PARK RIDGE, Ill. – The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) has announced the appointment of Brian D. Heckert, CLU, ChFC, to President and Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, to Secretary of the organization’s Executive Committee, effective Sept. 1, 2015.
Heckert (shown at right), from Nashville, Ill., is the 90th president of MDRT and succeeds 26-year MDRT member Caroline Banks APFS, of London’s West End, England, who will become the Immediate Past President. Mark J. Hanna, CLU, ChFC, a 26-year MDRT member of Concord, Calif., will serve as First Vice President, and James Pittman, CLU, CFP, a 41-year MDRT member of Portland, Ore., will serve as Second Vice President.
Heckert will lead the association of more than 43,000 international members for a one-year term and will preside over the MDRT 2016 Annual Meeting in San Diego next June 12-15. As President, Heckert will work closely with the Executive Committee to identify opportunities for members to broaden their expertise, grow their businesses and educate clients about the importance of financial planning. He will ensure the association maintains the highest caliber by continually improving the services and leadership it provides.
“It is an honor to lead the brightest financial service professionals to even greater levels of professional and personal success with outstanding resources provided by MDRT. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee to continue bringing our members the benefits they need and deserve to be successful in their practices and better serve their clients,” said Heckert.
Heckert is a 27-year MDRT member and holds several professional merits, including seven Court of the Tableand eight Top of the Table qualifications. He is a Legion of Honor Excalibur Knight-level donor of the MDRT Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MDRT. Heckert is also a member of its Inner Circle Society, a distinguished group of donors who have supported the MDRT Foundation.
“I am proud to be a part of an organization that connects members to the greatest resources, solutions and minds in the industry. In my new role, I will help MDRT and the clients we serve by elevating our services and capabilities to ensure ongoing sustainability,” said Vanderwolf.
As the newest member of the Executive Committee, Vanderwolf, of Fortitude Valley, Australia, will support the associationby guiding members to better serve clients through MDRT’s invaluable resources. He is a 28-year MDRT member, achieving several of the organization’s highest honors for professional excellence with nine Court of the Table and four Top of the Table qualifications. He is also a Diamond Knight in recognition of his cumulative contribution to the MDRT Foundation.
About MDRT: Founded in 1927, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 43,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 67 countries. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business.
About the MDRT Foundation: The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the MDRT Foundation has donated more than USD 29 million to charitable organizations serving people in 70 countries and all 50 U.S. states. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members and financial services industry partners. The mission of the MDRT Foundation is to increase member and industry participation, and to give funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world.
