New York Life is dedicated to serving professional advisors
Meet Our Team
We’re proud to have a team of loyal professionals dedicated to enhancing our clients’ quality of life. With more than 50 years of combined experience between Daryl and Gordon, our firm offers years of proven experience to help you navigate your wealth with confidence. Our goal is to help give you peace of mind that a trusted, capable team is taking care of your financial world so you can enjoy everything.
"Providing individuals, families and businesses with life insurance, financial products and services that meet their needs is my desire." -Daryl Ellis
As a wealth manager and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Daryl helps clients ascertain their specific objectives and goals and what they need to accomplish them, then works with them to create a corresponding financial plan. He believes an effective distribution strategy is key to a prosperous and stress-free retirement, and once clients have a foundational plan in place, he helps them identify the most effective ways to use their resources in retirement. He strives to be proactive in his work, and his favorite words to hear from a client are, “I was just about to call you!” He prides himself in identifying issues before they arise and staying on top of both financial industry trends and his clients’ personal financial worlds.
Daryl joined the New York Life family as an agent in 1995, following his father’s footsteps and his own desire to help others. He quickly established himself as a student of the industry and has received multiple awards and recognitions for his work. He is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and a Louisiana State alumnus. He is also a registered representative for NYLIFE Securities, LLC. Daryl Ellis is also a member agent of The Nautilus Group®*, a resource for estate conservation and business succession ideas available to a select group of New York Life agents nationwide.
With offices in Dallas, Texas, The Nautilus Group® is staffed by professionals with credentials in law, taxation, accounting, insurance and finance. Utilizing information provided by the members' clients, they provide strategies for consideration by the client's own legal and tax advisors. The work of The Nautilus Group® revolves around estate conservation and business succession. Neither members nor staff of The Nautilus Group may give legal or tax advice. Their role is to educate and motivate affluent individuals to address the planning issues that will affect them and their families far into the future.
Awards, Designations & Education
CFP® Certificant
CAP® Certificant
2001 thru Present Qualifying Member Million Dollar Round Table*
LSU Alumni with a BA in Economics
Financial Planning Association
Baton Rouge Area Foundation Profession Advisors Council- 2022
Chairman’s Council Member- 2021
President’s Council Member- 2020
National Quality Award Recipient
2013 Recipient of the Best Dressed Benefiting the American Cancer Society
Daryl Ellis is also a member agent of The Nautilus Group®*, a resource for estate conservation and business succession ideas available to a select group of New York Life agents nationwide.
Community & Industry Involvement
Steering Committee Member – Heritage Ranch
Board Member – Good Fellows-Good Samaritans
Past-President of the NAIFA-Baton Rouge
Past-President of the NAIFA-Louisiana
Past-President of the Financial Planning Association-Baton Rouge
Past-President of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge
Past-President of the Estate & Business Planning Council
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
Sunrise Rotary Club Member
Member of the Mystic Krewe of Achilles
Past-President of the Baton Rouge Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors
Personal
Outside of work, Daryl enjoys exercising, and unless he’s out of town, he never misses his morning gym session. He’s especially dedicated to this aspect of his routine because in addition to keeping him physically fit, it helps him start his day with intention and focus. He and his wife Tiffany have been married for nine years, and they enjoy traveling together. Daryl also loves spending time with his adult daughter Emory, who lives in Canada. He is currently part of the steering committee for Heritage Ranch, a Christian organization that counsels and supports families in crisis; he is also a board member of Good Fellow-Good Samaritans in Baton Rouge, a program that helps provide clothing and toys to children in need.
Personal Life
Fun Facts About Daryl
What book has significantly influenced you?
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson and Atomic Habits by James Clear. The two books go hand-in-hand; they’re about pushing yourself a little bit more and developing good habits that last a lifetime, and that’s something I’m adamant about. Even when everything shut down in 2020, I kept getting up at 3:25AM and going for a run.
If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s hard! I’d have to say fried speckled trout with French fries and hushpuppies—they don’t come with calories, so why not?
What’s the best way to spend a free Saturday?
I like to chill around the house, get caught up on reading magazines, cook (mostly on the grill)—basically, just taking it easy!
What should everyone do at least once before they die?
Ride a motorcycle!
Coffee or tea?
Tea—Twinings® English Breakfast, but I don’t have my first cup until around 8:00AM.
*The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.
“Gaining your trust and confidence is my task. Keeping you, the client, satisfied with service and personal attention is my goal.” -Gordon Ellis
Gordon is a highly trained, fully qualified professional in the field of insurance and financial services, and has represented New York Life as an agent for over 42 years.. He is recognized as a leader in the industry. Gordon was recently honored as the Baton Rouge Association of Life Underwriters 'Man of the Year.
Awards, Designations & Education
Chartered Financial Consultant ®
Chartered Life Underwriter ®
Registered Representative NYLIFE Securities LLC.
National Quality Award, last 36 years
Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table** for 39 years
Chairman's Council Agent in 2009
Community & Industry Involvement
Sunrise Rotary Club
Estate and Business Planning Council of Baton Rouge
Society of Financial Service Professionals
Friends of LSU's School of Music
Foundation for Historical Louisiana
Mystic Krewe of Achilles Mardi Gras Ball
*The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.
Kellie began her employment with Daryl Ellis in the fall of 2006. As the Director of Operations, Kellie’s job is to ensure the business is running smoothly and that we are providing our clients with a level of service that surpasses their expectations. Kellie is responsible for coordinating functions within the financial planning team from your initial meeting, implementation of your plan, and coordination of your reviews. She holds her Life, Health, & Accident License and Series 6, 63 and 65 registrations. Kellie is also a Notary Public in Louisiana.
Ann joined the team at Ellis Insurance & Financial Group in March 2008. She provides direct support to both Daryl and Gordon by overseeing client relationships and ensuring that clients receive a superior level of service. She attended Louisiana State University majoring in English with a minor in Fine Arts. She obtained her Life, Health and Accident Insurance License in the State of Louisiana in December 2012 and was approved as a Licensed Service Assistant in April, 2013. She was recently appointed Director of Client Services for our group.
