Nothing was brighter than the smiles of our Guardian community gathering to reconnect and celebrate our successes from the previous year. To kick off our awards ceremonies in 2024, we got a chance to relax and rejuvenate with exclusive golfing experiences, still water spa treatments, and the resort’s very own water park with waterslides, a serene waterfall, and a lazy river in beautiful Naples, Florida.
While we were celebrating milestones and accomplishments, we were also thinking ahead, thinking big, and thinking beyond ourselves. We continued to grow, together, by listening to our peers, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and inspiring each other with stories of overcoming adversity that made us who we are today. With that, we’re proud to recognize the following individuals and their achievements.
Jerry Harnik is Guardian’s newest member of the Hall of Fame. With over 45 years of service to our industry, he has made an impact far beyond his agency and his list of accomplishments is as distinguished as he is. Jerry has served on the Field Advisory Board (FAB) 6 times, including 2 times as Chairman/Member-At-Large, as well as holding the Metropolitan Division Member and President’s Award Member positions. He has qualified for Leaders Club an amazing 47 times! Jerry has also led his agency to win numerous awards, like the Platinum Trident Award, the National DI Award, the Platinum Medallion, and more. During his time with the agency, Jerry has helped Strategies for Wealth continue to win the President's Award an unprecedented 20 times! He has helped inspire so many people to become the best versions of themselves and is truly a gift to this industry.
Andy Meehan of Southeast
Brad Stonecipher of Southeast
Rick Ray of Texas PRS
Tom Petrone of Forest Hills Financial Group
Andy Brincefield of Charlotte is the Chairman of the FAB and was recognized for the critical role he plays in maintaining a relationship between the Field Advisory Board and Home Office.
This award is given to that individual in the Home Office who tirelessly contributes to and collaborates with the field. Congratulations to Elaine McGeehan, Senior Consultant, Agency Contract & Licensing. Elaine, who was recognized for genuinely caring about our agency partners and was pivotal to FP onboarding, has personally onboarded thousands of FPs by her own doing. Since joining Guardian in 2001, her dedication and commitment have been remarkable.
National Financial Network, led by Tony Mazzei, Mike Maresca, Gary DeStefano, Steve Earhart, Derek Chan, and Rob Votruba
Boston, led by Seth Medalie, Kevin Schneider, Tom Harmon, and John Brady
South Florida, led by Jeff Newman and Rob Newman
Granite Bay, led by Thomas Le
Wealth Beyond Money, led by Travis Hart, Ryan Beck, John Kelley, and Shane Bauman, won for 7% growth.
Texas PRS, led by Shawn Arrington, Patrick Dickson, Rick Ray, and Nickelle Leist, won for 17% growth.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, won for 10% growth.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare
Boston, led by Seth Medalie, Kevin Schneider, Tom Harmon, and John Brady
Texas PRS, led by Shawn Arrington, Patrick Dickson, Rick Ray, and Nickelle Leist
Mid-Atlantic, led by Steven Crawford
Hudson Valley, led by Stephen DiGirolamo
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare
Certified Financial Services, led by Tom Ciardella, Craig Feinberg, Rich Gribinas, Robert Worgaftick, Adam Katzman, and Pam Mellor
Des Moines, led by Kim Weaver and Aaron Brinks
Granite Bay, led by Thomas Le, won the award for balancing its growth in vital areas of recruiting, production, and agent retention.
These awards go to the agencies with the highest growth over the previous year of clients owning two or more products from different lines of business:
Boston, led by Seth Medalie, Kevin Schneider, Tom Harmon, and John Brady
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long
South Central, led by George Moore, Tom Purcell, Camille Snyder, and Daniel Taylor
These awards go to the agencies with the highest growth over the previous year of clients owning two or more products from different lines of business:
Texas PRS, led by Shawn Arrington, Patrick Dickson, Rick Ray, and Nickelle Leist
Chicago, led by Mark Pietsch
Upstate New York, led by Barbara O’Neill and Jim Fashano
This award is presented to the agency with the highest amount of annualized premium on new disability income business in the production year.
Pacific Advisors, led by Kelly Kidwell, Eric McDermott, Matt Shipman, Misty Weltzien, Brandon Au, and Tom Freeman won with $6,118,719 Disability Annual Premium
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare with $5,658,331 Disability
National Financial Network, led by Tony Mazzei, Mike Maresca, Gary DeStefano, Steve Earhart, Derek Chan, and Rob Votruba with $4,539,922 Disability Annual Premium
This award is given to the agency leader in life face amount in the qualifying production year.
Brooklyn, led by Yoel Felberbaum, Josh Becker, and Nat Perlmutter, won with $7,035,412,504 in life face amount
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, with $5,324,544,277 in life face amount
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, with $3,764,475,698 in life face amount
This award recognizes the agency leader in Brokerage Life Premium Sales, as reported on the year-end Brokerage Premium Report, in the qualifying production year.
Forest Hills Financial Group, led by Nat Perlmutter, Tom Petrone, David Perlmutter, Amy Salo, and Andie Perlmutter, won with $6,172,295 brokerage life annual premium
South Central, led by Tom Purcell, George Moore, Camille Snyder, and Dan Taylor, with $4,631,377 in brokerage life annual premium
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, with $2,136,663 in brokerage life annual premium
This award is presented to the agency with the highest amount of brokerage disability premium in the production year.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, with $2,706,797 brokerage disability annual premium
Pacific Advisors, led by Kelly Kidwell, Eric McDermott, Matt Shipman, Misty Weltzien, Brandon Au, and Tom Freeman, with $2,507,579 brokerage disability annual premium
Mid-Atlantic, led by Steven Crawford with $2,451,381 brokerage disability annual premium
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, won with 49 quality hires.
Granite Bay, led by Thomas Le, with 27 quality hires.
Western Pacific, led by Nash Subotic, Phil Kang, Travis Scribner, and Jeff Pawlowski, with 27 quality hires.
The National Multi-Life Disability Insurance Award (MLDI) recognizes the agency leader in dollar amount of MLDI annual premium in the production year.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, won with $1,935,470 in MLDI annual premium
Wayne, led by David Alter, Jerry Clericuzio, and Anthony Campanile, with $533,760 in MLDI annual premium
Financial Growth Partners, led by Matt Vahue, Ben Teichman, and Bill Crossan, with $489,054 in MLDI annual premium
This award recognizes the agency leader in dollar amount of group premium, group life volume, and ranks highest with group plans in the production year.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, won with $1,293,313 in premium, $17,646,950 in life volume, with 48 plans.
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, with $1,183,999 in premium, $27,554,750 in life volume, and ranked #4 with 25 plans.
National Financial Network, Tony Mazzei, Mike Maresca, Gary DeStefano, Steve Earhart, Derek Chan, and Rob Votruba, with $319,876 in premium, $20,838,375 in life volume, and ranked #3 with 30 plans
This award recognizes the agency leader in dollar amount of proprietary annuity sales in the production year.
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, won with $60,611,903 million in proprietary annuity sales
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, with $23,813,200 million in proprietary annuity sales
Forest Hills Financial Group, led by Nat Perlmutter, Tom Petrone, David Perlmutter, Amy Salo, and Andie Perlmutter, with $19,502,175 million in proprietary annuity sales
This award is presented to the leading agency in new individual life paid premium.
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, won with $39,053,522 in life annual premium
Brooklyn, led by Yoel Felberbaum, Josh Becker, and Nat Perlmutter, with $32,772,553 in life annual premium
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, with $25,411,373 in life annual premium
This award is presented to the agency with the highest amount of Annualized Commissionable Premium in the qualifying production year.
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, won with $1,301,319 in annualized commissionable premium
Western Pacific, led by Nash Subotic, Phil Kang, Travis Scribner, and Jeff Pawlowski, with $892,230 in annualized commissionable premium
Pacific Advisors, led by Kelly Kidwell, Eric McDermott, Matt Shipman, Misty Weltzien, Brandon Au, and Tom Freeman, with $817,947 in annualized commissionable premium
The National Investments Award honors the leader in GDC in the production year.
Strategies for Wealth, led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long, won with $40,763,881 in total GDC
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare, with $34,237,185 in total GDC
Pacific Advisors, led by Kelly Kidwell, Eric McDermott, Matt Shipman, Misty Weltzien, Brandon Au, and Tom Freeman, with $20,948,503 in total GDC
This award is given to the agency that meets minimum requirements and has the highest points earned in FPs attaining MPR, FP retention, and quality hires.
Western Pacific, led by Nash Subotic, Phil Kang, Travis Scribner, and Jeff Pawlowski, was the winner. The agency earned 401 total points, had 75% of FRs attain MPR, a 51% FR four-year retention rate, and 27 quality hires.
Granite Bay, led by Thomas Le, with 27 quality hires.
Hoosier State, led by Brett Nanna, with 5 quality hires.
North Texas, led by James Allen, with 5 quality hires.
Brandon Au, Pacific Advisors
Adam Bass, North Atlanta
Shane Bauman, Wealth Beyond Money
Nicholas Clark, Greater Lone Star
Jeffery Clemons, So-Cal Pacific
Thomas Freeman, Pacific Advisors
Thomas Le, Granite Bay
Nickelle Leist, Texas PRS
Brett Nanna, Hoosier State
Michael Ronan, Kansas City
Julio Soria, Broward
Daniel Taylor, South Central
Robert Votruba, National Financial Network
Michael Yoken, Greater New England
Boston led by Thomas Harmon, Seth Medalie, Kevin Schneider, and John Brady
Brooklyn led by Yoel Felberbaum, Josh Becker, and Nat Perlmutter
Certified Financial Services led by Richard Gribinas, Robert Worgaftik, Craig Feinberg, Thomas Ciardella, Adam Katzman, and Pamela Mellor
Charlotte led by Andrew Brincefield
Chicagoland led by Scott Hunken and Van Ewing
Des Moines led by Kim Weaver and Aaron Brinks
Forest Hills Financial Group led by Nat Perlmutter, Tom Petrone, David Perlmutter, Amy Salo, and Andie Perlmutter
Fort Myers/Naples led by Jerry Hemmer and Michael Kochis
Lifetime Financial Growth led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare
National Financial Network led by Tony Mazzei, Mike Maresca, Gary DeStefano, Steve Earhart, Derek Chan, and Rob Votruba
North/Central Florida led by Stewart Davis, Trip Higginbotham, and Chris Roussel
NY Gotham led by Howard Elias and Adam Kaufman
Pacific Advisors led by Kelly Kidwell, Eric McDermott, Matt Shipman, Misty Weltzien, Brandon Au, and Tom Freeman
Red River led by John McGurran
Short Hills led by John Limongelli and Mike Salvatore
South Central led by George Moore, Tom Purcell, Camille Snyder, and Daniel Taylor
South Florida led by Jeff Newman and Rob Newman
Southeast led by Corky Dawes, Brad Stonecipher, Andy Meehan, and Dustin Dawes
Strategies for Wealth led by Josh Becker, Jeff Neeck, Lyle Domenitz, Jerry Tavella, Bobby Angel, and Joe Long
Texas PRS led by Shawn Arrington, Patrick Dickson, Nickelle Leist, and Rick Ray
Toms River led by Frank Congilose
Upstate New York led by Jim Fashano and Barbara O’Neill
Wayne led by David Alter, Anthony Campanile, and Jerry Clericuzio
Wealth Beyond Money led by Travis Hart, Ryan Beck, John Kelley, and Shane Bauman
Western Pacific led by Nash Subotic, Phil Kang, Travis Scribner, and Jeff Pawlowski
This award winner exemplifies excellence in leadership, as it recognizes high performance in recruiting and developing FPs, growing an agency, and establishing a place in the company and community.
Lifetime Financial Growth, led by Earl Luttner, Sandy Aderson, Matt Roddy, MaryLou Rodgers, Tom Wyatt, Danielle Swann, Greg Kreiner, and Eric Startare
Certified Financial Services, led by Tom Ciardella, Craig Feinberg, Rich Gribinas, Robert Worgaftick, Adam Katzman, and Pam Mellor
This award is the “pinnacle of excellence” for General Agencies. It signifies success in production, recruiting, and leadership — all of which keep our agencies strong:
Strategies for Wealth
Lifetime Financial Growth
Pacific Advisors
Western Pacific
Forest Hills Financial Group
Brooklyn
National Financial Network
Winners of Disability Brokerage Agency of the Year Award, National Multi-Life Disability Award, and National Group Insurance Award, led by Tom Wyatt, MaryLou Rodgers, Sandy Aderson, Danielle Swann, Gregi Kreiner, Earl Luttner, Eric Startare, Matt Roddy, joined by Leyla Lesina on the left and Kevin DeGray on the right
Winners of the National Annuity Award, National Life Insurance Award, Innovative Underwriters Products Award, and Park Avenue Award, led by Bobby Angel, Jeff Neeck, Josh Becker, Jerry Tavella, Joe Long, Lyle Domenitz, joined by Leyla Lesina on the left and Kevin DeGray on the right
