Many NAIFA members demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and excel at building relationships, furthering their education, and adhereing to high standards of ethics in their personal and professional lives. If this sounds like a NAIFA colleague of yours, we encourage you to nominate them for the Kenneth Black, Jr. Leadership Award. The Society of Financial Service Professionals (now NAIFA's FSP community) established the Kenneth Black, Jr. Leadership Award in 2005 to differentiate one outstanding member each year who epitomizes FSP’s core values of education, ethics, and relationships.

It is with great sadness that NAIFA shares news of the passing of Past President Richard A. Koob, AEP, CASL, ChFC, CLU, who passed away at his home in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. He led NAIFA as the association’s national President during the 2002-2003 term and served as the Life Happens Board Chair in 2008. 

Dick Koob began his career as a student-agent with Northwestern Mutual in 1967 and joined NAIFA on his first day on the job. He later became a full-time agent, transferred to the Northwestern Mutual home office to serve as a recruiter, and then returned to the field as a senior financial representative. He received the NAIFA Quality Award for 40 consecutive years and qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table over a similar span. He held more than 75 positions on numerous MDRT committees, including chair of five committees and Divisional Vice President twice.

He was the President of NAIFA-Waukesha for 1979-1980 and NAIFA-Wisconsin for 1987-1988. He joined the NAIFA-National Board of Trustees in 1996 and was elected Secretary in 2000. As NAIFA President, he formed and led NAIFA’s 2002 Transformation Task Force, which developed a strategic plan focused on delivering legislative advocacy and bottom-line benefits for NAIFA members. Koob was politically involved and active. He chaired the NAIFA-Wisconsin Committee on Political Action for many years and ranked as an IFAPAC Two-Star General based on his lifetime contribution total. He served on Rep. Paul Ryan’s Financial Services and Insurance Advisory Board.

In 2013 at NAIFA’s annual conference in San Antonio, Koob received the John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the insurance and financial service industry’s highest and most prestigious honor.   

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is thrilled to announce that Kathleen Owings has been named the 2024 Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. This award celebrates outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact within the financial advisory industry, recognizing individuals who exemplify the highest standards of excellence.

Kathleen Owings, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000, began her career as an active-duty officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, earning the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. She served at Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Carson, Colorado; and overseas on multiple tours of duty.

Kathleen began her career in the financial services industry in 2007 and is one of the owners of Westbilt Financial Group in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She truly believes that being a financial advisor is her calling, not just a job. Kathleen is also the author of Put Your Money to Work: A Woman's Guide to Financial Confidence, empowering women to take control of their financial futures.

The award recognizes NAIFA members who achieve extraordinary professional success before age 40 and will be awarded at the combined Apex and National Leadership Conference in September 2024.

One of the great things about NAIFA is that it gives insurance and financial professionals opportunities to network and share ideas with the best of the best. Our Apex event and National Leadership Conference attract top professionals and volunteer leaders from across our association and across the country.

This year, Apex and NLC (including the popular Belong awards gala) are combined as spectacular three-day event, September 19-21, at the Arizona Biltmore. Don’t miss out. Register today!

Lynne Franklin is a persuasion expert, leadership communication consultant, coach, author, and TEDx speaker. As a neuroscience nerd, she studies how the brain works and how to use the findings to better connect with anyone and lead without manipulation. Since the inception of her communications practice in 1993, Lynne has worked with organizations that want to use persuasive communication skills to increase their performance, productivity, and profits. 

NAIFA’s Committee on Governance has nominated Christopher L. Gandy, LACP, Founder of the Midwest Legacy Group in Lisle, IL, to be the 2024 NAIFA Secretary. A current member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees, Gandy has been a loyal NAIFA member since 2003. As incoming Secretary, Gandy will be in line to serve as President-Elect in 2025 and President in 2026.

If it’s Tuesday after business hours, you’ll probably find Jennifer Hodges, LACP, CIC, at the local American Legion post in her regular place at the $10 poker game she’s been a part of for the past five years. But if you ask her about her poker face, she might hesitate.

The firms' advisors join the #1 professional association for financial security professionals and prepare to participate in NAIFA’s unmatched state and federal advocacy success under an agency-wide membership program.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to announce that Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, FL, has become a NAIFA 100% Agency. Under the membership program, all advisors within Bryon Holz & Associates became NAIFA members and active participants in NAIFA’s grassroots advocacy programs at the state and federal levels.