June Is National Annuity Awareness Month

In 1999, Panos Leledakis was in Greece studying to be a lawyer when he met a manager in the insurance business who convinced him to try financial advising part-time. After six months, he says, he fell in love with the profession and decided to make it his career.  

Jeremie Latremore, CIC, grew up in the insurance industry. His grandparents started an insurance agency in 1965 that his father and uncle went on to work for, but Jeremie didn’t plan on joining the family business until he realized in college, “insurance was in my blood.”

Marc Kiner, CPA, is a co-founder of the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA^®) Certificate program and a new NAIFA member as of early March.

Over his three-decade career as a CPA, Kiner grew increasingly interested in the inner workings of Social Security benefits. In 2008, he bought three books on Social Security, read them cover to cover, and emerged with more questions than answers. So, he sought out an expert and was referred to Jim Blair, then the District Manager of the Piqua, OH, Social Security office. Blair worked for SSA for 35 years before retiring on December 31, 2010.

When Barbara Micheletti, MS, Gerontologist, became a business insurance advisor in 2006, she brought with her a unique skillset. She has a background in Gerontology and is well-versed in the challenges—both financial and emotional—that aging issues present to individuals and families.

Jennifer B. Barthol, CEP, has been in the financial services industry since 1986 but found her niche working with estate planning attorneys and CPAs as a paralegal. Now, she’s a certified estate planner and helps her clients find solutions that fit their life-long goals. 

While attending college, Gregory Fat had an opportunity to intern with a financial advisor and saw firsthand how advisors play an essential role and are an extension of the families they work with. Throughout his internship, he helped form complex trusts, developed estate plans, and ensured appropriate insurance coverage for high-net-worth families. To provide the best possible outcomes for clients, Fat understood that he had to become an expert on the vast landscape of financial products and tools available within the industry.

With almost 30 years in financial services, there is one aspect of the industry that John Profitlich understands very well: every day is a new market. This key understanding is what keeps him motivated to deliver customized banking and lending solutions to financial professionals as Director and Northeast Regional Business Development Officer for The Bancorp Institutional Banking business.

Though Dustin Carnevale’s career did not begin in the financial industry, he always found himself extremely interested in monitoring the market and keeping up with financial news. It was only when he became involved in financial literacy education efforts through his earlier professional roles that his eyes were opened to the need for trained, objective fiduciaries to help those who are not sure where to start achieving their financial goals. This helped drive Carnevale to leave his established career in marketing and pursue his interest in finances to help fill a gap in the industry where his communication skills were needed and valued.  

If you ask Derek Glitz what he likes most about working in financial services, he’ll answer that it’s the people he works with. Specifically, he enjoys assisting financial advisors and insurance agents to reach their maximum potential and help their clients realize their retirement dreams.

If you ask Abdullah Rajput what motivates him to excel in financial services, he’ll tell you it’s his clients. “The interaction I have with my clients is my favorite part of my job. Many of my clients have turned into friends, which drives me to provide the best service in the industry.”