NAIFA’s New Mexico chapter has proven to be a strong promoter of NAIFA, whether it be through social media or events, this chapter does it all. Executive Director of the chapter, Lynda Turner, has called for her members to be more active with NAIFA, asking them to join one of NAIFA’s weekly onboarding and orientation Zoom meetings. There was a resounding response to Turner’s request from her members, showing strong support from this chapter’s members to NAIFA. The sessions are held every Monday at 3 p.m. eastern, and a registration form is online at the NAIFA members’ portal.

NAIFA is pleased to announce that NetWorth Asset Management in Lansdale, PA, has become a NAIFA 100% Agency. Under the membership program, NetWorth Asset Management, Inc. has enrolled all of its advisors as NAIFA members and enrolled them in NAIFA’s grassroots advocacy programs.

This week’s Q4 State of NAIFA meeting featured NAIFA President Tom Michel, CEO Kevin Mayeux, and AVP of Government Relations Judi Carsrud.  

Michel gave an up-beat overview of the year so far and NAIFA’s plans for the future. He also highlighted the upcoming National Leadership Conference on December 6-7, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Decisions made by policymakers from Washington, D.C., to Washington state are impacting the way insurance and financial professionals are helping consumers plan for their long-term care needs. NAIFA's advocacy team, working with the Limited and Extended Care Planning Center's Legislative Working Group, which consists of LECP sponsors, insurers, NAIFA members, third-party administrators, distributors, and other stakeholders, is exploring and enhancing policy positions for NAIFA through the association’s government relations capabilities as it engages directly with lawmakers and regulators. NAIFA is the only association of insurance and financial professionals making an advocacy impact at the federal, interstate, and state levels, including in every state capital around the country.

Mardi Woods is dedicated to promoting financial literacy in her community, from her work with youth organizations to her insurance and financial practice at New York Life. She is an Agent with New York Life Insurance Company and a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency and a New York Life company.

Woods entered the insurance and financial services industry in 2018. After spending time in the corporate world and taking time to raise her family, Woods wanted to find a career she could retire from. She was looking into several options when a friend at New York Life encouraged her to apply.

NAIFA LECP Impact Week will feature industry leaders for a panel discussion on "Technology Shark Tank: Taking the Robot out of the Advisor/Agent.”

The panel will address how to use the right technology to increase your profit, outreach, and professionalism. Ken Leibow, Founder and CEO of InsurTech Express, will moderate the discussion.

OneAmerica will have two panelists for the NAIFA 2021 Long Term Care Impact Week event starting on November 1st - November 5th.  Jeff Levin and Michelle Prather are both loyal NAIFA members and their expertise will provide valuable insights for the event.

On November 3rd, Levin, the Divisional Vice President, Care Solutions. will join the  Executive Leadership Roundtable to discuss the challenges and other issues industry leaders address with LTC.

The print edition of the 2021 Fall/Winter Advisor Today magazine has been officially released. This printed issue has been mailed to all NAIFA members and is available online here.

Gerald Wodkins loves helping people.

Wodkins started in the insurance industry in 2000 in Macon, GA. Young and newly married, he took a job at a Geico call center to help support his growing family. He was dedicated to helping his clients get the best coverage for their unique situations. He recalls, "I always prided myself on taking the opportunity to really dive deep and help people to really look at the whole picture.” Wodkins worked with Geico for 15 years before taking a brief break from insurance. In August 2021, Wodkins began working with American National. He now offers an array of insurance products and services and plans to focus on helping small businesses.

In a tight recruiting economy, the pressure is on employers and their HR teams to hire the right people and engage them in their organizational culture.