MassMutual General Agents recognized for leadership and commitment to community
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading in challenging as well as good economic times is more important than ever today as consumers look to financial professionals to provide solid long-term financial recommendations.
Two general agents of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) who exemplify that skill set received GAMA International's James H. Krueger First in Class Award – an industry nod to its top professionals.
Robert Fakhimi, CEO, San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency, Inc. and Michael A. Book, managing partner at Fifth Avenue Financial, were honored with the award given annually by GAMA member companies to top leaders in the profession. This was the second time Mr. Fakhimi earned the distinction.
"American families and business owners need reliable and trustworthy financial services professionals to help them make good financial decisions," said MassMutual Senior Vice President of Sales & Distribution John Vaccaro. "Both of these men value integrity and accountability, but more importantly, they work to instill those values in the next generation of financial services professionals for the betterment of their respective communities."
"The ability to effectively train and mentor new professionals is critical," said Vaccaro.
While other job markets remain stagnant, the demand for personal financial advisers, insurance agents and financial analysts is expected to rise faster than average by 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2010-11.
"Frontline leadership like that of Fakhimi and Book helps strengthen the industry for the long term," he said.
The First In Class award was presented at LAMP, GAMA's annual conference this spring and recognizes first-line leaders in the insurance, investment and financial services industry who have led their agencies or firms to the No. 1 position in their company in the preceding year. In order to be considered for the award, companies nominate field managers who excel in leadership both in their career and their community. Fakhimi has led MassMutual's San Francisco office since 2001 and consistently helped his agency achieve outstanding results in sales, recruiting and developing, and community support.
With roots going back to 1891, the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency Inc. contributes to the San Francisco economy by helping more than 36,000 policyholders and clients, with more than $5 billion in life insurance in force[1], make good financial decisions.
"It is a significant honor to be chosen for this very special honor. The GAMA First in Class awards are highly regarded and well-respected and I'm very proud to be a MassMutual winner this year," said Fakhimi.
Mr. Book, who has been with MassMutual for 18 years, has led one of Fifth Avenue's largest practices, Lenox Advisors Inc. At MassMutual, Book has taken on leadership roles for the company's agents' association and was president of that organization in 2005. He has also been a MassMutual Chairman Club's member for 12 consecutive years.
Book, whose agency serves the New York Metropolitan area, specializes in working with families, business owners, and executives who have a wide range of financial needs. The firm helps protect over 53,000 clients, with more than $32 billion of life insurance in force collectively, as of Dec. 31, 2011.
As part of an ongoing commitment to attract, train, and retain top talent in the financial services industry, Book combines training with MassMutual with his own extensive support programs for his financial professionals so that they work in the most effective and efficient manner with the public.
"As both an independent and general agency of MassMutual, we are proud to be part of a long history of exceptional quality, integrity and growth," Book said. "I am sincerely grateful that I received GAMA's First in Class award. It is an honor to be part of an organization that is recognized so distinctly for its achievements in servicing our communities."
About MassMutual
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.
MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.
For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.
[1] Amount of individual life insurance in force as of 12/31/11 related to products issued by MassMutual and its subsidiaries.
Contact:
Patricia Norris Lubold
(413) 744-6957
[email protected]
SOURCE MassMutual
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