NAIFA’s Committee on Governance has nominated Douglas B. Massey, LUTCF, FSS, Owner of Doug Massey Financial Services in San Angelo, TX, to be the 2023 NAIFA Secretary. A current member of NAIFA’s Board of Trustees, Massey has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1987. As incoming Secretary, Massey will be in line to serve as President-Elect in 2024 and President in 2025.

The Committee has also nominated two members to serve two-year terms on the NAIFA Board of Trustees. The nominees are Brian J. Haney, CLTC, CFS, CIS, CFBS, LACP, CAE, Founder and CEO of the Haney Company in Silver Spring, MD, a loyal member since 2013, and Carina Hatfield, LUTCF, CLCS, LACP, Owner of Weigner Insurance & Financial Services Inc. in Pottstown, PA, a loyal member since 2005. Under the respective leadership of Haney and Hatfield, The Haney Company and Weigner Insurance & Financial Services are both participants in NAIFA’s 100% Agency program.

Two members of the 2022 Board whose terms are expiring have been nominated to serve additional one-year terms. They are Aprilyn Chavez Geissler, LACP, First Executive Vice President with Gateway Financial Advisors in Albuquerque, NM, a loyal member since 2005, and Dennis Cuccinelli, LACP, an Independent Financial Representative in Edison, NJ, a loyal member since 1986. Geissler has served the organization in a myriad of ways including being a past national Diversity Champion, and Cuccinelli has served the association for multiple years as national Membership Chair.

Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, President of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon, FL, and a loyal member since 1987, will serve as NAIFA’s 2023 President. Thomas M. Cothron, LUTCF, FSCP, Agency Manager at Southern Farm Bureau Insurance in Ocala, FL, a loyal member since 1981, will be the 2023 President-Elect. Both Holz and Cothron have served the association in multiple roles including national Trustee, state President, and specialty committee roles throughout their leadership tenure.

Brock T. Jolly, CFP, CLU, LACP, ChFC, CLTC, CASL, RICP, Partner at Veritas Financial LLC/MassMutual and Financial Group in McLean, VA, a loyal member since 2001, is nominated to continue to serve as NAIFA’s Treasurer. Lawrence J. Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP, Director of Insurance and Advance Sales, at Fortis Lux Financial, in Melville, NY, a loyal member since 1990, will serve as Immediate Past President.

Continuing their current terms as members of the Board of Trustees in 2023 are Mark Acre, LUTCF, CEO of OneSource Insurance Group in Ozark, MO, a loyal member since 2009; Christopher L. Gandy, LACP, Founder of Midwest Legacy Group (OneAmerica) in Lisle, IL, a loyal member since 2003; Evelyn Gellar, LUTCF, RICP, CLTC, FSCP, CDFA, Managing Director of Forest Hills Financial Group (Guardian Life) in Melville, NY, a loyal member since 1993; Winona Havir, CPCU, CLF, LUTCF, FSS, AIC, LACP, Executive Vice President of Business Development with Educators Insurance Resources Services, Inc. (Horace Mann) in Stillwater, MN, a loyal member since 1997; and Danny O’Connell, LACP, CEO of Next Level Insurance Agency in Addison, TX, a loyal member since 2008.

The nominees will stand for election during NAIFA’s annual business meeting at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). The NLC and Belong awards celebration will be held November 13-15 at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Following the association’s business meeting, all Trustees and state presidents will be sworn into office with an awards dinner to follow.

The NAIFA Governance Committee consists of 12 NAIFA members and is chaired by NAIFA Past President Cammie Scott, MSIE, ChHC, CLTC, LUTCF, REBC, RHU, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, President of CK Harp & Associates in Springdale, AR, a loyal member since 1998.

“The Governance Committee considered a strong slate of applicants for the NAIFA Secretary and Board of Trustee positions, and we settled on a group of candidates who bring passion, energy, intelligence, and a dedication to service that will lead NAIFA to continued success as we enter year three of the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Plan,” Scott said. “This group, along with returning board members, incoming President Bryon Holz, and President-Elect Tom Cothron, will continue to lead NAIFA’s modernization and delivery of a high-quality membership experience.”

NAIFA members interested in serving as volunteer association leaders should contact their local or state chapters to explore leadership opportunities. 

View the PRWeb press release.

When Joshua Ruble graduated from college, he didn’t plan on a career in insurance. However, when a friend suggested a Risk Management Advisor role in Dallas, he quickly took the opportunity and relocated from Oregon.

As a Risk Management Advisor at C1 Insurance Group, Ruble works primarily with high-net-worth families insuring their homes, autos, valuables, and more. He enjoys building relationships with his clients and educating them on the risks they face and consulting on how to best prepare for those disasters. One experience that stood out to him in particular came during a winter freeze. He insured a family’s home with extensive water damage protection through one of his premier carriers. Following the freeze, the home sustained extreme water damage. Not only was the damage repaired to the extent of $750,000, but all the work was completed in six months. Ruble’s client expressed his gratitude, saying, “Your service, responsiveness, and the way you keep your customers updated is truly on a different level than others.”

As a NAIFA member, Ruble is excited to network with and learn from other industry professionals. “I want to be more well-rounded in my knowledge of my industry, as well as others that will best serve my clients,” he says. 

Outside of the office, Ruble enjoys spending time with his wife and 2-year-old daughter. He appreciates the opportunity his career gives him to provide for and spend time with his family. His daughter loves animals, so the family visits zoos and museums often. Ruble is also an avid sports fan, loves hosting gatherings of friends, and stays involved in his community through his church and his daughter’s school. 

Thank you, Joshua, for your hard work and dedication. We look forward to a bright future in the association for you and are #NAIFAproud to call you one of our own.