The last one…
The final final.

I can’t believe 15 months have flown by and feel like I am just getting started.

I should have known better. When I was president of my local, I said the same darn thing. I'm ready for another year! But it is time to hand the torch over to our third female NAIFA CA president, Sarah Martin.

Allow me a moment to reflect on the year. COVID was at the forefront, for yet another year so how we framed delivering value to our members had to be creative. In fact being in COVID almost became the norm and getting together live was the novelty!

If there was one message I wanted to communicate, it was the idea of COMMUNITY throughout the year. We all have our reasons for belonging to an organization like NAIFA, but it’s about the people and connections you make. These relationships both serves us professionally and personally.

NAIFA-California is pleased to announce that Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LACP, CLU, of Wilshire Group Financial Services in Los Angeles, loyal member since 2012, is a winner of a 2021 Four Under Forty award. Additional winners this year are J. Cal Anderson, CFP, CLU, of Ameriprise Financial in Alpharetta, GA, loyal member since 2008; Rebecca Schulter, LUTCF, of UCL Financial Group in Memphis, TN, loyal member since 2015; and Steven Walker, LUTCF, of Gate City Insurance in Fargo, ND, loyal member since 2009.

The Four Under Forty Awards recognize highly motivated, well-rounded NAIFA members under the age of 40 who balance their work and home lives and are successful at helping their clients secure sound financial futures. They exhibit extraordinary professional success relatively early in their insurance and financial services careers.

This year’s recipients were honored at NAIFA’s National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on December 6.

“The talented insurance and financial professionals who are Advisor Today’s 2021 Four Under Forty award winners represent the new generation of agents and advisors ensuring the success of our industry and financial prosperity of American families and small businesses for decades to come,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux. “Their stories provide inspiration to anyone who may be considering an insurance or financial services career or who may be facing early-career challenges. They provide excellent examples of how hard work, dedication, and the support of a strong professional association can bring success.”

Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LACP, CLU
Dellosa, 35, began her career in insurance and financial services in 2008 after being recruited during a job fair while she was in college at Cal Poly Pomona. After early struggles to find the right clients during the Great Recession, she shifted gears and accepted an internship with Wiltshire Group Financial Services. During this time she gained a strong appreciation for identifying the proper products for the right clients. With experience, she developed a passion for estate and advanced planning.

Today, Dellosa is thriving as a General Agent at Wiltshire Group (American National). “Joanna has flourished and is loved by her clients because of her ability to provide sound planning with her product designs, professionalism, patience, and attitude,” said Alabel Lavares, CLU, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LTCP, LACP, Principal at Wiltshire Group Financial Services, who nominated her as a Four Under 40 recipient. Dellosa has also emerged as an industry leader, serving as a Board member and Past President for NAIFA-Los Angeles.

Loyal NAIFA Member Marty Peters has been a part of NAIFA (then NALU) since 1968 and is now serving the community he is a part of in Solana Beach and Del Mar, California. Peters started out his career while working on his master's degree, having a job offered to him that started him in the financial services industry, leading him to stop his Master's degree and focus on the position he was offered. He initially found a different job that had less than desirable actions against the benefits of the customers they were assisting and moved on from that position after a bit. He was then convinced by his family to investigate the life insurance business. After a bit of convincing and learning that his education was paid for by his father’s life insurance, Peters interviewed with a few companies and secured a position with one, starting his journey in the career.

Advisor Today, the official publication of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), is pleased to announce that Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LACP, CLU, of Wilshire Group Financial Services in Los Angeles, loyal member since 2012, is a winner of a 2021 Four Under Forty award. Additional winners this year are J. Cal Anderson, CFP, CLU, of Ameriprise Financial in Alpharetta, GA, loyal member since 2008; Rebecca Schulter, LUTCF, of UCL Financial Group in Memphis, TN, loyal member since 2015; and Steven Walker, LUTCF, of Gate City Insurance in Fargo, ND, loyal member since 2009.

A few things happened this past year: Your State Board worked with and co-sponsored a LILI class with the State of Hawaii. The last time Hawaii had a LILI class was about 20 years ago. We were happy to partner with them. I want to thank our great LILI moderators, Jerry Garcia, and John Hansbrough. They really stepped up in a big way. All classes except for class 6 were virtual. Then in September they meet in person for class 6 and graduation. Those that know me know how passionate I am about LILI. Congratulations again to our new LILI alumni, 5 from Hawaii and 2 from California. We are looking for students for next year. You will see more on this in the next few months. If you have not be through the LILI class, you are really missing out.

Why I'm a NAIFA Member Today

The reason I'm a NAIFA member today is entirely different from my early years of NAIFA membership. In the beginning years of NAIFA membership, it was solely because my mentor in the business told me I had to be a member. Over those 20+ years, I would attend programs locally, interact with fellow NAIFA members and non-members. But it wasn't until I attended a "Day on the Hill" event about 10 years ago that my attitude about NAIFA and what we do for this industry changed. At this event, I realized the advocacy component of NAIFA, and how extremely important this leg of the stool is for our industry.

In a few short weeks, insurance and financial advisors come together in San Diego to engage, empower, and explore at NAIFA-California's Annual Conference. This event brings together innovative sessions, the latest industry trends, and high energy while still keeping with many of the chapter's time-honored traditions such as the presentation of the Norm Levine Distinguished Service Award. Make plans to head to San Diego from September 29th-October 1st.

Hey NAIFA-California are you registered? You need to be!

The Los Angeles City Council has declared September as Life Insurance Awareness Month for the 17th consecutive year. NAIFA-Los Angeles President, Gilbert Mares, has been influential in getting this declaration for the last 17 years. 

Marc Sigmon, NAIFA member and CEO of Marc Sigmon Insurance Agency, is the Leader of NAIFA-CA's San Diego affiliate. Sigmon joined NAIFA California in 2020 and was inspired to take on a bigger role after he attended NAIFA’s annual Congressional Conference.  

"The Congressional Conference was an amazing experience," said Sigmon. "It made me want to get more involved at the state level and I am honored to have the opportunity to represent NAIFA-California as Leader Affiliate, San Diego."