MDRT has announced the appointment of Brian D. Heckert, CLU, ChFC, to President, and Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, to Secretary of the organization’s Executive Committee, effective Sept. 1, 2015.

Heckert, from Nashville, Ill., will be the 90^th President of MDRT and succeeds 26-year MDRT member Caroline Banks, APFS, who will become the Immediate Past President. Mark J. Hanna, CLU, ChFC, a 26-year MDRT member of Concord, Calif., will serve as First Vice President, and James Pittman, CLU, CFP, a 41-year MDRT member of Portland, Ore., will serve as Second Vice President.

Heckert will lead the association of more than 43,000 international members for a one-year term. As President, Heckert will work closely with the Executive Committee to identify opportunities for members to broaden their expertise, grow their businesses and educate clients about the importance of financial planning. He will ensure the association maintains the highest caliber by continually improving the services and leadership it provides.

“It is an honor to lead the brightest financial service professionals to even greater levels of professional and personal success with outstanding resources provided by MDRT. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee to continue bringing our members the benefits they need and deserve to be successful in their practices and better serve their clients,” said Heckert.

Heckert is a 27-year MDRT member and holds several professional merits, including seven  Court of the Table and eight Top of the Table qualifications. He is a Legion of Honor Excalibur Knight- level donor of the MDRT Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MDRT.

“I am proud to be a part of an organization that connects members to the greatest resources, solutions and minds in the industry. In my new role, I will help MDRT and the clients we serve by elevating our services and capabilities to ensure ongoing sustainability,” said Vanderwolf

As the newest member of the Executive Committee, Vanderwolf, of Fortitude Valley, Australia, will support the association by guiding members to better serve clients through MDRT’s invaluable resources. He is a 28-year MDRT member, achieving several of the organization’s highest honors for professional excellence, with nine Court of the Table and four Top of the Table qualifications. He is also a Diamond Knight, in recognition of his cumulative contribution to the MDRT Foundation.

Ayo Mseka
Editor-in-Chief