As we approach the end of 2008,
I want to wish everyone the
very best of the holiday season and
to say thank you for everything
you do for NAIFA, the industry,
your clients and your community.
This is a special time of year, a time
to reflect on the past year, wrap up
our 2008 production and put the
finishing touches on our plans for
2009.
Each association year presents new chal-
lenges, and 2008-2009 is no different. We
were merely days out of the San Diego con-
vention—an exciting meeting filled with
great speakers, educational sessions and
the National Council’s decision to support
the concept of an optional federal charter,
with conditions—when the entire financial
system began to unravel.
We have seen institutions once thought
“too large to fail” proved to be anything
but. In the future, economists will be teaching our grandchildren about how a series
of bad decisions led inevitably to a finan-
cial crisis that threatened the entire econ-
omy. We watched elected officials struggle
with the situation and ultimately pass the
$700 billion Emergency Economic Stabili-
zation Act of 2008.
The news media is full of fingerpoint-
ing about what caused the problem and
is offering solutions to keep it from hap-
pening again. Everyone seems to have an
opinion, but there are only a couple of
things we know for sure: The overall fi-
nancial-regulation landscape is sure to
change, and the gathering storm of tax
reform will intensify.
The next several months will pres-
ent many challenges that will test our
stren g th and resources. We must be prepared to safeguard the products that help
V IEWPOINT
Remember NAIF A’s history
We are witnessing an economic ev en t of
historic proportions that is not only affecting our economy, but much of the
world as well. As we look back at our history, we can see the economic landscape
marked with many such declines; yet each
decline was overcome. People continued
working toward their dreams, ambitions
and goals, and they never stopped chasing
their passion.
During these difficult times, I am
proud to be a part of our business and
proud to be a NAIFA member. Our business has weathered the toughest of economic times, and for more than 100 years,
NAIFA members have been there for their
clients.
Life insurance is the foundation of a
sound financial plan, and now is when our
clients need us to help explain, review and
provide knowledgeable answers to their
questions and concerns. We do make a difference.
We have a president-elect and new faces in Congress and in our state legislatures.
Let’s get behind them, focus on bringing
value to our clients and be proud of our
great industry.
Let’s Focus on Our
Industry’s Value
Cliff F. Wilson, CLU, ChFC, CLF, LUTCF, NAIFA President
Cli F. Wilson, CLU, ChFC, CLF, LUTCF, is
president of Southeast Arizona Insur-
ance Services Ltd. and general agent
for the American National Family of
Companies in Chandler, Ariz. A 33-year
NAIFA member, he is also a member
of AHIA, SFSP and GAMA. He became
NAIFA president in September 2008.
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703-770-8203
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703-770-8204
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Americans protect their families and
build a strong foundation for their finan-
cial future.
EDI TORIAL ADVISOR Y COUNCIL
Laurie A. Adams, CFP, CLU, LUTCF
Country Insurance & Financial Services
Brian Ashe, CLU
Brian Ashe and Associates, Ltd.
Frank Bearden, Ph.D., CLU, ChFC
Frank C. Bearden, Ph. D., Consulting
Greg Gagne, ChFC, LUTCF
Affinity Investment Group, LLC
Michael Lynch
MetLife
John Marshall Lee, CLU, CFP, RHU
People Insurance & Investments
John Nichols, CLU, DIA
Disability Resource Group Inc.
Roland Panneton, FLMI
NAIFA Government Relations
Ike Trotter, CLU, CASL, ChFC
Ike Trotter Agency, LLC
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Lee A. Allen, VP, Communications and Marketing
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Jill Edwards, AVP, Federal Government Relations
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Michael Gerber, VP & General Counsel
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Magenta Ishak, AVP, Political Affairs
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Marketing and Association Services
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