2022 Annual State Conference

The information on this page is specific to the 2022 Annual State Conference that was held February 23rd -25th, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

For details regarding the 2023 Annual Conference, please click here!

Conference Recap

The 2022 NAIFA-Texas Annual State Conference was held February 23-25, 2022 in Houston, Texas. This multi-day event included educational sessions, networking opportunities, and camaraderie! The event kicked off with a three-hour Ethics CE course, followed by the 2022 LILI Summit, Welcome Reception, and an exclusive Texas Leaders Round Table (TLRT) Dinner.

During the main event, we were joined by NAIFA national President, Lawrence Holzberg, who shared NAIFA highlights and conducted the swearing in ceremony for the 2022 NAIFA-Texas Board of Directors. In addition, NAIFA-TX lobbyist Elizabeth Hadley moderated a legislative panel discussion that included Chair of the House Insurance Committee, Rep. Tom Oliverson, Rep. Dennis Paul (House Insurance Committee member), Rep. Ed Thompson (State Farm Insurance Agent), and Sen. Carol Alvarado.

General Session speakers for the event included Michael Goldberg of Knock Out Networking, Cheryl Canzanella of Coastal Life Strategies, Gail B. Goodman, also known as the Phone Teacher, Michael Sir of One Protection (Conference Exhibit Booth Sponsor), Rick Demko with Centric Advisors, Harlan Accola with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (Premier Conference Sponsor), and David McKnight with The Power of Zero who attended the event thanks to our Premier Conference Sponsor, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.

During the final day of the conference we were honored to present our New NAIFA-Texas members with a commemorative NAIFA Pin and recognize them on stage. The NAIFA-Texas Awards Committee presented the first NAIFA-Texas Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year Award to NAIFA-Texas Board Member, Rick Demko, CLU, RICP, LUTCF, LACP. The Committee also presented two recipients with the NAIFA-Texas Lifetime Achievement Award: Russell "Rusty" Donohue, CLU, ChFC and Douglas Massey, CLU, ChFC, FSS.

Below are a few of the many memories we were able to capture during the event. If you were able to capture digital memories of the event, please share them with us via email to support@naifa-texas.org. For more information about our conference speakers, sponsors, and awards, please view our digital program below.

CONFERENCE SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

Welcome Reception - Corpus Christi Members

Welcome Reception - Harlan Accola, Hollie Gandy, Jim Thompson, and Michael Inkman

TLRT Dinner - Mike Evans, Derek True, Brian Walsh, Andra Grava, Lawrence Holzberg

NAIFA-Texas President-Elect, Rodney Mogen

2022 NAIFA-Texas Board of Directors Swearing In Ceremony led by NAIFA National President Lawrence Holzberg

Several NAIFA-Texas Board members and NAIFA-Texas Past Presidents pose for a photo with NAIFA-Texas Lobbyist and three of the Legislative Panelists after the panel discussion. Left to Right: Rick Demko, Doug Massey, Danny O'Connell, Jason Talley, Rep. Tom Oliverson, Elizabeth Hadley, Rodney Mogen (back), Debbie Gary, Rep. Dennis Paul, and Rep. Ed Thompson.

Business Meeting - President Andra Gravas Message

Danny OConnell presented with Past Presidents Plaque

John Ruckel presents Rusty Donohue (accompanied by Hollie Gandy-Donohue) with the Lifetime Achievement Award

NAIFA-Texas President Elect Rodney Mogen awards Rick Demko with the YAT Leader of the Year Award

NAIFA-Texas National Committeeperson, Jason Talley presents Doug Massey with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Danny OConnell purchases TALU Sign for John Ruckel

LILI Panel Discussion - Karen Easterling, Danny OConnell, Kyle Lindner, and Lel Arandela