NAIFA has recognized more than 1,000 recipients of the 2021 NAIFA Quality Awards (NQA). NAIFA Quality Awards recognize the best of our membership, the hallmark of outstanding client care for advisors. Originally created in 1945 as the National Quality Award, the award focused on recognizing outstanding performance for life insurance agents. While the award has been updated and modernized, the NQA still adheres to its core foundation, to focus on quality of care and not only on production numbers.  

Apex is NAIFA’s new signature event focused on providing innovative sales and marketing ideas to financial services professionals who serve individuals, families, and small businesses across the United States. The new brand reflects the concept of a “race to the top” to target those advisors who seek continuous improvement in increasing production and providing financial security to more Americans. The inaugural Apex event will be August 16-18 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.

NAIFA and Chalice Network™ have completed an educational and affinity partnership agreement, under which Chalice Network will provide the Marketplace and Succession Link to NAIFA members. Additionally, Chalice Network and NAIFA will collaborate on blog posts, webinars, and other content within NAIFA’s Business Performance Center that focuses on agency and firm-level practice management.

NAIFA is pleased to announce that Wall Street Financial, Inc. in Carlinville, Marion, and Bloomington IL, and a location in Memphis, TN, has become a NAIFA 100% Agency. Under the membership program, Wall Street Financial, Inc has enrolled all of its advisors as NAIFA members and enrolled them in NAIFA’s grassroots advocacy programs.

NAIFA has announced that it will hold its 2022 Congressional Congress in-person May 23-24 in Washington, D.C. The event will feature targeted advocacy training with briefings on legislative issues that affect members’ businesses and the clients they serve. Expert presenters will offer best practices for conducting Congressional meetings and tips for developing impactful long-term relationships with legislators.

NAIFA is pleased to announce that its 2022 State Chapter Presidents have taken office as of January 1. State Presidents provide leadership for their states’ advocacy team, drive their states’ grassroots influence, build participation in NAIFA state legislative days and send state representatives to NAIFA’s annual Congressional Conference in Washington, D.C.

Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, Managing Director and Director of Insurance and Advance Sales, at Fortis Lux Financial, in Melville, NY, (loyal member since 1990) is the 2022 President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). Bryon Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, President of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, FL, (loyal member since 1987) is President-Elect, Thomas M. Cothron, LUTCF, Agency Manager with Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company in Ocala, FL, (loyal member since 1981) is Secretary, and Brock Jolly, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CLTC, CASL, CFBS, of Veritas Financial LLC/MassMutual Financial Group in McLean, VA, (loyal member since 2001) is Treasurer. Thomas O. Michel, LACP, Managing Director of Michel Financial Group in Los Angeles (loyal member since 1986) will continue his service as Immediate Past President.

NAIFA has announced the completion of its 2021 Business Implementation Plan that is phase one of its 2025 Strategic Plan, and the release of its new Business Implementation Plan for 2022. The 2025 Strategic Plan builds on the NAIFA 20/20 plan penned in 2016 that navigated the organization through a complete restructure of its chapters and overhaul of its bylaws.

The winner of NAIFA-CA's Norman G. Levine Distinguished Service Award is Jill M. Judd, LUTCF, FSS, RICP. Judd is a Past President of NAIFA-CA and NAIFA-National. She has been a State Farm Agent serving her community in Capitola, California, for the past 20 years.

On December 6, 2021, NAIFA partner OneAmerica announced strategic leadership changes in its Individual Life and Financial Services (ILFS) line of business aimed at strengthening distribution, recruiting, and business development operations. By building upon its leadership core, the ILFS business is well-positioned to effectively execute on its distribution vision focused on accelerated growth and operational excellence.

New ILFS appointments include: 

• Chris Coudret, vice president, Career and Independent Brokerage 
• Kristin Dorm, vice president, Agency Growth and Development 
• David Junker, vice president, Business Development 

Jeff Levin, vice president, Care Solutions Distribution