NAIFA Convention Speakers
Robelynn H. Abadie, LUTCF, RFC, CSA, RDA™
Expanding Your Practice to Include Employee Benefits
Robelynn H. Abadie, LUTCF, CSA, RFC, RDA™ is the owner of Abadie Financial Services located in Baton Rouge, La., an insurance and financial services agency specializing in corporate employee benefit plans. She has been an agent and financial advisor over 29 years. She is a Charter Member and Secretary of AHIA and also a Life and Qualifying member of MDRT. In 2005, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the MDRT Foundation.
Paul Adams
Four Under 40
Paul Adams is the owner of Clearline Financial Group, a Las Vegas-based company with some $15 million under management, and a member of Pacific Advisors' advanced planning team. He is author of the book Stop Burning Your Money and is a founding member of NAIFA-Southern Nevada’s Young Advisors Team. Adams is profiled in Advisor Today's June 2007 "Four Under Forty" cover story.
Dan Allison
The Money Code™
The Money Code founder Dan Allison dedicated his early career to the mental health industry with a focus in behavioral psychology. After achieving Master’s level education in the field, he sold a successful chain of behavioral health clinics and moved into the financial and real estate industry. After watching several companies struggle, Dan used his knowledge of human behavior and business to create a successful system involving the integration of focus groups into his business models.
Through years of using focus groups to better understand his clients and prospects, Dan packaged his knowledge and began educating other businesses on the benefits of incorporating focus groups into a successful relationship-driven business model. From large corporations to individual practices, Dan brings a common sense approach to building a better business. No gimmicks, no nonsense, just a refreshing look at why consumers think the way that they do.
Barb Bancroft, RN, MSN, PNP
Spouse/Guest Breakfast Program
Hearty Heart Heart Heart
Barb Bancroft is a widely acclaimed national speaker, noted for her humorous, entertaining and information packed seminars. She is author of the books Medical Minutiae, An Apple a Day—the ABCs of Diet and Disease and Live a Little, Laugh a Lot. Many people can conduct health seminars, or write books on health, but very few can make them both thoroughly informative and entertaining. Barb Bancroft makes complex health topics easily understandable, appealing and hilarious. Bancroft has held faculty positions at the University of Virginia, the University of Arkansas, Loyola University of Chicago, St. Xavier University of Chicago. She has provided courses on Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Physical Assessment to both graduate and undergraduate students. She is currently the Executive Director and President of CPP Associates, Inc., a continuing education firm for corporations and healthcare professionals based in Chicago, Illinois.
Did you miss her presentation? Listen to a One-on-One Interview with Barb Bancroft
Steve Bohr, LUTCF
Four Under 40
Steve Bohr, LUTCF, is president of Farm Financial Strategies Inc., in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a past president of Cedar Rapids AIFA. His firm provides estate planning to 1,800 clients in seven Midwestern states, providing strategies that allow family farmers to pass their operations on to their children. Over the past 15 years, Bohr and his team have protected the survival of some 5,000 family farms. When he's not at the office or meeting clients, Bohr works his own 2,500-acre farm near Cedar Rapids. He is profiled in Advisor Today's June 2007 "Four Under Forty" cover story.
Bob Beckel
Common Ground
One of Washington's leading political analysts, Bob Beckel has a veteran's perspective from his years in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and leading dozens of election campaigns. As national campaign manager, he oversaw Walter Mondale's successful race for the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination. He is credited with pulling together the campaign after its defeat in New Hampshire and became known as the man who wrapped the "Where's the Beef?" slogan around Gary Hart so effectively. Currently, Beckel is a graduate professor in advanced political strategy at George Washington University. He is the regular Democratic political analyst for Fox News, appears regularly on broadcast network newscasts, and partners with conservative columnist and friend Cal Thomas to author their successful USA Today column "Common Ground."
Jerry Borrowman, CAP, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, MSFS
Innovative Strategies for Charitable Giving—Financial Products Are Key to Success
Wealth Transfer—Do You Care More About the Score at Half-Time or at the Finish?
Jerry Borrowman started his career as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company in Pocatello, Idaho in March 1978 shortly after graduating from Idaho State University with High Honors. Since then he worked as a Sales Manager, Trainer, and Assistant Vice-President in Field Technology. He also completed a number of projects for New York Life International, traveling to Argentina, India, and Hong Kong. Borrowman joined Beneficial Financial Group in March 2002 where he and his team members support agents in advanced case design, agent software, and illustrations. Borrowman holds the Masters of Science, Financial Services Degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and recently completed course requirements for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation. He was elected an officer in June, 2007. Borrowman has written numerous articles in industry publications and authored a number of industry and non-industry books.
Peter C. Browne, LUTCF
Subcommittee — Bylaws and Resolutions Report, Sunday General Session
Peter Browne, is a principal of Price, Raffel & Browne of New York and Los Angeles. He entered the life insurance business with Union Central as an agent in 1962. He is a past NAIFA Trustee and has served NAIFA in many capacities including Vice Chairman of Federal L&L, State L&L, and IFPIC. Browne has served as President of the NYC/NYS NAIFA, and the New York City GAMA. He is a Past National Trustee of GAMA International, and a Past Trustee of LUTC. He is currently a Trustee of the American College. Browne's Industry Awards include the Julian S. Myrick Award, the Spencer L. McCarty Award, and the New York City Past President's Leadership Award. Browne is currently in his 21st consecutive year as a member of the Top of the Table.
Bill Cates, CSP
How to Create a Referral Explosion
Bill Cates is the financial service industry's foremost expert on how to build a successful financial practice through high-quality referrals. Cates is the author of two books on referrals, (Unlimited Referrals, Get More Referrals Now) that have revolutionized the way financial professionals are getting referrals.Cates writes columns for several industry magazines and websites. His referral system has been featured in Success Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and Selling Power Magazine. Plus, his personal story of business success has been featured in Money Magazine. Cates is a highly sought after speaker in our industry.
Did you miss his presentation? Listen to a One-on-One Interview with Bill Cates
Dan Corrigan
MDRT Hour
Daniel O. Corrigan is a 37-year member of the Million Dollar Round Table. A three-time MDRT Annual Meeting speaker and two-time NAIFA "MDRT Hour" speaker, he frequently speaks to groups of elite business professionals, schools and churches on simplified sales concepts, estate and business planning, motivation and ethics. In addition to NAIFA, Corrigan is a member his state and local chapters of insurance and financial advisors and the Konen Institute. He is a past qualifier for the Seven Million Dollar Forum and the Oregon Life Underwriter’s Senior Agent of the Year award. Recently, he was awarded NAIFA's Harold G. “Bud” Horn Award, for his long-term outstanding contributions to the industry in Oregon.
John A. Davidson, LUTCF, FSS
President’s Report, Sunday General Session
Master of Ceremony, Wednesday General Session
An agent with New York Life, John Davidson is President and Founder of Davidson Insurance and Financial Services; based in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Davidson was first elected to the NAIFA Board of Trustees in 2001 and served as Secretary in 2004. Davidson is a Qualifying & Life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT); Past President of San Fernando Valley Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors; and Past President, California Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors. Davidson is a charter member of the Association of Health Insurance Agents (AHIA), a member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters (AALU), and the Society of Financial Services Professionals (SFSP).
Diane Dixon
Know Your Destination—Crafting Your Personal Dashboard
Diane Dixon has a 30-year history in the financial services industry with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. She is a national past president of Women in Financial Services (WIFS), a graduate of Coach University and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). Diane is owner of Faith Focus Follow Through Coaching. She coaches individuals and teams largely in the financial services industry.
Deon Dorsey
How to Sell HSAs
Deon Dorsey is the District Sales Manager for Assurant Health in the state of Illinois. He has been with Assurant for 8 years and has recently transferred to the Chicago area from Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas he was a member of the NAIFA membership team, and was responsible for one of the largest annual membership increases the association had ever experienced, earning national recognition for their accomplishments. Deon has been a huge proponent of Health Savings Accounts since their inception in 2004 and has been a national leader in HSA sales. A past participant in Senator John Ensign's Roundtable for the Uninsured, Deon has been a vocal supporter of HSA implementation and continues to educate the insurance agent community throughout Illinois.
Brad Elman, CLU
MDRT Hour
Brad Elman, CLU, of San Jose, California, is a 15-year Round Table member with five Court of the Table accolades and is a Silver Knight of the MDRT Foundation. An active MDRT volunteer, he served as the 2004 divisional vice president of communications, was the chair of the 2006 Member Benefits Enhancement Committee, 2005 Assessment Task Force and 2003 Media Task Force. In addition, he has been a member of numerous MDRT committees, including the 2007 Web site Task Force, and he was a speaker at the 2004 MDRT Annual Meeting. Elman was the 2003 Jack Richter award winner, the NAIFA-Silicon Valley’s highest award for career achievement. Elman is an active community volunteer, supporting many causes, particularly those involving special needs children. He can be seen regularly on NBC Channel 11 News in the San Francisco Bay Area as the station’s consumer finance expert.
Keith Harrell
Keynote speaker
Known for his energetic, innovative presentations, Keith Harrell is a dynamic life coach who specializes in changing behaviors through a positive attitude. While growing up in Seattle, Washington, Harrell aspired to become a professional basketball player. Although he never realized that dream, an article in The Wall Street Journal refers to him as a "Star With Attitude." The newspaper says, "What sets him apart from less successful speakers is driving ambition, and an attitude that refuses to flag." As president of Harrell Performance Systems, Harrell has created a firm specializing in helping people achieve and maintain their goals through the power of a positive attitude. His book, Attitude Is Everything: Ten Life Changing Steps to Turning Attitude Into Action, was released in March 2000. Harrell gives readers a 10-step program for tuning up your attitude and improving your professional and personal life. In August 2000, Harrell was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism.
John Healy
NAIFA CEO’s Report
John J. Healy, CAE, is the CEO of NAIFA. He brings more than 25 years of association management experience and a track record of innovation, leading organizational change, increasing membership, enhancing government relations programs and creating greater customer and member value. Healy came to NAIFA from the Washington, D.C., area-based American Machine Tool Distributors Association (AMTDA), where he served as president and CEO.
Craig Karges
Featured Presenter
Craig Karges is truly extraordinary! The "extraordinist" is an award winning entertainer, a nationally recognized speaker and an author. He has made over four thousand appearances on four continents and in all fifty states.
Karges' performance is an extraordinary blend of mystery, humor, psychology and intuition. Karges dazzles the mind as he challenges his audiences to question what is real and what is unreal, what is possible and what is impossible. From the entertainment oriented "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to the news oriented "Larry King Live," Craig Karges makes frequent guest appearances on national television shows. Karges has also starred in two one-hour television specials for Cox Broadcasting and appeared on numerous television programs. Corporate giants such as IBM, McDonald's and General Motors have relied upon Karges and his unique brand of showmanship not only to entertain their employees and clients, but also to motivate them.
Michael Lynch
Four Under 40
Michael Lynch is a financial planner with Barnum Financial Group in Shelton, Conn., and a member of NAIFA-Eastern Fairfield. He was a successful business journalist with publication credits including Investor's Business Daily and The Wall Street Journal Magazine before he switched careers five years ago. He hosts a weekly radio call-in show on retirement planning and other personal financial matters. Lynch is profiled in Advisor Today's June 2007 "Four Under Forty" cover story.
Van Mueller, LUTCF
First Timers Orientation
Double or Triple Your Production—Immediately!
Van Mueller is a Registered Representative with the Wisconsin Agency of New England Financial Services. Mueller is a 34 year industry veteran. He is an active member of MDRT having qualified for Court of the Table in 1990 and Top of the Table for the last 16 years. Mueller has served as an LUTC moderator in the past and is looking forward to doing so again. He also served as a Past-President of the Milwaukee Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Mueller was awarded the Milwaukee NAIFA Distinguished Service Award for 2003. He has also qualified for the National Sales Achievement Award, the National Quality Award, the Health Insurance Quality Award, and has qualified many times for the National Association of Health Underwriters Leading Producers Round Table. Mueller is a member of the Association of Health Insurance Agents and the National Association of Health Underwriters. He is also a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an Emissary Contributor to IFAPAC and a diamond Knight of the MDRT Foundation.
Did you miss his presentation? Listen to a One-on-One Interview with Van Mueller
Bryan Nakamoto
Four Under 40
Bryan Nakamoto began his career as a producer with Occidental Underwriters of Hawaii in 2003 and in 2006 partnered with veteran advisor Adelia Chung, CLU, ChFC, to form Spectrum Wealth Management. He qualified for MDRT in 2004 and 2005 and achieved Top of the Table status in 2006. He served on the board of NAIFA-Honolulu and was named one of "America's Best Financial Planners" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, 2005-2007. Nakamoto is profiled in Advisor Today's June 2007 "Four Under Forty" cover story.
Representative Richard E. Neal
Featured Speaker
Richard Neal was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988. He represents the Second District of Massachusetts, which includes cities and towns in western and central Massachusetts. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. Neal is an At-Large Whip for the House Democrats. He is a co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus, where he continues to advocate for the unique regional interests of the six New England States. He has been recognized for his leadership and innovation by many civic, charitable, educational and labor organizations. He is a Trustee of Mount Holyoke College and has received honorary degrees from Springfield College, Western New England College, Elms College and Suffolk University.
Deb Newman, CLU, ChFC, LTCP
Telling Great Stories Will Answer Clients’ Long Term Care Objections
Debra C. Newman is a 25-year veteran of the financial services industry. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Newman Long Term Care, an agency she founded in 1990 to focus solely on Long Term Care Insurance. Licensed in 49 states, her business has grown to be one of the largest agencies in the United States. Newman has earned the coveted Million Dollar Round Table distinction. Newman has served at many levels of state and local leadership of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). She is the Immediate Past President of the Association of Health Insurance Advisors (AHIA). As a well-known educator on long-term care issues, Debra has taught continuing education classes for the Bar Association, Society of Certified Public Accountants, International Association of Financial Planners, Estate Planning Council, University of Minnesota, NAIFA National Convention, as well as numerous national and state organizations and educational institutions.
Representative Adam H. Putnam
Featured Speaker
Congressman Adam H. Putnam represents the 12th Congressional District of Florida. Now in his fourth term, he is Chairman of the Republican Conference and serves on the Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. As Chairman of the House Republican Conference, Putnam is third in line in the House Republican leadership. The Conference Chairman is charged with articulating his party's message, and he is working with his colleagues to build a bold, innovative agenda for America's future. The House Financial Services Committee oversees the nation's financial services and housing sectors including banking, insurance, real estate, public and assisted housing, and securities.
James E. Rogers, CLU, CFP
MDRT Hour
James Rogers, MDRT President, is a 33-year MDRT member with 23 Top of the Table honors. He has served as a Chair and member of numerous Round Table committees, most recently serving as the 2004 Divisional Vice President of Strategic Relations. He is a Gold Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a Platinum Knight of the Canadian Million Dollar Round Table Foundation. Rogers is chair of Rogers Group Financial, the 51-person independent financial advisory firm he founded. In 2001, Rogers was the first recipient of Advisors Edge magazine's Career Achievement Award.
Molly Shannon
Life Insurance Awareness Month Presentation
Comedian, actress and former Saturday Night Live cast member Molly Shannon is the national spokesperson for the LIFE Foundation's fourth annual Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM). Shannon was just four years old when she was in a car accident that took the lives of her 33-year old mother, her cousin and her younger sister. She survived the crash, along with her father and older sister, but her dad was badly injured in the accident and was unable to work for several years. In addition, Shannon's mom, a school teacher, didn't have any life insurance coverage. Even today, Molly remembers how much her dad struggled to provide for his two daughters. During September, Shannon will share her story with consumers through interviews with television and radio stations and print news outlets throughout the country.
David E. Smithkey, CLU, RFC
Governance Committee Report
Immediate Past President’s Farewell Remarks
David Smithkey of Flint, Michigan is a 25-year industry veteran and principal and president of Security First Benefits Corp. He served three years as a NAIFA trustee. He served as liaison to the Leadership Development and Member Benefits Committees, the Association Executives Advisory Council (AEAC) and APIC, and on the 2003 NAIFA Transformation Task Force. Smithkey was elected Secretary in September 2003 at the 114th NAIFA Convention in Kansas City, MO. Smithkey has served as his local and state association's president. He is a recipient of the Charles E. Keeley Award and the Marvin E. Muilenberg Distinguished Service Award. He is a member of MDRT, the MDRT Foundation, the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) including the Legislative Circle, the National Association of Health Underwriters, SFSP, the Gold Key Society, IARFC and the Flint Estate Planning Council. He is also an AHIA charter member, a War Chest contributor, and an IFAPAC Capitol Club contributor.
Jeffrey J. Taggart, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
Master of Ceremony
New NAIFA President’s Remarks
Jeff Taggart continues a family tradition of serving his clients and NAIFA as a third generation NAIFA member. He has been in the insurance business for 27 years. Taggart has served as NAIFA trustee liaison to the National Membership Committee, the Associations Committee, the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) and MIP Task Forces. He has chaired the Membership Committee twice and has served on the Community Service, Financial Institutions, NAIFA 2000 and Transformation Committees and Task Forces. Taggart has been president of NAIFA-Wyoming and was named Agent of the Year in 1996. As state membership chair he earned the National Platinum Award twice. He was elected NAIFA Secretary in September 2005 at the 116th Annual Convention and will be named NAIFA President at this convention.
Cal Thomas
Common Ground
With a twice-weekly column appearing in over 600 newspapers nationwide, Cal Thomas is the most widely read and one of the most highly regarded voices on the American political scene. Thomas is a 36-year veteran of broadcast and print journalism. He has worked for NBC, CNBC, PBS television, and the Fox News Network, where he currently provides frequent political commentary and is a panelist on the popular "Fox News Watch" show. In 1995, Thomas was honored with a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Interview Program. Other awards include a George Foster Peabody team reporting award, and awards from both the Associated Press and United Press International. A writer of force and clarity, Thomas has authored ten books, including the latest release, The Wit and Wisdom of Cal Thomas. His USA TODAY feature, "Common Ground", provides insightful discussion of contentious social issues with his friend and political counterpart, Bob Beckel.
Stephanie Vance
How to Meet With Your Legislator
Stephanie Vance, author of Government by the People: How to Communicate With Congress and the fabjob.com guide, Get a Job on Capitol Hill, has 15 years of experience in congressional affairs. She has worked in a prominent D.C. law firm, lobbied for National Public Radio and worked in several congressional offices. She founded AdVanced Consulting and is currently a partner and “advocacy guru” at Advocacy Associates, LLC, in Washington, D.C. She has spoken on advocacy and provided grassroots training to organizations around the country.
Ray Vendetti, CLU, ChFC
Unlocking the Code: How to Write More Life With Your P/C Clients
With over 35 years of industry experience, split between multi line and financial services, Ray has been a producer, General Agent, and Sales Vice President. Ray conducts interactive training seminars for new and veteran multi-line producers and managers on how to open life discussions. He has also been a featured speaker at local NAIFA meetings. In addition to his speaking and training, Ray has an individual coaching practice with clients from national companies such as State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers.
Cliff F. Wilson, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
Presenter
Cliff F. Wilson, a 35 year industry veteran, is president of Southeast Arizona Insurance Services, Ltd, a multi-line General Agency located in Chandler, Arizona. Elected in 2002, Cliff has served as Trustee liaison to the Positioning/Communication Committee, Government Relations Committee, Associations Committee, and Membership Committee. In addition to serving on many NAIFA Committees and Task Forces, Wilson has served as Chair of the Membership Committee and Associations Committee. He is a past President of NAIFA Arizona, past Trustee of LUTC, past Board Member of The American College, LILI Graduate, IFAPAC Emissary and was inducted into the NAIFA Arizona Hall of Fame in 2000. Wilson was elected NAIFA Secretary in 2006 at the 117th Convention in San Francisco.
Randall C. Wimsatt, LUTCF
LILI 7: Alumni Seminar Your Legacy Quest – Your Footprint Makes a Difference
Randy Wimsatt began his career in 1978 and obtained his securities license in 1987. He is an investment advisor for ING Financial Partners and an independent agent for life, disability and long-term care insurance. Wimsatt is a member of the NAIFA-LILI Subcommittee and is team leader for the LILI 7 Alumni Seminar. He is also local president of the NAIFA-Northwest New Mexico association. Wimsatt joined NAIFA in 1979, has won the NQA and NSAA, is a Jack Berg Memorial recipient for NAIFA-NM and was awarded the Life Underwriter of the year for his local.
David F. Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
LIFE Report
NAIFA Outgoing CEO’s Report
David Woods is the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of NAIFA and current President of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the essential role of life and health insurance in a sound financial plan and the value added by insurance agents and other financial advisors. He started his career in 1961 in the Home Office of Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company. Beginning in 1966, he was a leading agent with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. Woods' dedication to the industry was recognized in 1997 when he was awarded the industry's highest award, the John Newton Russell Memorial Award, for outstanding service to the life insurance industry and his community. Mr. Woods served as president of the National Association of Life Underwriters (now NAIFA) in 1986-1987. He is a former director of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) and is a member of its Legislative Circle. Woods has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1970. He is a Knight of the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation. He served on the Board of Trustees of The American College and is a member of The American College's President's Club and Gold Key Society. Woods is a Board member of The Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA).
Dennis Zahrbock, CLU, ChFC, CFP
Is Marketing or Selling More Important? And, Does a Process Count?
Dennis Zahrbock is the founder and president of Business & Estate Advisers, Inc. which provides money management services for over $150,000,000 in assets, provides administrative services for over 60 employer-sponsored 401(k) Plans and over 2,500 individual participants and business and estate protection for over half a billion dollars of life insurance for a predominantly business-owner client base. Zahrbock is a 35 year member of NAIFA and a Life and Qualifying Member of MDRT. He is a member of Court of the Table since its inception and Top of Table since 1995.