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LIMRA Announces 25 Rising Stars of Distribution Under 40

WINDSOR, Conn., March 30, 2017 - LIMRA today announced the winners of its contest to recognize the 25 Rising Stars of Distribution under 40 in the financial services industry. The contest searched for creative and dedicated individuals who are making a difference in Distribution.

“Young professionals are bringing critical skills to the industry that are essential for organizations to successfully compete in today’s global data driven economy,” said Patrick Leary, corporate vice president, Distribution Research at LIMRA. “We are excited to recognize these emerging leaders and celebrate their successes.”

The winners will be honored at a reception during LIMRA’s Annual Conference, which will be held Oct. 22-24, 2017, in National Harbor, Maryland. 

To view the winners and read excerpts from their nominations, please visit:  25 Rising Stars in Distribution

Congratulations to all of you — and thank you for driving us forward!

Anjan J. Basu

Sales Manager, Agency Distribution
"Anjan incorporated advanced technology to streamline Gerber Life e-application sales and service needs.  He also reduced processing and serving time while reducing the use of human resources." — excerpt from nomination

Mark Berwanger

Second Vice President, Division Sales Manager
"Mark has brought unbridled passion, persistence and a genuine care for helping people in each role he has held at Protective. His enthusiasm for the business is infectious and his attitude inspires confidence with everyone he encounters." — excerpt from nomination

David B. Bull

Supervisor, Financial Advice Center & Securities Support
"David is blazing trails by allowing financial representatives access to Certified Financial Planners® and other specialists to give COUNTRY Financial clients the best advice possible." — excerpt from nomination

Jessica Choi

Assistant Vice President – Talent & Acquisition
"Not only has Jessica help put Penn Mutual back on the map, she has helped elevate the entire industry by bringing a fresh new approach to attracting new people to our profession." — excerpt from nomination

Stephanie Coley

Director – Customer Care Team
"Stephanie’s innate ability to logically resolve problems, lead teams and relate to all types of people make her an invaluable member of the Protective leadership team." — excerpt from nomination

Chad Cremieux

Lead Education Consultant
"Chad is a results-oriented, strategic thinker who has a great perspective into Allstate’s business. His greatest attribute is his natural ability to see things through the consumer’s eyes." — excerpt from nomination

Nathan Driskill

Vice President, National Relationship Manager
“Nathan has a positive, can-do attitude and truly cares about the distributors and their businesses. He takes his role in their success personally.” — excerpt from nomination

Jimmy Edwards

Executive Regional Manager – Employee Benefits
“Jimmy’s passion for helping protect Americans livelihoods has inspired his team at Voya to take the time to listen to and understand their clients’ needs. This has helped them deliver voluntary, group life and stop-loss benefits that complement employers’ medical offerings and help employees fill the gaps in healthcare costs.” — excerpt from nomination

Alston Ellis

Vice President, Internal Sales, Independent Distribution
“Alston created an industry-leading internal sales platform within Crump designed to focus attention on developing business from previously unknown or underdeveloped relationships.” — excerpt from nomination

Ashlee Finn-Bruhn

Associate Relationship Manager
“Ashlee continues to be an impressive performer. As part of an in-house leadership and development program, she created a project to increase efficiency for Allianz annuity distribution using technology.” — excerpt from nomination

Adriana Franco Baptista

Subdirector de Zona, Agencia Mexico
“Adriana has implemented initiatives at Seguros Monterrey New York Life that have grown the agency channel, including a recruiting process and a streamlined educational program for insurance advisors.” — excerpt from nomination 

Ana María Goenaga V.

Coordinador Comercial Canal Universitario
“Ana Maria launched two viral campaigns attracting more than 1.5 million visits. Sales through this innovative and new channel have increased considerably.” — excerpt from nomination

Gordon Henderson

Director Investment Strategies
“Gordon has a keen understanding of the dynamics in the financial services market. He has proved adept at forging the types of relationships that help advance an investment culture at AXA.” — excerpt from nomination

Kendra Hogan

Director, National Accounts
“Kendra was instrumental in the launch of a new alternative distribution channel, which has seen exponential growth and opened up new markets for Pacific Life’s retirement products.” — excerpt from nomination

Ryan Hollenbach

Regional Director, Mid Atlantic
“Ryan works with Voya’s 2,100 advisors in the field, providing them with the resources and support needed to grow their business. One of Ryan’s accomplishments includes educating advisors and their clients on the value, product options and benefits that the advisory relationship supports.” — excerpt from nomination

Damon Lichtenberger

Partner and Senior Financial Advisor and Associate Vice President
“Damon is consistently honored as one of North Star’s top financial advisors. His next big goal is to grow his division’s presence in the attorney, executive and small business markets.” — excerpt from nomination

Tony Nguyen

Sales Desk Manager
“Tony has expertly transferred his practical knowledge of what it takes to win in the field to Pacific Life’s leading internal wholesalers.” — excerpt from nomination

Carlos Mario Perdomo Aguirre

Delegado Mapfre Oficina Centro Internacional
“Carlos Mario always tries to innovate product development with the alternative paths to distribute them at Mapfre Seguros de Colombia.” — excerpt from nomination

Charles Samuel

Regional Director, Annuities
“Charles is particularly in tune with distributors’ needs and ensures their customer experience is as strong as possible. His enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. He is passionate about our industry and his work and gets agents excited about the solutions AIG provides.” — excerpt from nomination

Andres Serrano

Vice President, Direct Marketing
“Andres developed activities and experiences on each process related to design, offering, selling, implementing and improving mass distribution campaigns through telemarketing and door-to-door salesforce.” — excerpt from nomination

James R. Slotnick

Assistant Vice President, Government Relations

James represents Sun Life’s interests to elected officials and regulators, focusing on issues that impact the Group Life, Disability, Dental, Vision, Voluntary and Stop-Loss industries.  Over the last 15 years James has held various roles within Sun Life’s Client and Technology Services, Distribution, and Legal departments. Prior to his current role, James served as a member of the Integration Management Team for the acquisition of Assurant Employee Benefits in 2016.  James regularly speaks to audiences across the country about the changing dynamics in Washington and impacts to the employee benefits industry.

Greg Steinbrenner

Assistant Director, Field Compensation and Recognition
“Greg researched behavioral economics to learn how best to motivate customers.  He identified ways in which we can modernize our programs to incorporate social media and mobile technology.” — excerpt from nomination

Chris Sutherland

Director of Distribution, Western Canada
“Chris empowers financial professionals to open and build their own successful independent financial centers backed by the strength of the Desjardins Group.” — excerpt from nomination

Mary Trecek

Associate Research Director, Workplace Benefits

Kristi Zimmerman

Manager, Agency Recruiting
“Kristi implemented the Avature CRM system at COUNTRY Financial, which improved the company’s ability to source and engage passive talent.” — excerpt from nomination

Media Contacts

Catherine Theroux

Director, Public Relations

Work Phone: (860) 285-7787

Mobile Phone: (703) 447-3257

ctheroux@limra.com

Erica L. Iorillo

Public Relations Consultant

Work Phone: (860) 285-7875

Mobile Phone: 860-371-8638

eiorillo@limra.com

Joseph L. Giasullo

Public Relations Specialist

Work Phone: (860) 285-7786

jgiasullo@limra.com

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