Leaders Blog

Registration is now open for NAIFA's 2023 National Leadership Conference and Belong Awards Celebration on December 3-5 in Washington, D.C. Attendance at the 2023 NLC is crucial for all NAIFA leaders and future leaders. It is where we articulate our strategies for success and ensure we are in alignment as we move into year four of NAIFA's 2025 Strategic Plan. It is an event where we learn, grow, and inspire our peers for the betterment of our association, the entire community of insurance and financial advisors, and the consumers who rely on our products, services, and advice. The NLC is a direct call to action for NAIFA leaders. Your 2023 President, 2024 President, Membership Chair, Grassroots Chair(s), IFAPAC Chair, and Chapter Executive are all critical positions to have represented at NLC.

NAIFA- New Jersey was recently spotted for an upcoming Virtual Event on September 28th. This event will feature Rear Admiral Ted LeClair, Joey Davenport, CLU, CLF, and Michael Goldberg, CSP.

Reconnect with fellow NAIFA- New Jersey members and gather tips and tricks for your business!

We would like to recognize the following leaders for their participation in April Grassroots regional meetings during the second quarter of 2023! Be sure that your state attends our leadership calls to obtain the most current information. In order to accommodate schedules, leaders have the option to participate in one of three calls each month. Thanks to the chapters who were active participants in Q2. #NAIFAproud

California: Peter Buechler
Colorado: Katelyn Dain, Randy Ball
Idaho: Guy Stubbs, Garth Hassel, Emmalee Robison 
Illinois: Dennis Dean 
Iowa: Barry Delp
Kansas: Mike Holmes
Michigan: Kay Harless
Mississippi: Lee Owen
Missouri: Craig Wright
Montana: Dan Rust 
Nebraska: Mike Struebring, Michael Herring
Nevada: Neal Waters
New Mexico: Lynda Turner 
North Dakota: Kim Albert 
Oklahoma: Charlie Potts
Oregon: Kym Housley
Texas: John Wheeler, Jason Talley
Virginia: Tim Westerman

NAIFA's Governance Committee is currently accepting applications for the 2024 NAIFA Board of Trustees and/or Secretary through August 1, 2023.

NAIFA members who sit on the National Board of Trustees are either nominated and approved by the Governance Committee or appointed by the Committee. Members typically rise through the chairs at the local and then state levels before being selected to the National Board of Trustees.

We would like to recognize the following leaders for their participation in IFAPAC regional meetings during the second quarter of 2023! Be sure that your state attends our monthly calls to obtain the most current information. In order to accommodate schedules, leaders have the option to participate in one of three calls each month. Thanks to the chapters who were active participants in Q2. #NAIFAproud

Alabama: Jay Stubbs
Alaska: Andra Holmstrom
California: Michael Mares, John Nilmeier, Louis Brownstone, Alvin Parra
Delaware: Tony McDonald
Florida: Tom Henry, Scott Bunkers, Tom Ashley, Joseph Chalom, Scott Bunkers
Georgia: Debby Evans
Hawaii: Cynthia Takenaka
Idaho: Guy Stubbs
Illinois: Sara Decatoire, Dennis Dean
Indiana: Jim Hardee
Iowa: Barry Johnson, Wendy Speckerman, Craig Adamson, John Raley
Maine: Lisa Laliberte
Massachusetts: Mike Elcock, Mark Male, Connell Tarr, Joshua O'Gara
Michigan: Kay Harless
Minnesota: Corey Anderson
Mississippi: Priscilla King, Demetrius Bryant
Missouri: Benjamin LeCroy
Nebraska: Todd Gaswick, Joe Pittmann
Nevada: Jarod Morgan
New Jersey: Kris Dickson, Dan Irizarry, Dennis Cuccinelli
New Mexico: Edward Dunn, Lynda Turner
New York: David Schnall
North Carolina: Janice Stevens, Elie Aharon
Oklahoma: Dick Porter
Oregon: Paul Hagemann
South Dakota: Jennifer Soma
Texas: Bianca Alonso Weiss, John Wheeler, Joey Ussery
Utah: Tim Johnson
Virginia: Elizabeth Pate, Andrew Holt, Stephanie Sheridan, Cody Schoonover
Wisconsin: Laura DeGolier

NAIFA members, mark your calendars! The Q3 State of NAIFA webinar is scheduled for July 11th at 12 pm eastern. This third update of the year is an integral part of our commitment to keep you informed about our progress and the direction we're heading.

NAIFA is the one and only association that was founded in 1890. NAIFA is the one and only association that is advocating for Main Street USA Consumers. NAIFA is the one and only association representing the entire insurance and financial services industry.

As a loyal NAIFA member, you know your membership fees go to fund state, interstate, and federal advocacy and that your practice is protected by professional lobbyists and members trained in grassroots advocacy. But what about all of the insurance and financial advisors who are NOT members? That's where we need you! Help NAIFA Nation have a louder voice this summer as we meet with our lawmakers during August In-District meetings by recruiting new members.

During Congressional Conference, NAIFA launched a new member recognition program called Triangle Team to recognize our members that are engaged in membership, grassroots, and IFAPAC. Triangle Team members are utilizing their NAIFA membership to keep Main Street USA strong!

NAIFA's Congressional Conference, May 22-23 in Washington, D.C., is our signature grassroots advocacy event. To maximize our influence on Capitol Hill, we need to maximize attendance at this amazing event. There is still time to make your travel plans and join us. We strongly urge all NAIFA leaders to encourage colleagues in the industry to attend. We would specifically like to ensure we have representation from Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. These are the only states without representation. Encourage your peers from those states to help us fill our roster! Curious as to who else will be representing their state? Check out the Who's Coming List.

SECURE 2.0 is here, but what does that mean for your clients' retirement and estate planning? On Tuesday, May 9, from 12 pm to 3 pm eastern, join NAIFA and the Society of Financial Service Professionals for an Advanced Practice Center live virtual event, as three industry experts discuss the impact of SECURE 2.0, what it means for your clients, and why now is the best time to prepare.