 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
News and Events
The Plains, PA office held it's Third Annual Michael A. Moir Golf Tournament on June 19, 2009 at Edgewood in the Pines Golf Course in Drums, PA. Vice President of First Financial Group, James Murphy presented a check in the amount of $11,000 to Ron D'Elseo, Founder of The Earthly Angels Autism Fund of The Luzerne Foundation of Wyoming Valley. Sponsorship in levels of $1000, $500, $250 and $100 by numerous vendors and associates of the firm contributed to the overall success of the day. A total of 98 golfers participated and shared prizes awarded for various events held throughout the day. The Committee, consisting of Gwen Carey, Brain Dougher, Dan Fuhr, Laura manini, James Murphy, Sally Richards and Sharon Rolland plan to continue the tradition of honoring the memory of Michael Moir, a beloved associate who dies at age 54 from brain cancer, by planning a fourth event in June of 2010. The Earthly Angels Autism Fund is a local non profit group which raises funds to benefit the ever growing population of children being affected by conditions on the autism spectrum. Their web site is https://www.earthlyangels.org.
Guardian Announces 16 Leader's Club Qualifiers from First Financial Group First Financial Group, an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA, is proud to announce that 16 of its financial representatives have qualified for Guardian's Leaders Club, Executive Club and/or President's Council. Leaders Club, Executive Club and President's Council are recognition conferences attended by Guardian's top performers. They provide an invaluable opportunity for advisors to receive further education and development in order to better serve their clients and communities. Top honors go to Leonard Raskin from the Baltimore location for qualifying for the prestigious President's Council, and to Michael Spicer, also from the Baltimore location, for becoming an Executive Club qualifier. Qualifiers for Leaders Club from the Baltimore office include Eric Cochran, Pamela Gilmour, Allen Kampf, Ron Rice and Gordon Smith. From the Lancaster office, the qualifiers are Rick Clark, Vincent Gallo, Leon Resnick, Terrance Resnick, Kurt Schaffer and Michael Valudes. And from the Wilkes-Barre location, Brian Dougher, Gregory Gittens and Maureen Harkins have qualified. In addition, special recognition goes to Rick Clark from the Lancaster location and James Murphy from the Wilkes-Barre location, who qualified for the Presidential Citation Award. This award recognizes Guardian's leading Career Development Supervisors for their accomplishments in building their individual units through recruitment, retention and increased productivity.
First Financial Group Announces 26 Million Dollar Round Table Qualifiers First Financial Group, an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA, is proud to announce its 2009 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifiers, based on their 2008 annual production results. The MDRT is an international, independent association of over 35,000 of the most successful life insurance and investment financial services professionals. Its membership serves their clients by exemplary performance and a commitment to the highest standard of ethics and exceptional professional knowledge and service. Qualifying for the prestigious Court of the Table are Leonard Raskin and Michael Spicer from the Baltimore location. In addition, there are 24 associates who qualified for MDRT. From Baltimore, Jerry Carey, Buna Cumbie, James Fritsch, Pamela Gilmour, Jerry House, Allen Kampf, Robert Paff, Daryn Peel, Gordon Smith, Bradley Troy and Jay Wilen have qualified. From Lancaster, Joseph Giorgio, J. Scott Jordan, Leon Resnick, Terrance Resnick, Kurt Schaffer, Michael Valudes, Christopher Wenger and Earl Wenger have qualified. And from the Wilkes-Barre location, Brian Dougher, Gregory Gittens, Ian Hastings, Joseph Kasmark and Russell Shields are qualifiers.
First Financial Group to Host Third Annual Michael A. Moir Memorial Golf Tournament The Plains, PA location of First Financial Group will hold its Third Annual Michael A. Moir Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, June 19, 2009, at Edgewood in the Pines Golf Course. This annual event benefits The Earthly Angels Autism Fund of The Luzerne Foundation. In the past two years, the firm has donated profits of more than $22,000 to this organization whose mission is to proactively increase autism awareness, provide funding to qualified nonprofit organizations for autistic services, support programs and education, and to bring hope to those families who deal with the hardships of this disorder. The tournament is in memory of Michael A. Moir, an associate of the firm who passed away at age 54 from a malignant brain tumor. Sponsorships are available at the Platinum level for $1,000, Gold level for $500, Silver at $250 and Bronze at $100. Please email srichards@firstfinancialgroup.com if interested in supporting this worthwhile venture.
Guardian Announces $723 Million Dividend to Policyholders in 2009 New York, November 13, 2008 - The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved payment of $723 million in dividends to the company's individual life policyholders in 2009. The 2009 payout, which is $60 million more than Guardian's 2008 dividend allocation, is the largest-ever distribution to the company's participating policyholders and reflects a dividend interest rate of 7.30%. "Guardian is pleased to reward our participating policyholders with this record dividend payout," said Dennis J. Manning, Guardian's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ability to pay record dividends in this period of economic volatility is quite a significant accomplishment - one that confirms Guardian's firm commitment to policyholders and validates the sound business fundamentals we follow in managing the company. These sound fundamentals translated into improved mortality experience and strong investment performance, two factors that contributed to our ability to pay a record dividend at this time." As a mutual company, Guardian is organized and maintained for the benefit of its participating member policyholders who share in the company's profits. Annual dividends are one of the most important ways that Guardian's policyholders receive value from the Company's success. Guardian has consistently benefited its participating policyholders with strong dividend performance throughout its 148 year history. "Guardian's value proposition is to provide high quality, low net-cost insurance while maintaining the greatest degree of financial strength," commented Deanna M. Mulligan, Executive Vice President in charge of Guardian's Individual Life and Disability business. "We're proud to continue our track record of consistently delivering on our promises to policyholders." About Guardian Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2007, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $41.3 billion in assets (on a consolidated statutory basis). With close to 3,000 financial representatives and 80 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, small business owners, and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care, and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities, and other financial products and trust services. Specializing in the small to mid-size business market, Guardian's Group business unit serves more than 120,000 employers, 6 million employees, and their families. More information about Guardian can be obtained at: www.GuardianLife.com.
First Financial Group to Host Third Annual Harvest Ball for United Disabilities Services The third annual First Financial Group Harvest Ball to benefit United Disabilities Services (UDS) will be held Friday, October 17, 2008, in the Courtyard of the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA. Tickets are $100 per person or $175 per couple. Table Sponsorship is also available at $675 for a table of 8 or 10. Guests will be treated to an evening of excellent food, speakers, music and dancing, not to mention a fine selection of silent auction items. Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by the band, Detour. All proceeds will benefit UDS. For more information about the Third Annual Harvest Ball, please click HERE.
First Financial Group Raises $12,500 for the Earthly Angels Autism Fund in Memory of Michael A. Moir The Wilkes-Barre location of First Financial Group held its Second Annual Michael A. Moir Memorial Golf Tournament at Edgewood in the Pines Golf Course in Drums on Friday, June 27, 2008. Mike Moir was a Field Representative with the Guardian and a beloved member of the Wilkes-Barre office who lost his battle with brain cancer two years ago at the age of 54. This year's tournament resulted in a charitable donation to the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of The Luzerne Foundation in the amount of $12,500. A total of 100 golfers participated sharing in prizes for the first and second place winners of two flights. Numerous donated items were given as door prizes and to the winners of the various contests held throughout the afternoon. Many of the support staff and associates participated in the day as volunteers or golfers and the event was termed a huge success in terms of money raised for charity as well as an enjoyable day for all participants.
First Financial Group Announces 18 Million Dollar Round Table Qualifiers First Financial Group, an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA, is proud to announce its 2008 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifiers, based on their 2007 annual production results. Qualifying for the highest level of MDRT - Top of the Table - is Leonard Raskin from the Baltimore location. Qualifying for the prestigious Court of the Table are Michael Spicer from Baltimore, Jason Giorgio from Lancaster, and Gregory Gittens from Wilkes-Barre. In addition, there are 14 associates who qualified for MDRT. From the Baltimore location, Joseph Biegel, James Fritsch, Jerry House, Allen Kampf, Clay McNally, Robert Paff, Gordon Smith and Jay Wilen have qualified. From Lancaster, Jay Bauer and Joe Giorgio have qualified. From the Wilkes-Barre location, Brian Dougher, Joseph Kasmark, James Murphy and Russell Shields have qualified. We are further proud to note that from the above total of 18 qualifiers, 9 have joined and become members of this prestigious organization for 2008. They are Leonard Raskin, Joseph Biegel, Jerry House, Allen Kampf, Gordon Smith, Jay Bauer, Brian Dougher, Joe Giorgio and James Murphy. Founded in 1927, the MDRT is an international, independent association of over 35,000 of the most successful life insurance and investment financial services professionals from 476 companies in 76 nations and territories. Its membership serves their clients by exemplary performance and a commitment to the highest standard of ethics and exceptional professional knowledge and service.
Guardian Announces 17 Leader's Club Qualifiers from First Financial Group First Financial Group, an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA, is proud to announce that 17 of its financial representatives have qualified for Guardian's Leader's Club, Executive Club and/or President's Council. Leader's Club, Executive Club and President's Council are recognition conferences attended by Guardian's top performers. They provide an invaluable opportunity for advisors to receive further education and development in order to better serve their clients and communities. Qualifiers for Leader's Club from the Baltimore office include Joseph Biegel, Eric Cochran, Allen Kampf, Clay McNally, Robert Paff, Leonard Raskin, Ron Rice, Michael Spicer, J'Neanne Theus and Jay Wilen. Qualifiers from the Lancaster office are Jay Bauer, Rick Clark, Jason Giorgio, Kurt Schaffer and Michael Valudes. From the Wilkes-Barre office, the qualifiers are Gregory Gittens and Maureen Harkins. Top honors go to Leonard Raskin and Michael Spicer for qualifying for the prestigious President's Council, and to Jason Giorgio and Joseph Biegel for becoming Executive Club qualifiers. In addition, special recognition goes to Rick Clark, who qualified for the Presidential Citation Award. This award recognizes Guardian's leading Career Development Supervisors for their accomplishments in building their individual units through recruitment, retention and increased productivity.
First Financial Group Raises $7,315 for United Disabilities Services at their Second Annual Harvest Ball The second annual First Financial Group Harvest Ball to benefit United Disabilities Services (UDS) was held Friday, October 19, 2007, in the Courtyard of the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA. Approximately $7,315 was raised for UDS by the 100 guests who were treated to an evening of excellent food, speakers, music and dancing, not to mention a fine selection of silent auction items. UDS volunteers were on hand to register guests and escort them to their tables. After dinner, Rick Clark, Vice President of the Lancaster First Financial Group (FFG) office, presented the speakers. Gary Graziano, of the UDS Board of Directors, and Jennifer Howell, a UDS consumer, were the featured speakers. After a short program, guests were treated to the swinging sounds of The Neil Wright Band while spending the evening viewing and bidding on a selection of silent auction items. The top selling auction item was a trip to Marco Island, Florida, which sold for $625. UDS would like to express their profound thanks to First Financial Group, and especially to Rick Clark, VP, FFG, and Jessica Dougherty, Asst. VP of Operations, FFG, for creating, planning and hosting this very special benefit event. All are looking forward to the Third Annual Harvest Ball on October 17, 2008.
First Financial Group Raises $11,000 for The Earthly Angels Autism Fund at their inaugural Michael A. Moir Memorial Golf Tournament The Plains, PA office held its inaugural Michael A. Moir Memorial Golf Tournament on August 17, 2007. The tournament resulted in a donation of $11,000 to The Earthly Angels Autism Fund of The Luzerne Foundation of Wyoming Valley. Numerous local businesses and individuals served as sponsors in levels of $1,000, $500, $250 and $100 in addition to supplying gifts and refreshments for the event. A total of 88 golfers participated and shared prizes awarded for various events held throughout the day. The committee, consisting of Sharon Bobeck, Richard Brewington, Gwen Carey, Brian Dougher, James Murphy and Sally Richards, plan to continue the tradition of honoring the memory of Michael Moir, a beloved associate who died at age 54 from brain cancer, by planning a second event in June, 2008. The Earthly Angels Autism Fund is a local non-profit group which raises funds to benefit the ever growing population of children being affected by condition on the autism spectrum. Their website is https://www.earthlyangels.org.
First Financial Group Senior Vice President Selected as Charitable Planning Specialist -
Bradley Troy selected by Philanthropy International as CPS in Mid-Atlantic Region
Guardian Announces Leader’s Club Qualifiers BALTIMORE, Maryland – April 11, 2007 - First Financial Group (FFG), an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA, is pleased to announce that 23 of its financial representatives have qualified for Guardian’s Leader’s Club.
First Financial Group Scores Big With MDRT BALTIMORE, Maryland – April 3, 2007 - First Financial Group (FFG), an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes- Barre, PA, is pleased to announce that 22 of its Financial Representatives have qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, a coveted career milestone that is shared by few. From the Baltimore location the following people have qualified – Buna Cumbie, Allen Kampf, Robert Paff, Leonard Raskin, Gordon Smith, Michael Spicer, J’Neanne Theus, Bradley Troy and Jay Wilen. From Lancaster, Jay Bauer, Jason Giorgio, Joseph Giorgio J. Scott Jordan, Terrance Resnick, Michael Valudes and Earl Wenger have qualified. From the Wilkes-Barre, PA location, Brian Dougher, Gregory Gittens, Ian Hastings, Joseph Kasmark, James Murphy and Russell Shields have qualified.
Expert Reports One-Third of Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Now Cover Home Care BALTIMORE, Maryland – March 7, 2007 - Eight million Americans now own long-term care insurance protection obtained on an individual basis or through their employer, according to Ginni Bonarrigo of First Financial Group based in Baltimore, Maryland. And, while most people associate long-term care insurance with nursing homes, a just-published study reveals the majority of benefits actually pay for home care or assisted living.
First Financial Group Recognized at LAMP Convention. First Financial Group Raises $12,000 for United Disabilities Services at their First Annual Harvest Ball After a short program, guests were treated to the swinging sounds of the Frankie Widder Group while guests spent the evening viewing and bidding on a selection of silent auction items. The top selling auction item was a trip to Marco Island Florida which sold for $2,000.00. UDS would like to express our profound thanks to First Financial Group and especially to Rick Clark, VP, FFG and Jessica Dougherty, Asst. VP of Operations, for creating, planning and hosting this very special benefit event. All are looking forward to the Second Annual Harvest Ball.
Guardian Announces Leader's Club Qualifiers from FFG. Three from First Financial Group, Wilkes-Barre, PA Office Qualify for Leader’s Club. August 23, 2006 - First Financial Group (FFG), an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a complete financial services firm located in Towson, MD, Lancaster, PA and Wilkes Barre, PA, is pleased to announce that Russell Shields, Kenneth Jumper and Gregory Gittens have qualified for Guardian’s Leader’s Club. Leader’s Club is a recognition conference attended by top producers of Guardian. Qualification to attend is based on performance and provides an invaluable opportunity to meet other top producers and realize how they achieved success. It also provides additional sales techniques and information about new products and product lines. Russell Shields has been in the financial services business for 17 years, 16 of them with First Financial Group. He has qualified 13 times for the Million Dollar Round Table and 14 times for Leader’s Club. Kenneth Jumper, a licensed financial specialist, has been in the field for 23 years, with FFG for 20 years. He is a 16-year life and qualifying member of MDRT and is now partnering with his son, Dennis Jumper. Gregory Gittens, began his career with FFG in 2000 and has qualified for MDRT and Leaders Club every year. In 2005 he was named FFG Associate of the Year. All three associates work out of First Financial Group’s Wilkes-Barre, PA office. First Financial Group, in existence since 1977, is one of the largest independently owned firms of its kind serving Baltimore, the Washington metro area, and central and eastern Pennsylvania. They provide financial services for business and personal planning for business owners, executives and professionals. Russell E. Shields, Kenneth C. Jumper and Gregg Gittens, Registered Representatives and Financial Advisors of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products/services and advisory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. First Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.PAS is a member of NASD, SIPC. Founded in 1860, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2005, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $40.7 billion in assets (on a GAAP basis). With more that 5,000 employees and 3,000 financial representatives, as well as over 85 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses, and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care, and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), financial products and trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at: www.GuardianLife.com.
FFG's Murphy Earns Membership in the Million Dollar Round Table Prestigious Court of Table - Distinguished Career Milestone Achieved. WILKES-BARRE, Pennsylvania – May 3, 2006 – James D. Murphy, CLU, Vice President of First Financial Group, 670 N. River Street, Plains, has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table’s (MDRT) prestigious Court of Table. Achieving membership in MDRT’s Court of the Table is a distinguishing career milestone, attained only by those who have demonstrated exceptional professional knowledge, client service and ethical conduct. Each year only an estimated 3,500 MDRT members qualify for the prestigious Court of the Table. MDRT, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is an international, independent association of more than 32,000, or less than 1 percent, of the world’s best life insurance and financial services professionals. With membership from 77 nations and territories, MDRT members demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. Regarded as business and community leaders, membership in MDRT is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. Murphy has been a member of First Financial Group since 1996.
Dennis Eckels became the new President, CEO and owner of First Financial Group on January 1, 2006.
First Financial Group representatives began providing the Living Balance Sheet to clients in October of 2005.
First Financial Group founder Quincy M. Crawford will be inducted into the GAMA Hall of Fame in April 2006.
|
Events
|
||||
