NAIFA-Texas was pleased to announce Tim Von Kennel as the new Chief Executive Officer/Chief Legislative Officer (CEO/CLO) during the 2014 Conference in Grapevine.

Von Kennel brings with him 30 years' experience successfully lobbying the Texas State Legislature, Executive Offices, and Regulatory Agencies for several of the state's largest natural gas and electric utilities - Lone Star Gas, TXU Energy, and Atmos Energy. During this time, he volunteered 14 years as Legislative Committee Chairman for the Texas Pipeline Association, directing 40 association member companies' legislative efforts for 7 sessions. Among his legislative achievements are the passing of Dial Before You Dig - 811, electric deregulation, and gas utility rate recovery legislation.

"Tim has worked with four governors and has strong relationships with candidates from the top of the ticket to some of the smallest districts in Texas. His extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the Texas state capitol will prove valuable as we advance our mission of advocacy," said NAIFA-Texas President Joey Ussery, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF.

Von Kennel has also spent time at the head of an association as Executive Director of the Consumer Service Alliance of Texas (CSAT), a financial institution business association. From 2008-2013, he grew the association from 8 member companies to 18, representing 90% of the market in Texas.

Finally, he has had a hand in founding several companies and coalitions. "Tim's entrepreneurial spirit will be an asset to NAIFA-Texas as we explore innovative ways to reengage and grow our membership," said Ussery.

Tim and his wife of 35 years, Phyllis, reside in Dripping Springs and have two grown sons. He completed undergraduate studies at Bowling Green State University and American University, and he has a Master's in Public Administration from Ohio State. Tim enjoys reading and traveling the great state of Texas.

"I am very honored and humbled to be with this dynamic and respected organization. The energy and enthusiasm from among the NAIFA-Texas membership is contagious!" Von Kennel said.

Tim plans to visit many local associations over the coming months. He may be reached at 512-716-8800 or tim.vonkennel@naifa-texas.org. 

NAIFA-Texas is seven leaders stronger! Congratulations to the Leadership in Life (LILI) Class of 2014: Michael Aguirre, LUTCF, NAIFA-San Antonio; Roland Barrera, NAIFA-Corpus Christi; Davin Bell, NAIFA-Austin; Laura Biesemeyer, NAIFA-Dallas; Criss Crombie, NAIFA-Fort Worth; Cecil Dolberry, LUTCF, NAIFA-Great Southwest; Lindsey James, CFP, NAIFA-Houston; and Carrie Welch, CPCU, LTCP, NAIFA-Austin.

Following the commencement ceremony, from left, Co-Moderator Ken Quach, CLU, ChFC, CASL; Aguirre; Co-Moderator Geordie Hrdlicka, JD, LLM, CFP; Biesemeyer; Crombie; Moderator Apprentice Hagan Dial; Barrera; Welch; Dolberry; James; Bell; and LILI Chair Karen Easterling.

The LILI Class held its final day-long instructional session January 31 and graduated its class later that evening. NAIFA President John Nichols, MSM, CLU delivered the commencement address.

The mission of LILI is to develop leaders by fostering personal growth, enhancing business practices, and developing skills necessary for effective leadership. The next LILI class will matriculate in August. More information will be available soon to prospective candidates.

Registration is now open for NAIFA's 2014 Congressional Conference, to be held May 20-21 in Washington, D.C. 

The 2013 Congressional Conference was a huge success.

Agents and advisors will attend sessions to learn about pressing legislative issues affecting their businesses and their clients. They will also receive training to maximize their effectiveness when meeting with members of Congress and their staffers to discuss these issues.

On the second day of the conference, attendees will disperse to congressional office buildings on Capitol Hill to meet with their Representatives and Senators.

A $350 travel expense reimbursement is available to the first 600 registrants nationwide, with 30 spots remaining as of February 27. Additionally, NAIFA-Texas is offering a $500 expense reimbursement to all members who attend. Register today!

Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus has announced the Interim Committee Charges for the 36 House Committees. These charges are topics of interest to the Speaker for each committee to hold hearings, gather data, and prepare a Committee report outlining their findings prior to the 84th legislative session next January 2015.

Three of these committees are of interest to NAIFA-Texas: Insurance, Investments & Financial Services, and Pensions.

The Insurance Committee charges include monitoring the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the availability and affordability of private health insurance coverage in Texas and evaluating the operations of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). The charges in their entirety are available here.  

As these committees begin to schedule hearings around the state, NAIFA-Texas will coordinate the attendance of staff and member volunteers.

Texas IFAPAC finished 2013 strong, raising $172,792 in total contributions from 605 members. Both of these statistics ranked second in the federation, just behind California. Additionally, three local associations stood out for the year -- NAIFA-Central Texas, NAIFA-El Paso, and NAIFA-Great Southwest -- increasing both their number of contributors and contributions over 2012.

Roland Barrera of NAIFA-Corpus Christi will stay on for another term as state PAC Chair and has set goals for 2014 of $192,500 in total contributions and 725 contributors. His committee consists of Alan Carl, RHU, REBC, LUTCF of NAIFA-El Paso; Eddie Tate, Jr., ChFC, CLU, LUTCF of NAIFA-Fort Worth; Mark Warren, LUTCF of NAIFA-Plainview; Tallie O. Young, RFC, LUTCF of NAIFA-Dallas; and Secretary/Treasurer Tim Von Kennel. Departing from the committee are Robin Johnston of NAIFA-Austin and Carolyn Watson, LUTCF, of NAIFA-Lone Star.

The committee has been active early this year, approving 11 $1,000 contributions in the past week alone to Texas House members facing tough primary challengers. At the federal level, 16 members of the Texas Congressional delegation were delivered contributions by Key Contacts in advance of the March 4th primary elections. NAIFA and NAIFA-Texas will be monitoring the election outcomes closely and will look for opportunities to make an impact during primary runoffs as well. Help us maximize our impact by signing up for an $8.50/month bank draft today.

Top left: Congressman Lamar Smith with NAIFA-Texas Secretary/Treasurer Jason Talley. Top right: NAIFA-Houston President Karolyn Chapman with Congressman Pete Olson. Bottom, from left: NAIFA-Amarillo members James Thompson, Jackie Bennett, John Denton, Hollie Gandy, and Kirk Haworth and Congressman Mac Thornberry.

The NAIFA-Texas Membership Committee is launching a campaign with the goal of Texas climbing from 2nd to 1st in the federation in total membership by June 30. The campaign, Sprint to the Top - One Texan at a Time, emphasizes the fact that we must accomplish this one new member at a time.

Leadership and established members within each local in particular will be asked to commit to recruiting just one new member each.

To kick off the campaign, the committee will host a conference call Thursday, February 27, featuring NAIFA President John Nichols, MSM, CLU. Nichols will detail the pitch he uses when recruiting new members out in the field. All members interested in becoming more involved in membership are welcome on the call; please contact Monica Lopez for details.

"Remember, if you sign a new member up for NAIFA, ask them to list you as 'Sponsor,'" said state Membership Chair Wes McKnight, FSS, LUTCF. "Congratulations to Larry Richardson of NAIFA-San Antonio, who won $250 in a drawing last month for member recruiters. We will hold another $250 drawing June 30 and award the top recruiter a $500 prize."

Insurance agent Jones opened a tax qualified fixed annuity account on May 2 for his client. This account was to be funded with a transfer of funds from the client's existing IRA account, which was a variable annuity account. The client instructions were to wait until the variable account reached a certain dollar amount (recovering from a market loss) before transferring. Agent Jones misunderstood the instructions and immediately rolled the IRA. The client sued agent Jones for the market loss incurred from not waiting for a market correction before rolling the account. Agent Jones' file had no written instructions or file notes regarding the transaction. The net loss paid against the E&O policy was close to $10,000.

Tip: Communication errors continue to be amongst the leading causes of loss for insurance agents and registered representatives. Always review and confirm instructions with clients in writing. This will clear up misunderstandings and provide the documentation you need if a claim arises.

For more information about CalSurance E&O coverage and/or to apply online, visit www.naifaeo.com or call 888-833-2304.

Additionally, save 10% on your premium by completing a new online risk management course available exclusively to NAIFA members. The course is free, or pay a nominal fee to receive CE credit as well. For more information, click here.

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