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NAIFA-Texas Position on Healthcare Reform
NAIFA-Texas is committed to the preservation of the private delivery of health insurance. We oppose the creation of a public plan that would unfairly compete against private insurance companies in the health insurance marketplace. We oppose any plan that diminishes or eliminates the important role that agents
perform in the marketing, selling and servicing of health insurance. NAIFA-Texas believes that we must build upon the strengths of the current system, reduce costs, insure coverage for more Texans, and improve value throughout our health-care system without resorting to new government programs or jeopardizing the high quality of care we enjoy and expect as Texas consumers.
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Endorsed Professional Liability Program |
Errors & Omissions Insurance
The NAIFA-endorsed Professional Liability Insurance Program provides quality errors and omissions coverage (E&O) to NAIFA members. The program offers comprehensive professional liability insurance, superior customer service, an easy application process, and competitive rates.
For information on all available coverage options and features, and/or how to apply, visit www.naifainsurance.com |
| NAIFA-TX Thanks 2009 Event Sponsors!
Union Central and Andra Grava
The Cincinnati Insurance Companies and Marshall Muse
Columbus Life Insurance Company
Ayres Financial Group |
| 2009 PAC Silent Auction Donors
NAIFA-Austin
NAIFA-Dallas
NAIFA-Central Texas
NAIFA-Corpus Christi
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Health Fly-In a Spectacular Success; Action Needed
More than 1,200 health insurance advisors including NAIFA-Texas members were in Washington on July 15 to talk to their Senators and Member of Congress about important health reform issues.
As part of NAIFA's strategy to secure legislation that will help lower costs and ensure coverage without resorting to new government programs, members must engage consumers. Here's a list of recommended actions you can take NOW.
Send this message to your clients today - Simply cut and paste the message below into your email text and bcc everyone in your address book.
What's At Stake...
If you are one of the over 160 million American workers receiving healthcare from your employer, you should know your coverage may be at risk. Congress is debating the future of health care and many lawmakers want to create a costly new government bureaucracy that could replace your workplace healthcare and would add $240 billion to our nation's deficit according to the Congressional Budget Office.
We should build on health care that works for millions of Americans and cover the more than 45 million who still need coverage. We must also address rising costs to make healthcare affordable for everyone.
More costly government programs will only create more problems, not solve the ones we have. Congress should build on the current employer-sponsored system, with subsidies for those who need them, to cover more Americans and ensure continued access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Tell Congress to Get Health Reform Right!
Click here to tell Congress that Health reform matters, so let's get it right! Enter your zip code on left and it takes you directly to a page to send letters of support to your Members of Congress. |
Court Sends Indexed Annuities Rule Back to SEC
A federal appeals court on July 21 ruled that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has to reconsider a regulation that would have classified indexed annuities as securities -- but it said the SEC can regulate the annuities as securities. The panel held that the SEC was being reasonable when it said it had the authority to create a regulation, Rule 151A, that would classify an FIA as an "annuity contract" and put FIAs under SEC jurisdiction, because a Supreme Court precedent gives federal agencies the flexibility to interpret their own regulations.The panel concluded, however, that the SEC had failed to properly consider the effect of the rule upon efficiency, competition, and capital formation. "Accordingly, we remand the rule for reconsideration," Chief Judge David Sentelle writes in an opinion for the court concerning the case, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company et al., Petitioners, vs. Securities and Exchange Commission, No. 09-1021. In a statement, the National Association of Fixed Annuities, Milwaukee, expressed disappointment about the decision, and it said it will now turn to Congress to ensure that indexed annuities remain state-regulated.
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"Gen Y Guy" Jason Dorsey and Texas Comptroller Susan Combs Wow Audiences
Jason Ryan Dorsey, nationally acclaimed Gen Y expert, and Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs received high marks from attendees at NAIFA-TX 84th annual meeting for their back-to-back presentations July 18. Dorsey, as convention keynoter Saturday morning, shared his insider strategies that maximize the value of Gen Y consumers, explaining what Gen Y covets in a buying experience and why. Comptroller Combs, speaking at the legislative luncheon saluting NAIFA-TX members serving in the 81st Texas Legislature, provided insights into Texas economic trends and addressed the challenges facing state government amid the backdrop of a recession and high jobless numbers. She emphasized how well Texas is doing vis-a-vis other large states, citing as reasons the state's business friendly reputation and the Legislature's establishment of a "rainy day" fund to help guard against higher taxes. Delegate Council Elects First Board of Trustees; Randy Robertson Advances to Presidency
Rep. Carl Isett administers oath to President Randy Robertson, LUTCF
At the Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, July 18 the NAIFA-Texas Delegate Council elected the members of the 2009-2010 Board of Trustees. The election of Trustees was the first to take place under NAIFA-Texas' new governance model adopted by the Delegate Council in 2008. Nine qualified candidates competed for the seven Trustee positions, with the top four vote-getters elected to a two-year term and the next three vote-getters elected to a one-year term.
Trustees elected to a two-year term are:
Jason Talley, LUTCF of NAIFA-San Antonio;
Joey Ussery, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF of NAIFA-Houston;
Frank Correa, Jr., LUTCF of NAIFA-Fort Worth; and
Douglas B. Massey, CLU, ChFC, FSS of NAIFA-San Angelo.
Trustees elected to a one-year term are: Kirk Haworth, CLU, ChFC of NAIFA-Amarillo;
Donald "Lane" Boozer II, LUTCF of NAIFA-Texoma; and
Lee Ripley of NAIFA-Dallas.
Officers serving on the NAIFA-Texas Board of Trustees are:
Earl A. Thompson, RFC, LUTCF, Immediate Past President; Randy T. Robertson, LUTCF, President;
Cylinda A. Clark, President-Elect;
Stephen M. Ehlers, LUTCF, CEP, Secretary/Treasurer; and
Ron Mullen, CLU, ChFC, National Committeeman.
Ehlers Receives Director of the Year Award
Stephen M. Ehlers, LUTCF, CEP, Houston, received NAIFA-TX's Director of the Year award during the NAIFA-TX business meeting July 18. He also was elected secretary/ treasurer, placing him in line to be president in two years and setting up the second father/son duo to serve as NAIFA-TX's top elected official. His dad, Robert A. Ehlers, was president in 1978-79 and was on hand to see Stephen elected an officer and honored as the "last" Director of the Year by NAIFA-TX, as the association's governance model changes from "directors" to "trustees." The first father/son duo to serve as the association president were the late Jay Poyner, president 1967-68, and Stephen Poyner, president 1990-91.
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Kuntz, Smith Receive NAIFA-TX Highest Honor
Rosalie Kuntz, LUTCF receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from 2008-09 NAIFA-TX President Earl A. Thompson, RFC, LUTCF, while Ken Tooley and Tyson E. Payne, CLU, ChFC, 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients stand close to congratulate her.
Rosalie Kuntz, LUTCF, Pasadena, and the late H. Dan Smith, CLU, ChFC, Dallas, were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Presidents' Gala on July 18.
Kuntz, a 45-year member of TALU, became the first woman President in 1984-85. Additionally, she served as the President of the Pasadena Association of Life Underwriters and on numerous committees at the local, state and national level. Assisting in the presentation to Ms. Kuntz was 1985-86 TALU Past President Don Boozer, LUTCF. Mr. Boozer paid tribute to Ms. Kuntz in an introduction lauding all she has done for the association and her community for 53 years in the insurance business and 45 years of membership in the association.
H. Dan Smith, who passed away earlier this year, was honored posthumously for his great service to the NAIFA federation. A past-president of NAIFA-Dallas and NAIFA-Texas, Smith most recently served as a Regional Vice Chair for National IFAPAC, where he led by example, contributing at the Capitol level.
A 30+ year agent with State Farm and recipient of the Bruce Murray Tall Texan Award in 2008, Smith was a tireless advocate for agents and financial advisors. On hand to receive the award were Smith's wife, Liz; daughter, Terri Reynolds and son-in-law Vernon Reynolds.
Doug Aycock Named "Tall Texan" of the Year
NAIFA-GSW President Scott B. Kissinger, LUTCF; Tall Texan Award Recipient Douglas E. Aycock, CLU, ChFC; and NAIFA-GSW Exec. Esther Davis
Doug Aycock, CLU, ChFC, Austin, was presented the Bruce Murray Tall Texan award by NAIFA-Great Southwest at the NAIFA-TX PAC reception July 18 in Austin. Aycock, who served on the Texas PAC Executive Committee for 5 years and has served as the association's "citizen lobbyist" since 2003, was cited for the countless hours he spends on regulatory and legislative affairs for NAIFA-Texas. He also received a special award from NAIFA-TX, presented at the annual business session, for his contributions over the years to the association's government affairs and political action activities. |
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Congratulations to NAIFA-Texas' 2009
Leadership in Life Institute Graduates
TOP (left to right): James Baird, LUTCF; Thomas Hughes; Douglas Richards, CLU, ChFC, JD; Ryan Raeke; Douglas Jackson; Michael Kennedy, LUTCF, FIC, MBA BOTTOM (left to right): Ann Baker Ronn, LUTCF; Karolyn Chapman; Lesley Pinckard, CLU, LUTCF; Panate Griffin, LUTCF, CLU
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TLRT Roundup Provides Leaders Recognition
TLRT Immediate Past President Tallie O. Young, RFC, LUTCF;
TLRT President Charles D. Booth, LUTCF, CSA, RFC
NAIFA-Fort Worth's Charles D. Booth, LUTCF, CSA, RFC advances to President of TLRT. He is the Senior Partner of SPECTRA Asset Conservation, LTD, and CEO of SPECTRA ACS Marketing Alliance, Inc., a TLRT Grand Council member and a Top of the Table member of MDRT.
Grava Receives Outstanding Achievement Award
A. Andra Grava, CLU, RHU, Dallas was named the 56th recipient of the Texas Leaders Round Table's Outstanding Achievement Award at the TLRT Luncheon July 17 at the Hilton Austin Airport. Grava, who served as TLRT President in 2003-04 has been called "the savior of TLRT" said Tallie O. Young, RFC, LUTCF, 2008-09 TLRT President.
TLRT Membership Award Recipients
Each year, TLRT recognizes those who have qualified for membership for 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years. These members have displayed, by virtue of their membership that they are among the top producers in the state of Texas. They have also proven, by the many years they have qualified for the Texas Leaders Round Table, that they are true insurance professionals.
Those members who have achieved 20 years of TLRT Membership are: Dee Carter, CLU, ChFC, RFC, CSA of NAIFA-West Texas; Paul Eisen, CLU, ChFC of NAIFA-Waco; Barton Charles Johnson, LUTCF of Plainview AIFA; Mickey Ray, CPA, AEP of NAIFA-West Texas; Robert Telford, LUTCF of NAIFA-Pineywoods; and Michael Wolf, LUTCF of NAIFA-Beaumont
Those members who have achieved 30 years of TLRT membership are: Robert Ehlers of NAIFA-Houston; and Mark S. Jones, RFC, LUTCF of NAIFA-Houston
Those members who have achieved 40 years of TLRT membership are: James Rutledge, CLU, ChFC of NAIFA-Dallas; and Owen Seidenberger of NAIFA-San Antonio
Those members who have achieved 45 years of TLRT membership are: Joseph C. Merrill, CLU, LUTCF of NAIFA-Great Southwest; and John Ridings Lee of NAIFA-Dallas
Those members who achieved 50 years of TLRT membership Murray Morton, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CFS of NAIFA-Fort Worth. |
Locals Cited for Membership Growth
Six locals from Texas that applied for the 2008-09 Jack E. Bobo Award of Excellence either met or exceeded their threshold membership numbers to qualify for the prestigious award. NAIFA-Austin, NAIFA-Fort Worth, NAIFA-Great Southwest, NAIFA-TX Gulf Coast, NAIFA-Lubbock, and NAIFA-Wichita Falls are locals that met membership goals and/or experienced positive net growth. NAIFA-Dallas ended the year with positive net growth, placing it #1 in size in Texas and #4 nationally in percentage of membership goal achieved among large locals.
NAIFA-TX year-end membership number was 3,255, placing the State # 3 in size in the NAIFA federation, just below # 2 California and # 1 Florida. NAIFA-TX 2008-09 "Wrangler Award" recipient winners by category are - NAIFA Fort Worth (large), NAIFA-Lubbock (medium) and NAIFA-Wichita Falls (small).
Texas locals that are named Bobo recipients (NAIFA will release winner's names) will receive national recognition during the NAIFA convention in Orlando. |
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PAC Raises $11,991; Nominates Carolyn
Watson, Abilene, to Serve on Committee
NAIFA-TX PAC raised $10,380 in upgrades/new investors and an additional $1,611 from its silent auction July 18 during NAIFA-TX's 84th annual meeting in Austin. Assisting PAC Chair Les Littleton, CLU, LUTCF, with on-site fundraising activities were PAC members Robin Johnston, Austin; Roland Barrera, Corpus Christi; and national IFAPAC Regional Vice Chair Dean Macheras, LUTCF, NAIFA-LA. Macheras presented the national IFAPAC award "The Tribute of Excellence" to NAIFA-Great Southwest and NAIFA-Amarillo Area.
The PAC voted to nominate Carolyn Watson, LUTCF, Abilene, to replace retiring Committee member Keith Potts, Lubbock. Watson, a LILI graduate and former NAIFA-TX board member, will be a "strong, valuable addition to our PAC team," said Littleton who thanked NAIFA-TX members who joined and/or increased their level of PAC contributions during the Austin events.
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