Our Staff

Rick Paulsen Headshot

Rick Paulsen

Rick began his career with New York Life Insurance Company in 1983. Rick considers himself a businessman who sells life insurance. His emphasis is on working with families, professional athletes, affluent individuals, and business owners on business, estate, and charitable planning objectives.

He is in the Cabinet Hall of Fame and has qualified for membership in New York Life's Chairman’s Council (the highest level of production), based upon his sales production, for 33 consecutive years. Rick is the 2015 New York Life Council President and currently has over 1.2 Billion of life insurance in force. Also, he made time during his Council President year to be the AAC National President! Rick is very proud that three of his employees have worked for “Team Paulsen” for over 30 years each!

Rick is a graduate of the University of the Pacific, where he earned a basketball scholarship and captained the team his junior and senior years. He was inducted into University of Pacific and Stockton’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Rick has received numerous awards in his community for his philanthropic endeavors, coaching of youth sports, and community service. He is on the Boards of the University of Pacific School of Business, Pacific Athletic Foundation, and Dameron Community Hospital. As a gift chairman, Rick has raised over $10 Million in his community for local charities.

Rick also finds time to be a national speaker and guest lecturer, and last spring his “Victory Tour – Your Game Plan for Success” visited multiple cities across the U.S. All proceeds from the tour were donated back to charities in his community. His goal is “to have a great day, EVERYDAY!!!”

Rick is married to Nancy and they have two sons in college, Max (University of Colorado) and Grant (University of Southern California).

CA Insurance Lic. #0640814

Joanie Bello

Joanie joined Rick in 1988 and assistants him with all of the functions associated with the underwriting process of new applications and ongoing customer service. Joanie’s many years of experience in the life insurance industry and her knowledge of the medical requirements, scheduling of exams, and constant follow up with status reports of all policies makes her the perfect liaison to assist Rick with the processing of new business in a quick and efficient manner.

Shari Castles-Lange

Shari joined Rick in May of 1993 and works closely with Rick as his Chief of Staff, assisting him with his “Victory Every Day” seminar coordination and travel, marketing, community involvement and fundraising, client meeting preparation, office technology, and the office administration. Shari worked in the New York Life General Office for Rick’s dad (Max Paulsen) for six years while in high school and college, and worked for 13 years at local CPA firm before returning to the “Team Paulsen Family”. She was born and raised in Stockton, where her parents, two adult children and three grandchildren all continue to live in the community they love!

Susie Ellis

Susie joined Rick in 1987 and worked as his administrative assistant. In 1998 she opened her own bookkeeping business and Rick was her first client! Susie is still an integral part of Team Paulsen and continues to do all the bookkeeping for the office. Susie and her husband Mark live in Stockton and they have a daughter in college, Madison.

*Services provided by our planning resource The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company. The Nautilus Group® does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice.