As the result of an exhausting and extensive personal inventory (and intense clandestine investigation of my wife) I must here publicly confess that both Hope and I have a bit of a selfish streak when it comes to people we love. The evidence is clear beyond a reasonable doubt: At a time when we should be encouraging and excited for a very dear friend as he embarks on a new chapter in his life, both she and I are mired in self pity over the fact that our path will most likely cross his much less frequently.
Jack Chiasson, CEO of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), recently announced his retirement from the organization, effective May 31—an action that represents a poignant loss for the brokerage industry’s most influential association and a source of selfish sadness for those who know him well and will miss his bright smile and witty repartee at the NAILBA annual meetings and any number of future industry events.
Jack joined NAILBA in 2004 as the director of meetings and conventions and has served as the chief staff officer since 2007, first as executive director and since 2012 as NAILBA’s CEO. He has also served as the CEO of the NAILBA Charitable Foundation. Prior to NAILBA Jack served in leadership positions at the United Way of America, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Association Management Group, and the Public Risk Management Association.
In a letter to the NAILBA Board of Directors, Jack noted that, “NAILBA has never been ‘just a job’ for me,” and concluded, “My work here has been the highlight of my career. I have enjoyed working with an outstanding staff and amazing volunteer leaders to move the organization forward.”
Ray Phillips, CLU, LTCP, a past NAILBA chairman and president of The Brokers Source, Ltd., Pittsburgh, PA, offers this: “The longer I was active on the NAILBA board, the smarter Jack got. While we disagreed on many subjects, we were never disagreeable. I knew that Jack always had a “NAILBA-first” focus. He gave me many new insights and appreciations. I have a great deal of respect for Jack and what he did for the association and for me.”
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with Jack on one committee or another for most of the 13 years he has been with NAILBA, and I fear that his knowledge of, and passion for, the organization and its bylaws, mission, responsibilities, opportunities and relationships will prove a great challenge to replace. Countless times in meetings or on conference calls I’ve witnessed Jack’s professionalism, insight and keen sense of order refocus the group as it strayed off target. Many and frequent were his selfless contributions and significant accomplishments for the greater good of NAILBA and the NAILBA Charitable Foundation.
In addition to his work at NAILBA, Jack is a passionate advocate for animal rescue. He volunteered for years at a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Northern Virginia and is currently “dad” to his fifth rescue dog. Yet another reason to love the man.
Although the NAILBA office is in Fairfax, VA, and not in the “heart” of our nation’s capital, I must be candid: I detest Washington DC. Whenever I think of it I am reminded of the Alec Guinness quote from Star Wars about Mos Eisley spaceport: “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” But even though Jack may be Obi-Wan, and although the wonderful staff he gathered is like a band of Jedi knights in their own right, I’m about as close to Luke Skywalker (or Han Solo) as chicken salad is to chicken…seed. (Hope, on the other hand, has many Leia-like qualities—courage, determination and optimism to name just a few.) While I can’t see my untreated political cynicism allowing us to trek to the DC area voluntarily, if anything could draw us there it would be the prospect of another delightful visit and meal with our dear friend Jack Chiasson. Jack, Hope and I wish you our heartfelt best in your life after NAILBA but we miss you already. May the Force be with you! [SPH]
