Advisor Today > > November 2000: Merideth Take the Helm

Cover Story: Merideth Takes the NAIFA Helm

By George Norris

NAIFA's new president calls for unity, more active volunteers
and the need to attract younger members.

Dennis R. Merideth, CLU, ChFC, agent and financial planner for the Principal Financial Group's Tucson office, became NAIFA's president by acclamation during the general session on Wednesday morning, September 13, that culminated the association's annual meeting.

Pledging a year of dedication and hard work, the former Polaris submarine helmsman told the members of the association's general council, "Having moved the directional rudder on this massive organization known as NAIFA, we must remain patient and stay the course."

Merideth began his career in insurance at the age of 20. He subsequently served as president and national committeeman for the Arizona Association of Life Underwriters, president of the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters and Chartered Financial Consultants, as well as president of the Greater Tucson Association of Life Underwriters and the Southern Arizona General Agents and Managers Association (GAMA) chapter.

Merideth was first elected to the board of trustees of the National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU) in September, 1994 at the association's 105th convention in San Antonio. His term as President Elect of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) began in Nashville at the association's 110th annual convention.

NAIFA's new president has also served on the Palo Verde Hospital board and currently serves on the University of Arizona Planned Giving Council. He and his wife, Jeanie, have three children.

Reminding his fellow practitioners of the challenges facing the organization, Merideth emphasized the need to expand NAIFA's services to new markets while continuing to serve the needs of its traditional members. "The more change a family, business or association experiences, the more critical it becomes to communicate clearly and openly," he declared. He also stressed the importance of keeping open communications with other industry organizations.

Apart from effective communications, Merideth sees the association's biggest challenge as the need to engage the interest and cooperation of the young members of the insurance and financial sales force. He urged developing programs locally to attract young people "as active, energized and involved members." Noting the fundamental importance of recruiting the young to NAIFA's future, he charged the delegates to get those in the 25-to-35 age group actively involved on their boards. "Why not develop a board mentoring program, with a past president guiding a new member's initial board service?" he proposed, declaring that "ultimately, replacing ourselves is one of the most solemn responsibilities we have."
Viewing the ongoing challenge of member recruitment and retention as an opportunity, Merideth pointed out that all members look for the bottom-line value of being a NAIFA member, and asserted that "ultimately, our members will vote on their perceived value of membership with their pocketbooks."

Merideth will be the second president of the organization under its new NAIFA banner. Stressing his respect for NALU's historic past, he said he also looked forward with great anticipation to the possibilities the 21st century held for NAIFA. "I sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence you've shown in me that allows me to hold this great office," he concluded, "and I promise to do everything in my power to justify that confidence."

Four New Trustees Join NAIFA Board
Koob Elected Secretary

At times, the campaigns for the four open seats on the NAIFA Board of Trustees seemed like the American electoral process in microcosm. Each candidate had suppporters, advisors, strategies and, of course, highly visible rallies. As the convention week progressed, signs, buttons and give-aways ranging from sunflower seeds to notepaper became constant fixtures in the hallways and atriums of the Marriott Orlando World Center.
The candidates sat in on the NAIFA board meeting, addressed the convention and worked rooms, functions, and parties like professional politicos. Ultimately, it all came down to the voting on Wednesday morning. And when the counting was over, Elaine Fremling, Marvin Keys, David Smithkey and Ernest Whichard joined the other trustees on the NAIFA's 2000-01 Board.

In addition, Richard A. Koob, CLU, ChFC, AEP, won election as Secretary of the NAIFA Board.

All of the candidates in this year's race deserve the gratitude of NAIFA members everywhere. It's their commitment and loyalty to the both the concept of NAIFA and its day-to-day execution that keeps fresh, visionary leadership flowing through the ranks of the Board of Trustees. In this way, the biggest winners of the NAIFA electoral process continue to be the members.

Other articles from The NAIFA Convention and Career Conference:

A Whole New Meeting

Merideth Takes the NAIFA Helm

Annual Association Executives Conference 2000

The Road Less Traveled: Award Winners

NAIFA Show Attracts Recordbreaking Number of Exhibitors

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