Having participated in the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), NAIFA Past President Paul Dougherty discovered that leadership is something found within oneself, and it takes strong discipline to be successful at it. In an article in the Fall/Winter issue of Advisor Today, Dougherty discusses how LILI helped shape his ideas of success and strong leadership and how the program can benefit anyone in the insurance and financial services field.

NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, was a featured speaker at NAIFA-Central Florida's November Luncheon Meeting in Orlando. Mayeux gave an update on the state of NAIFA Nation and highlighted NAIFA's membership campaign: Taxation Needs Representation.

How do successful NAIFA members stay energized and finish Q4 strong? Advisor Today asked the experts: Christine A. Cox-West, LUTCF, Partner, The Fortis Agency; John Nilmeier, CFP, CLU, Financial Advisor, Nilmeier Financial and Insurance Services; Joseph C. Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF, LACP, Financial Advisor, Retirement Council, Inc.; Bellaria Jimenez, MBA, CFP, CLU, CDFA, ChFC, President and General Agent, MassMutual Tri State; and Thomas Palmeri, LUTFC, Financial Representative, Forest Hills Financial Group.

Brett Rettenmund is a career insurance professional with a heart for serving others. 

Rettenmund began his career at Aflac just after graduating from college. He was interested in becoming a financial planner and was encouraged to enter the insurance industry. His goal was to build a book of business and gain experience before transitioning to financial planning. He joined Aflac because of their dedication to helping their clients. “I've served Aflac for over 20 years, and I love the culture of the company.” He continues, “I love what we do to help people financially, at a time they need it most. That's why I would say I'm exceptionally happy in my profession.” 

NAIFA congratulates the members who earned the Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP) certification during the July testing window:

The virtual 2021 NAIFA Performance + Purpose conference offered insights and tips from top industry thought leaders, like Delvin Joyce and David Blake. The Fall/Winter issue of Advisor Today provides a wrap-up of the 2021 event and a look ahead to NAIFA's in-person conference on August 16-18, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the world-famous Arizona Biltmore!

NAIFA’s Advisor Today reports on NAIFA's advocacy successes and challenges, as well as the association's fall membership campaign: "Taxation Needs Representation." The campaign highlights what you, as a NAIFA member, can do to strengthen NAIFA’s advocacy voice in the face of a daunting threat to our industry. While the "Taxation Needs Representation" campaign confronts the issue of federal taxation, its call to action — effective advocacy requires member participation — applies to interstate and state advocacy issues, too.

Did you miss Kathleen Bilderback's session, "Business Succession Planning in a Low-Interest-Rate Environment," during NAIFA and the Society of FSP's Advanced Practice Impact Week? If so (or if you would like to watch it again), you're in luck. It's now available for on-demand viewing.

Meet Robert Petrocelli the Founder and Managing Director of Petrocelli Financial Services in New York City and a loyal NAIFA member since 1979. He is also the 2021-2022 Chair of the influential New York Life Agent Advisory Board of Directors, a group of high-level agents who provide their perspectives to company leadership on corporate strategic initiatives.

Rodrigo Menendez, MBA, CRPC, LACP, has been a NAIFA member since 2011. He began his career with State Farm in 2011, taking over a book of business from a retiring 30-year veteran of the insurance industry. He was recruited by a family friend who was looking for Spanish-speaking agents.  

Early on, Menendez could tell it was the right fit for him. The most important thing in Menendez’s work, he says, is helping people. He builds relationships with his clients and their families that last years. “Being able to provide them some sense of relief, financially, in a situation when they’re grieving - I think that's one of the reasons we focus on life insurance so much in my agency,” he explains.