Happy April, NAIFA-Wisconsin!
As your Wisconsin Chapter President, I’m excited to share what our chapter has in store for 2025. The Board has been hard at work, and I’d like to highlight some key updates.
Since taking office in January, we approved a balanced budget and renewed our contract with Schreiber Government Relations Group for another two years to align with Wisconsin’s biannual budget cycle. In February, we welcomed ten new members—if you’re one of them, welcome to NAIFA-WI! We’re thrilled to have you on board.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
We initially planned to host a Spring NAIFA-WI Power Summit in Madison, but we’ve rescheduled it for September 15-16 to better align with legislative meetings. A dedicated committee is finalizing details, and more information will be available soon—stay tuned for what promises to be a fantastic event!
Meanwhile, May 19-20 marks NAIFA’s Congressional Congress (ConCon), a great opportunity to connect with national lawmakers and network with fellow NAIFA members across the country. If you’ve never attended ConCon before, you may be eligible for a $500 travel stipend - check out the Congressional Conference page for details.
We’re also reviving the A. Jack Nussbaum Award after a long hiatus. If you’re unfamiliar with its history, I encourage you to learn more at A. Jack Nussbaum. It’s time to recognize a dedicated NAIFA-WI member for their contributions to the industry. The award recipient will be recognized at our Power Summit in September.
And mark your calendars for September 29! We’ll be hosting the 2025 Charity Golf Outing in Wisconsin Rapids. Don't golf? That's okay, join us for our first annual Cornhole Tournament at the golf course. Check it out here: 2025 Charity Golf Outing
Legislative Update
Wisconsin has seen significant turnover in its legislature, presenting NAIFA with an opportunity to introduce ourselves to new representatives and senators. Notably, NAIFA-WI member Kris Alfheim was elected as the State Senator for the Eighteenth Senate District—congratulations, Kris!
Right now, the legislature is focused on finalizing the state’s biannual budget. Once that’s settled, we’ll assess any legislative issues that may impact NAIFA-WI. Even in the absence of pressing policy concerns, it’s vital that we continue building relationships with lawmakers, so they view NAIFA-WI as a trusted resource on industry-related matters.
LILI Graduates & Membership Growth
For our LILI graduates (and even those who have not yet graduated), there’s an exciting book review group in Green Bay. The current book is The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. If you’re interested in joining, let me know—I’d be happy to share the date and details.
Finally, we need more members! I encourage you to reflect on why you joined NAIFA-WI and consider sharing that passion with a prospective member. My own journey started in 2006 when my father recruited me. At first, I didn’t fully understand NAIFA’s impact, but over time, I discovered its value—networking with industry colleagues, getting involved at the board level, attending state meetings, and participating in advocacy events in Madison and Washington, D.C. Being part of NAIFA has been professionally fulfilling for me, and I’d love the chance to sit down with anyone who wants to learn more.
Thank you for your commitment to NAIFA-WI—I look forward to a great year ahead!
Richard A Balch, CFP, CLU, RICP
