NAIFA proudly acknowledges and thanks Kent Bennett, LUTCF, CEPS, RFC, a loyal member since 1974, for reaching an impressive milestone as a NAIFA “Joint Chief” based on his lifetime contributions to NAIFA's political action committees. His generosity and willingness to give back to his industry are hallmarks of his professional success.

Kent Bennett began his financial services career in 1974 when he took a job with American General Life Insurance Company. Prior to that, he had managed a retail store in New Jersey. “With American General, I was just looking for a job where I could put food on the table,” he said. “I had no intention of staying in the insurance business, but once you got in there you had to study for the license exam and then I had a great trainer.”

Even though he saw his insurance career as a temporary diversion, he felt an obligation to completely understand the products and services his company offered. He began as a debit agent, meaning he had to visit each client weekly to collect the debit payments. One day early on he was out collecting debits when customers in five of the eight homes he visited asked him for additional insurance.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I said to myself, ‘You know, if you applied yourself here you might really like this.’ So I did. By the end of the year, I was leading the office [in sales]. The following year I led the office and was second in the division. The year after that they promoted me to staff manager.”

Clara and Kent Bennett

He hasn’t looked back since. In 1983, he formed his own independent agency along with his wife, Clara, who joined him nine months after he set up shop. They continued working together until 2021 when she retired. He has considered retiring, himself, but after Clara passed away in 2023 he needed to keep busy. Many of his long-time clients also urged him to stay on, so he continues working at age 75.

Discovering NAIFA's PACs

Bennett became a NAIFA member when he entered the business in 1974. The next year, his local PAC Chair, Barry Rake, LUTCF, (who is now his business partner) educated him on the importance of participating in the political process and Bennett became a PAC supporter.

Over the years, Bennett's commitment to the PAC increased. He also served as his local chapter’s PAC Chair for many years, as well as the local President and National Committee member. Past NAIFA President Terry Headley, renowned as a PAC “Co-Commander-in-Chief,” was a strong influence. Bennett volunteered to serve with the National PAC when Headley was Chair.

“I was impressed by the passion that just radiated from him,” Bennett said of Headley. “You could see it, you could feel it, and it was genuine.”

Bennett’s appreciation for advocacy extended to grassroots political involvement and he also served on NAIFA’s national Political Involvement Committee. He was the Lycoming County co-chair for the 1994 campaign of Senator Rick Santorum and attended the celebration at Santorum’s victory headquarters on election night. Bennett remains a NAIFA legislative contact for Representative G.T. Thompson, who has also become a client.

“He has my cell phone number, as well, and the same for my business partner Barry Rake, he can call either of us and we can call him,” Bennett said. “It’s a very personal relationship.”

That is the key to successful political involvement, according to Bennett. The first step is to establish contact with a legislator and then develop a relationship. A key contact has the legislator’s cell phone number. If the contact calls, the legislator will answer, Bennet explained. Most lawmakers are not experts on insurance or financial services, so they appreciate input and education from practitioners who understand what consumers need and how laws and regulations affect them. Grassroots and PACs work hand-in-hand to ensure that NAIFA members have a voice and a seat at the table when lawmakers are considering important issues.

Kent Bennett (center) received the 2024 NAIFA-PA Lifetime Defender Award from
NAIFA-PA President Paul Valerio and NAIFA-National President Tom Cothron.

Always Giving Back

Several years ago, Bennett stepped away from serving on NAIFA committees to give time to other causes, including the Salvation Army. He chairs the local Board of Advisors and has helped the Salvation Army of Williamsport retool and rejuvenate its fundraising efforts. The first year he was Fundraising Chair in 2017 the organization’s initial Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast raised around $11,000. Last year, the total was up to $55,000 and Bennett’s five-year goal is $100,000.

His passion for the Salvation Army grew from a tradition he and his wife Clara maintained for many years. The success of their financial services business grew, and they wanted to give back to the community. So he would dress as Santa and she as Santa’s Elf, and they would deliver presents on Christmas Eve to families in need with appropriately aged children.

The ability to help the community and organizations like the Salvation Army was due in large part to the Bennetts’ business success. And NAIFA's PAC had been a vital part of their success as financial professionals, Bennett acknowledged. It’s also a legacy he passes on to the next generation of financial professionals.

“I’ve continued to maintain my support for the PAC because I know the importance of it,” he said. “You know the old story, if you don’t have a seat at the table you’re on the menu, and, boy, how true that is. It’s business continuation insurance. I remember Terry Headley telling us: For decades, going back to 1890, there’ve been people in our business who’ve preserved the business for us by doing this activity and supporting our industry and its products. They’ve preserved it for us, and now it’s our turn to preserve it for the people who are in it now and who come after us. And I take that to heart.”