Bregman Financial & Insurance Services was founded in 1969 by Dutch immigrant, Peter Bregman, father of current CEO Marc Bregman, LUTCF, loyal NAIFA member since 1997. Peter’s sister was widowed at a young age, which instilled in him a passion for ensuring that all his family members were protected by life insurance. He started in the industry as an agent with Metropolitan Life. During his first year in the business, he set a goal to hand out 30 business cards a day saying “I’m Peter Bregman, and I work for Metropolitan Life. If you need life insurance, call me. Here’s my card.” Peter made MDRT his first year in the business and every year until his retirement 40 years later. Peter’s first employee, Esther Crest retired in 2022 at the age of 97.

Aflac District Coordinator Terry Anderson's interest in the insurance industry started with a snowmobile accident that reinforced for him a fundamental truth about insurance—when people get hurt or sick, they still need money to pay the bills. Two years later, Anderson was talking with a customer in his store who was an Aflac agent. She told him that, when someone gets hurt or sick, Aflac pays the claim quickly and Anderson asked himself, “Why didn’t I know about this after my accident?” From that conversation, he decided to start his career in insurance.

Andrew Holt is the Government Relations and Grassroots Manager at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). NAIFA works on behalf of its members to promote a favorable regulatory environment, provide professional education services, and ensure ethical professional conduct for insurance and financial advisors.

Andrew spent several years of his career in the political arena, getting his start as an intern for a senate race in South Carolina, where he found his passion for connecting voters with elected officials. This eventually led to his current position at NAIFA, where he influences public and elected officials on legislative priorities, engages volunteers in grassroots efforts, and leads grassroots lobbying efforts at the state level.

Cody Schoonover is a PAC Manager for NAIFA. Before NAIFA, he was the Sr. Associate at PLUS Communications, a Beltway-based consulting firm specializing in coalition building, grassroots mobilization, advertising, digital engagement, message development, and media relations. Cody earned his BA in political science from The Ohio State University.

In the highly competitive insurance industry, brokers and agencies are constantly seeking new ways to drive growth. Agents must reach sales targets, and agencies must attract and retain high-performing talent. Fortunately, innovations in digital sales platforms are making these goals achievable.

John Boothman of NAIFA partner iLife Technologies will give you actionable tips on how to incorporate more digital solutions into your business to drive growth and keep up in today's ever-changing market.

See John D. Richardson, RICP® LACP®, loyal member since 2003, in action on NAIFA Talent Development Center partner Advisorist's Virtual Advisor Power Hour (VAPH) this Wednesday, April 26 at 12 pm eastern.

John will discuss why more advisors should be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and how this shift in attitude and mindset can lead to greater success in their professional careers.

Marc Kiner, CPA, is a co-founder of the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA^®) Certificate program and a new NAIFA member as of early March.

Over his three-decade career as a CPA, Kiner grew increasingly interested in the inner workings of Social Security benefits. In 2008, he bought three books on Social Security, read them cover to cover, and emerged with more questions than answers. So, he sought out an expert and was referred to Jim Blair, then the District Manager of the Piqua, OH, Social Security office. Blair worked for SSA for 35 years before retiring on December 31, 2010.

SECURE 2.0 is here, but what does that mean for your clients' retirement and estate planning? On Tuesday, May 9, from 12 pm to 3 pm eastern, join NAIFA and the Society of Financial Service Professionals for an Advanced Practice Center live virtual event, as three industry experts discuss the impact of SECURE 2.0, what it means for your clients, and why now is the best time to prepare.

Who better to know what to do now, in this place, with your knowledge, than you?

Do you have a passion for something you want to deliver to your clients and prospects, and you want to understand how to reset your mindset?

What is the essential thing to have in place for the problems you are solving for your clients and prospects?

On Tuesday, April 25, Joseph Chalom, CLU®, RICP®, LUTCF, LACP, presented "Financial Wellness Concepts & Career Opportunities," a webinar for all American consumers. 

Chalom shared building blocks to help consumers become more financially secure, including:

• How to manage money
• How to protect money
• How to ensure financial security into retirement

When Melissa Snively graduated from college, she began working as a national consultant for her University of Florida sorority. The job required long and strenuous hours, though, so she wanted to find a new opportunity. She had a friend who worked for State Farm who suggested she join the company. In 1994, she started as an underwriter, then became an agent before opening her own State Farm agency in 2001.