NAIFA Names Dr. Susan Waters as CEO
Experienced Association and Industry Executive Becomes CEO of Nation’s Leading Insurance Producer Association
Contact:
Lorri Ragan, AVP, Communications & Marketing
703-770-8203
FALLS CHURCH, VA (March 31, 2010) — The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) today announces that Susan Waters, DM, CAE, has been named Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Waters has been the Acting CEO since December 22, 2009.
“For more than two and a half years, Dr. Waters has played a crucial role in leading the professional staff and operations at NAIFA,” says NAIFA President Thomas Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF. “In searching for the right CEO to take NAIFA to new heights, we didn’t need to look very far. We were very fortunate to have Susan in place.”
Prior to being named NAIFA’s Acting CEO, Dr. Waters served as the association’s Deputy CEO since October of 2007. She brings more than 22 years of experience in professional association management, as well as experience in the insurance industry and at NAIFA. Prior to joining NAIFA, Dr. Waters was President of Sextant Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in association governance, conflict management, strategic planning, leadership development, and meeting facilitation.
In her career, Dr. Waters has served as the CEO of three associations, has been a licensed insurance broker, and has served as executive vice president of an insurance agency. No stranger to professional association leadership, she was CEO of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants from 2000 to 2004, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bar Association from 1993 to 2000. She also served as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Medical Society and the Prince George's County (MD) Medical Society.
Dr. Waters served as President of the San Francisco Bay Area Society of Association Executives and was the first woman to serve as President of the American Association of Medical Society Executives. She served on the San Francisco President’s Advisory Committee to the University of Maryland. She is also a Past-Trustee for the Foundation of the Business and Professional Women’s Federation/USA.
Dr. Waters has been a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) since 1989, and has served as chair of its Public Policy Committee as well as its Amicus Curiae Committee. She served on ASAE's Board of Directors from 1992 through 1998, serving as an officer from 1996 to 1998.
Susan Waters is a native Marylander with a Bachelor degree from the University of Maryland and a Master's degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. She received the Doctor of Management degree from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Currey continues, “NAIFA has amazing advocacy firepower, a full suite of valuable member benefits, and an incredible professional staff. Under Susan’s leadership, NAIFA will continue its climb.”
“It’s impossible to resist being excited about NAIFA,” comments Dr. Waters. “We continue to be this industry’s first and best defense, and we are giving producers more and more reasons to be a part of NAIFA. Our members are answering the call and getting involved.”
“We take our charge to keep our members in business, help them grow their businesses, and to promote ethical business conduct seriously. Keep your eye on NAIFA.”
About NAIFA: NAIFA comprises more than 700 state and local associations representing the interests of approximately 200,000 agents and their associates nationwide. NAIFA members focus their practices on one or more of the following: life insurance and annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, multiline, and financial advising and investments. The Association’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members.
NAIFA, 2901 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042-1205 | 877-866-2432 |