Tom Berger is an Agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services in Rapid City, South Dakota, and a new NAIFA member.

Berger first entered the financial services industry 17 years ago. Before joining, he served in the U.S. Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force, he decided to go back to college. In his late 40s, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a financial management emphasis. He says, “Numbers have always been something I like to work with, so this seemed like a fitting step in my career.”

He was first attracted to the financial services industry out of a desire to positively impact others. He says, “I knew I could make a difference because I’ve been around a long time. I’ve seen things that were, in my opinion beginning to be lost—one on one relationships, for example. I wanted to help bring back the relational side of financial services.” He says, “There is so much misinformation in the form of the insurance and investment world, and it is my responsibility to the families that I touch to make sure they understand. I want to be someone who makes people smarter about their insurance and investments. I don’t like to be bamboozled, so I always promise not to do that to my clients.”

When asked why he would recommend this career to someone, he says, “It is gratifying when you can go home at night, and you’ve led at least one family in the right direction or helped change someone’s life for the better. The first time you ever have to hand someone a check—it’s life-altering.”

Berger was a member of NAIFA several years ago. After recently receiving his LUTCF designation, he has reinstated his membership. He is thrilled to be back and looks forward to “getting involved with the local chapter again.”

Welcome back, Tom, and congratulations on your LUTCF designation!