NAIFA-Florida members received top honors at the recent Financial Advisors Sales Symposium and Annual Conference held in Orlando.
Bryon Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, a member of NAIFA-Tampa, was presented the C.G. Snead / J.F. Bryan, III Memorial Award for Outstanding Service, recognizing him as the “Financial Advisor of the Year” in Florida for 2017. Holz is a 20-year Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), has several Court of the Table qualifications. In addition, he is a member of the MDRT Foundation at the Diamond Knight level. Currently, he is serving as a NAIFA trustee.
Jim Bouterse, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF was this year’s winner of the Philip A. Hoche Florida IFAPAC Award, presented for “distinguished service” to the political committee. Jim was honored for his years of personal commitment to the committee – both financial and time of service. He is a Past President of NAIFA-Florida (2004-05) and NAIFA-Miami-Dade (1990-91). In addition, Jim was honored in 2009 with the C.G. Snead / J.F. Bryan, III Memorial Award for Outstanding Service.
This year’s winner of the Stanley L. Stone Association Executive of the Year Award – presented to a deserving local association executive, or the person who fulfills that role – was presented to Suzanne Nading of NAIFA-North Suncoast. Sue handles the administrative duties for the association and keeps all of the Board members organized and on task. According to President Tim Holladay, “She is the glue that keeps us in line. She has the heart of a leader and the compassion of a servant.”
In other awards news, NAIFA-Florida Past President Steve Saladino was recognized for recruiting the most new members in 2016-17 with nine new members. Joining him in the Pinnacle Club for Membership Recruitment (5 or more) were Cheryl Canzanella of Jacksonville (5 new members), Joe Chalom of Broward (5 new members) and Bryon Holz of Tampa (also with 5). NAIFA-Tampa was recognized as the top local association in new-member recruitment with 27 for the year. Farm Bureau Insurance took top honors for the Chancellor Award – recognizing companies with have the highest percentage of its advisor as members of NAIFA-Florida. Farm Bureau boasts that 65.1% of its agents are members.
The four winners of the “Top 4 Advisors Under 40” for 2016-17 are: Jeff Chernoff (NAIFA-Tampa); Raul Fernandez (NAIFA-Ocala); Mark Haye (NAIFA-Tampa); and Phillip Rogero (NAIFA-Jacksonville). By way of application only, the winners were selected on the basis of business production, longevity in the business, professional association involvement, and community involvement.