Northwestern Mutual - Goodwin, Wright Agency Company Website
Location(s):
Atlanta,
GA
Phone:
(312) 888-8888
Industry:
Finance / Banking / Accounting
Size:
50-99
Be part of a longstanding tradition of excellence
Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The Goodwin, Wright network office is proud to be part of that tradition .
The ambition of Managing Partner, John Wright II, CLU, ChFC is to make a positive impact on all associates and their clientele by creating an environment of desire, confidence, consistency, and positive results. Education, motivation, and empowerment are the tools by which this office enables its associates to envision and fulfill a successful future to better serve its clients.
With 85 representatives, Goodwin, Wright is a strong, growing business as evidenced by its most recent financial highlights.
The mission of John Wright and Goodwin, Wright is to provide its clients with expert guidance and innovative solutions that are right for each client. Whether focused on personal finances, business needs or both, they help clients understand their financial goals and ensure they are providing them with the right guidance and products to meet their needs.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network brings together the skills of representatives, the expertise of advisors and the technical know-how of a number of financial specialists to provide solutions for clients' financial goals and help you gain access to the products and services of a wide variety of organizations—each of which has a comprehensive understanding of a specific aspect of financial services.
And through The Network and Goodwin, Wright, here are just a few of the products and services available to your clients:
Our Expertise
Just as your clients trust and rely on you to provide needs analysis and innovative solutions, you can trust and rely on John Wright, Goodwin, Wright and the Network to provide sound products and services for your clients.
You might conclude that no one person can be an expert in all financial matters. We agree. That's why we provide you and your clients with access to a nationwide network of representatives, advisors and specialists who will work with you to provide a full range of services.
Diversity
At Goodwin, Wright, we are committed to reflecting our community and seek talented individuals who share our core values. As part of our overall growth strategy, we are committed to building and fostering a diverse organization of network representatives and specialists. We do so without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our entire community can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers we offer. We will continue to be committed to reaching all segments of our community in which we live and conduct business.
Meet Managing Partner, John Wright II, CLU, ChFC
Formative experiences early in life have set the tone for John Wright II's career with
Northwestern Mutual. His appointment to succeed Bill Goodwin as managing partner in
Atlanta was official on Jan. 1, 2006. John Wright has an extensive career with the company to reflect upon, even if its beginnings were less than auspicious.
The importance of work ethic
Wright's father, John W. Wright, CLU, who is now managing partner of the Wright Financial Group, Inc. in Champaign, Ill., began his career with Northwestern Mutual in the 1970s. When John W. Wright was named managing partner in 1981, he built his own building and John, his sister and their mother were made "official custodians" of the offices. "My first job with Northwestern Mutual entailed emptying wastebaskets and cutting grass, and it really taught me a lot of things I still carry with me today," Wright said. "I learned the value of hard work, honed a sense of duty and developed a strong work ethic. Those are things I'm so thankful that my parents instilled in me."
Team skills
Later, as a student at the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois, Wright became an intern with the company. "The internship experience I had at Northwestern Mutual was a very positive era in my career," John said. "I learned what it means to impact someone's life. I could tell what it meant to make a difference to my clients. And most importantly, I got a taste of what it was like to be a member of the winning team."
In 1991, John Wright was the leading college representative. But that, he said, was the icing on the cake and not his principal goal. "Being the top individual intern wasn't as important to me as elevating the University of Illinois team of interns was," he said. "The goal wasn't to get myself to the top, it was to elevate the team to the best it could be."
A lesson learned on the gridiron
That sense of team spirit played a factor in Wright's suiting up for time on the gridiron as a member of the Fighting Illini football squad instead of breaking out his whites as a member of its tennis team. "When it came to choosing between playing tennis or playing football, I naturally gravitated towards the team aspect of football," he said. Not that his first years with the team were exceptionally glamorous – Wright began as a backup holder, a position less in the limelight than, say, quarterback. "About the only time the holder gets noticed is when he makes a mistake," Wright said. "It's by no means the position you want if you're in it for the fame, but I wasn't. I took my job seriously,
and in three years I never once dropped a hold."
Wright's persistence paid off – he was moved to receiver his senior year and etched his place in history by establishing himself as the seventh leading receiver in the school's history. "That experience underscored for me that if you do good work, it will get noticed and there will be benefits," Wright said. "Just because someone isn't praising every little thing you do doesn't mean they don't see it, and I've tried to apply that strategy to my career by not shying away from behind-the-scenes work."
A metaphor for Life
John Wright now frames his new role as managing partner in terms of football. "The corporate office is going to give us a great snap, and it's my job to hold it down for the
financial representatives who will make the kick," he said. "My job is to connect the wonderful things the corporate office does to the best sales force in the country."
The best of both worlds
As a financial representative, John Wright won many accolades and awards, including a place in the Top 10 new representatives his first, second and third years in the business, qualifying for the MDRT every year from 1995 to 2003 and qualifying for the Forum in 1999. "I loved being a financial representative," he said. "When you enjoy what you're doing, good things happen. I love the work representatives do and the impact they have on their clients, and I really look forward to helping representatives do their very important work as managing partner."
Already accustomed to the efficiency and can-do attitude of Northwestern Mutual's corps of financial representatives thanks to his own sterling career, Wright's recent stint as director of agency development allowed him to experience the corporate office side of the equation. "Coming to the Milwaukee corporate office was the best thing I've ever done, career-wise," he said. "I had never been outside of my small community of Champaign before, but going there and really getting to understand the company and seeing the quality of the corporate office and field really helped me to get to know the company and its people."
A new beginning
The peach-tree lined streets of Georgia are going to be quite different than the oft-snowy ones of Milwaukee, but Wright is meeting his new position with relish. "Bill Goodwin ran a great network office, and I want to run it with the same high standards that he did,"
Wright said. "I've seen this company as a kid, as a janitor, as an intern, as a representative and as a member of the corporate office. That's a unique set of perspectives, and it's going to serve me well in my career as managing partner."
One thing that will not change in the transition is Wright's devotion to his wife Laura and their four daughters: Julia, Joanna, Faith and Elle. "My father taught me that balancing work with family life is key," John Wright said. "I'm grateful for
my family and am lucky to have their love and support."
An Opportunity to Succeed
Successful financial representatives with Goodwin, Wright experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
The goal is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and help to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals.
This career offers:
The ability to meet new people and positively impact families, businesses and communities as you help to achieve their goals and dreams
An entrepreneurial opportunity to own your own business
A high degree of support and training, plus ongoing curriculum for educational growth and personal development
The flexibility of a career that allows you to focus on things of importance to you
Earnings where you are directly rewarded for your efforts
A strong team culture and the opportunity to work with a variety of specialists and advisors
Exclusive access to a variety of world-class solutions and services, including life insurance from Northwestern Mutual
Leadership and development opportunities
Your Development
You'll have assistance in developing your business and marketing plans, extensive training and coaching from certified trainers.
New representatives receive initial industry and sales training as well as mentoring and joint work programs for hands-on experience. They have access to on-line education resources for polishing skills and keeping up to date on industry information as well as exposure to opportunities for ongoing career education and advanced professional designations to increase their knowledge and reputation.
Your Business
We know that building your own business is difficult without help. As a financial representative with Goodwin, Wright, you will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Goodwin, Wright will provide you with support in your training and development, so you don't have to do it alone.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our communities can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers offered through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
If you're ready to be your own boss, set your own hours and make a positive impact on people's lives everyday, then turn your dreams into reality and find out what a career as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representative with Goodwin, Wright can do for you.
The Benefits of Your Success
Your career as a financial representative is what you make of it. You have the freedom to balance your hard work and determination with your personal goals. In the beginning of your career, it takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and commitment to earn the flexibility and financial rewards you will enjoy later on. You can achieve financial independence and have a positive impact on your clients, your family and your own community.
Income
A financial representative's income potential is virtually unlimited. Earnings are directly related to sales results and client relationships. Financial representatives are compensated through commissions, renewals and bonuses.
Our top producer group, The Forum, had a median gross income of over $410,800 in 2004.
First-year, average gross income during 2002-2004 for financial representatives ranged from $38,900 to $83,900.
Benefit Package
Whether you are single or married with a family, Northwestern Mutual's benefit package will address the various stages of a full-time financial representative's life. These benefits include: Comprehensive Medical Coverage, Retirement, Flex Programs, Childcare/Eldercare, Maternity Leave, Group Life and Accidental Death Benefit, Disability Income Insurance. Your local network office can provide additional information.
Lifestyle
When you invest the time and hard work necessary to build a successful practice as a financial representative, you can enjoy the rare and envied reward of balancing work with your personal goals. You can arrange your schedule so you may have three or four appointments a day, and still have time to participate in your children's school programs, community involvement or leisure-time activities.
Build a business that allows you to schedule meetings to accommodate your clients' schedules and your own.
Impact
The goal of the Network is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and provide solutions to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals. Every solution you implement may help secure the financial future of your clients, their families, their businesses and your community.
You can experience the rewards of a career in which you can have a daily, positive impact on people's lives, including your own.
Meet some of the members of our Team
Successful financial representatives with Goodwin, Wright experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
Career Opportunities
Through Goodwin, Wright, our financial representatives have advancement opportunities into management and specialist opportunities. Learn more about some of our team members:
David A. Smith , MSFS, Managing Director David Smith is the Managing Director of a local network office. In addition to maintaining a strong personal practice, he plays a key role in the career development of other Financial Representatives.
Jim Exley, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, Field Director Jim Exley assists in the recruitment and selection process of candidates in order to build a cohesive unit of productive full-time Financial Representatives.
Aubrey E. Vaughn III , CLU, ChFC, CFP®, REBC, Estate & Business Planning Specialist Aubrey Vaughn assists clients with estate, business and executive benefit needs.
David Asbury, Employee Benefit Specialist David Asbury prepares a comprehensive analysis of a client´s employee benefits program, and then offers solutions to meet the unique needs of that company.
Johnny Carruth , CPA, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, Disability Income Specialist Johnny Carruth assists individuals and businesses design a disability income insurance program for both individual and group needs.
Paul David Osman, Annuity Specialist Paul Osman provides expertise in helping clients create an approach for financial security in retirement utilizing both wealth accumulation and retirement income strategies.
Career Insights
Read what some of the members of Goodwin, Wright have to say about their careers:
William G. Loventhal III, CLU, ChFC, AEP, Financial Representative I was an insurance major at Georgia State University and spent two years in the Army. Long story short version, I am a fourth generation representative. I do it because I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives and for the long-term security.
Aubrey E Vaughn III, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, REBC, Financial Representative I was a full-time student and graduated with a degree in finance. I came into this business to help people analyze their financial situations and build my clientele.
I enjoy watching my clients achieve their goals personally or in business and helping those who suffer loss of health or life. I enjoy teaching and have the ability to communicate complex information at a conceptual level.
Johnny Carruth, CPA, CLU, ChFC, Disability Income Specialist I was the controller of a software development firm. I decided I wanted to pursue an entrepreneurial career and began a search for opportunities. My personal Northwestern Representative suggested I consider a career with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
A. Jackson Head, Financial Representative Before becoming a Financial Representative, I was a Social Worker. I was looking for independence and the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives. It’s a rewarding career, but it has its challenges, too. It’s challenging to maintain self discipline and a consistent focus.
Internships
Whether you know where your college education is taking you or you're still keeping your options open, you owe it to yourself to see if Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's Internship program with Goodwin, Wright is right for you.
As you learn by doing, you'll find that the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship Program is an intense and according to our alumni -- unparalleled learning experience. Expect the process to be rewarding, educational and an opportunity for you to narrow your career search.
Our internships provide a great chance for students to combine what they've learned in the classroom with a real-life look into what they could truly make of themselves. You'll have the chance to work in a real-world business environment and earn performance-based compensation.
The ambition of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship program has been less to sell our financial products than to develop people. As a Financial Representative College Intern, you will enjoy the benefit of working with Goodwin, Wright where you'll receive outstanding guidance, superior support and quality expertise.
As full-time college students, interns generally work 15 to 20 hours per week developing business- and client-building skills. In most ways, our interns follow the same process for establishing their careers as our Financial Representatives.
Our internship offers you invaluable business experience that you will take with you far into your career. But that's just the start of the impact this can have on your future and your present.
Consider these benefits:
Practical guidance in your career selection process
The chance to develop your networking and business relationship skills
Flexible work schedule
Securities license, state licenses for life, health and accident insurance opportunities and a head start program for a career as a full-time Financial Representative
Compensation in the same manner as a full-time Financial Representative.
Actual business experience for your resume.
Test drive the Financial Representative career.
Regardless of what you do after graduation, you'll have a foundation of skills and knowledge to build your career upon. One out of three former interns becomes a full-time Financial Representative upon graduation. These graduates have built a solid foundation for immediate and future career success.
The two-thirds who choose other career paths benefit as well. They launch their career with stronger business-building skills and a clearer sense of where they want their career to take them.
After completing the internship, the knowledge you have gained, coupled with the opportunity to work for Goodwin, Wright as a full-time Financial Representative, can lead you to a profitable and fulfilling future.
The Northwestern Mutual Advantage
Northwestern Mutual exists to help policyowners and clients protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The company, with its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers insurance products, investment products and advisory services that address client needs for financial security and protection, capital accumulation, asset distribution and estate preservation.
With more than 350 offices across the United States, 3 million policyowners and clients, $18 billion in annual revenues and $133 billion in assets, you can count on Northwestern Mutual to help you build strong financial futures for your clients.
The company's tradition of "doing the right thing" has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual and recognized in the industry and media.
World's Most Admired--Northwestern Mutual is the "World's Most Admired" company in its industry, according to FORTUNE magazine's annual survey of industry executives and analysts. For Northwestern Mutual, it is the seventh year as the top life/health insurance company in the magazine's global survey.
First in Customer Satisfaction-- For the third year in a row, Northwestern Mutual has earned the highest customer satisfaction score among U.S. life insurers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) survey. Northwestern Mutual's industry leading score can be found in the ACSI's fourth quarter of 2005 consumer study, focusing on retail trade, e-commerce, banks and insurance.
America's Most Admired--According to the March 7, 2006, FORTUNE magazine survey, Northwestern Mutual has been named "America's Most Admired" life insurance company for 23 years.
One of America's Top Ten Internships for 2006--"Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has made our Top 10 list for ten consecutive years, proving its internship program to be consistently among the best." Internship Informants™, Vault, inc., 20006.
Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For--Northwestern Mutual was ranked as the 2nd best and 4th largest service company (November/December 2005).
Financial Ratings--The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (Northwestern Mutual), the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance, according to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, has always received the best possible insurance financial strength ratings from the four major rating services: Standard & Poor's (AAA), Fitch Ratings (AAA), A. M. Best (A++) and Moody's (Aaa).
Top 100 Employers--Ranked 22nd in The Black Collegian's "Top 100 Employer and The Majors in Demand" for the Class of 2005.
Largest Direct Provider of Life Insurance--According to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, Northwestern Mutual is the largest direct provider of life insurance.
Community Support--The Northwestern Mutual Foundation supports nearly 1,500 schools and nonprofit organizations each year. Last year, the Foundation contributed nearly $13 million ($12,534,005) in national and Milwaukee-area grants.
2006 Dividend--Northwestern Mutual's overall dividend payout to policyowners for 2006 is expected to be $4.27 billion, an increase of $360 million, the largest single increase in company history. This ongoing success, fostered by the company's tradition of "doing the right thing," has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual.
The ambition of Managing Partner, 
Meet Managing Partner, John Wright II, CLU, ChFC
Aubrey E Vaughn III, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, REBC, Financial Representative
