About Farr Johnen & Associates
Farr Johnen & Associates is a firm with broad-based professional knowledge that offers insurance products, financial services, and employee benefits plans best suited to the individual needs of our clients. Our approach is simple: it's all about service. Through the knowledge and professionalism of our staff, we develop strategies tailored to our customers' particular insurance needs.
Our Goals
- To have our clients enjoy doing business with us
- To be good at what we do and to be recognized leaders in our area of specialization
- To deliver products and services as promised
- To give back to the communities we serve
Our People
Glen C. Farr, CLU, ChFC® and Licensed Life and Disability Analyst
Glen began his career in the life and health insurance industry in 1981 with Connecticut Mutual after graduating from USC with a degree in Business Administration.
In 1985, Glen and his father, Gary, founded Farr Johnen & Associates. Glen earned a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Through his long experience, the specialized firm of Farr Johnen & Associates has earned the trust of other allied professionals; as a result, CPAs, property and casualty insurance brokers, and estate planning attorneys regularly refer their most-important clients to him for assistance with their life insurance needs.
He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), NAIFA Tri-County, Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council, and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters. He is a Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, as well as a thirteen-time Qualifier for Top of the Table.
Glen is an active community volunteer and currently assists Community Memorial Hospital with fund raising for the construction of their new replacement hospital. Glen's Full Bio (PDF)
Jonathan P. Johnen, CFP®
Jonathan, a partner and co-owner of Farr Johnen & Associates, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional specializing in life, disability, and long-term care insurance.
Through his extensive knowledge of estate, tax, investment and retirement planning, he educates clients on the important role that insurance plays in the foundation of a secure financial future.
Jonathan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2006. He joined Farr Johnen & Associates shortly thereafter as a licensed life and health insurance agent. His primary focus is on assisting individuals and business owners with life and disability insurance solutions customized to their specific needs.
Jonathan became a partner and co-owner in 2015. In 2017, Jonathan became a senior partner and the firm changed its name to Farr Johnen & Associates.
Farr Johnen & Associates has been serving clients locally in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for more than 35 years. The firm has earned the long time trust of its clients and their associated professionals through its high level of personalized services and its holistic approach to meeting customer needs.
With a passion for providing his clients with greater peace of mind, Jonathan represents his clients in the insurance marketplace to help them implement insurance solutions. He acts as a “true broker” to locate the product and carrier which is the best fit for his clients’ needs and their long term goals and objectives.
Married with three young children, Jonathan enjoys playing golf, surfing and spending time with his family. He resides in Camarillo with his wife, Kristy, and children, Kamryn, Owen and Emi, and divides his time between both the Ventura and Santa Barbara offices of Farr Johnen & Associates. Jonathan's Full Bio (PDF)
Ericka S. Pinedo
Ericka is the Managing Director of the employee benefits department of Farr Johnen & Associates.
Her primary focus is working directly with business owners and their executive teams to design, create, and implement a custom-tailored benefit package. Ericka’s innovative approach helps find the best solutions for business owners, and her knowledge of the marketplace is unparalleled.
Ericka also exemplifies the firm’s “It’s All About Service” approach when it comes to educating the employers and employees she works with. Insurance is often perceived as confusing and complicated, but Ericka’s ability to explain it into simple terms can be seen through increased satisfaction and utilization.
Ericka's clients are principally owners of closely held businesses throughout Southern California. Her guidance allows business owners to feel highly confident that their selection of benefits balances with cost objectives, and that the employee healthcare packages they provide are competitive in the marketplace. In light of spiraling healthcare costs, and new, complex governmental healthcare issues, her clients rely on her expertise and creativity now more than ever.
In her spare time Ericka enjoys reading, playing tennis, traveling with her husband Patrick, and chasing after her two cats Sasha and Lily. Ericka's Full Bio (PDF)
Gary F. Farr, CLU, ChFC®
Gary has been a full-time resident of Ventura County since 1985, when Farr Johnen & Associates was founded with his son and partner, Glen. He now acts as an advisor and is enjoying life in Ojai with his wife, Brenda.
Gary is currently on the Advisory Board of Casa Pacifica, Founding President and current Board Member of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, and Board Member of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation. He is also a 50-year qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table.
Brenda J. Farr
Brenda entered the insurance business in 1964 and began her career with an international property and casualty agency. In 1975 she was named Vice President of Administration for the Los Angeles office.
In 1976, Brenda completed the professional management curriculum at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Business.
In 1985, Brenda developed the Employee Benefit division of Farr Johnen & Associates. She specialized in working with closely held corporations and family businesses, and places a great emphasis on personal communication and service. Brenda lives in Ojai with her husband, Gary, and is active in the community. She is currently President of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation Guild.
Kayla L. Hallowell
Kayla is the Director of Customer Service for Farr Johnen & Associates.
Kayla oversees all aspects of the firm’s customer service policies, objectives, and initiatives. Kayla is the personification of “It’s All About Service” and is highly talented when it comes to taking great care of our clients.
She also specializes in the preparation and implementation of all life, disability, and long-term care insurance policies. Kayla is an expert in navigating the underwriting process and ensures that the acquisition process is as simple as possible.
Kayla is a long-time Ventura County resident, and in her free time she enjoys showing horses, spending time with her family, and traveling the with her husband in their custom trailer.
Christopher J. Castadio
Chris joined the employee benefits division of Farr Johnen & Associates in October of 2018 shortly after graduating from California State University in Channel Islands with a bachelor’s degree in business.
Chris specializes in the analysis, implementation, and servicing of all forms of health insurance and employee benefits. He plays a pivotal role in orchestrating employee benefit structures to address the unique needs and circumstances of each employer, and he places high importance on educating their employees about their benefits so that they can be appreciated and utilized.
He also finds great joy in helping individuals and families navigate the claims process. He’s helped shape the firm’s claim concierge service through his work ethic and persistence, and he embodies the firm’s “It’s All About Service” approach.
Chris currently resides in Camarillo with his wife Tracy and cat Sally. When he’s not spending time with his immediate or extended family, Chris enjoys hiking, snowboarding, rock climbing, and working out.
Ali Farr McCarty
Ali Farr McCarty began her career as a Strategy & Operations Consultant with Deloitte in 2012 after graduating from Davidson College with a degree in Economics & Spanish. In 2016, Ali left Deloitte to attend business school at UCLA Anderson School of Management. After finishing her MBA in 2018, Ali joined Capital Group, one of the world’s largest asset managers. During her five years at Capital Group, Ali held various Human Resources roles gaining experience in employee benefits and compensation.
Ali joined Farr Johnen & Associates in 2023 where she is a licensed health and life insurance agent. As the third generation of Farrs at the firm, her focus is continuing her family’s legacy of excellent service to existing clients while also expanding the firm’s client base. Ali works across both practices serving client needs on the life insurance and employee benefits sides of the business. You will find Ali takes great pride in personally getting to know our clients and tailoring our services and solutions directly to their needs.
Ali lives in Ventura with her husband Kyle, daughter Cameron and son Ryan. She enjoys cooking, swimming, cycling, hiking, and trying out the latest and greatest board games.