The Insurance Scene 

Park Ridge, Ill.-based The Million Dollar Round Table Foundation Haiti Disaster Relief Fund presented a second grant for $93,000 on Aug. 19, through global charity Mercy Ships, Garden Valley, Texas. MDRT members and industry partners donated the funds to support Haitians following the devastating earthquake earlier this year.   

“The need for medical care in Haiti following the earthquake has been immense and will exist for years,” said Sally W. Munford, MSFS, CLU, Foundation immediate past president. “Mercy Ships has teams in Haiti on a regular basis to provide health care and help rebuild the country’s medical infrastructure.”

Munford presented the check to Virginia Lind, LUTCF, ChFC, a 15-year MDRT member who has been involved with Mercy Ships since 2003. Lind is shown at left in the image.

Previously, MDRT presented a grant to Heifer International, Little Rock, Ark., in July. 

About MDRT and the MDRT Foundation:

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide its members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the MDRT Foundation has donated more than $26 million to charitable organizations serving people in 67 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Starting in 2003, thanks to the Million Dollar Promise Appeal, the MDRT Foundation has awarded at least $1 million in grants a year. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members from MDRT members. The mission of the MDRT Foundation is to increase member and industry participation and to give funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world. www.mdrtfoundation.org.

The annual tournament that brings Iowa’s top professional and amateur golfers together was held Aug. 20-22 at Lake Panorama National (LPN) near Panora. The Brokers International Ltd. Iowa Open drew 108 players to the course that previously hosted the tournament from 1985 to 1998.

Zack Vervaecke of Grimes, head golf professional at Jester Park Golf Course near Granger, won the tournament with a three-day total of 205. Vervaecke shot 66 the first and third days, with a 73 the second day. He earned a $7,000 check for the win.

“I was about as nervous today as I’ve ever been playing golf,” Vervaecke said, following an awards presentation on the 18^th green. “I’ve never been a part of anything like this. Everyone connected with the tournament – the spectators, the volunteers, the other players – have been wonderful.”

Second place went to Sean McCarty, head pro at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. McCarty was two strokes behind Vervaecke, and won $4,800. Mark Rohde of Marshalltown won the senior division with a final score of 214, earning a $2,258 check. The addition in 2010 of a senior division was one of the new enhancements for the annual tournament.

Prize money for the 2010 tournament increased significantly with Brokers International Ltd. as the title sponsor. The total purse for the open division was $37,575, with more than $7,000 awarded in the senior division. A contract between the Iowa Section PGA and Brokers International Ltd. signed in July 2009 brings the tournament to Lake Panorama National for at least five years. The Panora insurance marketing company committed $25,000 annually to the event, the largest single sponsor contribution in the history of the Iowa Open.

When the contract was signed more than a year ago, Brokers International Ltd. founder and CEO Roger McCarty said the Brokers International Ltd. Iowa Open would be a “first class operation. We’re going to do it right, and do some things that haven’t been done before at this tournament.”

On the second day of the tournament, McCarty announced he was personally increasing the prize money another $2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second place in the open division, plus $500 for first and $300 for second in the senior division.

While the three-day tournament for professionals and amateurs was the main event, a pro-am tournament Aug. 19 also generated plenty of interest with 31 teams competing. A “draw party” was held at Lake Panorama’s Boulder Beach, as names of 31 pros were drawn to match with the amateur teams.

Besides Broker International Ltd., five additional corporate sponsors each committed $5,000 to help cover tournament expenses. Those were Allianz, American Equity, Aviva, Menadue Development, which owns The Port and Lakeside Inn on Lake Panorama, and People’s Trust and Savings Bank.

Transamerica Life & Protection, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is promoting Pete Adkins to president, agency distribution. Adkins is now overseeing Little Rock, Ark.-based Transamerica Family Markets, Cedar Rapids-based Life Investors Financial Group Inc., Alliance Marketing, National Bond and Trust, the Baltimore-based Career Agency, First Command and Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. in Florida.

“Pete is an asset to our organization and will do a great job in leading our Agency Distribution business group,” says John Hunter, Chief Financial Officer for Transamerica Life & Protection.   “Since joining our organization in 2008, he has streamlined operations, increased efficiencies and consistently exceeded sales goals.”

Agency distribution, a marketing unit of Transamerica Life & Protection, is focused on meeting the financial services needs of the middle market and small businesses through in-person consulting.

Transamerica Life & Protection division includes business operations of affiliated AEGON companies offering life and health insurance as well as financial products.   

AEGON is an international life insurance, pension and investment company based in The Hague, the Netherlands, with businesses spanning over 20 markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia.  AEGON companies employ approximately 28,000 people and have over 40 million global customers.  For more information on the AEGON companies log onto www.aegonins.com.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) recently announced that Patricia McLaughlin has joined the company as vice president, Interactive Media & Communications.

With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, McLaughlin is responsible for building the Guardian brand and facilitating a greater online presence for the company through digital communications including social media initiatives. She will report to Guardian senior vice president and Chief Communications Officer Richard Jones.

“Patricia’s extensive experience with strategic branding and her thorough understanding of the insurance industry make her particularly well-suited to provide leadership for integrated brand communications across all platforms,” Jones said.

McLaughlin’s prior experience includes creating and implementing integrated marketing and brand programs at such companies as Oxford Health, AXA Equitable and most recently at AIG, where she was director of Global Branding.

McLaughlin is a graduate of Manhattanville College with a degree in English literature and she holds a master’s of business administration from Fordham Graduate School of Business Administration. She is licensed in life, accident and health insurance.

New York Life was inspired to join forces with Hasbro to combine their unique interests in ‘life’ in a fun, appealing way. The result is the New York Life edition of the Game of Life. The New York Life edition offers all of the important life decisions included in the original with the addition of important life insurance decisions.

New York Life is the only business outside the entertainment industry to create its own unique version of The Game of Life, originally created in 1860, which simulates a person's travels through his or her life, from college to retirement, with jobs, marriages and children (or not) along the way.

In the New York Life edition, each of the boxes on the board are proprietary to New York Life and the game focuses on the concepts of saving for retirement, the importance of life insurance, different investment choices, the benefits of long-term care insurance and guaranteed lifetime income. The overall message is that by building a sound financial foundation, consumers will be well-prepared to handle life’s financial storms.

After updating her first book an amazing 15 times, noted LTCI trainer Phyllis Shelton of LTC Consultants has just released her second book, Phyllis Shelton’s Worksite Long-Term Care Insurance Toolbox.

Shelton, who tells Life Insurance Selling she has been “slammed” lately getting ready for her 2010 LTCI Worksite and Combo Product Fall Tour, says the book is full of “100% practical” information with lots of fun and humor.

She says the book is full of do-it-yourself info based on real worksite enrollments in which she has been directly involved over the past seven years. Readers will learn why worksite LTCI is the key that unlocks the most doors to LTCI sales, how to get from the gatekeepers to the decision makers, and which groups jump at the chance to offer LTCI.

The American College, the nation’s leading financial services educator, recently named Peter C. Browne, LUTCF, co-founder of Price Raffel and Browne of New York as the recipient of this year’s Samuel H. Weese Award. Browne has had an exemplary career spanning nearly four decades – as a manager and leading producer representing Union Central Life, a UNIFI Company – and as a leader in organizations vital to our industry. This award honors Browne’s long-term generosity and voluntary service to The American College and its advancement efforts.

“Peter embodies all of the best qualities of our graduates. He is a shining example of how one individual, dedicated to making a difference, can make a tremendous impact on the financial services industry and the professional educational programs that lead to personal success,” said Charles (Tip) Cronin III, CLU, CAP, Senior Vice President of Advancement and The Foundation’s Chief Staff Officer. “We are proud to call him one of our alumni.”

Browne received the Weese Award during The American College’s semi-annual Foundation Board meeting in late June. Albert J. “Bud” Schiff, CLU, CEO, NYLEX Benefits, American College Trustee and Chairman of the Foundation Board’s Recognition and Stewardship Committee officiated at the presentation. In his remarks, Schiff recognized Browne’s nine years of service as a Trustee of The American College, and his service on the Executive and Certification committees. Browne currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board and was instrumental in the creation and funding of the Larry R. Pike Chair in Insurance and Investments, sponsored by the Union Central Life Insurance Company.

He has a long and distinguished career in the financial services industry. Browne has served as the President of the New York State Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NYSAIFA) and of its New York City chapter (NYCAIFA). He is the immediate past Treasurer and past Trustee of the Board of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Browne recently completed a nine-year stint as a member of The American College’s Board of Trustees and served on the Executive Committee for six of those nine years. He is also a past Trustee of the National Board of the Life Underwriters Training Council (LUTC). In addition, he is a Past Trustee of GAMA International and a Past President of its New York City chapter.

He holds the distinction of Top of the Table membership in the Million Dollar Round Table for the past 25 consecutive years and has received several awards in the profession, including the Spencer L. McCarty Award (NYSAIFA); the Julian S. Myrick Award (NYCAIFA); the President's Leadership Award (NYCAIFA); and the Ralph G. Englesman Award (New York City Life Managers).

The Farmington Company recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary serving employers, employees and benefits consultants nationwide. Shown from left are Executive Vice President Brad Collins, Vice President, Sales Doug Mantz, Senior Vice President Carol Rosenblatt and President Bob Burke.

The company was founded in 1980 by Burke and Collins on three core principles, which are to provide:

• Partnership with benefits brokers and consultants to better serve their clients
• Ongoing, high-quality products and services to employers and their employees
• Unique administrative services to make it easy for employers to offer a comprehensive voluntary benefits program

Today, The Farmington Company is one of the country’s largest firms providing voluntary benefit and benefits communication/enrollment/administrative services. The company staffs over 100 employees at its corporate headquarters in Farmington, Conn., and provides coverage nationally through its regional offices.

The Farmington Company now serves over 1,000 employers representing a variety of sectors, including health care, education, manufacturing, retail and municipalities. The company’s focus on service and support has allowed it to maintain many long-standing client relationships dating as far back as 30 years.

The Farmington Company has remained an independent entity throughout its history, allowing it to obtain best-in-class products for its clients and their employees. And as the voluntary benefits industry has grown over the past 30 years, so too has the company’s product portfolio. Today, The Farmington Company’s menu of products features Life Insurance, Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Cancer, Long Term Care and many more. In addition, the company is consistently recognized as a top national producer for a number of voluntary insurance carriers.

“We are grateful to have reached this significant milestone,” Burke said. “We could not have achieved it without the support of our client employers, employees, producers and carriers. Our sincere thanks to them for granting us the privilege of serving them, and we look forward to continuing to do so in the years to come. And, of course, I’d also like to express my appreciation to our dedicated staff for all of their contributions to our growth and success.”

ING recently hired Bruce Wallace as senior vice president and head of its Strategic Distribution channel for its U.S. life insurance business. In his new role, he is responsible for recruitment and sales for the company’s closely aligned sales channel. Previously, Wallace served as a managing general agent for Nationwide Financial Network, where he was responsible for sales in the Eastern U.S. He reports to Dan Mulheran, head of ING Life Distribution.

“Bruce has all the attributes we have been searching for in a candidate to build and grow the ING Strategic Distribution channel,” said Mulheran. “He has the ability to lead the ING sales team, motivate our distributors and inspire ING Strategic Distribution to new heights.”

Prior to Nationwide, Wallace built two successful financial services agencies with Guardian Life and New York Life. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1980. Wallace holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 66, 6, 63 licenses and is a member of GAMA International and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Financial services industry leaders recently joined forces to help promote the education and advancement of African-American financial professionals. Led by The American College and founding and platinum sponsor MetLife, the Fifth Annual Conference for African-American Financial Professionals was held on June 3-4, 2010 at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.

Shown in the picture participating in a panel discussion at the event are, from left, Clyde Hill, ChFC, State Farm Insurance Companies, Pierre L. Greene, Northwestern Mutual and Eric M. Nation, New York Life.

This was the first time that so many leading companies came together to promote continuing education and diversity. Gold sponsors of the event included the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Prudential. Nationwide, New York Life, Penn Mutual, State Farm and Western & Southern Life, a member of Western & Southern Financial Group, were Silver-level sponsors.

During the two-day event, participants had the opportunity to network and learn from other successful African-American professionals and attend workshops led by powerful leaders throughout the industry.

The conference theme was “Empower Yourself: Commit to Your Education, Connect to Your Future.”

Larry Barton, Ph.D., president and CEO of The American College, said the institution was delighted to host the groundbreaking event for the fifth year. “The support The American College and MetLife have received from leading organizations throughout the industry speaks volumes about the importance our profession places on education and its ability to empower African-American financial services professionals.”

“As the founding and presenting sponsor of this progressive initiative, MetLife is proud that the industry is coming together to promote this important educational event,” said Michael Vietri, CLU, Executive Vice President of MetLife. “Financial services organizations are increasingly aware that their workforce needs to reflect the diversity of their customer base. The companies that took part in this year’s event clearly recognize the importance of providing an opportunity for African-American professionals to share best practices and network with their peers.”

Thomas McLeary, CLU, President of Endow, Incorporated and Trustee at The American College, delivered the opening remarks. Among the featured presenters were ShirleyAnn M. Robertson of the Prudential Insurance Company of America, Ross Shafer, Motivational Speaker and Business Innovation Seminar Leader, and Cheryl D. Creuzot, CFP, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Development Strategies.

For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu.

The Lifeline Program recently announced that veteran investment banker Scott Sanders has joined the company as head of capital markets. He is directing the company’s efforts to sell pools of life settlement portfolios to institutional buyers including pension funds, private equity groups and hedge funds. Interest in life insurance settlement portfolios from institutional, tertiary markets is on the rise, according to company executives.

“We are pleased to add Scott Sanders to our talented and growing executive team,” said Wm. Scott Page, president and CEO of the Lifeline Program. “His knowledge of the relationship between life settlements and the capital markets is unmatched, and his vast contacts will be invaluable to our company.”

Prior to joining the Lifeline Program, Sanders spent nearly 15 years in strategic consulting and structured finance. Most recently, he ran his own independent investment banking firm, where he managed private equity and venture capital engagements within the life settlement market among many others. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

“As the life settlement market exits a tumultuous two-year period, there are many unique opportunities for fund and asset managers, and even securitization has re-entered the conversation,” said Sanders. “Properly structured pools, comprised of rigorously underwritten policies, are offering increasingly compelling return characteristics.”

The Lifeline Program recently announced that it has launched a new initiative which expands its funding capacity. With access to new, proprietary capital, the company has begun purchasing life insurance policies on a large scale to package portfolios for sale into the tertiary markets.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) recently announced it is distributing $125,000 to eligible non-profit organizations through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. Organizations receive a grant based on the volunteer efforts and the commitment of the MassMutual financial professionals who work with them.

This year marks the first time a $25,000 Volunteer of the Year Award will be granted along with 10, $10,000 grants to organizations across the country.

The Volunteer of the Year grant was awarded to Alberto “Tico” Gutierrez of MassMutual’s Miami agency, Linq Financial Group, Inc., for his work with the Switchboard of Miami Inc. The Switchboard is a comprehensive telephone crisis counseling, suicide prevention, information and referral service for Miami-Dade County. The Volunteer of the Year grant is awarded on behalf of a financial professional with an outstanding dedication to volunteerism.

“I am surprised and thrilled. The Switchboard impacts so many people in our community. With cuts to social service programs becoming more commonplace, this is a real boost,” said Gutierrez, adding that Switchboard programming keeps housebound elderly connected with a hotline and works to eradicate domestic violence among other social ills.

MassMutual’s Assistant Vice President of Community Responsibility, Nick Fyntrilakis, said the award matches Gutierrez efforts as an integral volunteer for several years.

“At MassMutual we encourage our financial professionals and employees to volunteer and be active members of their community, but we also want to make a point of acknowledging one professional who goes above and beyond for their community,” he said, noting that Gutierrez was hauling cases of water to a Switchboard golf benefit when he received the news he had won. “We are proud of all our financial professionals who dedicate their time to charitable organizations and are pleased to contribute these funds to assist the many good works of non-profit organizations across the country.”

Each CSA award recognizes the many selfless hours of volunteer time members of MassMutual’s sales force put in during the year to improve their communities. MassMutual has contributed more than $1 million to charitable organizations across the country since the program’s inception in 1996.

The CSA program is just one of many philanthropic programs sponsored by MassMutual in support of non-profit organizations where its financial professionals volunteer. Last year, MassMutual contributed nearly $800,000 in Community Service Award grants and matching gift donations to organizations across the country in honor of its sales force.

The following financial professionals have been awarded grants for their local non-profit organizations:

Alberto Gutierrez, Switchboard of Miami, Inc., Miami; William Haycox Jr., Virginia Gentleman Foundation Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.; David Howell, Autism Society of Middle Tennessee, Nashville; Thomas Hayes, Family Promise of Nassau County, Woodbury, N.Y.; Joseph Sparacio, Breast Treatment Task Force,Woodbury, N.Y.; Jeffrey Dollarhide, Homeward Bound, Phoenix; William Costello, Harbor House of Rochester, Inc.; Rochester, N.Y.; Gerald Radican, Jill’s House, Inc., Vienna, Va.; Ali Barghelame, The Bridge Project/University of Denver, Denver; Ryan Platt, Arc of Mecklenburg County Inc., Charlotte, N.C.; and Jim Chapel, CHOC Foundation, Orange, Calif.

This fall, actress Leslie Bibb will partner with the nonprofit LIFE Foundation by serving as the national spokesperson for Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM). Bibb, whose recent credits include roles in films such as Iron Man 2, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, will share her story of how life insurance benefited her family after her father died in a work-related accident at age 39. After the accident, Bibb’s mother was faced with having to raise four girls on her own. Her mother continued to work to provide for her daughters, but her financial situation was greatly eased by the proceeds from her husband’s life insurance. With money not being a major concern, Bibb’s mother was able to focus on keeping the family together and meeting her daughters’ everyday needs.

“My father never thought he’d die at such a young age, but he loved his family enough to expect the unexpected,” said Bibb. “His life insurance was his legacy of love to our family, allowing us to carry on with our lives and to continue living. Some people think it’s morbid to anticipate the worst. Well, sometimes the worst happens and thankfully for my family, my father had planned ahead. I’m proud to be working with the LIFE Foundation to share my story and to encourage Americans to plan for the ‘what ifs’ in life.”

Beginning in August, Bibb’s story will be broadcast nationally in TV and radio public service announcements (PSAs). The PSAs will also be available on LIFE’s Web site during the September campaign at www.lifehappens.org.

In addition to engaging Bibb, LIFE will coordinate a variety of communications and marketing efforts leading up to and throughout LIAM to get Americans thinking about their need for life insurance. LIFE’s theme for the 2010 campaign will be the “Wonders of Life,” a theme it first introduced during LIAM 2009.

“People work very hard to provide a good life for their loved ones, and they don’t want that quality of life to come to a halt if something were to happen to them,” said Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation. “The ‘Wonders of Life’ theme is all about making sure your family will have the kind of life you always hoped they’d have, even if you’re not around to witness it.”

The LIFE Foundation has a microsite, located at www.wondersoflife.org, where consumers can learn how life insurance can help preserve the quality of life of their loved ones. The site also contains links to useful resources, such as a Life Insurance Needs Calculator to help consumers determine how much life insurance they might need (www.lifehappens.org/lifecalculator).

The Board of Directors for LL Global, parent company for LIMRA and LOMA, announced that Robert Kerzner will remain president and CEO of LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global for an additional five years.

“Over the past six years, Bob has made a tremendous impact on the value and relevancy of LIMRA; and following the merger with LOMA, his leadership has helped to strengthen both organizations,” said Dayton Moldendorp, chairman, president and CEO of OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.; and LL Global chairman. “We are so pleased to have Bob continue at the helm of this organization. This provides both stability and significant opportunity for LL Global that is good for both the organization, and the industry.”

Since joining LIMRA in 2004, Kerzner has greatly influenced both the organization and the industry as a whole. Under his leadership, the value of products and services LIMRA offered to member companies has improved as has the financial situation of the organization. Following the 2006 acquisition of research and consulting group Kenneth Kehrer Associates, Kerzner was instrumental in the successful merger with LOMA in 2008, which established LL Global. From the beginning of the integration process through the day-to-day running of the business, Kerzner has guided the two individual organizations into one seamless team, creating financial stability and expanding the breadth and depth of products and services.

In addition to revitalizing the research and services offered by both LIMRA and LOMA, Kerzner guided the remarkable growth and reach of their international business units, which today includes significant in-language and in-country services for its members and extends to more than 73 countries worldwide. Under his stewardship, both LIMRA and LOMA expand and revolutionize their business strategies — transforming the definition of what a trade association is.

Prior to joining LIMRA, Kerzner had a long and successful career at The Hartford. His 30-year career there culminated with Kerzner becoming executive vice president and head of the individual life division. Kerzner also led The Hartford into affiliated distribution with the acquisition of Woodbury Financial Services, a national broker-dealer organization with more than 1,800 independent representatives. Kerzner served as president of Woodbury following the acquisition.

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) recently honored John J. Nelson as recipient of the Harold R. Gordon Award at its 80th annual convention in Chicago.

NAHU annually awards the industry’s greatest accolade, the Harold R. Gordon Memorial Award, which recognizes the recipient as the industry’s “Person of the Year.” The recipient is selected by a special committee of past award recipients that carefully reviews individuals nominated for their contributions made to the industry.

“John Nelson sets the example of outstanding leadership and dedication to making a positive change in the health insurance industry,” said Janet Trautwein, CEO of NAHU. “Not only has he been a champion with legislative and educational efforts in the health insurance industry, but he has also been an advisor and friend to senators, association presidents and even the newest professionals. Every American consumer needs an advocate like John in their corner, and luckily for them, he has had a hand in educating thousands of health insurance professionals.”

Nelson served in various leadership positions within Health Underwriters, including national president from 2005-2006. During his tenure on the national board, he worked closely with a number of committees including media relations and membership. He also helped create the Industry Relations Committee so that NAHU could work with carriers, state and regulatory authorities, and other industry organizations on issues that impact both consumers and agents.

“My involvement with NAHU has always been with my family’s and our employees’ full support and encouragement. Their heartfelt commitment to NAHU and our industry has been foundational for me,” Nelson said. “The NAHU family consists of some of the finest and most devoted people I know.”

He is co-chief executive officer of Warner Pacific Insurance Services, one of the nation’s largest health insurance general agencies, where he works with his partners who are also his father and brother. Nelson has consistently contributed resources to a variety of charities and is a recipient of a Paul Harris Rotary award. He lives in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and has two sons.

Industry leader Phyllis Shelton, President of LTC Consultants, will appear on Lifetime Television’s The Balancing Act on July 14 at 7 a.m. EST to set the record straight that the issue of long-term care is not solely a financial problem. It’s first and foremost a threat to family relationships, with the burden particularly falling on women.

“The caregiving tsunami that is about to hit this country could be the greatest threat to everything women have accomplished in the workplace. The age 55 segment of the workforce in the United States is the fastest growing segment, and that’s when women typically hit their peak earning years with the career they’ve worked so hard to build. It’s also primetime for becoming a caregiver, but it can happen much earlier,” says Shelton.

“Most people don’t realize that one-third of care recipients who are impaired enough to collect benefits on a long-term care insurance policy are under age 65,” Shelton points out. “It is never too soon to talk to your spouse, parents, in-laws, or any extended family members you think you may wind up taking care of about planning for long term care,” states Shelton. “Without a plan in place, the pressure of paying for caregiving, both with time and money, can rob your family of important lifestyle choices such as being able to pursue the career of your dreams, provide a child’s college education, or fund your own retirement.”

A recent Age Wave/Harris survey backs up her opinion. When asked about the most important reason to plan for long-term care, consumers said they are twice as concerned about being a burden on their families as about protecting their assets. They also named emotional strain as the greatest worry about becoming a caregiver, even more than the financial sacrifice.

The impact that caregiving can have on this country is astonishing. Women make up almost half of the workforce in the United States. Since most long-term care is at home and over two-thirds of the caregivers are women, employers are looking at a huge loss of productivity if their female employees aren’t able to rely on long-term care insurance to pay for caregivers when a spouse, parent or adult child needs extended care. “That is why it is so important for employers to include long-term care insurance in their benefit offerings so that it is available to employees and their families at age 18 and up,” added Shelton.

As part of her commitment to The Balancing Act viewers, Shelton has written a handbook called “Long-Term Care Insurance Made Easy” that also explains the CLASS Act, the long-term care initiative that is in President Obama’s health care reform program. A free download of the handbook is available at www.ltcconsultants.com.

The Balancing Act is Lifetime Television’s early morning show for women, with a reach of over 2 million people nationwide through the television show and online newsletter.

Employees and agents from New York Life Insurance Company’s Boston General Office recently participated in the company’s second Global Month of Service to champion the Supporting Youth Worldwide theme. Pictured are New York Life volunteers that supported their community partner, Weymouth Public Schools by cheering on the students from the special needs groups in the district who participated in the Special Olympics Massachusetts. Additionally, volunteers contributed time to the Friends of the Walpole Community Athletic Complex, Inc., assisted with a silent auction benefitting Boston Medical Center Corporation, participated in the Ronald McDonald Walk; helped set up and run a Playworks, Inc. 5K and Spinal Muscular Atrophy walk.

Strategies for Wealth, with offices in Manhattan, Rye Brook, and Woodbury, N.Y., has won Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America’s 2010 President’s Cup top sales award for the 15th time, a record for the prestigious award presented each year since 1928.

The firm is under the leadership of co-general agents Ron Rosbruch, CLU, ChFC (center), Jerry Harnik, CLU (left), and Josh Becker, LUTCF.

“The President’s Cup is the highest honor that a Guardian General Agency can achieve, recognizing excellence in sales, recruiting, and financial representative development,” said Meg Skinner, Executive Vice President of Individual Products Distribution for Guardian. “Year after year Strategies for Wealth has excelled in all these areas.”

Founded in 1934, the firm’s leadership within Guardian and the financial industry is attributable to many factors including providing products and services that are right for the times through a team of dedicated, knowledgeable, financial professionals.

Commenting on the unprecedented achievement Strategies for Growth co-general agent Ron Rosbruch said: “We are fortunate to have built a great team at Strategies for Wealth. As an organization, we are always innovating and are committed to learning, growing, and adapting. We also capitalize on the unique window of opportunity that the marketplace presented us over the past few years and stepped up our recruiting and selection efforts. The results have been amazing, and we have been able to add more talented professionals to our organization – which in turn enables us to offer the kind of financial products and services that have made our firm a leader within Guardian and the insurance industry.”

Among its many achievements, Strategies for Wealth life insurance premium volume increased 67% during the fourth quarter of 2009, up more than 5% from 2008.

The agency’s other achievements included:

• Recruiting 28 new field representatives for a net increase of 20
• Generating $24 million of life insurance premium (a 5% increase over 2008), $1.4 million of disability insurance premium, $7.9 million in equity sales, and $3.3 million in group insurance production

 With more than 150 financial professionals, Strategies for Wealth offers a wide range of financial services including wealth creation and protection services. It also provides business and estate planning, risk management analysis, executive compensation programs, employee benefits, corporate retirement solutions and business succession policies. In addition it provides supplemental retirement benefits and selective incentive plans.

Milwaukee-based Assurant Health, a leading national provider of individual medical, small group and specialty health insurance products, announced a couple of senior leadership changes on June 30.

Effective July 15, Mike Norderhaug, CLU, ChFC, (shown at left) will become senior vice president and executive sales officer and assume comprehensive oversight and responsibility of the Assurant Health sales organization, filling the post previously held by Laura Hohing, who is retiring from Assurant Health. Norderhaug, 55, has held various sales executive roles at Assurant Health throughout the past 17 years.

Also effective July 15, Scott Krienke, 56, will become senior vice president – product and marketing, assuming responsibility for a consolidated function. This will strengthen the comprehensive approach Assurant Health takes to deliver products that meet the evolving health care needs of customers. Previously, the marketing function was headed by Debbie Kramer, senior vice president – marketing, who is leaving Assurant Health. Krienke previously served as senior vice president – product lines. He joined the company in 1984 and has also held the roles of vice president – human resources and vice president – claims and customer service. Krienke led the development of the Medical Savings Account and Health Savings Account products, the first of their type to be marketed in the U.S. Prior to joining Assurant Health, he worked for Northwestern National Insurance Company. Krienke holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University, as well as the FLMI and ALHC designations. He is treasurer of the Board of Directors of Pathfinders.

LIMRA partnered with MetLife, one of the largest life insurers in the U.S., to host the first industry Agent Retention and Productivity Forum on Tuesday, June 29, at the Sentry Centers in New York City. Shown are Michael J. Vietri of MetLife, left, and Robert Kerzner of LIMRA, two of the principals involved in the forum.

“Distribution, in particular sustaining and strengthening the agency system, has been one of the most challenging issues facing our industry,” said Kerzner, president and CEO, LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global. “LIMRA research has found that continuously improving agent retention and productivity is crucial to a healthy affiliated channel. We are pleased to join together with MetLife to convene this forum of distribution leaders to discuss the latest research in distribution, identify the best practices and establish new metrics that will set new standards for measuring productivity and retention.”

The forum included roundtable discussions on the impact of new consumer perceptions and expectations of insurance sales professionals and financial advisors; innovative recruiting and retention models to address the existing dynamic business environment; and key agent performance metrics that will allow measuring and analysis of agent productivity and promote a strong professional sales force.

“Our industry has changed dramatically over the past few decades — the spectrum of consumer demographics has expanded, the regulatory environment continues to evolve and consumers are turning to their advisors for help more than ever before,” commented Vietri, MetLife executive vice president for Individual Distribution. “Therefore, it is imperative that the industry focuses on helping to develop the strongest candidates who will build and lead practices that can be sustained and transferred to the next generation of sales professionals — in a cost-efficient and profitable manner. We’re excited to co-host this forum with other distribution leaders to set the path for the future for our industry,” added Vietri.

MDRT member Jack Cima of New York Life’s Advanced Markets division was the featured speaker for BGA Insurance’s June Luncheon at Costa Mesa, Calif.’s Onotria Restaurant recently. As part of BGA’s continuing monthly luncheon series, members of Orange County’s financial community learned why more high-net-worth individuals are looking to Life Insurance as an investment strategy over the more traditional retirement programs such as 401(k) plans.

Cima’s topic combined his experience with today’s innovative insurance products to show attendees the tax benefits associated with tax-diversifying retirement plans. “Since tax rates are at historically low levels, life insurance products become a smarter investment strategy since by retirement time, they’ll probably be higher,” says Barry Zimmermann, BGA President and recent appointee as Government Relations Chair for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). “Cima has helped brokers nationwide understand the edge we currently have over IRAs, 401(k) plans and other retirement plans that people assume are the only strategy. Plus, there’s the added benefit of protecting your family if the breadwinner dies or is disabled.”

Leslie Saunders, president of Saunders Benefits Advisory in Lutz, Fla., will join more than 2,500 women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and corporations that will convene in Baltimore at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) 11th Annual Women in Business Conference and Business Fair from June 22-24. Saunders is a member of the event’s host committee of the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO) and will participate in the Conference and Fair and in MatchMaker meetings.

Saunders Benefits Advisory, a full-service benefits consulting firm with more than 25 years of experience in helping businesses navigate the challenges of the changing health care environment and offer affordable and meaningful benefits to employees, is the only woman-owned WBE/DBE insurance agency to be certified in United Certification Programs in all 50 states, 240 airports and nationally by the WBENC. Saunders notes, “The Women in Business Conference is the largest event of its kind in the nation. It provides a great opportunity for corporate procurement officers and certified women-owned businesses and service providers to connect and conduct business in a single event. Companies seeking to do business with WBEs will find tremendous opportunities to make the right connections and fast-track business contracts.”

Woodbury Financial Services is pleased to announce that Albert Johnson has joined the award-winning broker/dealer as chief compliance officer of broker/dealer services. He will report to Mark Sides, Woodbury’s chief legal officer. In this role, Johnson, 52, will oversee the firm’s supervisory and compliance systems, including:

·       Self-evaluation testing to detect and address weaknesses;

·       Adjusting compliance systems to reflect changes in legal requirements;

·       Assessing evolving compliance and regulatory risks.

As the CCO of broker/dealer services, Johnson also serves as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer and works with the legal department in regulatory liaison with FINRA, the SEC and state-level regulators.

“Al brings over 25 years of industry experience to Woodbury,” said Patrick McEvoy, Woodbury’s president and CEO. “His vast knowledge of securities law will enhance our already top-notch compliance organization. I would like to welcome Al to the Woodbury family and thank Mark Eide, chief compliance officer of investment advisory services, who has stepped up his duties to cover broker/dealer services in the interim.”

Prior to joining Woodbury, Johnson most recently served as chief compliance officer of Financial Network Investment Corp. Before that, he was chief supervisory officer of Nationwide Securities, Inc.

He holds the FINRA series 7, 24, 63 and 65 designations. From 2000 through 2008, he was a member of the FINRA qualification committee for Series 6 and 26 examinations. He holds numerous U.S. Treasury Awards and NASD Qualification Committee awards, and has been recognized by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions.

South Burlington, Vt., resident Michele S. Gatto, president of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel (ALIC), was host to the Association’s 148th annual meeting at Château Élan Resort outside of Atlanta May 22-25.

The annual meeting theme: “Charting the Future Amidst Challenge & Change: New Rules, New Regulation and New Risks” has been an integral component in Gatto’s leadership at the ALIC.

“Michele has proven to be accomplished in her ability to reach goals and ensure the organization’s stability and depth,” said Karen Shaff, executive vice president and general counsel of Principal Financial Group and past president of ALIC. “She has substantially preserved and enhanced the hallmarks of the ALIC: professionalism, legal scholarship, and fellowship.” The ALIC was founded in 1913 to promote these principles as the bar association for lawyers in the life insurance industry.

A donation was presented at the annual meeting slated for the Center for Women at St. Michael’s College – Gatto’s chosen organization to receive the donation in recognition of her service as President, presented by the ALIC.

“One of Michele’s priorities has been to assure the future of the Association through taking a very proactive approach to growing the membership. Under her leadership a record 15% increase has resulted – a strong value testament,” said Cynthia Shoss, co-chair of ALIC Membership Committee and partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Gatto is executive vice president - corporate services & chief legal officer at National Life Group in Montpelier, Vt. She currently serves on the board of directors of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), as well as the board of trustees of St. Michael’s College. She was recently elected to the board of trustees of Vermont Law School.

New York Life announced recently that Allyson McDonald has been appointed senior vice president in its Retirement Income Security operation, to lead relationship management for Third-Party Distribution.

In her new role, McDonald and her team will develop and strengthen the relationships with the top third-party distribution partners who distribute both New York Life annuities and MainStay mutual funds. She will also lead NY Life’s internal sales desk capability.

Atlanta-based financial advisor Karen J. Lee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, AEP, an in-demand resource for media outlets such as CNN, Parenting magazine and the AICPA has hit the speaking circuit recently to address her colleagues regarding the importance of recognizing, and attending to, clients' underlying issues surrounding money.

Her appearances this past month included the FPA Business Solutions conference in Dallas, the Georgia Society of CPA-North Perimeter Chapter and the Premier Financial Group in Cincinnati.

Throughout her 20-year career as a financial planner, Lee has been intrigued – and perplexed – by some of the bizarre decisions people have made related to money. As a result of her training and professional experience, Lee has determined that people have formed a deep-seated relationship with money during their lives, and asserts that this usually dysfunctional relationship is the root of most of their financial struggles.

With her extensive background in financial planning, Karen is in high demand as a speaker for both industry and consumer groups and speaks enthusiastically on the following topics:

- It's Only Money – Why Does it Cause So Many Problems?

- Sometimes I Feel Like a Therapist

- What Affects Our Attitudes Toward Money

- Money Baggage: Yours, Mine and Ours

- Simple Steps to Help People Get Unstuck Financially

- Reaching Your Financial Goals (Without Tripping Over the Goal Post)

"I thoroughly enjoy helping other financial professionals understand the importance of connecting with their clients about money baggage they may carry, or helping consumers recognize how they may be self-sabotaging their carefully constructed financial plans," says Lee.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) on Monday celebrated its 200^th anniversary of helping its customers achieve what’s ahead. To commemorate the company’s May 10, 1810, incorporation date, CEO Liam E. McGee and CFO Christopher J. Swift rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The company’s Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Chevrolet Impala with The Hartford’s commemorative logo was also on display at the NYSE event. And, in honor of The Hartford’s role as the founding partner of the U.S. Paralympics, there were curling, wheelchair basketball, and sit volleyball demonstrations at the NYSE.

“For 200 years, this iconic American company has helped its customers achieve what’s ahead, earning a reputation for trust, integrity and customer service excellence,” said McGee. “The company has played a critical role in America’s history, protecting and investing in the country’s trials and triumphs. We have assisted customers through almost every major historic event in the U.S. since 1810.”

The Hartford has been involved with numerous milestones in the nation’s history including:

·       Providing the contract bonds for construction of the Hoover Dam in 1931 and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937;

·       Issuing a personal liability policy for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 190-acre working farm and insuring Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield, Ill., in 1861;

·       Paying out almost $2 million in claims after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed nearly 17,500 buildings and claimed 250 lives; and

·       Paying more than 950 business, life, auto and property claims as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

 “As the company enters its third century, The Hartford is more committed than ever to its customers, agents and brokers, communities, shareholders and importantly, to our 28,000 teammates. We are well-positioned to move forward and have everything we need for success: a new strategy; a large and growing customer base; a broad and diverse product portfolio; and an enviable distribution network of agents, brokers and financial advisors. The Hartford’s goal is to deliver sustained, profitable growth over time with strength, confidence, focus and discipline,” said McGee.

Additional Bicentennial Celebration events scheduled for The Hartford include:

·       Bicentennial branded corporate advertising in major publications and online, featuring a celebratory gatefold ad in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People issue, as well as graphics celebrating the company’s history on the homepage of the Wall Street Journal online and trade advertisements.

·       In the spirit of the company’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy in the communities where employees live and work, The Hartford will sponsor employee community service programs and events in local markets across the country. In Hartford, the company and its employees raised more than $230,000 for Foodshare’s 2010 “Walk Against Hunger.” Thousands of employees are expected to participate in fundraising and volunteer activities with nonprofit organizations across the country to help their local communities achieve what’s ahead.

·       Recognition programs for agents and partners, including philanthropic contributions in their honor, as well as other special events and activities.

Visit www.thehartford.com for more information on The Hartford’s bicentennial celebration, products and services. Photo courtesy of Mel Nudelman.

Fidelity Life Association recently announced that National Benefit Partners, whose employees are shown, is the winner of the 2010 George Vlaisavljevich Memorial Award, given to honor the vision of Fidelity Life’s Chief Marketing Officer, George Vlaisavljevich.

“National Benefit Partners is an outstanding marketing partner who truly understands and embraces the innovative mindset that has allowed Fidelity Life to revolutionize the way life insurance is designed. Using this approach, our winner has grown their business and honored the memory of Mr. Vlaisavljevich,” said Mike Honeysett, Chief Marketing Officer at Fidelity Life in a statement announcing the award. “National Benefit Partners has consistently provided forward-thinking ideas and solid business savvy to the Fidelity Life worksite operation.”

Thanks to Mr. Vlaisavljevich’s foresight, Fidelity Life Association and National Benefit Partners are serving the Worksite Market with innovation. This collaboration is evidenced by a unique voluntary product that combines permanent term insurance with long term care. To learn more, call National Benefit Partners at 714-255-0280 or visit www.nationalbenefitpartners.com.

Starmount Life Insurance Company has opened a new, 24,500-square-foot national headquarters in Baton Rouge, La., marking the end of 12 months of construction and the beginning of a new period of anticipated, continued growth.

To mark the occasion, Starmount and its sister company, AlwaysCare Benefits, are also pleased to announce that they have been admitted to the State of Wyoming, bringing the total number of states in which Starmount is admitted to 48, plus the District of Columbia.

“Starmount and AlwaysCare have worked hard to deliver solid insurance products and outstanding service to hundreds of thousands of insureds across the country over the last 26 years, and we are pleased today to be able to demonstrate the benefit of our services to the people of Wyoming, as well,” said Starmount Chairman and CEO Hans Sternberg. “It is particularly gratifying for all of our Associates to be able to serve our policyholders, members, agents and providers from a modern, efficient headquarters building primed for continued expansion as the business itself grows.”

“Starmount is the kind of company we are so proud of in Baton Rouge,” said Baton Rouge Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden at the company’s ceremonial ribbon cutting. “This company was born in our capital city, has prospered here and, with the construction and opening of this brand new headquarters, has made a commitment to continue its national operations right here in the heart of our city.”

“We are a unique, single-source solution in the numerous markets we serve,” said Erich Sternberg, president of Starmount. “Offering life, dental, vision and other product lines with one call center and complete enrollment and claims operations under one roof provides tremendous efficiency to our clients. Our Goodwood campus is designed to take this approach to a new level.”

The new Starmount Building, located at 8485 Goodwood Blvd., is laid out in a highly efficient grid that makes it easy for associates to reach each other — and help resolve client issues — in seconds. The new building gives Starmount space to add associates needed to help meet growing national demand for the company’s products, and to take advantage of additional opportunities to help the business grow.

Built during a time of weak national demand for new construction, the headquarters served as a shot in the arm to the local construction industry, replacing a sturdy and still viable 13,500-square-foot headquarters with a highly energy-efficient and technologically advanced new work space.

Sontag Advisory, LLC, a leading independent investment advisory firm with offices in New York and Connecticut, announced April 28 that it will support the planning, construction and furnishing of a new primary school in Haiti for 400 children as part of the firm’s celebration of its 15^th anniversary. Working with National Financial Partners Corp. and charitable giving partners including Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc., Corby Asset Management, LLC, Hamlin Capital Management, LLC and other donors, Sontag Advisory is coordinating efforts through Plan, a nonprofit organization with over 35 years of experience working in Haiti. A minimum of $180,000 in funds and supplies have been committed by Sontag and its partners. All donated funds will go toward the construction of the school.

Howard Sontag, founder and CEO of Sontag Advisory, said, “Sontag Advisory has been very successful over our 15-year history, and to celebrate this significant milestone, we wanted to look outward and give back to the global community. We created this project in the wake of the recent devastation in Haiti to do our part to help those less fortunate in honor of our clients. We are thrilled that our fundraising efforts secured funds sufficient to fully build and equip a brand new, earthquake-resistant school, and we thank our contributing partners who have joined us in supporting this important education initiative to help the children of Haiti.”

The contribution from Sontag Advisory and its partners will help an estimated 400 primary school children in Haiti go back to school next year. Plan estimates that 5,000 schools were damaged or destroyed in the January 12, 2010 earthquake and more than 300 teachers died in the disaster.

“We believe that investment in education is a powerful driver of any country’s success. We are pleased to work with Plan and our contributing partners to support education in Haiti and bring this project to life,” said Donna Levy, Chief Investment Officer and a principal of Sontag Advisory.

“Howard and Donna came to us with an extraordinary proposal – to donate funds and equipment sufficient to build and fully equip an elementary school in Haiti,” said Audrey Bracey Deegan, President and CEO of Plan USA. “We are thrilled to work with Sontag Advisory and its partners on such a unique and important project, which supports our mission to empower global communities through education and to help girls and boys realize their full potential. We are grateful for this generous contribution, and look forward to building a school in Haiti that will bring much needed hope to one of Haiti’s most devastated communities.”

Stephen J. Kelleher, of CT Financial Navigators, Watertown, Conn., has accepted an invitation to join Creative Marketing’s exclusive Tailor Made group. Induction into this group means Kelleher is one of an elite group of top-selling insurance professionals across the country to have met the impressive success criteria necessary for membership. Currently, the Tailor Made group has a select number of agents within the Creative Marketing network that have been inducted into Tailor Made.

Kelleher, an insurance professional with 26 years of experience, offers comprehensive solutions for his clients’ assets. He has built a network of CPAs, attorneys, banks and mortgage companies to provide timely solutions for Connecticut residents.

He regularly speaks on popular topics among seniors and individuals in or nearing retirement age such as creating a lifetime income, income tax strategies, accumulation, fixed indexed annuities and proper beneficiary designations.

Kelleher also serves on the Creative Agent Advisory Board of Creative Marketing, an industry leading insurance marketing organization. In this capacity, he mentors agents in the New England region.

Gene P. Berry, CLU, ChFC, CASL, has been named to the position of Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the OneAmerica companies in Indianapolis. He will succeed outgoing Vice President and Chief Information Officer Emet Talley, who will retire from the enterprise June 1.

A life insurance executive with more than 30 years of experience, Berry’s areas of expertise include information technology and insurance operations. Before joining OneAmerica, Berry served as the senior vice president of insurance services and chief information officer for Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, where he oversaw the company’s technology and insurance operations.

"I am very pleased to be leading the information technology community for the OneAmerica companies,” Berry said. “OneAmerica is highly respected in the insurance industry and the culture is an excellent match with my own core values. Additionally, I was impressed with the company’s financial strength, commitment to mutuality and excellent product portfolio.”

While focusing on OneAmerica’s goals of strength and growth, Berry will continue building and developing the enterprise’s information technology strategy. Additionally, he will directly manage a team of eight systems vice presidents. As CIO, Berry will serve as a member of OneAmerica’s Management Committee.

“I’m excited to welcome Gene to the OneAmerica family,” said Dayton H. Molendorp, OneAmerica chairman, president and CEO. “As we look to expand our information technology offerings and serve the best interests of our policyholders, I feel good knowing that OneAmerica has a seasoned insurance and Information Technology executive leading the charge.”

Innovation agency Maddock Douglas, a national firm that helps leading brands develop new products, services and markets, has named Maria Umbach, CLU, vice president of financial services innovation, heading a first-of-its-kind insurance and financial services platform for innovation.

Umbach, a prominent financial services executive and well-known industry commentator and speaker, joins Chicago-based Maddock Douglas with 26 years of financial services experience, most recently as vice president and chief marketing officer for top mutual insurer, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Prior to this, she was vice president of life insurance marketing for Prudential. Over the course of her career, she has developed strategic marketing programs addressing roadblocks to retirement, life insurance as an asset class and women and investing, based on behavioral finance findings.

“Maria’s role is to help companies spark innovation from the inside out by capitalizing on emerging trends, consumer preferences and communications modalities that are reshaping financial services from banking and investments to insurance and financial advice,” said Raphael Louis Vitón, President of Maddock Douglas. “She will help the financial services industry create new products and business models that are wholly aligned with the changing needs of today’s consumers.”

“Today more than ever there are huge opportunities for financial services providers to innovate and reconnect with their consumers with fresh products and services, says Umbach. “Innovation takes the right skills, attitude, and the perfect balance of insight into an unmet consumer need, idea, and communication. We believe we know the companies that will be difference makers in the next 10 years, and we will be enabling their successes.”

Umbach, who resides in Jersey City, N.J., holds an MBA from Hofstra University and is a member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), the Society of Financial Services Professionals, Women in Insurance and Financial Services, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). To see a video with Maria’s latest thinking on innovation, click: http://vimeo.com/10045796 and check out her blog at http://community.maddockdouglas.com/profile/1821/;jsessionid=0EA2E175B3B9D83D00B7028501CDC926

AXIS Global Accident & Health, a Princeton, N.J.-based division of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS), recently announced that it is now actively marketing accident and health insurance coverage in the United States. Leading these accident and health insurance operations is James “Jay” Hamilton, who was recently named Chief Executive Officer, AXIS North America Accident & Health.

Insurance products now available from AXIS Global Accident & Health include Personal Accident and Business Travel Accident for employer groups, affinity groups and financial institutions, including banks, credit card issuers and credit unions. Related insurance programs, such as Student Accident and Sickness and Special Risks, including youth activities, daycare and non-profit group will be available later in 2010.

Hamilton brings more than 20 years of accident and health experience with a consistent record of success in strategically growing premium and profit at leading insurers. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, North American Accident & Health for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Previously, he was Vice President, Accident & Health for CNA Insurance Companies.

“I’ve worked with Jay for several years, and I’m thrilled to have him on board leading our U.S. insurance operations,” said Chris DiSipio, Chief Executive Officer and President, AXIS Global Accident & Health. “Jay brings with him leadership experiences in all functions of accident and health operations, including underwriting, sales, claims, technology and product development.”

DES MOINES, Iowa – Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, recently announced the appointment of John D. Currier, Jr., right, as chief actuary and the promotion of Rhonda Elming to senior vice president, product management, effective immediately.

Currier joined the company in 2005 as senior vice president, annuity product development. He has led Aviva USA’s Product Management Group as chief product officer since 2008. In his new role, Currier will focus primarily on building and strengthening actuarial capabilities throughout the U.S. business. He will lead actuarial policy, management and reporting, while continuing to have oversight for product management activities.

As a result of Currier’s appointment, Rhonda Elming has been named senior vice president, product management. She has been a part of the Product Management Group since 2002. Elming has played a key role in developing innovative products for Aviva USA. Prior to her promotion, Elming served as Aviva USA’s senior vice president – life product management. She was responsible for Aviva’s life insurance product line. Elming’s new responsibilities span all of Aviva USA’s product lines including life, annuity and managed account - Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC).

According to Aviva USA President and CEO Chris Littlefield, these appointments clearly demonstrate the strong bench strength at Aviva and the company’s recognition of its talented employees. “John and Rhonda have been key players in our success and we’re extremely fortunate to have them as leaders in our organization. I know both of them will continue to play critical roles in helping us deliver compelling propositions to our distribution partners, producers and customers and in achieving our growth ambitions for the future,” said Littlefield.

Richard Hoskins, chief financial officer for Aviva North America added, “The appointment of John as Aviva USA’s chief actuary continues our vision of providing strong financial information and services. He will have an important role in working with our U.S. business leaders to drive performance and growth.”

Darcy Smith of Aledo, Ill., was named a 2010 Fraternalist of the Year by the Illinois Fraternal Congress (IFC). The Illinois Fraternal Congress, a consortium of more than 50 non-profit fraternal life insurance societies in the state of Illinois, is affiliated with the National Fraternal Congress and promotes fraternalism among its member societies. The award was given during the IFC Annual Meeting held in Springfield.

A 31-year employee of Rock Island, Ill.-based Royal Neighbors of America, Darcy was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work throughout the community. An active member of her local Royal Neighbors chapter, Darcy has served in many offices and has been chairman of several successful events. In addition, she is in charge of serving monthly meals to the homeless in Rock Island, is involved with annual JOIN HANDS DAY and Make A Difference Day projects, manages her church food tent each year during the New Windsor Fair and Rodeo, is a teacher for Junior Achievement, and participates in fund-raisers for various non-profits including the Child Abuse Council, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and the Children’s Therapy Center. She also led a successful fund-raiser for Haiti relief that raised more than $5,000. With Royal Neighbors’ match of $5,000, the American Red Cross received a check for over $10,000. A check from the IFC will be donated in Darcy’s name to New Kingdom Trailriders, her charity of choice.

As a non-profit fraternal organization, Royal Neighbors of America exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill a variety of needs for growth, savings, and protection. Members also receive valuable member benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization’s local chapters to make a difference in their communities. The organization’s philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women’s lives through its national programs and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Darin Fass, managing partner of the Westchester General Office of New York Life, presents Michelle Soltero with a $10,000 check for winning New York Life’s Cube Toss Challenge during last week’s West Virginia-Georgetown game during the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden. New York Life Insurance Company’s presenting sponsorship of the tourney paid off big for New York City resident Soltero and two other contestants, Natalie Bartos and Patrick O’Neil. By rolling three cubes that resulted in three New York Life logos, Soltero, Bartos and O’Neil each won $10,000 during the Cube Toss Challenge. New York Life was also the presenting sponsor of the Women’s Big East tournament.

First American Insurance Underwriters, Inc., the Needham, Mass.-based life insurance brokerage firm, has named Michael Sclafani as a Brokerage Manager. In his new position, Sclafani will focus on case design, product support and agent support.

“Michael has an outstanding background in both sales and case management,” says Kenneth A. Shapiro, president of First American Insurance Underwriters. “He has the industry tools needed to assist agents to become more successful while helping their business grow.”

Before joining First American, Sclafani was employed by Sun Life Financial in Wellesley Hills, Mass., and worked as a sales coordinator and case manager for John Hancock Life Insurance in Boston. Sclafani received his BS and Masters degrees from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. He is a resident of Waltham, Mass.

Royal Neighbors of America recently announced the promotion of Chris Seistrup to Chief Operating Officer for the Rock Island, Ill.-based non-profit fraternal organization. In his new role, he will oversee the organization’s national sales operations and the customer support, member services, claims, document management, and underwriting departments.

Seistrup began his tenure with Royal Neighbors of America in 2007 as the National Sales Executive. A 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, he has extensive experience in sales, operations, and underwriting. Prior to joining Royal Neighbors, he held executive positions at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in California, Vik Brothers Insurance Company in North Carolina, and Crum & Forster Insurance Company in New Jersey. Seistrup has recently served on the Board of Directors of The San Diego Burn Institute. An Illinois native, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University.

“Chris was instrumental in our record-breaking life insurance and annuity sales in 2009,” said Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO. “Under his leadership, we successfully expanded our product distribution system and now have nearly 5,000 agents selling our insurance offerings nationwide. His expertise and experience in the insurance field will help us continue the growth we’ve seen in the past few years.”

Baltimore Life’s Board of Directors recently approved three officer-level promotions. Pictured from left are Brian Stricker, Richard A. Spencer III and Harold Rojas.

Spencer was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Spencer has served as Baltimore Life’s Controller since joining the company in August 2002. Before joining Owings Mills, Md.-based Baltimore Life, he served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Acting CFO of InsLogic Corporation, a private label insurance broker. He also directed the delivery of audit and strategic risk management consulting services in the Washington, D.C. offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Harold Rojas was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Rojas has served as Baltimore Life’s Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for more than four years. In his new role, Rojas has responsibility for the legal and compliance, underwriting and claims functions of the company. Before joining Baltimore Life, Rojas was Assistant Vice President and Assistant General Counsel with Old Mutual Financial Network, and he held various compliance and legal counsel positions with Conseco, Inc., Jackson National Life and Columbian Mutual Life.

Brian Stricker was appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. Stricker will lead all product development, acquisition and alliance-related growth initiatives, and has served as Baltimore Life’s Vice President, Business Development since 2006. Having joined Baltimore Life in 1983 as a pricing actuary, he was elected Vice President and Actuary in 1996, and Vice President, Insurance Services in 1999, where he assumed responsibility for underwriting, claims, new business, customer service and compliance.

“The expertise provided by Harold, Rick and Brian has been instrumental in Baltimore Life’s continuing period of profitable sales growth,” said David K. Ficca, President and CEO of Baltimore Life. “Their experience and dedication will continue to serve us well as we move forward.”

Resource Brokerage, LLC recently sponsored a fund drive for Haitian Earthquake Relief efforts in conjunction with the MDRT Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Here, John Rippinger, president of Resource Brokerage, LLC presents checks totaling $6,220 as well as the Resource Brokerage match of $6,220 to Gil Haggart, Treasurer of the MDRT Foundation, at the MDRT headquarters in Park Ridge, Ill.

Resource Brokerage is a Schaumburg, Ill.-based Master General Agency for Group & Individual Health, Life, Disability, Annuities and Long-Term Care products.

Resource Brokerage’s campaign promised a “dollar for dollar” match of all contributions received from their brokers, employees, business associates and friends to the MDRT Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Those dollars will be matched again, dollar for dollar by the MDRT Foundation, thus effectively turning each dollar donated into four dollars towards Haitian Relief.

With the MDRT Foundation match of its efforts, Resource Brokerage raised a total of $24,880 for Heifer International and Mercy Ships, the beneficiaries of the MDRT Haiti Disaster Relief Fund, both of which are currently on the ground in Haiti assisting with relief efforts.

The board of directors for Indianapolis-based OneAmerica® Financial Partners, Inc. has elected Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie, PhD, as its newest member.

As a board member, McRobbie will provide the executive leadership team with sound judgment, insight and knowledge to further position the OneAmerica® companies for growth in the life insurance, employee benefits and retirement services markets.

“I am extremely pleased and honored to be selected to join the board of directors at OneAmerica Financial Partners and to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest and most respected individuals in the financial services industry,” McRobbie said. “In these uncertain economic times, I look forward to helping OneAmerica meet the ongoing challenges of providing maximum value to customers, maintaining a client-centered approach and solidifying its position as a nationwide leader in the financial marketplace.”

As Indiana University president, McRobbie is responsible for IU’s eight-campus system, which has a total budget of approximately $2.7 billion, and more than 5,000 faculty, 11,000 staff, and 100,000 students. A native of Australia, McRobbie came to IU from the Institute of Advanced Study at the Australian National University (ANU), where he was a professor of information science and chief executive officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Computational Systems.

Brian Laubacker, an insurance industry veteran, has joined The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. as regional vice president of sales of the western United States for the company's Individual Life Insurance Division.

Laubacker, who previously managed the assisted sales division at Saybrus Partners, will co-lead the sales organization with Ron Herrmann, The Hartford's regional vice president of the eastern region of the country, and will report to executive vice president Brian D. Murphy.

Laubacker joins The Hartford as it prepares to launch an aggressive new plan to expand from banks and wirehouses into the independent agent channel. The company has more than 200 account executives, making it the largest assisted sales force serving advisors and brokers.

"Brian Laubacker brings an enormous repertoire of skills to the position," said Murphy, "including demonstrated executive leadership capabilities, superb client relationships, and the ability to build and run a successful sales team."

Kevin Lynch, ChFC^®, CLU^®, RHU^®, REBC^®, CASL^®, CAP^®, LUTCF, CFP^®, recently joined The American College as an Assistant Professor of Insurance. He brings with him four decades of experience in the financial services industry.

Lynch, an Army brat, was raised in Germany until high school. He served in Vietnam, as did his father and brother. He is now the father of an Iraq War veteran.

Prior to joining The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Lynch was an agency owner with Nationwide Insurance & Financial, in Grand Prairie, Texas. In just 38 months, the property and casualty agency Lynch built went from zero to more than 2,800 policies in force.

In 2004, he joined The American College as Associate Vice President of Advancement. After working in Advancement, Lynch returned to the financial services industry for four years. His most recent contribution to the financial services field was as a Financial Consultant and Regional Management Associate with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

In 2009, Lynch returned to The American College. His course responsibilities include Techniques for Prospecting, Essentials of Disability Income Insurance and Essentials of Annuities. In addition, he teaches insurance subjects in the Huebner School.

“Kevin’s practical experience as a financial services practitioner brings added depth and understanding to his academic scholarship and instruction,” said Walt Woerheide, Ph.D., CFP^®, Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs, holder of the Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security Research and Professor of Investments at The American College.

Professor Lynch’s many areas of expertise include annuities, life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care. He has been quoted in a variety of prestigious publications speaking about the importance of continuing education in the financial services industry and long term care insurance.

Lynch was the first person in his family to graduate from college and has been devoted to both higher and continuing education ever since. After receiving his first of three Associate of Science degrees in 1973, he went on to earn four additional college degrees and has started the Doctorate in Business Administration at Wilmington University as well as his eighth American College designation, the Chartered Leadership Fellow^® (CLF^®).

Sircon (www.sircon.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vertafore, Inc., recently announced that Sam Meyer has been appointed as the Governance Chair on the Securities & Insurance Licensing Association (SILA) Board of Directors. Meyer currently serves as Okemos, Mich.-based Sircon’s National Account Director, including responsibility for all state insurance regulator partnerships. This includes providing guidance to Sircon states and expanding Sircon’s services to additional states.

SILA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing education and best practices for the insurance and securities industry. SILA provides a venue for industry and regulators to work together to streamline and improve licensing and registration across the country. SILA is governed by a board of directors who provide direction and guidance regarding SILA’s operations and functions. The members are comprised of volunteers nominated by SILA membership and voted into office by the Board of Directors.

“I have been actively involved in SILA since 1992 and consider this to be one of the best and most beneficial insurance industry organizations in America,” said Meyer. “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve SILA and its members in this capacity.”

The Governance Chair is appointed by SILA's president and is responsible for overseeing bylaw compliance, making recommendations for bylaw changes and overseeing eligibility issues.

 “SILA is very fortunate to have Sam serve as our Governance Chair,” said Lois Hennen, president of the SILA board of directors. “Sam has been a SILA member and supporter for many years. With his regulatory background, I feel confident that he will keep SILA compliant with our bylaws and suggest changes where needed. Also with his experience working with the NAIC and PLMA, Sam will have valuable input into the 2010 National Conference and meeting SILA's strategic plan.”

CANNEX Financial Exchanges, which facilitates the sale of financial products in the U.S. and Canada and is a leading provider of comparative information about income annuities, on Jan. 26 announced the appointment of Gary Baker as president of its U.S. division. Baker, who has extensive experience in the insurance and retirement income markets, will lead the CANNEX operation in the U.S. market, where retirement income is an issue of growing concern and opportunity.

“Advisors are demanding unbiased information about income annuities which are increasingly seen as a separate asset class required for clients’ optimal retirement income portfolios,” said Lowell Aronoff, CEO and co-founder of CANNEX. “With Gary leading our expansion in the U.S., we’ll be able to help more advisors and, ultimately, more consumers make financially sound retirement income choices.”

CANNEX, which launched its service facilitating the sale of income annuities in the U.S. in 2001, enables advisors to provide their clients with custom, apples-to-apples comparisons of annuities, including features and details specific to their clients’ needs. CANNEX is able to do so because insurance carriers provide it with their proprietary methods of calculating income annuities, which CANNEX reprograms onto its servers. The carriers maintain the parameters and guarantee the results.

“For many years, income annuities have been regarded by the academic community as an essential component of an optimal retirement portfolio for most retirees. With new educational programs and software tools, a growing number of advisors today understand that they need to incorporate income annuities in their clients’ retirement income plans,” said Baker. “Our goal is to help them do that as efficiently and insightfully as possible by putting critical decision-making information at their fingertips.”

Most recently, Baker was vice president, income solutions, for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), where he facilitated the development of a retirement income strategy and led initiatives to help the business develop new products and new markets. Prior to joining MassMutual, Baker had an 18-year career with GE Capital, where he held senior positions in retirement solutions and marketing. Overall, his experience in the retirement market has broadly covered retail and institutional businesses as well as insurance and money management.

The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) on Jan. 22 announced the hiring of Karen Alvarado as its new Vice President for Compliance and Regulatory Affairs – rounding out the first-ever IRI government affairs team and bringing true industry and product expertise in-house. Alvarado’s hiring is latest in the transformation of the new IRI.

“Karen Alvarado is a true industry leader who brings years of experience to the IRI and immense value to our members,” said Cathy Weatherford, IRI President and CEO. “Karen will help give our members an even bigger, more credible voice with regulators, provide real thought leadership on critical issues and help bring our work on standards to the forefront of the industry.”

Before coming to IRI, Alvarado spent the last four years as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Aegon Insurance Group, Transamerica Capital Management. Prior to that, she spent a decade with Pacific Life as Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and seven years in that same role with Delta Life & Annuity Company.

“For many years, I have had the pleasure of working with IRI as an industry representative, co-chairing a number of IRI committees and spearheading initiatives,” Alvarado said. “After spending 25 years in the insured retirement industry, I am excited about this rare opportunity to serve our industry and advance our members’ interests.”

In addition to Alvarado, Washington D.C.-based IRI has greatly expanded by recruiting top talent. Cathy Weatherford, who spent the last 12 years as head of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) after serving as the elected Insurance Commissioner for the state of Oklahoma, came on board over a year ago as President and CEO. She then added to her team the former Insurance Commissioner for the state of Ohio; the Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor and Communications Director for United States Senators and members of the House; government affairs experts and seasoned communicators with over three decades of experience at the highest levels of Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch, presidential and Congressional campaigns; and a national authority in standards development.

“This is a critical moment in our industry that requires a new, reinvigorated approach,” Weatherford said. “IRI is becoming a trusted resource for consumers and financial advisors looking for guaranteed income in an economy and times where there is little certainty. We are providing the knowledge and confidence in retirement planning that can no longer be taken for granted.”

Visit www.IRIonline.org to experience the new, vast resources of the new Insured Retirement Institute for yourself.

Congratulations to Charles M. Kardon, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, of Dayton, Ohio. Chuck is the winner of a vacation in Paradise. Chuck’s 2009 donation to the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals made him eligible to participate in a drawing for a 7-day vacation for four at Hacienda del Mar in Cabo San Lucas. All 2009 contributions of at least $20 were eligible. The Foundation thanks all its donors and, extends special appreciation to Dickson Buxton, CLU, ChFC, of Novato, Calif., whose generous donation of his vacation home made this drawing possible and helped the Foundation raise over $10,000. A gift to the Foundation makes a difference in the lives of individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis by supporting the Financial Education Partners (FEP) program. FEP utilizes the expertise of FSP members to provide pro bono financial counseling to individuals referred by National Multiple Sclerosis Society (and other charitable entities, such as the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity). Foundation gifts also help sustain other key projects, including:

• Paul Mills Scholarships, given annually to deserving professionals for outstanding leadership, significant contributions to the field of education, and exemplary civic/community service.
• American Business Ethics Awards, widely recognized as the “most prestigious ethics award” in the country, the ABEA honors companies that exemplify high standards of ethical behavior.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Don Mills, president of SIA Group (www.siagroup.net), a full-service insurance agency with seven offices throughout North Carolina, recently announced that the firm’s employees collected 160 coats for donation to two Onslow County (N.C.) elementary schools.SIA Group donated 80 coats for students to both Bell Fork Elementary and Summersill Elementary. “At SIA Group, we feel that it is important for us to support the community in which we work, especially during the holiday season,” said Mills.“I am confident that these 160 coats will be put to great use by our local schools.” Active in the local community, SIA Group recently presented The Onslow County Fireman’s Association with a $6,500 grant through the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.The grant was used to purchase an interactive robot designed to teach critical fire safety for children from prekindergarten to fifth grade.