Dave Skutnik has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1984 and today is eagerly helping his clients prepare for retirement while simultaneously enjoying the freedom that being your own boss has enabled him to have. Working from his lake-side home in Grand Island, NE, Dave credits this solely to his career as a financial advisor.

Carol Rappaport, CLU^®, ChFC^®, CLTC, is a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual and a loyal NAIFA member since 1983.

Carol began working in the clothing sales business at an early age. She enjoyed providing a customized service for her clients and helping them select items based on their style preferences. Her clients and friends recognized her talents and recommended that she consider outside sales opportunities, and more specifically, financial services. Initially, Carol thought, “I am more of a creative type of person, not a math person. Will I be able to do this well?” However, she remained open-minded and decided to give it a shot. After all, she had experience listening to clients and making recommendations and customizations based on their best interests.

Grace Staten, recently named the Women in Financial Services (WIFS) 2020 Woman of the Year, is the Vice President of Marketing for Coastal Wealth, and a loyal NAIFA member since 2013.

Staten says, “I was first introduced to the financial services business as an undergraduate by a volunteer at my college. She was a part-time career counselor who worked professionally as a financial advisor. Knowing that I wanted to major in business, she steered me toward finance and allowed me to be an assistant in her financial services office.”

Jose Rodriguez is the founder of Optimized Financial Brokerage Solutions and Insurance Services and a loyal NAIFA member since 2016.

Rodriguez was born in the United States and raised in Mexico. In 1979, when Rodriguez was eight years old, his father became ill. Upon recommendation, the family decided to take an extended vacation and moved to Mexico. Rodriguez says, “I am the first generation Mexican-American. When we moved to Mexico, I was bullied because I didn’t speak Spanish.” Years passed, and at the age of 17, Rodriguez decided to leave Mexico. He came to the United States, worked in fast-food restaurants, and went back to school to learn computer processing.

Rick Beyer is CEO and Founder of GoldBook Financial North Scottsdale benefits company, Managing Director with MassMutual, and a loyal NAIFA member since 2007.

Beyer relocated to Scottsdale, AZ, early on in his career. After spending several years in the mergers and acquisitions investment world, Beyer contacted each managing partner of the top mutual life insurers in town looking for a professional insurance role that would turn into a financial advisor role. He was highly interested in finding an agency with like-minded interests and values in the emerging marketplace. Eventually, he landed a position with Northwestern Mutual. He said, “I’m from Northern Wisconsin, and ironically, I found out that Northwestern Mutual was based in Wisconsin too.” Working with this company would allow him to fly back for business and get to see family too. He said, “It just seemed to fit.”

Glenn Crawford is a Financial Services Representative for Signature Resources in Pasadena, CA, and a loyal NAIFA member since 2015.

Crawford is a man who lives with intention and believes in being "a participant in life, not a spectator,” as evidenced by the fact that he is President-Elect NAIFA-Los Angeles. He is a lifelong learner who is passionate about impacting and empowering others.

Early in his career, Steven Saladino, RICP, LACP, LUTCF, took a very important step: He decided to become a member of NAIFA.

That step has turned out to be highly beneficial for Saladino. He is now a managing director with Principal Financial Group, the recipient of many accolades and awards, and a proud member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees.