NGL Matching Funds Propel Selected Educational Trust to $50,000 in Contributions

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — December 9, 2025 — Thanks in part to a generous donation match challenge issued by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), the Selected Educational Trust raised more than $40,000 in donations from Selected member firms, individuals, and supporting organizations between September 15 and October 31. With NGL’s commitment to match donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000, total contributions surpassed $50,000.

“The future of funeral service depends on engaged funeral home owners and staff, supportive vendors and organizations that offer robust resources for education and growth,” said Leigh Klemencic, Assistant Vice President – Marketing Communications. “The Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust is one such organization, and NGL is delighted to participate in this gift match. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I’ve had the honor of seeing firsthand the incredible work this organization does and know these funds will go to very good use.”

“We are sincerely grateful to NGL for championing this effort and to every donor who answered the call,” said Stefanie Favia, Executive Director of the Selected Educational Trust. “This match challenge inspired remarkable generosity across our community and directly strengthens the resources we can offer to independent funeral service professionals. By working together, we are advancing education, supporting career development, and investing in the future of our profession.”

With these funds, the Selected Educational Trust will continue its important work of empowering funeral service professionals to thrive in their careers and better serve their communities. This includes connecting independent funeral homes with the next generation of the profession and providing scholarships and progressive skill-building opportunities for funeral service professionals at all stages of their careers.

For more information about the Selected Educational Trust, visit www.selectedtrust.org or contact Stefanie Favia at stefanie@selectedtrust.org.

About the Selected Educational Trust

The mission of the Selected Educational Trust (www.selectedtrust.org) is to provide the best educational opportunities for the advancement and support of all who work within the independent funeral service profession. To fulfill this mission, the Trust provides programs which offer scholarships to mortuary science students and funeral service professionals, online education through its Institute for Exceptional Funeral Service powered by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (www.funeral-institute.org) and networking and employment opportunities through its Workforce Development Centers.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

NGL celebrates team members’ impressive achievements and performance

Madison, Wis. (October 7, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) recognized four team members with G.R.I.T. Awards during its companywide All Hands Meeting in September. The awards incorporate NGL’s vision for the future, Together for Tomorrow, into its team members’ daily professional lives. The peer nominations recognized and celebrated colleagues for their outstanding achievements and performance.

The awards highlight the winning mindsets that need to be demonstrated for everyone to deliver and successfully achieve NGL’s goals and vision.

There are four distinct categories for the G.R.I.T. Awards:

Growth and Personal Development Award – Kyle Steensland, New Business Process Analyst

The recipient of this award sets clear professional and personal growth objectives. They hold themselves accountable for their own growth and NGL accountable for support. The individual also embraces courageous conversations and chooses to stay resilient through challenges.

Kyle was nominated two times for the Growth and Personal Development Award and received a nomination for a different category. One person who nominated Kyle shared, “Kyle has been endlessly dedicated to the New Business team and NGL. He always goes the extra mile when approached with questions or requests. Kyle is not afraid to dive deep into the nitty gritty to find an answer when something is unresolved or unclear. On top of that, while he is generous with both his time and knowledge, his work is never short of being detailed, thorough, and timely.”

Resilience and Accountability Award – Cody Lomholt, Assistant Vice President, IT Operations

This award recipient is resilient and perseveres. They believe in holding themselves and others accountable for actions and outcomes. Commitment to results and follow through is a basis of their work ethic.

Cody received three nominations for the Resilience and Accountability Award. Nominators shared, “Cody consistently demonstrates resilience and accountability in managing the IT Software and Services budget with exceptional diligence and integrity. He holds himself and vendors to the highest standards. Cody has been instrumental in pulling together large IT initiatives and working closely with vendors to achieve good outcomes.”

Initiative, Drive and Execution Award – Terry Bosky, Senior Payment Specialist

This award is for the NGL team member who takes initiative with a bias for effective action. They ask for help when needed and look beyond daily tasks to effectively execute plans.

Terry received five nominations for the Initiative, Drive and Execution Award. One nomination explained, “Terry incorporates initiative, drive and execution into each of his projects at NGL. Terry is not only meticulous and organized in creating clear and accurate resources for all NGL employees to utilize, but he creates an environment where people feel safe to take risks and share ideas without fear of judgment. Terry encourages team members to develop their skills and others to help them along the way. His knowledge tagged with his understanding make you feel valued and supported.”

Trust in Each Other Award – Sarah Reed, Operations Manager

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated trust in themselves, peers and leaders. They empower others, is empowered and delegates, as well as fosters open communication by giving and receiving constructive feedback. Collaboration within and across teams is paramount to their work.

Sarah received five nominations for this award. “Sarah goes above and beyond for our team. Multiple times I have gone to Sarah with any kind of issue, and she does all she can to track down the resolution and always makes me feel like I am an appreciated member of the team. She really does care about all of us and wants us all to become the best versions of ourselves.”

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

Frank Robertson joins NGL as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Madison, Wis. (September 29, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Robertson as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Robertson is an experienced financial executive who has led finance teams and successfully driven several large-scale transformational initiatives. He joins NGL with nearly 30 years of experience in insurance financial services.

Robertson will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting and strategic planning. He will work directly with Joe Celentano, NGL President & CEO, along with the executive leadership team to drive NGL’s growth in selected markets and focus on long-term organizational success.

“We are excited to welcome Frank to our team,” shared Celentano. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic financial planning, business transformation and leadership. Frank’s expertise aligns with NGL’s vision for the future. His financial and insurance knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and operational efficiencies.”

Prior to joining NGL, Robertson served in several financial functions and senior leadership roles at Global Atlantic Financial Group (formerly Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group). During his tenure at Global Atlantic, Robertson drove the buildout of the controllership function, worked closely with all areas of the firm to drive strategic growth initiatives and was responsible for helping design and build the infrastructure and processes that enabled Global Atlantic to operate successfully as a stand-alone company.

“I’m honored to join a financially strong, century-old company with a legacy of serving its policyholders and partners,” said Robertson. “NGL’s values-driven culture, long-term stability and forward-looking approach to growth makes this an exciting opportunity. I am committed to working alongside a collaborative, talented team that contributes to NGL’s continued success, as well as driving sustainable long-term growth for our partners and policyholders.” 

Robertson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He earned a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from Boston College Carroll School of Management. Robertson is also a certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey.

Robertson currently resides in New Jersey. He is an active member in the community and proudly supports a variety of youth and humanitarian focused organizations. 

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

NGL celebrates team members’ impressive achievements and performance

Madison, Wis. (August 5, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) recognized four team members with G.R.I.T. Awards during its companywide All Hands Meeting in July. The awards incorporate NGL’s vision for the future, Together for Tomorrow, into its team members’ daily professional lives. The peer nominations recognized and celebrated colleagues for their outstanding achievements and performance.

The awards highlight the winning mindsets that need to be demonstrated for everyone to deliver and successfully achieve NGL’s goals and vision.

There are four distinct categories for the G.R.I.T. Awards:

Growth and Personal Development Award – Dylan Etter, Payroll and Disbursements Manager

The recipient of this award sets clear professional and personal growth objectives. They hold themselves accountable for their own growth and NGL accountable for support. The individual also embraces courageous conversations and chooses to stay resilient through challenges.

Dylan was nominated three times for the Growth and Personal Development Award. One person who nominated Dylan shared, “Dylan is a remarkably dedicated team player and is consistently willing to take on new challenges to ensure business needs are met. Dylan is not afraid to ask tough questions when needed, and approaches problems with a practical, thoughtful mindset. He is considerate of other viewpoints and always open to learning new things.”

Resilience and Accountability Award – Courtney Shaffer, Senior Business Systems Analyst

This award recipient is resilient and perseveres. They believe in holding themselves and others accountable for actions and outcomes. Commitment to results and follow through is a basis of their work ethic.

Courtney was awarded the Resilience and Accountability Award. “Courtney has shown growth and resilience by learning and approaching her understanding of technical integrations and corresponding work. Through all of this she has now taken on a large assignment to look more wholistically at integrations for an initiative.”

Initiative, Drive and Execution Award – Andy Mohr, Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit

This award is for the NGL team member who takes initiative with a bias for effective action. They ask for help when needed and look beyond daily tasks to effectively execute plans.

Receiving four nominations for the Initiative, Drive and Execution Award, Andy incorporates initiative, drive and execution into each of his projects at NGL. “Andy quietly and consistently accomplishes all that he is asked to, and more. His analytical and mindful approach has helped to streamline timelines, test procedures, and expand scope; resulting in reduced fees and increased internal understanding of workflows. He willingly takes on additional responsibility if it benefits the organization.”

Trust in Each Other Award – Jaime Perez, Senior Agent Solutions Coordinator

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated trust in themselves, peers and leaders. They empower others, is empowered and delegates, as well as fosters open communication by giving and receiving constructive feedback. Collaboration within and across teams is paramount to their work.

“Jaime is always the first one who takes initiative to complete daily tasks and with an upbeat attitude. She is always available for the team as a resource for help with escalated calls, questions in regards to a pending application or a process or just to bounce ideas off. Jaime is truly someone that we can rely on and is there for the team in the most upbeat, can-do personality and always rooting for the team.”

NGL is a life and health insurance company specializing in individual and group products. We offer a suite of innovative insurance products for life’s journey, giving our customers financial stability, careful guidance and peace of mind. With 116 years in the insurance industry, we take pride in delivering on our promises across generations with collaboration and compassion.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

Photo from left to right: Dylan Etter, Payroll and Disbursements Manager; Jaime Perez, Senior Agent Solutions Coordinator; Courtney Shaffer, Senior Business Systems Analyst; Joe Celentano, President & CEO. Not pictured: Andy Mohr, Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit.

NGL Files with Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to Restructure as a Mutual Holding Company

Madison, Wis. (June 5, 2025) – After thoughtful consideration and strategic planning, National Guardian Life Insurance Company’s (NGL) leadership team and Board of Directors, have approved a proposal to restructure NGL into a mutual holding company.

NGL has filed a plan with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to form a mutual holding company. Subject to regulatory and policyholder approval, National Guardian Life Insurance Company will convert to a stock insurer and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the mutual holding company.

“With over a century of providing valuable insurance solutions, NGL understands the importance of a forward-looking approach and delivering on our promises,” said Joe Celentano, President and CEO at NGL. “Transitioning to a mutual holding company marks a significant milestone in NGL’s journey. This structure enhances our ability to grow, adapt and invest in the future, while preserving our commitment to our policyholders, team members and partners. It positions us for long-term strength, flexibility and continued mutual benefit.”

Restructuring as a mutual holding company will enhance NGL’s ability to grow, innovate and serve customers better – while preserving the core values that come with being a mutual insurance company. Policyholders will maintain ownership and control of the insurance holding company while providing NGL greater financial flexibility.

The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance will hold a public hearing to review the proposed reorganization and, if approved after this hearing, the proposal will also be submitted to a vote of the policyholders later this year. If all approvals are obtained, the proposed reorganization is expected to become effective on January 1, 2026.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

NGL celebrates team members’ impressive achievements and performance

Madison, Wis. (April 17, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) recognized four team members with G.R.I.T. Awards during its companywide All Hands Meeting in April. The awards incorporate NGL’s vision for the future, Together for Tomorrow, into its team members’ daily professional lives. Over 100 peer nominations recognized and celebrated colleagues for their outstanding achievements and performance.

The awards highlight the winning mindsets that need to be demonstrated for everyone to deliver and successfully achieve NGL’s goals and vision.

There are four distinct categories for the G.R.I.T. Awards:

Growth and Personal Development Award – Brandon Hellwig, Senior Sales Analyst

The recipient of this award sets clear professional and personal growth objectives. They hold themselves accountable for their own growth and NGL accountable for support. The individual also embraces courageous conversations and chooses to stay resilient through challenges.

Brandon was nominated four times for the Growth and Personal Development Award. “Brandon has shown leadership, is courteous and professional,” shared one nominator. “He is reliable, knowledgeable and extremely organized. Brandon has grown and developed in his position.”

Resilience and Accountability Award – Bruce Nyberg, iSeries Support Specialist

This award recipient is resilient and perseveres. They believe in holding themselves and others accountable for actions and outcomes. Commitment to results and follow through is a basis of their work ethic.

Receiving six nominations from his colleagues, Bruce was awarded the Resilience and Accountability Award. One person who nominated Bruce said, “Bruce holds himself strongly accountable for all the work that he does. He is an invaluable resource for NGL, as well as an outstanding person. He is always willing to help others and solve problems. Bruce goes above and beyond to stay later or drop everything he is working on to help.”

Initiative, Drive and Execution Award – Mandie Hall, Account Success Associate

This award is for the NGL team member who takes initiative with a bias for effective action. They ask for help when needed and look beyond daily tasks to effectively execute plans.

Receiving four nominations for the Initiative, Drive and Execution Award, Mandie incorporates initiative, drive and execution into each of her projects at NGL. “Mandie is understanding, compassionate and knowledgeable. She takes the time to make sure that any issues are heard and resolved. She shows tremendous leadership, is a great worker and an even better person.”

Trust in Each Other Award – Colin Regan, Senior Agent Solutions Coordinator

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated trust in themselves, peers and leaders. They empower others, is empowered and delegates, as well as fosters open communication by giving and receiving constructive feedback. Collaboration within and across teams is paramount to their work.

“Colin exemplifies trust through his strong communication skills, deep understanding of the business and commitment to collaboration. He consistently demonstrates professionalism by articulating ideas clearly, facilitating productive discussions and guiding teams toward well-informed decisions. Through his actions, Colin not only builds trust but also strengthens the success of those around him.”

NGL is a life and health insurance company specializing in individual and group products. We offer a suite of innovative insurance products for life’s journey, giving our customers financial stability, careful guidance and peace of mind. With 116 years in the insurance industry, we take pride in being there for our customers when they need it most.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

In the cover photo: From left to right: Joe Celentano, President & CEO; Bruce Nyberg, iSeries Support Specialist; Brandon Hellwig, Senior Sales Analyst; Colin Regan, Senior Agent Solutions Coordinator; Cara Capretta, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Not pictured: Mandie Hall, Account Success Associate

Leigh Klemencic joins NGL as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications

Madison, Wis. (February 17, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Leigh Klemencic as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications. Klemencic will lead the marketing team in the development of strategic external marketing communications initiatives to further enhance NGL’s position as a leader in the Preneed insurance industry.

Klemencic has experience in developing marketing campaigns and collateral, writing editorial content for industry publications, and building strong relationships to further enhance partners’ ability for future growth. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Leigh to our team. With her extensive experience in the Preneed profession, we are confident she will play a key role in advancing our vision to work with strategic clarity, creativity and operational excellence as NGL focuses on being a leader in chosen insurance markets,” said Jeremy Ragsdale, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at NGL. “Drawing on her skills in marketing and communications, with her background in Preneed, she will work to strengthen our marketing services for everyone who collaborates with us.”

Prior to joining NGL, Klemencic held a variety of roles at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, including Director-Preneed, and Preneed Marketing Manager. During her tenure with the organization, she helped funeral homes find and amplify their strategies for growth, designed and managed tradeshow sponsorships and exhibits, and implemented marketing campaigns.

“NGL is a leader in Preneed insurance and I’m excited to join the team and continue building on the foundation to grow in the marketplace,” said Klemencic. “I thrive on discovering opportunities to innovate through Preneed marketing and making a notable difference for the funeral homes that serve our communities.”

Klemencic earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brooklyn College. She is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Klemencic is a native of Ashland, Neb. and resides in Omaha, Neb., with her husband and three dogs.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

NGL celebrates team members’ impressive achievements and performance

Madison, Wis. (December 31, 2024) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company’s (NGL) inaugural G.R.I.T. Awards were launched during its December End of Year Celebration. The awards incorporate NGL’s vision for the future, Together for Tomorrow, into its team members’ daily professional lives. Peer nominations recognize and celebrate colleagues for their outstanding achievements and performance.

The awards highlight the winning mindsets that need to be demonstrated for everyone to deliver and successfully achieve NGL’s goals and vision.

There are four distinct categories for the G.R.I.T. Awards:

Growth and Personal Development Award – Oscar Hernandez Tinajero, Technical Support

The recipient of this award sets clear professional and personal growth objectives. They hold themselves accountable for their own growth and NGL accountable for support. The individual also embraces courageous conversations and chooses to stay resilient through challenges.

Oscar was nominated four times for the Growth and Personal Development Award. “Oscar is driven to learn and advance his career at NGL by challenging himself,” shares one nominator. “He joined the IT Customer Service team from a business role, volunteered to join the implementation team for the Data Center moveout weekend, and has now volunteered to assist a more technical team in order to challenge himself and further his career. Oscar continues to show a drive to challenge himself to grow and impresses everyone around him with his ability to succeed at those challenges.”

Resilience and Accountability Award – Jen Hatton, Senior Commissions Administrator

This award recipient is resilient and perseveres. They believe in holding themselves and others accountable for actions and outcomes. Commitment to results and follow through is a basis of their work ethic.

Receiving five nominations from her colleagues, Jen was awarded the Resilience and Accountability Award. One person who nominated Jen says, “She sets an amazing example of resilience and accountability on the Commissions team. Jen’s continual commitment to finding solutions and generating new ideas, even in difficult situations, is a testament to her resilience and perseverance. She also leads by example by keeping herself accountable. She freely admits mistakes, along with learning from them, while frequently helping our own team and even other teams identify and overcome challenges in order to succeed.”

Initiative, Drive and Execution Award – Jessica Miller, Assistant Vice President, Financial Planning, Payroll and Disbursements

This award is for the NGL team member who takes initiative with a bias for effective action. They ask for help when needed and look beyond daily tasks to effectively execute plans.

Receiving three nominations for the Initiative, Drive and Execution Award, Jessica incorporates initiative, drive and execution into each of her projects at NGL. “Jessica has worked tirelessly to improve key processes. She drove the implementation of a new accounts payable software which enabled better workflow, tracking and automation of disbursements coding. She overhauled the budget process and has worked collaboratively with every budget owner throughout NGL to help them understand their costs and plan accurately for the coming year. Jessica executes on every task she takes on and has a true drive for excellence. She is a team player and does her best to provide one-on-one customer service to the organization, no matter how busy she is.”

Trust in Each Other Award – Lisa Warner, Claims Adjudicator

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated trust in themselves, peers and leaders. They empower others, is empowered and delegates, as well as fosters open communication by giving and receiving constructive feedback. Collaboration within and across teams is paramount to their work.

“Lisa is always available to help deal with complicated claims or to help train newer members on different types of claims. She has been the point person on several complicated claims this year, some of which have involved multiple beneficiaries who have unique needs and questions. She also has a wonderful personality and adds so much to the team.”

NGL is a life and health insurance company specializing in individual and group products. We offer a suite of innovative insurance products for life’s journey, giving our customers financial stability, careful guidance and peace of mind. With 115 years in the insurance industry, we take pride in being there for our customers when they need it most.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

In what is becoming a growing trend among larger funeral home operators Anthem Partners announced in late September that they had formed a strategic alliance with Premier Preneed Marketing and National Guardian Life (NGL) that they believe will help grow their preneed business.

According to a statement in the press release from Jim La Mar, Anthem’s Director of Business Development, “This association will allow our firms to serve more families with robust product enhancements backed by the financial strength of NGL and innovative tools and exceptional resources from Premier Preneed, the fastest growing preneed marketing organization in the country.  We look forward to leveraging the many possibilities our relationship with Premier and NGL will provide.”

NGL’s Senior Vice-President of Preneed Sales and Business Development Cameron Black made this comment in the same press release, “NGL is very humbled and excited to be the preneed carrier for Anthem Partners’ western portfolio of funeral homes.  It’s these exciting partnerships that allow us to help create more opportunities for families to see the benefits of pre-planning.” 

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  Aligning relationships with one preneed partner is a trend we are seeing at Funeral Director Daily.  And when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense for both the consumer-facing funeral and cemetery businesses as well as the preneed insurance companies.

For the funeral home companies a strategic alliance can probably help them increase commission percentages, leverage a potential higher growth rates to allow policies better long-term growth, and help with marketing expenses and customer acquisition for the sale of such policies.  All of these options should allow for higher profits for the aligned funeral home partners.

For the insurance companies these partnerships put forward aligned goals and results for both the funeral homes and the preneed companies.  The sacrifice of higher commissions and potential higher costs of marketing can be overcome with the idea that they will get 100% of the funeral home/cemetery company’s preneed business.  That’s a combination that they hope will increase the numbers of policies sold, and generate more profits, in the marketplace by their specific business.

In the last 18 months of so we have seen these relationships develop, seemingly more often than before, between consumer facing death care companies and preneed insurance providers.  Here’s some of the alignments we have been notified about and a story or press release on such:

Regardless of the size of your funeral home, it certainly would not hurt to ask preneed providers what benefits that they may be able to offer if you made them your exclusive provider of preneed services.  Like the big companies in Death Care, there may be synergies and opportunities to have some sense of linked goals that might benefit both of you.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Anthem Partners Announces Partnership with Premier Preneed and NGL

September XX, 2024 – Anthem Partners, a leading operator of funeral homes and cemeteries throughout North America, is excited to announce the company has recently developed a strategic relationship with Premier Preneed Marketing and National Guardian Life (NGL).  This partnership provides Anthem Partners’ locations in the western United States with the necessary tools and comprehensive support to grow their preneed business significantly.

“This association will allow our firms to serve more families with robust product enhancements backed by the financial strength of NGL and innovative tools and exceptional resources from Premier Preneed, the fastest growing preneed marketing organization in the country,” stated Jim La Mar, Anthem Partner’s Director of Business Development.  “We look forward to leveraging the many possibilities our relationship with Premier and NGL will provide.”

Premier Preneed Marketing has been one of the nation’s leading marketing organizations in the insurance industry for more than 50 years. Through a deep commitment to excellence and a dedication to creating innovative products and marketing programs for funeral homes, Premier provides value-added services and lead-generation tools to help funeral homes grow their businesses. 

“Anthem’s dedication to funeral service is deeply engrained in their culture and we share the same values,” said Michelle Fong, Business Development Manager at Premier Preneed. “Like Anthem Partners, Premier Preneed is committed to serving families for the long term and the Premier team looks forward to growing Anthem’s business with our portfolio of resources – using both traditional and technology-focused marketing solutions.”

For more than a century, NGL has been a leader in the insurance industry.  Since then, the company has been a reliable, trustworthy leader in providing insurance solutions that link people to the right products and partners for life’s journey. The company helps families face life’s financial challenges with confidence, dignity, and grace. 

“NGL is very humbled and excited to be the preneed carrier for Anthem Partners’ western portfolio of funeral homes,” stated Cameron Black, NGL’s Senior Vice President, Preneed Sales, and Business Development.  “It’s these exciting partnerships that allow us to help create more opportunities for families to see the benefits of pre-planning.” 

About Anthem Partners:   Anthem Partners is a privately-held operator of cemeteries and funeral homes.  Founded by industry professionals and backed by long-term, patient investors, Anthem Partners is actively seeking opportunities to grow with like-minded professionals and firms who share their vision. The founding principles of Anthem Partners are respecting the unique history of the family businesses and acknowledging the lives lived in the communities they serve.  To learn more, visit www.anthempartners.com.

About Premier Preneed Marketing:   Premier Preneed Marketing has provided support, training, and leading insurance solutions to funeral homes since 1968.  By consistently designing innovative, consumer-friendly products, Premier has earned a reputation as one of the most respected insurance brokerages in the country.  In addition to strong commission schedules and outstanding product offerings, Premier also provides value-added services to help their funeral home partners grow their businesses. To learn more, visit www.premierpreneed.com.

About National Guardian Life:  Established in 1909, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, WI. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products.  More information about National Guardian Life can be found at www.nglic.com.