Mark A. Squires, LACP, is founder and president of Wise Choices Financial, LLC, in Kansas City. He entered the business after what he describes as a period of life where he lost everyone but his children. That experience convinced him he had a calling to help better prepare others for what he went through. He has built his agency with three primary areas of focus: He works with young people to teach them how to get out of debt; he is the Medicare Whisperer™; and he uses annuities, life insurance, and manages assets to help his clients work toward their retirement dreams through a well-thought-out financial strategy.

Carina Hatfield, LUTCF, CLCS, LACP, is the owner of Weigner Insurance & Financial Services Inc. and recently served as a subject matter expert in the development of the new LACP online prep course. Located in Pottstown, PA, Hatfield's practice serves small businesses and young families in southeastern Pennsylvania. Her clients are quintessential Main Street USA.

NAIFA is pleased to announce that Lincoln Financial has approved the Life and Annuities Certified Professional (LACP) certification for use by the agents and advisors who provide its products. The LACP demonstrates a professional knowledge of life and annuity products and an ethical approach to sales.

Congratulations to the 21 insurance and financial professionals who earned their Life and Annuities Certified Professional (LACP) certification in October. The LACP distinguishes producers who possess understanding of life and annuity products, the consultative sales process, and ethical, legal, and regulatory matters above and beyond licensing requirements. The LACP indicates to clients and colleagues that a producer is a committed professional who operates in an ethical manner to serve clients’ needs.

Congratulations to the 11 insurance and financial professionals who earned their Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP) certification in July. The LACP distinguishes producers who possess understanding of life and annuity products, the consultative sales process, and ethical, legal, and regulatory matters above and beyond licensing requirements. The LACP indicates to clients and colleagues that a producer is a committed professional who operates in an ethical manner to serve clients’ needs.

Broker-dealers that have approved NAIFA’s Life and Annuities Certified Professional (LACP) certification for use by their representatives rank among the top B-D firms in the country. Mass Mutual’s MML Investors Services, Cambridge Investment Research, Royal Alliance Associates, SagePoint Financial, Woodbury Financial Services, FSC Securities, and Principal Securities are all among the leaders in Financial Advisor magazine’s B-D ranking and Think Advisor’s Broker-Dealer Reference Guide. Combined, the firms have more than 20,000 producing representatives eligible to apply for LACP certification.

Brian Haney, LACP, CLTC, CFS, CFBS, CIS, is a 16-year veteran of the financial services profession and the immediate past president of NAIFA-Greater Washington, D.C. He is also vice president at the Haney Company and a proud holder of NAIFA’s LACP certification.

Larry Holzberg, LACP, LUTCF, has done it all in his more than 30 years as a life insurance professional – from sales to team management to brokerage marketplace functions. He is also serves as secretary on NAIFA’s Executive Committee, putting him in line to be association president, and is director of insurance and advanced sales at Fortis Lux Financial.

Producers seeking to qualify for NAIFA’s Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP) certification have an opportunity to complete the LACP exam online during July and August. The standard application deadline is June 1. Applicants may register online.