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April 02, 2014 | Press Releases
Securities America’s Behn Honored
LA VISTA, Neb. – April 2, 2014 – Recognizing that participation of dedicated volunteers is critical to any professional association, GAMA International has named John Behn its 2013 Volunteer of the Year. Behn is first vice president of branch office development for independent broker-dealer Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT: LTS).The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a GAMA member with a superlative record of service and tireless commitment to improving GAMA and the industry during the previous calendar year.
Behn, who joined GAMA in 1991, has contributed articles and book reviews to the GAMA International Journal and presented at the PMG Symposium and the Executive Leadership Cabinet. He serves on GAMA’s Professional Development and Resource Network committees.
“For more than 50 years, GAMA International has helped field leaders better their skills, so they can lead advisors to greater heights in satisfying the needs of their clients and themselves,” Behn said. “Sharing ideas with the best in the industry has helped me hone my own abilities in guiding the many advisors I have had the fortune of working with. As a servant leader, it has made me a better person and professional.”
While with Transamerica, Behn led the effort for that company to become GAMA’s first-ever Platinum PMG Company, securing GAMA over $750,000 in professional development revenue. Behn recruited 175 members to GAMA, secured an additional $100,000 in LAMP sponsorships and added six new GAMA Resource Partners, resulting in an additional $95,000 in gross revenue.
“John’s commitment to GAMA has helped us raise more than $1 million dollars,” said Howard Elias, GAMA President, in recognizing BEHN at the organization’s annual Leadership and Management Program conference in Nashville on March 15. “For John, it’s about more than fundraising. John, at his own expense, twice presented his Lead Without a Title and 212 Degrees workshops to GAMA headquarters staff and EXCOM members. He truly believes that GAMA is about community, and that you must give to everyone involved in that community.”
Behn, 45, has 23 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industries in a wide variety of roles. He has been a financial advisor, business owner, national sales manager, senior vice president of strategy and operations, and general agent. Behn has a strong background in sales, recruiting, advisor development and senior management, having worked for such companies as American Family, New York Life and Transamerica, in addition to owning his own business, prior to joining Securities America in 2013.
“Since joining Securities America a year ago, John Behn has applied his extensive knowledge and experience of sales and financial services to our recruiting processes,” said Jim Nagengast, CEO and president of Securities America. “John’s passion has invigorated our recruiting team, resulting in an impressive increase in advisors and assets during 2013. We’re proud of John’s contributions to GAMA International and proud to have him as part of Securities America.”
About Securities America
Securities America is one of the nation’s largest independent broker-dealers with more than 1,700 independent advisors responsible for $50 billion in client assets.
About GAMA International
GAMA International is a worldwide association servicing the professional development needs of 5,500 field leaders in the insurance, investment and financial services industry.
Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities America is not affiliated with any other entity named.