MEMBERS CONGRATULATE NAIFA ON 130TH ANNIVERSARY!

By Brian Haney and

As NAIFA celebrates its 130th year, NAIFA members are taking time from their busy schedules to share why they joined NAIFA, what the association has done for them, and their plans for celebrating this important milestone. In this interview, we get to hear from Brian Haney and Ike Totter, two members for whom NAIFA is making a difference.

Advisor Today: Why did you join NAIFA?

Brian Haney: I became a NAIFA member because my dear friend and mentor, Ken VanValkenburgh, told me that if I wanted to really grow as a professional, I needed to “get connected and involved.”

That was a little over 10 years ago, and it has proven to be some of the best advice I’ve received. NAIFA is an organization uniquely dedicated to making the financial industry better in every respect. Its values are my values.

As a member, I feel there is no close second to the rich relationships NAIFA membership offers, the exceptional leadership development it provides, and there’s also no one else I want in my corner representing me in the legislative arena. NAIFA has given me so much, and I know without a doubt I am a better professional and person who is living a richer life as a result.

Ike Trotter: I joined NAIFA in my first year in the business. I had actually gone to our annual NAIFA Mississippi state conference on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in June of 1975 as a guest of my father, who brought me into the business.

While there, I was called upon to play tennis as the doubles partner to then NAIFA national president Bob Forker, who was the featured speaker for this conference. He obviously made quite an impression on me, and I joined NAIFA at that conference and have been a loyal member now for 45 years!

“Thanks for your decades of hard work and significant accomplishments. Can’t wait for the next 130 years!”

AT: How has NAIFA helped you advance in your career?

Haney: NAIFA has helped me in perhaps every aspect of my practice. NAIFA has delivered exceptional value for me in three other key areas:

1) It has made me a better leader, through things like LILI and being a board member locally along with the volunteer roles nationally and regular participation in NAIFA events.

2) It has helped me be a better professional — NAIFA has supported my professional development with valuable education and professional designations, like the LACP, that allow me to improve my professional aptitude while standing out among my peers. NAIFA has helped me market and distinguish myself through its wonderful award & recognition programs, as I have been fortunate to be a routine NAIFA Quality award recipient, a 4 under 40 winner, and a NAIFA National Diversity Award Champion, all humbling achievements not possible without my NAIFA involvement and the support it has given me for years.

3) It has made me a better person. As trite as it seems sometimes when I say this: “NAIFA feels like an extended family.” The relationships I have in NAIFA are with some of the best people I know, people who I deeply admire and respect, and people who have been there for me over the years in good times and in bad. My time spent with them has raised the bar for me and will keep it raised as long as they let me be a member!

“I’m not sure if I could have survived as a young person in our industry without the tutelage and support of NAIFA.” — Ike Trotter

Trotter: Quite frankly, I’m not sure if I could have survived as a young person in our industry without the tutelage and support of NAIFA. The professionalism, the camaraderie and the leadership opportunities have all been just tremendous.

NAIFA was also instrumental in furthering my career development with related organizations like MDRT, The Society of FSP and The American College. NAIFA is certainly a home run for career development in the financial-services business.

AT: Any congratulatory messages for NAIFA as it celebrates its 130th anniversary?

Haney: NAIFA, you have embodied excellence for our profession, perseverance through waves of change and you continue to point us forward towards a brighter future.

Thanks for your decades of hard work and significant accomplishments. Can’t wait for the next 130 years!

Trotter: Thanks to you, NAIFA, I have enjoyed a wonderful career!

AT: What are your plans for celebrating this important anniversary?

Haney: I plan on attending as many NAIFA events as I can this year. From the NAIFA Nation Impact Week in May to one of my favorite conferences each year, Performance + Purpose in October, along with dozens of local and regional ones throughout the year. I would encourage members not to celebrate this alone — go out and lock arms with colleagues and peers as we keep this industry going and growing!

Trotter : I look forward to attending NAIFA P+P in Boston and being part of the best career conference in our industry!

Brian Haney, CLTC, CFBS, CFS, CIS, LACP, CAE, is vice president of The Haney Company in Silver Spring, Md. Contact him at bhaney@ thehaneycompany.com

Ike Trotter is with Ike Trotter Agency, LLC, in Greenville, MS. Contact him at iketrotter@tecinfo.net.