NAIFA
Message From Incoming President
By: Richard Coffin
To the dedicated members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, it is with profound humility and an energized sense of purpose that I step into the role of your President. Having dedicated three decades in this incredible profession starting in California and striving daily to serve my clients, culminating in multiple MDRT honors and the distinction of the Hard Hat Award, I understand the tireless commitment each of you brings to the financial well-being of American families. Our work is not simply about transactions; it is about trust, certainty, and creating legacies. For 2026, our mandate is clear: to move from being an association to becoming a powerful, unified movement that elevates every advisor and protects every client.
The foundation of our calling lies in professional excellence and staunch advocacy. This coming year, we must renew our commitment to continuous learning. That means developing cutting edge programs, like E3 Collaborate, that don’t just review regulatory changes but fundamentally increase advisor knowledge in complex planning areas. I urge every member to engage deeply with our educational offerings and, specifically, to utilize the Business Planning Seminar E3 NEXUS, a critical tool designed to help you analyze, strategize, and grow your business planning practices efficiently. Furthermore, we must amplify our voice on Capitol Hill both in Sacramento and D.C. Our collective strength is the shield that ensures our clients’ best interests are always prioritized, protecting the delicate financial ecosystem we work within.
To truly build this experience, we need to dramatically increase our footprint. We ask you to look around and invite those dedicated colleagues who are not yet members to join us. Our “Strength in Numbers.” This is also why collaboration is paramount. We will be actively strengthening our partnerships with key organizations across the industry, such as E3 Nexus, recognizing that our ultimate goal—securing the financial future of our clients—is a shared endeavor. By forging these vital alliances, we create a unified front that ensures our profession remains relevant, respected, and resilient against external challenges.
This is more than a term of office—it is a call to action. We are the architects of financial confidence, the pillars of protection, and the trusted guardians of our clients’ futures. My time in this industry has shown me that the most powerful force is an advisor operating with knowledge, passion, and the support of a strong association. I am asking every single one of you to join this collective movement for 2026. Let’s lead with purpose, grow with integrity, and advocate with conviction. Together, we will define the next great chapter for NAIFA and for the millions of people who depend on us.
Richard Coffin has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, helping families and businesses achieve retirement security and asset protection. As a Partner at CapitalSmith Financial and Insurance Services and Vice President of Membership for NAIFA-California, he is recognized for his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to the profession. In 2023, he was honored with NAIFA’s Q2 Membership Hard Hat Award for his outstanding recruitment efforts across California and beyond.
Featured in our January Special Issue 2026 page 44 – Click here to download!