INFORMATION PUBLISHED ON AT.NAIFA.ORG

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NAIFA-Texas is excited to welcome the following new members. We look forward to their involvement and are honored for them to join our great network of financial professionals!

NAIFA Houston held their Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at The Briar Club to recognize members who have went above and beyond, both professionally and personally. 

The evening began with NAIFA Houston President, Lena Allouche offering a warm welcome to guests in attendance and highlighting the Houston Awards Committee, the Houston President's Cabinet members, as well as the Houston Past Presidents in attendance at the dinner. Lena then moved on to thank the Awards Dinner event sponsors that included National Life Group, 1847 Financial, Strategic Financial Group, and Exam One Houston.

NAIFA Houston Past President and NAIFA-Texas Past President, Joey Ussery graciously accepted the role of emcee for the evening and presented the awards. Awards presented throughout the evening included the NAIFA National Quality Award, the NAIFA Houston Rising Star Award, the NAIFA Houston Financial Planner of the Year Award, and the NAIFA Houston Hall of Fame Award.

Following the awards presentations, the 2025 NAIFA Houston Board of Directors were sworn into office. 

NAIFA-Texas teamed up with industry all-stars to bring long-term care experts together for a focused webinar session. Guest speakers included, Karry Ballinger of Ballinger Insurance, Wendy Boglioli who is an Olympic gold medalist and healthy aging advocate, and Jeremy Veryser of OneAmerica. The session was moderated by Derek True, NAIFA-Dallas Secretary. 

NAIFA-Texas and TALHI (Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers) hosted a Financial 101 panel discussion in Austin, Texas on October 16, 2024 with staff from the Senate Business & Commerce Committee and the House Insurance Committee. 

Panelists for the event included Jason Talley, NAIFA-Texas Government Relations Chair, Rick Demko, NAIFA-Texas President Elect, and Jennifer Cawley, CEO of TALHI. Also in attendance was NAIFA-Texas Lobbyist, Caitlin Flanders. The event was well attended and topics included discussions on budgeting, protection products and investing for the future. Another great example of industry collaboration leading up to the start of the 89^th Legislature.

Please enjoy a few photos captured from the session.

NAIFA Houston held a virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 featuring NAIFA National's Diane R. Boyle focused on the topic of taxes, "Taxing Exercises Beyond Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies". 

2025 will be a year of enormous risk in the tax policy debate needed to address expiring tax provisions, government spending and the federal debt. The scope of potential adverse changes will certainly include tax rules governing life and health insurance, annuities, retirement savings, and employer-provided benefits. Explore how to shape the legislative outcomes to benefit your business and clients regardless of the election results.

• Insights into elections and tax challenges
• Methods to positively influence policy
• Techniques to leverage storytelling
  
  

NAIFA Pineywoods of East Texas was honored to have U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran speak during their October 2024 membership luncheon meeting this past week. Congressman Moran discussed a 'Summary of Financial Services Legislation on Capital Hill".

Other notable guests in attendance included Congressman Moran's Senior Advisor, Jalam Lewis, the East Texas District Director for Senator John Cornyn, Sara Butler, the District Representative for Congressman Pete Sessions, Melinda Kartye, a Senior Staffer for State Senator Bryan Hughes, Reece DeWoody, State Representative Cody Harris, State Representative-Elect Daniel Alders, as well as Representatives for State Senator Robert Nichols' office.

NAIFA-Texas was joined by former NBA player, Walter Bond for a Performance Workshop, Shark Mindset. Watch the recording and discover how to elevate your sales game and dominate the competition!

The staff and board at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Texas Chapter (NAIFA-Texas) is pleased to announce the hiring of the highly reputable lobbying firm Wittenburg & Associates LLC with lead lobbyist Michelle Wittenburg. Michelle and her team have a long history of success at the Capitol and are looking forward to supporting and representing NAIFA. NAIFA-Texas will also be working with Public Affairs Specialist Caitlin Flanders, who has a keen understanding of the legislative process and has extensive experience working with key stakeholders at the Texas Capitol.

The role of lobbyists at NAIFA-Texas is to represent NAIFA’s legislative priorities at the Texas Legislature and to advocate for the insurance and financial industries. The lobbyists will work with our staff, board and members on strategy, talking points and will develop key relationships throughout the state. They will also help to lay the groundwork for a successful NAIFA Centennial State Conference and Day at the Capitol event as the date approaches.

Michelle Wittenburg shared "we are thrilled to be your advocates before the Texas Legislature in the upcoming session and look forward to elevating the NAIFA-Texas profile with legislators, key leaders and stakeholders so that their perception of NAIFA-Texas is parallel to the reality of your position in your communities and around the state".

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.