Our Management Team

Robert D'Cruz, CLF. CLU.

Managing Partner

Robert D’Cruz started as an agent with New York Life in March 2009, and quickly built a successful career with the company winning numerous awards during his short time as an agent including the Career Life - Success, Producer and Foundation Awards. He qualified for Executive Council twice in his first year and was promoted to Partner in April 2010. During his time as a Partner, Robert has been awarded the Gathering of Eagles Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the ‘Excellence in Recruiting’ award in 2013. He also qualified for the Top 50 Leading Partner Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016. After a brief period as Senior Partner in Greater Oregon, Robert was promoted to Managing Partner at the East Bay General Office in San Ramon, CA in July 2019.

Mila Comandante

Mila Comandante joined New York Life in 1986 after college moving to Washington D.C. Throughout the years with New York Life, she has worked at the Washington GO, Greater San Francisco GO, and Santa Clara GO and finally settling in the East Bay G.O.

As the Onsite Service Leader, with strong commitment to operational excellence, Mila works closely with both the agency management team and EBGO’s valued agents to provide comprehensive support for streamlining business processes. Her primary focus is on driving productivity growth across the organization by identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing effective solutions, and fostering collaboration among team members.

Mila loves to travel and has visited several countries in Europe and Asia. Mila lives in Union City, CA with her husband Dom, who is a NYL agent. They are both very much involved in volunteer work serving their Parish Community. She is a proud mother of two grown-up sons and a doting grandmother to four grandchildren.

Tai Phuong

Development Manager

With more than 18 years of experience across wealth management, finance, oil and gas, aviation, and corporate accounting, Tai Phuong has built a career dedicated to helping people make confident financial decisions. His diverse background gives him a unique perspective on how to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals.

At New York Life, Tai has guided hundreds of high net-worth individuals and families through complex financial landscapes, crafting personalized strategies for wealth accumulation, retirement planning, and estate preservation. During his tenure in the Houston General Office, he built a thriving practice serving over 250 clients and earned distinctions including Life Superstar, Annuity Elite, MDRT membership, and Premier Executive Council honors.

Now, as Development Manager in East Bay, Tai channels his passion for leadership into developing and mentoring the next generation of New Org agents, empowering them to build meaningful, client-centered practices grounded in trust, empathy, and excellence.

Tai holds an MBA in Corporate Finance and an MS in Accounting. Above all, he believes that great financial guidance starts with listening, understanding people’s stories, goals, and values, and then building a plan that reflects what matters most to them.

Outside of work, Tai enjoys connecting with diverse communities, exploring cultures around the world, and bringing those experiences into the financial conversations that shape his clients’ and agents’ success.

Adam T. Teeley

Corporate Vice President
General Office Administration

Adam Teeley started his career with New York Life in August 2007 as the Associate Administrative Manager in the Northern California General Office in Roseville, CA. He was then promoted to the Central Coast General Office in Oxnard, CA in 2010 as the Administrative Manager. Less than a year later he was promoted to the Eastern Washington General Office in 2011. Then in 2013 he was promoted as Corporate Vice President of the East Bay General Office in charge of all service operations while managing a team of 6 staff.

Ron Mack

Director of Agency Standards

Ron Mack entered the financial services industry in 1988, beginning a career that has included investment and pension consulting, investment advisory services, and branch office management. Ron joined New York Life in 2009 as an Agency Standards Consultant in the Stockton, California General Office, focusing on the regulatory supervision of over 90 agents. In 2012, he expanded his role to include the Las Vegas General Office. In 2015, Ron transferred to the East Bay General Office and was the promoted to Director of Agency Standards in 2016. He looks forward to the growth and success of the East Bay General Office, its agents, and the clients that they serve.