A. Jack Nussbaum was typical of a host of proud, ambitious young men who came to America from other countries in the early 1890's. He was a native of Glasgow, Scotland who went to work in a clothing factory at age 12. Three years later he came to the United States and worked in a button factory for $4 a week. Within three years, he saved enough money to bring his mother and father to his adopted land.
Mr. Nussbaum served in the army during World War I and then entered the retail clothing business. Buffeted by the depression and early post-depression years, he fortuitously made a decision to enter the life insurance business with Massachusetts Mutual in Milwaukee.
During the ensuing years, Mr. Nussbaum became a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table and continuously achieved the National Quality Award. He was one of his company's top 100 producers for more than 30 years.
From the start of his life insurance selling career, A. Jack Nussbaum was a participant in his local and state life underwriters associations. He became president of each and then moved to distinction on the national scene, where he served NALU as committee chairman, trustee, secretary, vice-president and president.
Though lacking extensive formal education, Mr. Nussbaum was rated one of the "idea men" of U.S. life insurance. He was a faculty advisor at Purdue University's Institute of Insurance Marketing, contributed articles to numerous professional publications, and was in great demand as a speaker before sales groups throughout the country and Canada. As president of NALU, he devoted full-time to this responsibility so as to personally visit the greatest number of affiliated local and state associations.
In addition to being respected for his tremendous sales and leadership capacity, A. Jack Nussbaum was applauded everywhere he went as a raconteur par excellence in dialects ranging from Scot's burr to Alabama cotton patch! He was also a talented musician. The violin was his favorite.
Jack Nussbaum was a doer for all – without prejudice or thought of a personal gain. He was a gentle, warm man with infinite love for his family, associates and country. When he assumed the presidency of NALU in 1956, someone noted that he had tapered off on many of his civic and community undertakings in Milwaukee. Mr. Nussbaum replied: "Guess you're right. All I belong to now are the life underwriter association and the American Legion. They symbolize two things to me - life insurance and the United States. Both have been good to me… and I'm devoting myself to pay my debt and helping others feel the way I do."
Romeo Raabe has been a dedicated member of NAIFA (formerly NALU) since 1998 and a lifelong advocate for the insurance and financial services profession. A consistent presence at Day on the Hill events in both Madison and Washington, D.C., he has championed long-term care policy and strengthened relationships with legislators. At the local level, he served multiple terms on the NAIFA Northeast Wisconsin board, hosted meetings, and led the development of a successful 24-hour CE cruise fundraiser that supported the association’s financial stability.
With a career in insurance spanning nearly four decades, Romeo is widely recognized as a leading expert in long-term care planning, Medicaid, funeral trusts, and related solutions. He played a pivotal role in developing the 8-hour Long-Term Care Partnership curriculum—adopted by multiple states—which has educated thousands of agents on protecting client assets. A longtime educator, he has taught LUTCF and LTCP courses, mentored countless advisors, and continues to provide CE training and guidance to professionals across Wisconsin and beyond.
Romeo’s industry leadership extends to national recognition, including multiple NAIFA Quality Awards and selection as a speaker at the prestigious Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference (ILTCI). He remains actively engaged with numerous care and professional networks, maintains relationships with long-term care carriers, and leads ongoing study groups to support advisor development.
Deeply committed to his community, Romeo volunteers with Unity Hospice and the Green Bay Memory Café, while also collaborating with Aging and Disability Resource Centers, veterans service offices, and elder law attorneys. Known for his generosity, expertise, and willingness to mentor others, Romeo continues to make a lasting impact on both the profession and the individuals and families he serves.
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