NAIFA is pleased to announce the recognition by InvestmentNews of Aprilyn Chavez Geissler as a 2020 Woman to Watch. Aprilyn Chavez Geissler is one of our favorite NAIFA leaders who gives tirelessly to NAIFA Nation. From her work as a National Trustee, her work on the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity task force and her leadership at Gateway Financial Group as the first female Executive Vice President. Through Aprilyn's leadership at Gateway, Gateway Financial Group also became a supporter of our financial literacy initiative through financialsecurity.org.

The Young Advisor Team of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is proud to announce the launch of a new Future Leaders program for students interested in careers in the financial services industry. The new program is under the oversight of NAIFA National’s Young Advisor Team Committee, chaired by Blake Gillies, DIA, Brokerage Director, Acacia Financial Group.

The new Future Leaders program expands the offerings of NAIFA’s Talent Development Center of Excellence, launched in Q2 2020. The Talent Development Center is a new initiative of NAIFA to create a content and event hub focused on topics of personal and professional performance during every stage of the advisor business lifecycle. In addition to the Young Advisor Team, which focuses on programs for advisors under the age of 40 or with less than 5 years in the business, The Talent Development Center also houses NAIFA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work and award programs.

In sports, it's known as a hot streak and there can be little doubt that Chris Gandy is on one...again. According to the NCAA, the chances of going pro in men's basketball is 1.2% beyond high school, but Gandy did it. The chances of making it through the first years in the financial services industry is often cited as less than 15%, but Gandy did it. Being featured in GQ? Done that. Top producer in OneAmerica? He's got that accolade, too. Making the cover of your industry's magazine? Check. President of NAIFA-Chicagoland? Game on. Key stakeholder in the future of the premier association in the financial services industry that is the voice of the American advisor? He's our guy.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) will hold a new hybrid event called the “Belong Event” on November 17, 2020. The new event has a three-pronged purpose:

-To serve as the association’s annual business meeting, during which the new Board of Trustees will be sworn into office

-To serve as the platform to celebrate the more than 1,700 volunteer leaders and staff that power NAIFA’s 50 state and 35 local chapters

-To conclude the year-long celebration of NAIFA’s 130th anniversary.

Cammie Scott, NAIFA National President, will oversee the business meeting as she formally calls the association’s annual meeting to order. The meeting will include the election of five National Trustees, election of the national secretary and re-election of NAIFA’s national officers as follows.

National Trustees to elect:

-Wes Booker, LUTCF, Owner of the Wes Booker Agency in Maumelle, AR, (NAIFA member since 2004)

-Aprilyn Chavez Geissler, LACP, First Executive Vice President with Gateway Financial Advisors in Albuquerque, NM, (NAIFA member since 2005)

-Dennis Cuccinelli, LACP, Financial Representative, Certified Financial Services in Paramus, NJ, (NAIFA member since 1986)

-Doug Massey, CLU, ChFC, FSS, Owner of Doug Massey Financial Services in San Angelo, TX, (NAIFA member since 1987)

-Brian Wilson, Sales Director with Mutual of Omaha Advisors in Lexington, KY, (NAIFA member since 2000)

National Officers to elect:

-Lawrence J. Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, Director of Insurance and Advanced Sales at Fortis Lux Financial in New York, (NAIFA member since 1990), will stand for election as President-Elect

-Brock Jolly, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CLTC, CASL, CFBS, Founding Partner of Veritas Financial LLC/MassMutual Financial Group in McLean, VA, (NAIFA member since 2001), will stand for re-election as Treasurer

-Bryon Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, Founder of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, FL, (NAIFA member since 1987), will stand for election as Secretary

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the Certification for Long Term Care (CLTC) announce a new series of preparatory classes for NAIFA members. The new virtual series and exam will allow more NAIFA members to earn their CLTC designation. The class series is the latest byproduct of the strong partnership between NAIFA and CLTC.

Congratulations to our NAIFA National Secretary, Larry Holzberg, who has been appointed to Director of Insurance and Advance Sales for Fortis Lux. Fortis Lux is a comprehensive financial planning firm that offers wealth management, protection, risk management, trust and estate planning advice and solutions.

Forbes' Annual Top Women Wealth Advisors List Includes 3 NAIFA Members from Northwestern Mutual according to NWM's recent press release.  We want to congratulate the following women for doing great work: 

NAIFA announced that it will hold a CEO Panel with associations representing the financial services industry. Kevin Mayeux will host Wayne Chopus of Insured Retirement Institute, Ken Bentsen of SIFMA, and Susan Neely of American Council of Life Insurers on May 12th at 1 pm eastern. 

NAIFA has launched a new consumer site called financialsecurity.org to provide direct-to-consumer content featuring members. In addition the site features a "Find an Advisor" tool that allows consumers to find a trusted, licensed agent or advisor. The new site has received increased attention since launch due to the new toolkits created as a response to COVD-19.