This year the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors combined two signature events, Apex and the National Leadership Conference (NLC). Apex focuses on growing your business, encouraging leadership skills, and developing your personal brand. It appeals to a wide range of professionals and helps you reach your highest level of success. The National Leadership Conference (NLC) optimizes how we work together as NAIFA leaders to bring us continued success as the number one association for financial services professionals in the United States. NLC and the associated Belong Awards Gala inspire and recognize servant leaders who are called to serve a greater purpose and understand that they are working for the success of something bigger than themselves.
NAIFA-Texas was well represented during the event with 20 members in attendance from across the state of Texas including*:
Devon Darden, NAIFA Austin Member
Erni Davis 
, NAIFA Employee
Renae Davies, NAIFA-Texas Executive Director
Tahitta Diaz, NAIFA-Dallas Member
Karen Easterling , NAIFA Austin Board Member
Susan Faykus, NAIFA Austin President
Keith Forster, NAIFA San Antonio Member
Hollie Gandy Donohue , NAIFA Amarillo Area Leadership Team Member
Robin Johnston, NAIFA Austin Member
Chuck Laubach, NAIFA San Antonio Member
Douglas Massey , NAIFA National President-Elect
Shane Minks, NAIFA Houston Board Member
Cynthia Mook, NAIFA-Dallas Member
Joseph Orr , NAIFA El Paso Member
John Ruckel , NAIFA-Pineywoods of East Texas Board Member
Michael Steadman, NAIFA San Antonio Member
Jason Talley , NAIFA-Texas Industry Relations Task Force Chair & LILI Chair
James Thompson, NAIFA-Texas President
Joey Ussery , NAIFA Houston Member
John W Wheeler Jr. , NAIFA-Texas Board Member and 2025 NAIFA National Secretary
*Please note that this list of attendees was pulled directly from NAIFA's Apex "Who's Coming?" list at https://apex.naifa.org/whos-coming on 9/23/2024. If you see an error, please contact the NAIFA-Texas office directly to report a correction.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
NAIFA-Texas is proud to announce that John M. Ruckel, LUTCF, a Financial Professional with MassMutual and owner of Ruckel Insurance and Financial Group in Nacogdoches, Texas, is the 2024 recipient of NAIFA’s Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award. Learn more about this prestigious honor here: NAIFA-Texas Member John Ruckel to Receive NAIFA Terry Headley Award.
The 2024 NAIFA-Texas President, Jim Thompson represented the state of Texas during the flag ceremony and proudly walked onto the staged with his head and fist held high. Also honored at the event, NAIFA-Dallas and NAIFA Houston were recognized for receiving the 2024 NAIFA Chapter Excellence Award for providing a quality member experience to their members and achieved organizational excellence. They were two of a collective 9 Local Chapters nationwide to receive this recognition.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATION
2025 is an exciting year for NAIFA-Texas as the National Board of Trustees has selected San Antonio native and loyal NAIFA-Texas member since 1987, Douglas B. Massey as the 2025 NAIFA National President. We were thrilled to see Doug be sworn in and earn this amazing honor. Learn more about this appointment here: NAIFA-Texas Member Doug Massey Appointed 2025 NAIFA President.
In addition, John W. Wheeler, Jr. of Houston, Texas has been appointed the 2025 NAIFA Secretary position. John currently serves on NAIFA's National Government Relations and IFAPAC Committees and is a NAIFA-Texas Board member. Learn more about the 2025 NAIFA National Board of Trustees here: NAIFA Announces Candidates Nominated for 2025 National Leadership Roles.
Please enjoy some of the photos captured during the event.
Doug Massey performing the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 NAIFA National Board of Trustees |
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