BUSINESS BACKGROUND:
Thomas R. Clark, CLU, ChFC entered the life insurance business in 1966. He became licensed forsecurities in 1969. His practice began by serving individual family units and evolved into the business market during his first five years. It became apparent from his earliest experiences that most people did not object to the concept of acquiring insurance or securities. However, they seldom had extra cash in the budget that could be used for that purpose. As a result, income tax planning was used to free dollars for use in acquiring insurance and making investments.
As his practice developed, it became apparent that many people were using their personal, after-tax dollars to purchase items that were already part of a benefit package that was provided by their employer. The need for a better system of communicating and coordinating benefits was obvious. Finding creative ways to deliver employee benefits on a tax-favored basis was a natural evolution. Creation of Compensation Designs, LLC followed in 1985. The company history is at Our Firm.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
A member of the local, state and National Association Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Clark created the association's state lobbying program and was a registered lobbyist for eight years. He served all offices of the local and state. He served as the state's National Delegate for eighteen years. He served as chair or vice-chair of several national committees and was elected twice to two-year terms on the National Association's twelve member Board of Directors representing over 140,000 professional agents. Clark served on the task force, which created the Association of Health Insurance Agents (AHIA), that arm of NAIFA, which was created to participate in the debate over national health care. He served as Co-Chair of the association's Political Action Committee (PAC) for five years.
Active within his profession, Clark is Past President of: Polk County Estate Planners; Des Moines Estate Planning Council, Des Moines General Agents and Managers Assn. and the Iowa General Agents and Managers Assn. as well as First Christian Church and the First Christian Church Endowment Foundation. He is also past Chairman, Ethics Committee, of the Iowa Chapter of the International Assn. of Financial Planners and has served on several committees of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
- Drake University , Des Moines , Iowa -- BA, Insurance
- American College, Bryn Mar, Pa -- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation
- American College , Bryn Mar, Pa -- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation
