Alex Donaldson

IAFF-FC Wealth Management Initiative

The International Association of Fire Fighters-Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) in conjunction with Baystate Financial and WestPoint Financial Group, general agencies of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) have announced a Wealth Management Initiative With WestPoint joining this initiative, IAFF members in Indiana and Illinois will have direct access to insurance, investments, financial planning, and financial education through WestPoint Financial Group.  

With over 331,000 members across the United States and Canada, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the country’s largest organization of professional fire fighters, paramedics, and emergency services personnel. WestPoint is honored to work with this organization, helping its members secure and protect their financial futures through personalized attention and outstanding resources. 

“Our members will greatly benefit from the opportunity to build a personalized financial plan based on their own goals and timeline, with as much or little engagement as desired,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “Our fire fighters and emergency responders deserve the opportunity to financially protect and secure their and their families’ futures and this opportunity enables them to take the steps to achieve this.” 

“As firefighters, we plan and prepare to be able to protect the communities in which we serve. The consistency and the way in which we plan, or train, affects our abilities to perform in actual emergencies. The partnership between the IAFF and WestPoint will allow our members of the AFFI and PFFUI the ability to plan for their own financial well-being, and ensure that all members have the greatest potential to retire on their terms, and assured the success their planning allows,” Todd Carrol, IAFF Member and WestPoint Financial Services Professional.  

About WestPoint Financial Group 

WestPoint is the premiere wealth management and financial services firm across the Midwest. Our mission is simple. We are dedicated to educating our clients to help them fulfill their financial goals. We offer relevant experience, personalized attention and outstanding resources. Our financial and insurance associates listen intently, recommend thoughtfully, and care genuinely: about you, your family and your business. Our stringent code of ethics places the client’s needs above all others and demands uncompromising integrity in every aspect of our business conduct. 

With more than 450 professionals in 130 markets, and over 70 support staff, WestPoint is intentional about reflecting the communities we serve. We believe that if we reflect our customer’s backgrounds, thoughts, values, and beliefs, we will better understand and serve their needs. 

WestPoint is steadfast in our mission of providing financial wisdom and clarity in a world of infinite information. Each day, we live out our core values of being good people defined by excellence who are working together to be next level. To learn more about WestPoint visit westpointfinancialgroup.com. 

The IAFF-FC has established an agreement with MML Investors Services, LLC (MMLIS). The IAFF-FC is not a client of MMLIS, but does endorse MMLIS and its representatives to offer IAFF members financial wellness, information, products, and services. The IAFF-FC is compensated for its endorsement and will receive 20% of any gross commission or fee resulting from an IAFF member’s purchase of insurance, investments, or investment advisory services through MMLIS or its representatives.  As a result, the IAFF-FC has an incentive to endorse MMLIS and its representatives.  The IAFF-FC intends to use a portion of earned commissions or fees to further the IAFF behavioral health and wellness program offerings. Securities products and investment advisory services are offered through representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC (MMLIS), Member SIPC® and a Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) subsidiary, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111.  CRN202512-3582560

Josh Plank Wins Sales Manager of the Year

(May 3, 2021) Josh Plank wins Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s (MassMutual) Sales Manager of the Year, the highest honor among all Sales Managers. Sales Managers who achieve the highest total points in their designated group are recognized with a gold, silver, or bronze bowl. Josh received the Gold Bowl in his group and led in the highest number of policies in a unit.

Josh has been a Sales Manager with WestPoint’s Indianapolis office for 16 years and is an integral part of the firm. The financial professionals in his unit speak to how his accessibility, comradery and competitive nature make a positive impact on our firm.

“Josh is a big reason why the culture is so good at WestPoint. He’s so inclusive; [his unit] truly is a team, and we push each other on that team. He’s all about WestPoint, and WestPoint is all about our clients, so I think that permeates throughout the office. When you see top financial professionals, Sales Managers of the Year doing that, it’s easy to jump on board.”

WPFG FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL, NICK GARDNER

“Josh is the number one sales manager and he’s a top producer for MassMutual,” says WPFG financial professional Emma McRoberts. “So, he has this amazing sales unit and he has incredible personal production. It’s very impressive.”

“Before he left on a tour across America last year, he gathered all of us at his home as a send-off. He was traveling with his family, but you could still access him for help and advice,” says WPFG financial advisor Ryan Moores. “Not everyone does that, and that’s something that sets Josh apart.”

WestPoint Financial Group, the Indianapolis-based financial services firm, has over 500 financial professionals and staff members located throughout Indiana, West Virginia, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Together, they serve over *200,000 clients and manage over **$35.5 billion in assets serviced. WestPoint Financial Group has been named a Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce (2008-2019, 2021) and a Top Work Place in the Indianapolis area in 2021 by the Indianapolis Star.

Watch Josh’s Award Highlight Video Here.

Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001,and are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 900 East 96th Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240, (317) 469-9999.

*An insured, owner, or payer of a MassMutual policy or contract.

**** Includes values of MassMutual and subsidiary insurance companies’ insurance and retirement products and investment products offered through MML Investors Services, LLC, a MassMutual subsidiary. CRN202304-282215

Jeff Burgess Receives Two Awards from American Cancer Society

WPFG advisor, Jeff Burgess is honored with two awards from the American Cancer Society. He received the Visionary and New Member of the Year Award.

During his first year on the Board of Ambassadors, Jeff raised over $15K, served as sales lead, led a session on managing finances during the midst of a crisis and raised additional funds for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation endurance team.

Congrats Jeff, on your efforts and commitment to this amazing organization!

To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit their website at: www.cancer.org.

Josh Plank Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

We are honored to share with our colleagues and clients that Josh Plank has been recognized by GAMA International for outstanding leadership in the financial services industry. GAMA International is an association that promotes the professional development needs and leadership skills of first-line and front-line leaders in the insurance, investment, and financial services industry. 

GAMA recently announced their 2020 award winners and Josh Plank was among them, having earned the 2020 Brian H. Early Front-line Excellence Award for outstanding performance as a sales manager and standing out as an example for other managers.

This prestigious award honors front-line leaders who have shown exemplary performance in their current positions and are considered to be emerging leaders in their companies.

“I have worked side by side with Josh for the last seventeen years. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to see first-hand how his intellect and leadership has afforded him the incredible opportunity to be not only one of the top leaders in our firm, but in the country,” says WestPoint’s Managing Partner, Greg McRoberts. “He has been an important partner in the growth and success of our firm.”

This award comes off an excellent 2019 for Plank, winning Sales Manager of the Year Group One Gold, Sales Manager Policies Group 1 and SM Field Leadership Trophy – Gold.

Sales Manager of the Year is presented to sales managers whose units achieve the highest standards of all-around performance. Sales Manager Policies Group 1 is given to top sales manager units for FYC, policies, and premium. With this award, Josh is now featured on the Wall of Fame in the Springfield, MA MassMutual home office. The Field Leadership Trophy is awarded to a sales manager whose sales units excelled in production.

The 2020 Brian H. Early Front-Line Excellence Award is the latest among all of Plank’s accomplishments that recognizes his vital contribution to the growth of our firm.

WestPoint Financial Group Merges with Three Local Firms, Making it one of the Largest Insurance and Wealth Management Firms in the Midwest.

Chicago, Illinois (Jan. 7, 2020) – Three independent financial services firms operating as general agencies of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) have announced they are joining together with Indianapolis-based WestPoint Financial Group to create one of the largest insurance and wealth management firms in the Midwest. Hoopis Group, LLC., MassMutual Illinois, and MassMutual Chicago will now operate under the name WestPoint Financial Group (WPFG).


Managing Partner, Greg McRoberts, will lead the mega firm. WPFG will now service 200,000 clients1, $34 billion of life insurance in force2, and $14 billion in assets under management with a team of five hundred advisors across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin and West Virginia.


As a third-generation financial professional, Greg understands the challenges, demands and rewards of building and maintaining a practice in this competitive industry. Relentless in holding a high bar when it comes to serving local residents and businesses, Greg has made it a priority to create and foster an environment where financial professionals have the support, guidance, and tools necessary to succeed and deliver exemplary service to clients.


“Greg is a progressive leader who has a proven track record of developing a team to meet the evolving needs of their clients,” said John Vaccaro, head of MassMutual Financial Advisors, MassMutual. “Building on an excellent reputation and history, I am confident that WestPoint Financial Group is well positioned to maximize the tremendous opportunities for residents and businesses across the markets they serve. The resources available in the larger firm will provide a tremendous opportunity to invest in progressive strategies to meet the needs of customers,” Vaccaro added.


“Our mission is to bring financial wisdom and clarity in a world of infinite information,” said McRoberts. “We are expanding our markets, expanding our net field force, and expanding our reach in communities and look forward to bringing our tradition of success to our clients in Chicago.”


Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), and are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 900 East 96th Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240, (317) 469-9999.


1 An insured, owner, or payer of a MassMutual policy or contract.
2 Amount of individual life insurance in force as of 12/31/18 related to products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life

CRN202201-258246