Brad Frane Clu, Chfc Email & Phone Number

Minnesota And Surrounding Communities

Through education, planning and the implementation of suitable insurance products, we help financially secure our clients retirement.

Serving Mn,Nd,Sd,Ia,Ne

I oversaw an elite team of insurance agents, focusing on long term care, education and planning. Our mission was to use our unique skills to assist our clients in helping secure their retirement both emotionally and financially.

Associated Financial Group

I was responsible for growing our qualified retirement consulting practice and our advanced planning division. I managed partnerships in the retirement consulting area by partnering with businesses to help them maximize the efficiency of their qualified retirement plan. In the advanced planning division, we helped our business clients retain key employees, work through succession planning and estate planning.

As the Chief Operating Officer responsible for top line and bottom line growth of the company, my accomplishments during my tenure include:- Brought nine quality people into the organization upgrading the overall quality of staff- Created marketing programs that generated nearly 200 appointments with ideal clients- Evolved sales practices to include all reps having individual marketing plans, company-shared revenue goals, new sales presentations- Increased operational efficiencies across the board in areas including all internal systems and processes- Revamped income statements and budgeting process to include revenue forecasting, allocated income statements, and exceptional expense management during the economic downturn of 2008- Assumed full operational responsibilities from three principles- Created and championed new mission, vision and values within the firm- Lead a 30-person staff in all aspects of operations including finance, legal, marketing, sales, human resources, recruiting, IT and business systems and procedures- Responsible for both top line and bottom line financial performance- Managed firm through economic downturn while maintaining profits- Created and implemented a culture of teamwork, accountability, open and honest communications

- Assumed annuity sales and marketing responsibilities- Evolved cohesive management team with eight department heads- Developed guidelines, tools and reporting methods for measurement, accountability and recognition- Exceeded corporate performance levels in two key directives during transition- Created, implemented and led the mission, vision and values of a 72 person company with headquarters in Minneapolis and a branch in Philadelphia- Designed and developed the strategic business plan, policies, procedures, job descriptions, compensation plans leading to the successful evolution of the firm- Built recruiting, life and sales support teams resulting in the market growth in four key directives: Annuities, Life, LTC, and REcruiting- Maintained and grew market share during a time of significant transition

Built regional sales through effective strategic planning, recruiting, creative problem solving and training• Increased regional ranking from number four of five to number one in the country• Consulted with business owners to create long term sustainable business relationships based on mutual value and reward

Managing Director 1998-2000, Omaha, Nebraska• Managed 54 sales advisors and 8 staff members in four branch offices• Led the merger of two adverse agencies with distinctly different cultures into one healthy, growing organization• With new organization, evolved two of four sales managers to Citation level recognitionManaging Director 1997-1998, Sioux Falls, South Dakota• Led four separate offices in South Dakota and North Dakota area• Developed current managers who were performing at low levels to achieve Citation level recognition• Mentored 8 career advisors to achieve their highest sales levels ever• Achieved an "A" rating by Prudential for being one of the strongest managing directors in a workforce experiencing corporate consolidationDetached Branch Manager 1994-1997, St. Cloud, Minnesota• Grew branch sales office from 7 advisors to 27 advisors• Led branch ranking to number two of 500 in nationSales Manager 1991-1994, Minneapolis, Minnesota• Started a scratch sales unit which rapidly grew from start-up to a ranking of 15th of 500 in national standings• Recruited, selected, trained and supervised financial planners who achieved "Citation Award" recognition for being in the top 10% of all units in nation in first yearManagement Development Program 1989-1990, Newark, New Jersey• Completed an extensive 18 month training program in financial, estate and business planning, as well as management training in recruiting selection, training and supervision• Selected to join elite management program designed to attract fast track, up and comers likely to become next generation leaders • Recognized at "Regional Business Conference" for achieving production levels in top 10% of first year advisors