Falls Church, VA (September 13, 2017) — The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors has announced its new officers and trustees slated to serve the association for the 2017-18 term.

NAIFA’s new president is Keith M. Gillies, CFP, CLU, ChFC, of Ameritas in La Place, La. Gillies becomes president after serving one-year terms as president-elect and secretary.

“This is an important and exciting year for NAIFA, as we focus on continuing to implement our NAIFA 20/20 strategic plan and look forward to gaining approval to launch its second phase, the NAIFA Quality Member Experience,” Gillies said. “I am honored to serve NAIFA at such a meaningful time in our association’s history and am encouraged by the fact that my colleagues joining me on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees have the talent, dedication, and leadership to move NAIFA forward and provide the greatest possible benefit for our members.”

Joining Gillies on NAIFA’s Executive Committee are: President-elect Jill M. Judd, LUTCF, FSS, of State Farm Insurance Companies in Capitola, Calif.; Treasurer Matthew S. Tassey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, of Principal Financial Group in Portland, Maine; and Secretary Cammie K. Scott, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, of CK Harp & Associates in Springdale, Ark.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to convene a special meeting of the NAIFA National Council on May 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C., on the first day of NAIFA’s Congressional Conference. The Council will consider a revision of NAIFA’s bylaws to reflect the direction of the NAIFA 20/20 strategic plan in general and the recommendations of the Quality Member Experience Task Force in particular. The Council had been scheduled to meet and vote on the proposal at NAIFA’s 2017 Performance + Purpose conference in Orlando, Fla., which was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.

After serving his one-year term as president, Paul R. Dougherty, LUTCF, FSS, HIA, of State Farm Insurance Companies in Hyattsville, Md., becomes immediate past president and will remain a member of NAIFA’s Executive Committee.

Elected to serve on the board for the first time are: Connie Golleher, CLTC, of The Golleher Group in McLean, Va.; Ryan J. Pinney, of The Pinney Insurance Center in Roseville, Calif.; and John Wheeler, Jr., CFP, CLU, ChFC, CRPC, LUTCF of Water Tower Financial Partners, LLC in Chicago.

Elected to serve on the board for a second term are: Todd G. Grantham, CFP, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Durham, N.C.; and Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, Fla.

Appointed to one-year terms on the Board of Trustees are: Lawrence J. Holzberg, LUTF, of Wealth Advisory Group LLC in New York; and Delvin L. Joyce, CLU, ChFC, of Prudential in Charlotte, N.C.

Remaining on the board as trustees are: David A. Beaty, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF of Heartland Financial Services in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Brock T. Jolly, CFP, CLU, ChFC, of Capitol Financial Partners in Vienna, Va.; Thomas O. Michel of Michel Financial Group in Los Angeles; Charles M. Olson, CLU, ChFC, of OCI Financial in Omaha, Neb.; and Gregory T. Toscano, LUTCF of Johnson Insurance Consultants in Duluth, Minn.

In addition to rescheduling the National Council vote, the Board of Trustees voted to extend the scope of the NAIFA Hurricane Relief Fund to provide assistance to insurance and financial advisors impacted by hurricanes in 2017. For more information or to donate to the fund, please visit the fund’s home page online (www.cfacadiana.org/naifa).

About NAIFA: Founded in 1890 as The National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU), NAIFA is the oldest, largest and most prestigious association representing the interests of insurance professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. NAIFA’s legacy of leadership and vision has a lasting impact as the founder of multiple organizations now serving the industry. Its mission – to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members – is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for agents and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry.