I had a great time in DC for NAIFA's APIC Influence Training and was honored to go. I felt the training agenda by NAIFA staff was excellent. It was very well run, pertinent and helpful for use in conversation with our legislators.

NAIFA has an excellent rapport and name recognition with many legislators. I had the opportunity to spend about two hours with Congressman Marlin Stutzman and his staff. I stood by while Congressman Paul Ryan went live on Fox News along with the budget committee to announce his “Path to Prosperity” budget. I also sat in on a live Bloomberg interview with Marlin and walked through part of the Capitol building. I met Congressman Todd Young’s chief of staff, John Connell, and left the NAIFA pack for his Legislative Director, Shaughnessy Murphy.

John Connell emailed me after the meeting to thank me for stopping by and specifically mentioned wanting us to contact Shaughnessy with any issues NAIFA wished to discuss. Another result from my conversations was learning John R. Hammond, IV (Deputy Chief of Staff for Marlin Stutzman), is very interested in learning more about the estate planning industry and will be attending the NM Advanced Planning Seminar in Indianapolis with me this fall.

I was also able to talk through the issues with Marlin and his staff on what our concerns are this year and thank him for co- sponsoring H.R. 1206. I felt the time was well spent and I’d do it again! Thanks to NAIFA!

Kevin J. Bontrager, CLU, ChFC, AEP
Wealth Management Advisor
Estate & Business Planning Specialist
NAIFA Member Since 2004