Category Archives: Business

Press Releases from the Business World. Announcements, Product releases, Appointments.

Industry Veteran Chuck Fillizola Joins Instec Senior Executive Team


Chuck Fillizola, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Instec

Chuck Fillizola, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Instec

This is an exciting time to join Instec. They’ve established a solid reputation in the program space, as program growth continues to outpace the broader market.

Instec announced today that industry veteran Chuck Fillizola has joined the company as President and Chief Revenue Officer. In this newly created position, he will be responsible for all frontline revenue-generating functions, including sales, marketing, account management, and engagement management.

“We’re thrilled to have Chuck join Instec,” said Ray Simon, CEO. “Through Chuck’s five-year tenure on our Board of Directors, we have come to know him well. We have great respect for his experience, his strong relationships in the industry, and his strategic insight.”

Fillizola joins Instec from Orchid Underwriters where he was Chief Information Officer. Prior to Orchid, he held positions as CIO at Sompo Japan America and Director of Technology at Munich Re. He also spent over ten years with insurance service providers as Chief Strategy Officer at CSC and President of MFX.

“This is an exciting time to join Instec,” Fillizola said. “They’ve established a solid reputation in the program space, as program growth continues to outpace the broader market. I see a lot of upside potential at the company, especially with our newest product, Instec Underwriting, which fills a critical gap in the industry.”

About Instec

Instec’s unique approach to systems for the insurance industry enables P&C carriers, MGAs, and MGUs to launch programs and specialty offerings from project start to first quote in as little as four weeks. With built-in bureau content and reusable business rules, Instec systems provide a platform for innovation with reduced risk. In addition, cloud-based deployment and subscription-based pricing enable insurers to test new programs at a low cost of entry and scale up affordably as the business grows. To learn more, visit instec-corp.com.

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NFP Acquires Hutch Hubby & Associates, Welcomes Seasoned Corporate Benefits Leader to Austin Team


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“Hutch Hubby & Associates has built an excellent reputation in the Austin area by providing employers across industries with benefits expertise and solutions,” said Kevin Brown.

NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement and individual solutions, today announced its third central Texas acquisition of 2020, Hutch Hubby & Associates, an Austin-based employee benefits firm.

The firm’s principal, L. Hutch Hubby, brings NFP over 40 years of experience serving employers and executive leaders in the greater Austin market. Hubby joins NFP as vice president, reporting to Kevin Brown, managing director of NFP’s central Texas practice.

“Hutch Hubby & Associates has built an excellent reputation in the Austin area by providing employers across industries with benefits expertise and solutions,” said Brown. “We’re honored and excited to add Hutch to the team and continue to expand our footprint in central Texas.”

”NFP’s reputation and commitment to people, innovation and high-quality solutions were key factors in my decision to join NFP,” said Hubby. “I am thrilled to enhance the expertise and service delivered to clients and to be a part of the NFP team.”

About NFP

NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates. NFP enables client success through the expertise of over 5,700 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors, and financial institutions. NFP is the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue, 6th largest US-based privately owned broker, and 8th best place to work in insurance (Business Insurance); 10th largest property and casualty agency (Insurance Journal); and 12th largest global insurance broker (Best’s Review).

Visit NFP.com to discover how NFP empowers clients to meet their goals.

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A New Article Presents 6 Steps For Lowering The Car Theft Risk


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“Drivers can save money on their insurance premiums by making their vehicles safer against thieves”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents various methods that help policyholders to keep their cars safe against thieves and save car insurance money at the same time.

For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/6-steps-to-lowering-your-risk-of-car-theft/

Policyholders that own a vehicle are facing numerous responsibilities. Besides the need for properly maintaining their vehicles, policyholders also need to take measures to protect them against car thieves.


  •     By installing reliable alarm systems and anti-theft devices, policyholders can sleep better at night knowing their cars are safe. The anti-theft devices market is so diverse and affordable for everyone, so there is no reason for car owners not to purchase an anti-theft device.
  •     Immobilizer systems are another solution that can make vehicles safer against thieves. A preventive device such as a hidden ignition kill switch, fuel cut-off or smart key can discourage car thieves. Not being able to start the car will make the thieves back down.
  •     A car owner should never leave his car unattended while the engine is running. A car can easily get stolen if the engine is running. Thieves only need to break a window and unlock the door in order to steal a vehicle.
  •     Policyholders should never leave valuable items in their cars. If a policyholder must keep a valuable item in his car, he should avoid exposing it by keeping the item under the seat or in the trunk. Exposed valuable items are tempting for nearby thieves.
  •     Choosing the right place to park a vehicle can deter many thieves. Places with a high degree of public visibility, preferably in intensely-circulated areas are ideal for parking a vehicle.
  •     GPS tracking systems are ideal when it comes to retrieving a stolen vehicle. Many new car models come with a GPS tracking system already installed, or as an optional feature. Authorities can quickly recover stolen vehicles that are equipped with GPS tracking systems.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc

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A New Article Explains Who Can Get A Good Driver Discount


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“Saving money on car insurance is more important now than ever. One good method to do that is by getting a good driver discount that is offered for safe, low-risk drivers.”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents all the information drivers need to know about the good driver discount.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/what-is-good-driver-discount-and-who-can-get-it/

The good driver discount is a discount given by car insurance providers to safe, low-risk drivers. Every insurer has its own rules for determining who is and who is not a good driver. Some insurance providers require drivers to have a clean driving record for just one year, while other insurers will offer this discount for drivers who have at least five years of clean driving.

The best way for drivers to get this discount is to shop around with insurers from their areas. Even if they don’t qualify at one insurer, drivers might be eligible for a good driver discount at another provider. Some companies will ignore a speeding ticket, or even one at-fault accident, while others will not ignore any of these. Drivers should contact their car insurance companies and check if they are eligible for a good driver discount.

Regarding good driver discount, drivers should know more about the following:


  •     How to qualify for a good driver discount. Depending on the insurer, obtaining this discount can be easy or hard. To have better chances of getting the discount, drivers can take a defensive driving course to show their insurers they’ve learned how to be better, safer drivers. Drivers can also purchase forgiveness coverage from their insurers and have one-at fault accident forgiven from their records. Shopping around at different insurers is also a good idea. Drivers should avoid reckless driving and follow the speed limits and signs and avoid getting a ticket. In fact, drivers should drive defensively and leave plenty of room between themselves and other drivers.
  •     How drivers can lose their good driver discount. Good driver discounts aren’t permanent. With one mistake, drivers can lose their good driver discount. Insurance providers have different rules regarding the loss of good driver discounts. Usually, drivers can lose this discount for reasons such as getting traffic or moving violation tickets, being at-fault in an accident, making a claim under the collision coverage, or even getting just one point on their license.
  •     Some states require insurance providers to offer good driver discounts. In California, for example, insurers are required to offer a 20% discount to good drivers who had a license for the past three years, had not lost more than one point on their driving record due to a violation, had not taken traffic school or a defensive driving course more than once because of a violation, had not been at-fault in an accident that resulted in injury or death within the last five years, and had no convictions within the last ten years for DUI-related offenses.
  •     How long do drivers need to wait to qualify for the good driver discount. Although speeding tickets and at-fault accidents remain permanently on the driving record, most states only allow providers to view incidents dating back three to five years. However, some states have exceptions for DUI-related offenses. Drivers who were convicted of a DUI offense in the past ten years in California are not allowed to get this discount.
  •     Compare insurance quotes to find good driver discounts. Drivers who do not qualify for a safe driving discount with their current insurer should compare quotes from other insurance companies. Some car insurance companies have looser rules regarding safe driving discounts.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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A New Article Explains How To Handle A Car Insurance Lapse


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“People that live in today’s society have busy lives, so forgetting to pay the insurance bill is not unheard of. However, it is important to do everything you can in order to get your insurance back after you discovered you have an insurance lapse”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of IMC

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains what is a car insurance lapse and how they can avoid these situations.

For more info and free quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/what-to-do-after-a-car-insurance-lapse/

It’s not unusual for someone to forget to pay the car insurance premiums. Many persons are busy with their daily routines and jobs, and sometimes they forget that certain bills must be paid. However, the situation can get be bad for drivers that have a coverage lapse. Driving without insurance can be risky. Depending on the state laws, the penalties for driving without insurance can range from hefty fines to one year in prison.

Drivers who are having a coverage lapse should follow the next steps:


  • Drivers that discovered they have a coverage lapse should contact their insurers immediately. In most cases, the driver has forgotten to pay the insurance. Nevertheless, the insurance provider will apply some rules and negotiate to reinstate coverage, even though the driver had no intention to not pay the premiums.
  • Drivers that are having just a few days of coverage lapse can be easily reinstated to the same insurance carriers after they have paid their premiums.
  • Drivers with long coverage lapses have different negotiations with their insurers. It depends on the insurance provider and some factors regarding the driver, if the insurance policy is to be reinstated or not. Drivers that have been with the same insurer for a long period of time and they are good drivers, have a higher chance or reinstating their policies on the same insurer. However, there are many drivers that need to look for a different insurance provider.
  • There are different reinstatement procedures among insurance companies. Usually, the insurers will simply renew the previous policy. In some cases, the insurance company will impose the driver to apply for a new and costlier insurance policy. Also, these insurers will require the driver to provide an electronic payment method from where automatic monthly withdrawals can be done.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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InternationalStudent.com Launches 15th Annual Travel Video Contest


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We’re still committed to opening doors for international education and cultural exchange with not only the contest’s cash prizes that range from $250-$4,000, but also the opportunity and experience it can present for students around the world.

In its 15th year, the Travel Video Contest presented by InternationalStudent.com is now open for submissions with an updated name to better identify with 2020 – TVC: Life After Lockdown. Current, interrupted and future international students and cultural exchange participants will have the opportunity to win one of four valuable prizes this year. Along with the $4,000 cash prize, the Grand Prize winner receives their own blog on InternationalStudent.com to document their educational journey.

Contest entrants must be at least 18 years old and will need to create a video that discusses one or both of these topics:

  • How COVID-19 has impacted their international education or cultural exchange experience abroad
  • Their ideal international education or cultural exchange after COVID-19


“We started this contest in 2006 as an opportunity for international students from all over the globe to showcase and help fund their international education. Students’ passion for this cause, like ours, only burns brighter this year because of the difficulties brought about by the pandemic, as so many are impatiently awaiting a chance to go. So, we have updated the contest theme and eligibility requirements, making it more relevant to this year of dysfunction,” said Bryanna Davis, Director of InternationalStudent.com.

Video submissions must be two minutes or less in length and uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo or DailyMotion to be eligible to move on to the judging stage. This year’s distinguished judges are:

  • Matt Brattin, 2006 Grand Prize Winner
  • Sandy Florez, 2009 Grand Prize Winner
  • Dana Brolley, Director of International Services, University of Idaho
  • Mina Morgan, President, The Language Company
  • Sherif Barsoum, Associate Vice President for Global Services, New York University
  • Troy Peden, Founder, GoAbroad.com
  • Ruth Kamona, Director for International Student and Scholar Services, City University of New York
  • Dr. Cory Owen, Associate Dean of Student Development, The Juilliard School


“Although the pandemic and the travel restrictions that came with it have put international students and cultural exchange students in a difficult position, we want them to know that perseverance is key in difficult times. We’re still committed to opening doors for international education and cultural exchange with not only the contest’s cash prizes that range from $250-$4,000, but also the opportunity and experience it can present for students around the world,” said Davis.

All entries must be submitted before October 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. After the finalists are named, the judges will then carefully review each, including the viewers’ choice. Winners will be announced November 20, 2020.

To get more details on TVC: Life After Lockdown, contact InternationalStudent.com, visit the official contest page at https://www.internationalstudent.com/contest/.

InternationalStudent.com, an Envisage International Corporation Company is a leader in international education marketing and providing unique products and services that meet the needs of students and organizations from all around the world. With focus purely on international education, InternationalStudent.com provides expert solutions for international student recruiting, student loans and resources related to international education.

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Top Tips That Will Help Teen Drivers Get Cheaper Car Insurance


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“For many teen drivers, car insurance is too expensive. Luckily, there are many methods that can help teen drivers find better insurance deals”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com has launched a new blog post that presents several tips that can help teen drivers pay lower car insurance rates.

For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/how-to-get-cheaper-car-insurance-for-teens/

Anyone knows that teen drivers have to pay some of the most expensive car insurance premiums. Car insurance companies justify these high prices by providing statistics that show teen drivers are more likely to cause car accidents

Teen drivers that want to save money on car insurance should follow the next tips:


  • Acquire a good driving experience. The first six months of driving are very important for teens that want to pay less on their insurance. Insurance companies will lower the insurance rates of teen drivers that manage to keep their driving records clean in the first six months of driving.
  • Get a good student discount. Insurance companies are rewarding students that have good grades at school with good student discounts. Statistics show that good students are less likely to be involved in a car accident and generally they are more responsible when they are behind the wheel. To qualify for this discount, teen drivers need to have a 3.0-grade point average and show their proof to their insurers.
  • Buy the right vehicle. To save money on their insurance policy, teen drivers can choose to get the right vehicle. Teen drivers should avoid insuring expensive vehicles like muscle cars, limousines, or exotic cars. Instead, teen drivers should look to insure slightly used sedans that come equipped with several safety features.
  • Obtain online quotes. Scanning the insurance market can help teen drivers get better insurance rates. Comparing multiple quotes from various providers while sitting in the comfort of their homes, can help teen drivers save time.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/

Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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WEA Member Benefits Adds Life Insurance to Product Portfolio


“Our members have expressed their desire to see life insurance as a part of our product offerings, and we are excited to be able to bring that request to life,” said David Kijek, WEA Member Benefits President and CEO.

WEA Member Benefits (Member Benefits) announced today the addition of life insurance to their product portfolio of insurance offerings. Partnering with Associates of Clifton Park, a variety of policy options are available to fit members’ needs.

Life insurance is an important part of a family’s financial stability and well-being. If a family is dependent on an individual’s income, the family would likely struggle if that person were to pass away. Life insurance is a simple answer to a very difficult question: “How will my loved ones manage financially if something were to happen to me?”

With a vision of “Every Member Financially Secure,” the addition of life insurance to the product portfolio is a natural fit for Member Benefits.

“Our members have expressed their desire to see life insurance as a part of our product offerings, and we are excited to be able to bring that request to life,” said David Kijek, WEA Member Benefits President and CEO. “Partnering with Associates of Clifton Park to bring our members an option for this important piece of their financial security is a high priority for our team.”

For more information on Member Benefits life insurance offerings, visit weabenefits.com/life or call 1-800-893-1621.

The life insurance program is offered and administered by Associates of Clifton Park. Life insurance products are underwritten by multiple life insurance carriers.

About WEA Member Benefits

WEA Member Benefits has been helping Wisconsin public school employees achieve their financial goals for over 45 years by providing personal insurance and retirement and investment programs. We operate as a trust that reinvests any profits back into programs that benefit participants. We have no shareholders. This allows us to focus on meeting the needs of those we serve with high-quality products that are competitively priced. We have one of the highest customer retention and satisfaction rates in the industry. Learn more at weabenefits.com.

About Associates of Clifton Park

Associates of Clifton Park (AOCP) has been a pioneer and national authority in the life and long term care insurance business for over 25 years. With a professional staff, including a Geriatric Care Manager who is a national speaker on the importance of planning and education, AOCP has been serving consumers and their respective advisors in all 50 states. They have been instrumental in educating consumers and placing over $1 billion of coverage in force and its client base includes some of the largest financial institutions and insurance distribution organizations in the country.

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Grinnell Mutual awards $7,500 in grants to county fairgrounds


“We understand the importance of local fairgrounds in communities. Fairgrounds provide a place for community members to interact and gather with each other,” said Grinnell Mutual Director of Advertising and Community Relations Barb Baker. “

Six fairground improvement projects will receive a total of $7,500 in grants through Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative. The annual promotion gives county fairgrounds in Grinnell Mutual’s writing territory a chance to rally their communities and raise money to make improvements.

Grinnell Mutual received more than 50 fairground project submissions from 11 states. Fairground supporters then cast nearly 13,000 votes for their favorite projects among the 11 finalists. The six winning recipients shared a total of $7,500 worth of grants and were chosen based on the number of votes received.

“We understand the importance of local fairgrounds in communities. Fairgrounds provide a place for community members to interact and gather with each other,” said Grinnell Mutual Director of Advertising and Community Relations Barb Baker. “The Fairground Facelift grant is Grinnell Mutual’s way to help local fairgrounds improve and maintain current facilities.”

Davis County Fairgrounds in Bloomfield, Iowa, will receive a $3,000 grant to move their current ice cream stand into a larger building in the fairgrounds through Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative.

The Davis County Fairground has been working to raise funds to move the popular stand to a larger building.

“Our local 4-H clubs work the ice cream stand during the fair, and the fair board serves ice cream during the music festival in the fall,” said Lexis Frymoyer, fair board secretary. “We are so excited to be able to move this into a bigger building! We want to thank Grinnell Mutual for offering this grant opportunity and the wonderful Davis County community for sticking together and voting daily!”

Barlow Independent Fair of Barlow, Ohio, will receive a $1,500 grant through Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative to renovate the historic roundhouse by installing new floors and siding and an updated electrical system.

Fair board members Blake and Abby Campbell saw the opportunity to improve a great piece of Barlow Independent Fair history and decided to apply.

“We would like to thank Grinnell Mutual for providing the grant and we would also like to thank our amazing community supporters who voted for the Barlow Independent Fair!” said Abby, fair secretary. “We have an amazing community. We truly are one big fair family. Thank you to all who support the Barlow Independent Fair and its future!”

Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton, Minn., will receive a $1,500 grant through Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative to enhance their creative arts building.

The building is over 45 years old and in need of many updates. It is used by 4-H members and open-class exhibitors. In 2019, there were nearly 1,800 open-class entries alone.

“The Murray County fair is the best free fair in Southwest Minnesota. We have such a huge turnout with 4-H members and open-class exhibits,” said Kim Konkol, Murray County Fair Board secretary. “We plan to redo the roof and install new lighting in the creative arts building to enhance the viewing pleasure for all the fairgoers.

“We have such great support from near and far,” said Konkol. “A huge thanks to everyone that voted for Murray County and a huge thank you to Carisa Clarke, Minnwest Insurance Agent. If not for her, we would not have known about the opportunity to apply for a Fairground Facelift grant. Thanks to Grinnell Mutual for believing in the local fairs.”

Cedar County Fairgrounds in Hartington, Neb., will receive a $500 from Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative to repair flood damage.

A barn was damaged after a severe flood in March 2019. The grant will be used for the finishing touches such as gates, fences, and bleachers.

For Kristi Bruning, a former 4-H member and daughter of a fair board member, the Cedar County Fairgrounds are near and dear to her heart. “Growing up, the fairgrounds and livestock shows brought so many friends together and formed so many lasting friendships,” said Bruning. “My parents are very involved in the Ag Society, Extension office, and 4-H program. My siblings and I have our families involved in those same programs.

“I would like to thank all the voters who helped us finish as a Fairground Facelift honorable mention. I would also like to thank Grinnell Mutual for re-investing in our communities. This project will last for many future generations. It means so much!”

Meigs County Fair in Pomeroy, Ohio, will receive a $500 grant from Grinnell Mutual’s Fairground Facelift initiative to build a new horse announcer stand that will replicate the original stand built it 1852. “Receiving the $500 grant will help us to continue to restore our fairgrounds to the 1850 design and provide a safe vantage point for the harness racing judge. We have two days of harness racing each year and the judge must see the entire 1/2-mile track,” said Debbie Watson, Meigs County Fair secretary and staff member.

“We would like to thank Grinnell Mutual first, of course, but also residents of Meigs County for their continued support of our small county fair. Meigs County is an awesome place to live!”

Turner County Fair in Parker, S.D., will receive a $500 grant to improve its outdoor picnic area.

“The Fairground Facelift grant will help reduce trip hazards, making it easier for our guests of all abilities to get from one place to the other safely,” said Darcy Andersen, Fair Board president. “We will also divert water flow from the area so it doesn’t turn into a muddy mess and create a slip hazard as well. We’d like to thank Grinnell Mutual for this opportunity and generous gift, Jensen Insurance for passing along the details, our fair staff and board, and all our wonderful volunteers and fairgoers who dutifully showed their support for South Dakota’s oldest county fair by voting daily. Thank you again!”

About Grinnell Mutual

Grinnell Mutual, in business since 1909, is the 108th-largest property-casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America. Its products are available in 17 states.

For more information please contact:

Alivia Gerstein

Marketing and Customer Experience co-op

Alivia.gerstein@grinnellmutual.com

515-290-4880

NAIFA Future Leaders Program Elevates the Next Generation of Insurance and Financial Professionals


Blake Gillies, NAIFA Young Advisor Team National Committee Chair

Blake Gillies, NAIFA Young Advisor Team National Committee Chair

It just makes sense that we should expand our reach to now include students who are interested in coming into the business and teach them the tremendous role NAIFA plays in advocacy in the financial services industry.

The Young Advisor Team of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is proud to announce the launch of a new Future Leaders program for students interested in careers in the financial services industry. The new program is under the oversight of NAIFA National’s Young Advisor Team Committee, chaired by Blake Gillies, DIA, Brokerage Director, Acacia Financial Group.

The new Future Leaders program expands the offerings of NAIFA’s Talent Development Center of Excellence, launched in Q2 2020. The Talent Development Center is a new initiative of NAIFA to create a content and event hub focused on topics of personal and professional performance during every stage of the advisor business lifecycle. In addition to the Young Advisor Team, which focuses on programs for advisors under the age of 40 or with less than 5 years in the business, The Talent Development Center also houses NAIFA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work and award programs.

“The Young Advisor Team has been hard at work this year amplifying our message to new advisors as to the value of belonging to your professional association,” stated Gillies. “It just makes sense that we should expand our reach to now include students who are interested in coming into the business and teach them the tremendous role NAIFA plays in advocacy in the financial services industry.”

The University of Illinois was the first educational institution to sign onto the program and has included attending NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose professional development conference as part of its curriculum for the current semester. Students from Kansas State University, Texas A&M University and George Mason University will also participate. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and colleges and universities are invited to contact NAIFA to be included.

The new program will begin the morning of October 6 with a short program featuring top NAIFA members. Christopher Gandy, University of Illinois alumnus, NAIFA-Chicagoland President and founder of Midwest Legacy Group, will kick off the program in a session entitled “The Power to Provide Financial Security.” Next, will be a panel discussion of Young Advisor Team members representing different roles in the financial services industry: Cheryl Canzanella, LUTCF, (2019 Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year) and Brokerage Director at MassMutual, Becky Brothers, Regional Marketing Strategist at Principal Financial Group, Derek Scheetz, Financial Advisor at Lifetime Financial Growth and Isaac Amaya, Annuity Sales Manager at The Pinnacle Group. Delvin Joyce, CLU, ChFC, Managing Director at Prudential and member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees, will focus on “The Power of Mindset,” and Brian Haney, CLTC, CFS, CFBS, CIS, LACP, CAE, Vice President of The Haney Company will conclude the program with a session focused on how membership in NAIFA elevates your personal brand and differentiates you in a competitive landscape.

All Future Leaders will receive a free pass to attend the three-day Performance + Purpose conference. The program will conclude with an hour-long post-conference debrief and discussion led by key representatives from Cambridge Investment Research.

To learn more about the program and register, visit tdc.naifa.org/futureleaders.

ABOUT NAIFA: Founded in 1890, NAIFA is the oldest, largest and most prestigious association representing the interests of financial services professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. Our mission – to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members – is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for financial services professionals and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry.

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