Why “Capstan”?
Built for a crew, not a solo voyage
The capstan was first used at sea to move what no one could lift by hand, and it was never worked alone. For centuries, sailors leaned into its bars together, in unison, like the crew in this photograph. Today a single geared drum does the same job, but the principle never changed: leverage, shared effort, steady progress.
Our company was built on that same premise. We put our shoulder to the same bar as you, and your CPA, your attorney, your financial advisor: everyone pushing in the same direction, protecting income, guarding retirement savings from unnecessary tax, and making sure you provide for the people you love.
What we hold ourselves to
Service · Integrity · Collaboration
Service
Answered calls, plain explanations, and reviews that happen before you think to ask for them.
Integrity
Independent and partner-owned. If the appropriate answer is “you don’t need this,” that is the answer you’ll receive.
Collaboration
We work with your CPA, your attorney, your advisor, whomever it takes to create a better outcome.
Meet the partners
The people behind Capstan
An independent, partner-owned agency. These are the three partners who own Capstan. Every licensed agent here works to the standard they set.
Bill Marsh
Partner & Owner · CFP® · CIMA® · CLU® · ChFC®
Co-founder and Managing Principal of Capstan Financial Consulting Group, Bill brings more than 29 years of financial-industry experience to Capstan Insurance. A Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant, he applies portfolio-grade discipline to insurance strategy: coverage that’s structured, not sold.
Matt DePalma
Partner & Owner
A Florida resident for more than 45 years with 26+ years in financial services, Matt co-founded Capstan Financial Consulting Group, where he serves as Managing Partner. Licensed in Life, Health, and Variable Annuity, he leads Capstan’s long-term strategy and its commitment to a local, personal client experience.
Gala Smolnikova
Partner & Owner
A licensed Life, Health, and Variable Annuity professional with 18+ years in financial services, Gala has managed life, annuity, and long-term-care insurance processing at Capstan Financial since joining the practice. She oversees the Capstan Insurance client experience end to end, and is proud to call Sarasota home.
Our agents
Experienced agents across the Gulf Coast
Our agents have spent years in the insurance industry, each with a field they know in depth: life, disability, retirement protection, or coverage for business owners. Start with someone near you in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, Tampa or Clermont, or call the office and we will match you with the right person for your situation.
Carrie HulenSarasota
Nicholas FeatherLakewood Ranch
Kristin CarterBradenton
Scott PinkhamVenice
Chris MazzaTampa
Jeremy HickeyClermont
Our independence
Independent, and answerable only to you
Capstan Insurance Group is a fully independent agency. No insurance carrier owns us, no network directs us, and no sales quota decides what we recommend. Our only obligation is to the families and business owners we serve, and the standards we hold ourselves to are the ones on this page: service, integrity, collaboration.
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