Message from Tom Ashley, NAIFA-Florida CEO
NAIFA-Florida’s Bryon Holz to be Installed as NAIFA President



As we approach the end of 2022, there’s an item of interest happening at NAIFA-Florida and at NAIFA which I thought you might enjoy hearing about:
 
For the first time in nearly 58 years, NAIFA-Florida willl be honored by the fact that one of our members -- Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP from Brandon -- will serve as NAIFA President in 2023! Not since Philip A. Hoche, CLU from Orlando served in 1965-66 has a member from Florida been President.
 
It’s a tremendous honor for our association, of course, but even more so for Bryon. You see, in 2023 he’ll be the insurance and financial advisor who will lead the largest and most influential trade association representing our businesses and our careers -- NAIFA. It’s very possible that, along with NAIFA’s legal and professional staff, he’ll represent you in testimony before Congress, federal agencies, and the White House. He’ll lead the NAIFA Board of Trustees in as it carries out the Mission of the asociation regarding advocacy, education, and promoting the visibility of our members through awards, volunteer opportunities, and impactful committees.
 
As your NAIFA-Florida CEO, I’ve known Bryon for many, many years and I will tell you nobody has more heart, passion, and commitment to lead NAIFA in 2023 than Bryon. Those of you who know him know that he is a servant and his humbleness reflects that. We’re living in some very disquieting times, but Bryon’s calm statesmanlike ability and his intellect will help our NAIFA message cut through the noise of it all ….. and that’s good for all NAIFA members across the country.
 
Just a little bit about Bryon --- he served on NAIFA’s national Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2019 and was a member of the NAIFA 2025 Strategic Planning Committee. Holz has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1987. He served as the President of both NAIFA-Tampa Bay and NAIFA-Florida. In addition, Bryon was the 2017 NAIFA-Florida “Advisor of the Year,” recipient of the C.G. Snead/J.F. Bryan, III Memorial Award for Outstanding Service. He is a graduate of NAIFA's Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), twice serving as a LILI moderator, and regularly speaks to audiences around the country and internationally.
 
He's President of Bryon Holz & Associates in Brandon and he founded his practice in 1983 to provide investments and insurance to successful individuals and business owners throughout the southeast. His firm specializes in wealth accumulation, retirement income, asset preservation, and legacy planning strategies.
 
On behalf of NAIFA-Florida President George Royal, the Board of Directors, members, and staff, a great big “thank you”, Bryon, for all you have done in service to this amazing association – and will contiunue to do as NAIFA President in 2023!
 
Want to send Bryon a message? Feel free to contact him at bryon@bryonholz.com
 
There’s More …….
Not only is NAIFA-Florida honored to have Bryon serve as NAIFA President in 2023, but another NAIFA-Florida member will step in right behind him and serve as Incoming President next year – meaning NAIFA-Florida will have two consecutive NAIFA Presidents! Tom Cothron, LUTCF, Agency Manager for Southern Farm Bureau in Ocala since 1986, started in the business in 1979 and has served as NAIFA-Ocala President and NAIFA-Florida President. He served on the NAIFA Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2015 and came back on the Board last year to serve as Secretary and move up the leadership chairs to President in 2024.
 
Like Bryon, I’ve known Tom for many, many years and feel just as strongly about his passion, commitment, and service! He, too, will make an outstanding national leader and make NAIFA-Florida proud! Congratulations to you as well, Tom!
 
NAIFA-Florida – NAIFA – are indeed fortunate to have both of these outstanding and quality individuals serving in their respective leadership roles!
 
Want to send a message to Tom? Contact him at:  tomcothron@gmail.com

Another NAIFA-Florida Moment of Pride …… 
Congratulations to Jeff Chernoff, M.S., LUTCF, LACP of NAIFA-Tampa-Bay and loyal member since 2011 for being selected as NAIFA’s 2022 Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year. Jeff is Vice President of Insurance & Trust in Tampa. He currently serves as NAIFA-Florida President-Elect and serves on the National YAT Working Group. Jeff’s past NAIFA leadership roles include Past President of NAIFA-Tampa Bay, moderator for NAIFA's Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), and NAIFA-Florida IFAPAC Chair. Chernoff will be recognized during the upcoming National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Washington, D.C. on November 14th and will join the ranks of his fellow YAT leaders from across NAIFA.
 
I think it’s very clear that NAIFA-Florida has outstanding leaders with a passion to serve! Jeff’s selection as NAIFA YAT Leader of the Year only illustrates my point ….. 
 
To send a personal message of congratulations, feel free to send Jeff an e-mail:  jmc@iat.bz.
 
To View the NAIFA Board Installation Ceremony and Jeff’s YAT Leader of the Year recognition, you can view it on Zoom – live from Washington, DC on Monday, Nov. 14 beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET
Many thanks, and thanks for your membership in NAIFA!