The NAIFA-FL Financial Advisors Sales Symposium featured nationally known keynote speakers, insightful educational breakout sessions, and a high-powered panel discussion by members of NAIFA’s top national leadership, including President Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, President-Elect Bryon Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, Secretary Tom Cothron, LUTCF, FSCP, and CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE.

We’re proud to recognize NAIFA member Cheryl Canzanella, CLU, ChSNC, LUTCF, winner of two NAIFA 2022 Q2 awards. Canzanella won the Grand Prize in NAIFA’s Q2 Referral Contest, recruiting 17 new members. She was also honored as NAIFA’s Q2 Membership Hardhat Winner, given to a member who “lays it on the line” for NAIFA membership. 

NAIFA is sad to learn that NAIFA-Indiana Past President George "Andy" Beutter, LUTCF, FSS, LACP, passed away on July 2 in South Bend, IN. Well-loved by his community, Beutter’s passion was protecting families. He treated his clients like family and was known for his kindness, optimism, and passion for life. 

Beutter became a loyal member of NAIFA (then the National Association of Life Underwriters) in 1990. He served in many roles with NAIFA-IN, including as President from 2011-2012, Trustee, Treasurer, and member of the Government Relations Board and Committee and the State Executive Committee.

Congratulations to loyal NAIFA member Gilbert Mares, MPA, LUTCF, 2022 winner of the prestigious Will G. Farrell Public Service Award!

We're pleased to congratulate loyal NAIFA member Cheryl Canzanella, CLU, ChSNC, LUTCF, on her new position with NAIFA partner Fairway Independent Mortgage. Cheryl will take over the role of HECM Business Development Manager - Retirement Solutions.

Since joining NAIFA in 2010, Cheryl has been active in the NAIFA community. She is a Past President of NAIFA-Northeast Florida and has served in leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels. She is also a recipient of NAIFA-FL's President’s award. In 2019, she was recognized as NAIFA’s Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. Cheryl is also a Founding Past President of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) Northeast Florida.

Lifetime Financial Group Owner Jay Meneely, LUTCF, has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1983 when the organization was still the National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU). Throughout the years, he’s seen the impact of his work and advocating for Main Street USA.

Like many, Meneely joined the insurance industry almost by accident. He was working in retail management and ran into his insurance agent at the gym. Meneely’s agent recruited him into the business and, 42 years later, Meneely has no intention of stopping any time soon.

NAIFA is sad to learn that NAIFA-NC and NAIFA-Greensboro Past President Ernest “Ernie” Whichard, CLU, ChFC, passed away on April 12 in Marion, NC. 

Before retiring from Whichard Roach & Associates in 2016, Whichard served as President of the North Carolina and Greensboro chapters of NAIFA (then the National Association of Life Underwriters) and as a Board Trustee for NAIFA-National. He also served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Greensboro and the Greensboro Estate Planning Council.

NAIFA-Atlanta CEO Trey Kelly has been a NAIFA member since 1999 and has seen firsthand the benefits of NAIFA membership and NAIFA’s political advocacy. 

Getting Started

When he was an economics major in college, Kelly knew he wanted to get into sales. As luck would have it, one of his college friends suggested Kelly meet with his father, who was a top producer with John Hancock at the time. When Kelly walked into the man’s office—a top-floor space with a great view of downtown Atlanta—Kelly knew he wanted to become a financial advisor too. He joined John Hancock and his friend’s father became a mentor to him.

Johnny Craven, LUTCF, is a stalwart of the NAIFA community and a veteran of the insurance and financial services industry.

Craven joined the insurance and financial services industry over 20 years ago, but that’s not where he started out. He spent 13 years in the grocery industry, but when one of his coworkers became an insurance agent and suggested he give it a try, he decided it was worth exploring. His coworker called Craven on a Saturday night and they planned to meet the next morning. Not realizing it was a formal interview, Craven showed up in shorts and a t-shirt and met the man who would become his boss. Fortunately, he saw potential in Craven and decided to give him a shot.

NAIFA is sad to learn that former national association President Bruce Hendrickson passed away March 3 in Holdrege, NE.

Hendrickson became a loyal member of NAIFA (then the National Association of Life Underwriters) in 1957. He served as President of NAIFA-NE from 1965-1966 and as NAIFA's national President from 1975-1976. He was highly involved in NAIFA’s political advocacy in Washington, D.C., and his home state. He spoke at events across the country representing NAIFA and the industry. He was the keynote speaker at NAIFA’s national convention, hosting President Gerald Ford. In 1998, he was presented with the NAIFA-NE Distinguished Service Award.