Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is a featured speaker Thursday, February 24, in Houston at the 2022 Annual State Conference of NAIFA’s Texas chapter. His remarks at the event will review the State of NAIFA and challenge insurance and financial professionals to be the best they can be as producers and as advocates for their businesses, association, and Main Street clients.

Roger Clemens with NAIFA-Houston Leadership: (left-right): Kyle Lindner (2019 President),  Brian Monk (President-Elect). Roger Clemens, Betsy Assad (President), Rick Demko (2020 President).

The strategic partnership between NAIFA and Insperity kicked off on Thursday, June 17, when NAIFA-Houston members were invited to Constellation Field for batting practice with seven-time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens.

During an informal reception and meet and greet, Roger "Rocket" Clemens welcomed attendees and shared his personal story of success before engaging in a casual Q&A.  Then everyone was invited down to the field to pick up a bat and Roger took the pitcher’s mound.  Several attendees took the opportunity to bring their gloves and play the outfield!

Legislation signed recently by Governor Greg Abbott enhances protections for Texas consumers seeking lifetime income through annuities. Championed by House Insurance Committee Chairman Dr. Tom Oliverson and Senate Business & Commerce Chairman Kelly Hancock, the new law enhances the standards financial professionals must follow while preserving consumers’ ability to access the tools they need for a secure retirement.

NAIFA-Texas has been hard at work ensuring that the Texas legislature adopts the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model for a “Best Interest” standard for annuity products this legislative session. Partnering with Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers (TAHLI), we have met with multiple offices and other stakeholders to ensure clarity and support from those within the Texas Capitol. State Rep. Tom Oliverson, M.D. (R-Cypress), chair of the Texas House Insurance Committee is the bill's author.

On March 23, 2021, Jason Talley, NAIFA-Texas Past President, represented NAIFA-Texas by testifying in support of HB 1777 before the Texas House Insurance Committee. This bill passed unanimously out of committee and passed in the Texas House 144-1. Once it reached the Texas Senate, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce. Due to a time constraint before the first bill filing deadline of the session in early March, there was no Senate companion bill nor a Senate author. NAIFA-Texas and TALHI were able to get Chairman Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth) to carry this bill in his own committee. On May 13, 2021, this bill was heard in a formal hearing where NAIFA-Texas submitted written testimony in support. There was no opposition.

NAIFA-Texas member Rick Demko is life insurance expert with Centric Advisors who holds the LACP certification, served as President of NAIFA Houston, won NAIFA's Four Under 40 Award, and recently shared his insights on COVID-19's impact on life insurance underwriting with Best's Review magazine. Talk about differentiating yourself! #NAIFAproud https://hubs.li/H0MH_820

NAIFA’s Texas chapter (NAIFA-TX) held a successful legislative event last week, with several dozen participants. The annual Day at the Capitol was planned as a hybrid event, with both in-person and virtual attendees. However, the lingering effects of recent winter storms required NAIFA-TX to quickly shift to an all-virtual event.

NAIFA has expanded access to the NAIFA Family Response Fund to benefit members of the association impacted by deadly winter storms in Texas. Officials in Texas and media reports indicate the extreme weather and associated utility outages have resulted in significant property losses and fatalities.

Happy New Year, members! We hope you had a relaxing holiday season. NAIFA-Texas has a few things up its sleeve as we embark on 2021 and slam the book that is 2020 shut (with force).

We are very excited to bring you our first member feature on the NAIFA-Texas blog! Charlie Matejowsky has been with Van Dyke Rankin Financial Services in Brenham, Texas for his 38 year career, and a NAIFA member for 34 of those years. He also was the NAIFA-Texas Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at our 2020 State Conference. We sat down with Charlie to ask him how he has adapted his business model during the COVID-19 pandemic and how Zoom has played an integral role in maintaining his business approach.