Danny Mielneczek started his insurance and financial services career recruiting new advisors. After two years, he decided to pivot and became a financial representative with COUNTRY Financial.  

I was reading an analysis the other day and they quoted a study saying a third of entrepreneurs plan on investing more in training, specifically sales, in the economic uncertainty. And we all know that in uncertain times and recession, investing in skills and sales are the best investments possible.

Tom Cothron is an agency manager for a multi-line insurance company offering auto, home, and life insurance products. Tom is a seasoned expert, spending 40-plus years dedicated to the financial services industry. He is a certified Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) and a Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP). He currently presides as NAIFAs President-Elect.

When Rodney Mogen, DBA, DFP, CRPC, AAMS, LACP, says he fell into a career in insurance and financial services, he means it literally. As a 7’2” college basketball player, Mogen was preparing for a career playing abroad when he injured his right leg coming down from a dunk. Not long after, he learned about the insurance and financial services industry at a career fair and began his career as a financial advisor. 

A study conducted by OneAmerica found that 46% of financial professionals do not recommend long-term care (LTC) protection to their clients.

The study highlights a potential gap in helping clients prepare financially for potential LTC expenses. It is estimated that almost 70% of individuals over the age of 65 will require LTC services at some point in their lives, making LTC protection an important aspect of retirement planning.

NAIFA-MT Past President Mike “Montana Mike” Paffhausen grew up in the insurance industry. His father had a long career as an insurance agent and agency manager and, when the time came to choose a career, Paffhausen chose to make a difference in his community by opening his own State Farm agency.

Iris Nance, LUTCF, got into the insurance and financial services industry because of a postcard.  In 1997, she was working as a Real Estate Finance Credit Analyst at a local bank after more than 10  years as a Bank Examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  While exploring other career opportunities that would allow quality time with her twin daughters, she received a postcard in the mail from Farmers Insurance, and the rest is history.

The Summer 2023 issue of NAIFA's Advisor Today magazine is here! NAIFA members will receive a copy in the mail soon. For non-members and those who prefer a digital format, the current issue and our back catalog are available online.

Earlier this year, NAIFA conducted its annual membership survey. This year, five randomly selected members who completed the survey received a $100 gift card. We're excited to congratulate the winners:

Harry Hoopis is an entrepreneur and industry leader in the insurance and financial services space who has built a successful firm based in Chicago, IL. He speaks, teaches, and inspires executives, advisors, and front-line salespeople — providing the systems, methods, efficiencies, and confidence needed to excel in the industry. He is the author of the best-selling book, The Road to the Bountiful Life, and recipient of NAIFA's prestigious John Newton Russell Memorial Award.