to lead the Orange Coast General Office.
Mike was born and raised in Thousand Oaks California. He and Pattie have been married for over thrity years and have five children. His interests include playing the saxophone, ice hockey, motorcycle riding and enjoying time with family.
Joan Huang, CLU®
Senior Partner
Before joining New York Life, Joan held a variety of positions for another company in the industry for 27 years. Though she had already achieved success, Joan knew she wanted more out of her career, so she joined New York Life as a Partner in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Partner. Since joining New York Life she qualified for View from The Top in her first year. She hired 9 agents in her second year 6 being females and was awarded a silver medal from the Women’s Market. She was also named Partner of the Year for her GO. Last year her unit ranked number nine nationally. She was promoted to senior partner position as of 10/1/18 with nine council qualifiers and meeting the rest of all the requirements. Currently her unit is ranked number three in the nation. She values the time she spends outside of work with her husband, Dean Evans, her son, her daughter-in-law and stepson. Living in a golf community, she spends many of her weekends on the green and can already boast about two hole-in-ones.
Christian Buccola
Director of Agency Standards
Chris’ career in Financial Services started as Research Specialist at Sun America Mutual Funds, an AIG Company in 1993 in New York City. He joined New York Life in May 2005 as a Director in the Field Review Unit of Corporate Compliance in Westchester, NY. He was subsequently promoted to Assistant Vice President in March 2011. Chris and his family transferred to the Orange Coast General Office in Irvine, CA as Director of Agency Standards in August 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. He resides in south Orange County with wife Ann, two daughters, Shannon and Kaitlyn, and their boston terrier, Sami.
Lovely May Zunino, CFP®, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®, RICP®, FSCP®
Director of Development
Lovely joined New York Life in 2012 with over 14 years of banking experience. She spent three and half years as an agent in the Orange Coast General Office. She was promoted to be the Development Manager in February 2016 and moved up into the Director of Development position in September 2021. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and then earned her Master’s in Business Administration at Pepperdine University. She holds a series 6, 7, 63, and 26 licenses and earned her CLU®, ChFC®, and CFP® designations. In 2021, she was elected into the Development Manager Advisory Council (DMAC) and served on the Agent Development and Experience Committee. Most recently, she was elected as the 2022 DMAC Vice President. Lovely currently resides in Huntington Beach with her husband, Mike, who also works at New York Life as an Investment Solutions Consultant. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling, paddle boarding, and loves spending time with their family and friends.
Ignacio “Nacho” Zaragoza Estrada
Service Leader
“Nacho”, which is the common nickname for Ignacio, and how he prefers to be called, started his career with New York Life in January of 2018 as an Agent in the Orange Coast GO. In 2021 he became a Registered Representative and achieved the Established Agent rank. In 2022 participated in the Associate Partner Program and officially became a Partner in October of that year. He worked as a Partner for almost 3 years before transitioning to the Service Leader role.
Over the course of his career with New York Life, Nacho has earned numerous company awards, including the Summit Qualification in 2019, and achieved Council status in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He was also the Paid Case Leader for the New Organization in 2019.
Prior joining to New York Life, Nacho spent 10 years in the IT field as a computer engineer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, specializing in networks, with a Minor in Accounting. Additionally, Nacho holds the Series 6 and 63 licenses.
Nacho has lived in California for only the past 11 years, as he lived most of his life in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He has been happily married for 10 years to his wife Juliana, and they have two daughters: Evangelina and Lucia. In his free time, he enjoys to travel and spending time with his family, mainly at Disneyland, which he visits almost every week.
Alejandro Inigo
Partner
Before Joining New York Life Alejandro lead had his own company with a focus as a wholesaler for over 70 Agencies thru California, focusing as a Tour Operator and managing the day-to-day activities of the company for over 15 years, he started his company just after finishing college. Alejandro joined New York Life in 2014 and served as a Financial Services Professional and as a Register Representative offering securities products and services through NYLIFE Securities, LLC. He was promoted into the Partner role in 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Irvine with his wife and daughters.
Vivian Ngo
Partner
Vivian joined New York Life on November 30, 2020, after being introduced to the career by Established agent, Dung Chau. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Riverside. After seeing great success in her first year or so as an agent and qualifying for numerous awards, she transitioned into the Associate Partner role in April 2022. She lives in Tustin along with her supportive husband and four energetic kids.
Edwin Kang
Partner
Edwin joined the Orange Coast GO in November 2017 after a 20 year career at Boeing as a financial planning analyst. He qualified for Career Summit in 2018. His success as an agent continued as he qualified for Executive Council in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He also qualified for MDRT in 2021. He currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Cal Poly Pomona and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from DeVry University.
Mia Herrera, FSCP®
Partner
Mia grew up in Long Beach, CA alongside her 2 older brothers Joseph and Derek. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and a Teaching Credential for Elementary Education with a focus in Mathematics. After a career in the education field, she was approached by a New York Life recruiter via LinkedIn and triggered her agent contract in March 2021. She began her career as an agent enrolled in the Fast Track Management program with the hopes of joining the leadership team. Within 6 months she became a Registered Representative. She qualified for Executive Council in June 2022 and completed her FSCP designation through the American College in July 2022. She transitioned into the Associate Partner program in October 2022 and graduated to a Partner in April 2023. Her goal now is to become a Senior Partner in the next 2 years and a Managing Partner in the next 5 years.
Zach Moos, FSCP®
Associate Partner
Zach Moos, FSCP®, is an Associate Partner with New York Life, where he helps aspiring financial professionals launch rewarding, purpose-driven careers. With more than 25 years of experience as a business owner and mentor, Zach blends entrepreneurial leadership with a deep commitment to service and development.
His path to financial services is personal. After losing both parents to cancer by age 19—neither of whom had life insurance, retirement savings, or a financial plan—Zach experienced firsthand the challenges of financial hardship and caregiving. That experience continues to fuel his passion for helping others plan ahead and protect their loved ones.
Since joining New York Life, Zach has earned multiple honors, including the 2024 New Org Agent of the Year and consecutive qualifications for Executive Council. He is also a proud member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which recognizes the top financial professionals globally.
As an Associate Partner, Zach recruits and mentors professionals who want more than just a job—they want purpose, freedom, and the opportunity to make an impact. He specializes in helping career changers find fulfillment and long-term success in financial services by providing the structure, tools, and coaching needed to thrive.
Zach holds the FSCP® (Financial Services Certified Professional) designation from The American College. Originally from the Midwest, he moved to California in 2000 and has lived in Orange County since 2006. He resides there with his husband, Edwin. Outside of work, Zach enjoys tennis, golf, and theater, and supports local causes like Pretend City Children’s Museum.
His leadership is rooted in three core values: Integrity, Empowerment, and Vision—a foundation he brings to every client relationship and mentoring opportunity.
