The purpose of NAIFA is to advocate for, educate, and differentiate its members in the industry. NAIFA Arizona member Thomas Shultz understands the need for an advisor to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. From the way he prospects for clients, the name he has given his practice, and the credentials he has pursued, Shultz takes every opportunity to stand out in the industry.

Shultz has set up his firm as Medicare specialists who help clients with Medicare supplement plans, a prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan and then, as appropriate, transition them to a broader financial planning client. All his clients come through Medicare marketing. He says his experience shows, “If you do a good job servicing that book of business, you’re able to get to a lot of assets.”

After 10 years working in the corporate office of American National Insurance Company in Springfield, MO, Stephanie Hohenshell was recruited into the field. She loved her career in the corporate office, so it was a big step to resign from that job to take on the role of a 1099 advisor. It took about a year and a half of encouragement before she made the leap. Seven years later, she only wishes she had done it sooner.

Steve Bergee, LACP is a managing partner with E4 Insurance Services in Fargo, ND and a loyal member since 2009. Shortly after joining the industry 15 years ago, Bergee joined NAIFA at the encouragement of a friend and colleague. He has been an active member ever since. His participation in NAIFA provides both validation from his peers and an opportunity to benefit from the relationships he has with his fellow NAIFA members. “This is an organization of the best-of-the-best within the industry,” says Bergee. “To be able to include yourself in that group and to be able to tap their ideas and converse with them I think is really the value in the organization.”

After graduating from Stockton University in 2017, Daniel McGeehan, LUTCF, CRPC, (loyal NAIFA member since 2020) followed his father, a 30-year agent with Knights of Columbus, into the insurance business, also with Knights of Columbus. Having watched his father in the business and having been a member of the Knights of Columbus since he was 18 years old, McGeehan was very comfortable following in his father’s footsteps. But he was not immediately comfortable working with older clients on financial planning.

Whether it is with clients or fellow agents, Vicki Tuua, LACP, is prone to heart-to-heart conversations. A State Farm agent in Salt Lake City, Tuua is a registered representative so she offers a full line of insurances including property & casualty, life, and health as well as financial services and retirement planning. This range of expertise affords Tuua the opportunity to serve the full client whether it be an individual or small business.

Mark A. Squires, LACP, is founder and president of Wise Choices Financial, LLC, in Kansas City. He entered the business after what he describes as a period of life where he lost everyone but his children. That experience convinced him he had a calling to help better prepare others for what he went through. He has built his agency with three primary areas of focus: He works with young people to teach them how to get out of debt; he is the Medicare Whisperer™; and he uses annuities, life insurance, and manages assets to help his clients work toward their retirement dreams through a well-thought-out financial strategy.

Carina Hatfield, LUTCF, CLCS, LACP, is the owner of Weigner Insurance & Financial Services Inc. and recently served as a subject matter expert in the development of the new LACP online prep course. Located in Pottstown, PA, Hatfield's practice serves small businesses and young families in southeastern Pennsylvania. Her clients are quintessential Main Street USA.