Early in his career, Steven Saladino, RICP, LACP, LUTCF, took a very important step: He decided to become a member of NAIFA.
That step has turned out to be highly beneficial for Saladino. He is now a managing director with Principal Financial Group, the recipient of many accolades and awards, and a proud member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees.
At Principal, Saladino and his team provide holistic financial planning to families and small- to medium‐sized businesses. Together, they use a financial plan to provide clients with a snapshot of their current situation. This allows the team to more easily provide recommendations that help move their clients from where they are today to closer to where they want and need to be.
Because of this high level of client service, Saladino has received numerous honors and accolades. Last year, he was honored with NAIFA-Florida's C.G. Snead / J.F. Bryan, III Memorial Award for Outstanding Service and was recognized as the "Financial Advisor of the Year."
This award was presented at the NAIFA-Florida President's Banquet as part of the Financial Advisors Sales Symposium and Annual Conference. Every year since 1958, the award has been presented to an insurance and financial advisor for outstanding service to his clients and the industry.
His dedication to his clients has prompted him to pursue many industry licenses and designations. He is a licensed life, health, variable annuity, and property-casualty agent, has his FINRA Series 6, 7, 26, 24, 66, and 53 licenses, and has qualified several times for the MDRT.
As he made his way to the top, Saladino did not forget NAIFA—the association that contributed so much to his professional success. Over the years, he has served NAIFA in a wide range of capacities, including:
Saladino is also a NAIFA‐Florida Perennial Pinnacle Club qualifier and has made several general agency/career company presentations. In addition, he has participated in new member orientations, served on various local, state, and national membership committees, and is a member of the NAIFA Membership Coach/Committee campaigns.
And he is very proud of his leadership as president of NAIFA-Tampa and NAIFA-Florida, having received NAIFA's Jack E. Bobo Award for Outstanding Association Excellence for both associations.
Saladino is so devoted to NAIFA that he will do anything for the association if asked—he once jumped off the rooftop of the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas simply because a NAIFA member asked him to do so!
When Saladino is not leading his team at Principal or doing whatever it takes to help advance NAIFA’s mission, he is playing an active role in his community, believing that it is in our best interest to make the world a better place. Toward that end, he serves in many organizations, including:
With such a tight schedule, Saladino still spends time with his family because, like most successful advisors, he knows the importance of maintaining a healthy work/life balance. So, he and his wife, Alisa, and their three sons—Scott, Vincent, and Nelson—enjoy fishing, kayaking, camping, cycling, and running. A third-generation native of Tampa, he is also a veteran of the U.S. Army—the 82nd Airborne Division—and serves as a Veteran Mentor.
As a NAIFA trustee, Saladino continues to do what he has always done: Serve NAIFA in whatever capacity he is called upon to serve. It is the least he can do for an organization that has played such a pivotal role in his personal and professional success.