|
The staff of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) knew this moment would come, but that knowledge doesn’t make their loss any easier to deal with. David F. Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, who presided over LIFE for 13 years, recently announced that he will retire as its president effective December 31.
“This is a sad time for all of us at LIFE even though we all knew this day was coming,” said Marvin H. Feldman, chair of LIFE’s board of directors. “David has been an integral part of LIFE’s success from the beginning thanks to his tremendous energy, commitment, and vision. He leaves the organization stronger today than it has ever been.” This year, for example, the LIFE Foundation saw its membership surpass 130 companies for the first time, and company contributions grew for the third year in a row. Feldman doesn’t see this trend changing anytime soon. “LIFE has become a real force in the industry, and it will continue to go and grow for many years to come,” he noted. Through the end of August, Woods had served concurrently as chief executive officer of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). When he announced his plans last year to step down as NAIFA’s chief executive, Woods said he would remain at LIFE through some point in 2008. But after further reflection with family and leaders at LIFE, Woods changed his mind and moved up his retirement date. “Despite the keen sense of loss I am already beginning to feel at leaving a job I have loved for nearly 13 years, I am convinced it is the right thing to do at this time,” Woods said. Though his full-time responsibilities will end December 31, Woods has agreed to continue on an interim basis during the transition to a new leader. In addition, he will consult the board chair on resource development and other special projects. According to Feldman, Mark D. Johnson, past LIFE chair, is chairing a search committee that has been created to find Woods’ successor “as soon as possible.” |
