Our Company: Agents

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COMPANY LEADERS

Our FounderRon Powell | CEO & President | See Ron’s Story

SENIOR LIFE IS BUILT ON PROVEN LEADERSHIP

Robert Shiver

ROBERT SHIVEREXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

See Robert’s Story

Licensed Agent

Mitch Conner

MITCH CONNERSenior Vice President

See Mitch’s Story

Licensed Agent

Karen Boyd

KAREN BOYDDirector of Financial Compliance, Operations

See Karen’s Story

Licensed Agent

Eric Mitchell

ERIC MITCHELLSenior Vice President & Treasurer

See Eric’s Story

Licensed Agent

Wade Bone

WADE BONESenior Vice President

See Wade’s Story

Licensed Agent

Heath Bassett

HEATH BASSETTIn-House Counsel

See Heath’s Story

To Be Licensed

OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM HAS OVER

100 YEARS

COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN FINAL EXPENSE

Serving America’s Families Since 1970

We are dedicated to supporting families all over the country during their most difficult times. We offer affordable final expense coverage, and no one under the age of 85 is turned away, regardless of health conditions. We pride ourselves on excellent service, people-focused products, and a speedy claims process. We are here for you when you need us the most.

Senior Life map

Senior Life Proudly Serves Customers In Over 40 States Plus Washington D.C.

We are licensed in each highlighted state.

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BORN TO WIN

A Message From Ron Powell, President & CEO

Lesson 1

Background

Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive anti-money laundering regime to fight drug trafficking, organized crime, and international terrorism, the U.S. Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law the USA PATRIOT ACT (Patriot Act), which, among other things, amended the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) to require all businesses defined in the BSA as financial institutions to implement an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program and report suspicious transactions to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). An insurance company is defined as a "financial institution." The characteristics of financial products, including certain life insurance products, make them potentially vulnerable to those seeking to launder money. FinCEN relies upon a network of state, federal and international law enforcement agencies to collect, analyze and disseminate information about money laundering. FinCEN is also the repository for all Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR).

Bank Secrecy Act (1970)

The BSA grants the Treasury Department the authority to require firms under its jurisdiction to develop written policies and employee training programs for compliance with the provisions of the BSA. Additionally, the reporting and recordkeeping rules within the BSA require a financial institution to:

  • Maintain certain records in order to allow investigators to trace transactions.
    • Maintain certain records in order to allow investigators to trace transactions.
    • This includes information such as the identity and address of the participants in a transaction.
    • The legal capacity in which a participant in a transaction is acting.
    • The identity of the beneficial owner of the funds involved in any transaction.
    • A description of the transaction.
  • File a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for each transaction in currency of more than $10,000. The types of transactions include: deposits, withdrawals, or currency exchanges in an amount exceeding $10,000.
    • For purposes of the CTR, multiple transactions taking place on the same day, for the same person, and the at the same financial institution count as a single transaction; this is known as the Aggregation Rule.
  • File a Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (CMIR) when the amount of currency or monetary instruments transported into or outside of the U.S. exceed $10,000. Monetary instruments include any traveler’s checks or other checks, securities, or stocks that have been signed over or are otherwise in such a form that ownership goes to the bearer.
  • Maintain information concerning sales of monetary instruments purchased with cash in amounts from $3,000 to $10,000 to prevent structuring transactions.
  • Keep records for any transmittal of funds over $3,000 (the "Travel Rule").
  • Certain financial institutions must file a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) for any suspicious transaction or activity.

USA Patriot Act (2001)

On the heels of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act was signed into law to combat terrorism. The Patriot Act gives law enforcement agencies broader powers in dealing with money laundering and terrorism, and makes it more difficult for money launders to use their traditional financial channels to launder money. The Patriot Act created new anti-money laundering responsibilities for insurance companies.

Money Laundering

Money laundering is the illegal practice of placing money gained from criminal activity, "dirty money," through a series of apparently legitimate transactions in order to hide the criminal origin of the money. The goal is to make money from criminal activity appear to be from legitimate sources. Money is usually associated with cash though non-cash transactions can play a role. Any financial transaction can be a part of the process to hide the origin of the money

Mechanics

Although money laundering is a diverse and often complex process, it basically involves three independent steps that can occur simultaneously, separately or overlap.

  1. Placement. This is the first step in the washing cycle. Money laundering is a cash intensive business, generating vast amount of cash from illegal activities. The monies are placed into the financial system or retail economy or are smuggled out of the country. The aims of the launderer are to remove the cash from the location of acquisition so as to avoid detection from the authorities and to then transform it into other asset forms. A common method is “structuring” which breaks up the currency transactions into portions that fall below the reporting threshold. Examples for disposal of bulk cash include:
    • Payment of premiums on life insurance policies or annuity contracts;
    • Large number of transactions;
    • Using cash;
    • Using cash equivalents;
    • Not using normal banking channels.
  2. Layering. In the course of layering, there is the attempt at concealment or disguise of the source of ownership of the funds by creating complex layers of financial transactions designed to disguise the audit trail and provide anonymity. The purpose of layering is to disassociate the illegal monies from the source of the crime by purposely creating a complex web of financial transactions aimed at concealing any audit trail as well as the source and ownership of funds. Examples of layering include:
    • Multiple transactions
    • Purchasing financial products such as life insurance and annuities
    • Cash transfers
    • Currency exchanges
  3. Integration. Integration is the final step in the process. It is this stage at which money is integrated into the legitimate economic and financial system and is assimilated with all other assets in the system. Integration of the "cleaned" money into the economy is accomplished by the launderer making it appear to have been legally earned. By this stage, it is very difficult to distinguish legal and illegal wealth. Methods popular to money launderers at this stage are:
    • Purchasing legitimate businesses
    • Borrowing against insurance policies
    • Termination of insurance policies
    • Early termination of annuities

Ramifications

Penalties for money laundering can be severe. Fines could be twice the amount of the transaction up to 1 million dollars. Any property involved in the transaction or traceable to the proceeds of the criminal activity may be subject to forfeiture. Individuals are subject to prison terms for being willfully blind to the fact that the transaction involved illegal funds. In addition, insurance companies risk losing their charter, and agents risk being removed and barred from insurance. Insurance companies have their own disciplinary policies and procedures.

Agents not complying could be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination and will be reported to the proper legal authorities. To protect yourself from a willful blindness charge:

  • Report suspicious behavior to the Senior Life Market Compliance Department and keep documentation of communication;
  • Know your clients; and
  • Stay alert for any suspicious behaviors.

Reputational Risks

One of the most harmful outcomes from involvement in a money laundering investigation is damage to the agent and insurance company's reputation. Being aware of and following money laundering requirements helps protect our most valuable sales tool, your reputation.

As an agent, you're able to purchase a Senior Life business cards. Each set contains 500 business cards and is $32. If you've met your production quota, then you may order these cards for no charge. To order business cards, please download the form linked here. This form can also be found on our Agent Resources site. Once you've downloaded and completed the form, please email it to businesscards@srlife.net. If you have any questions about our business cards, please contact our Marketing Department.

As an agent, you're able to purchase a Senior Life name badge. To order one of these name badges, please submit the form linked here. If you have any questions about our name badges, please contact our Marketing Department.

Agent Resources is where you can access applications, downloads, memos, and more. If you ever have any trouble logging in, please contact our IT Department or our Marketing Department for assistance.

The Senior Life Anti-Money laundering course allows you to be trained to be aware of anti-money laundering practices. Use the link here or on our Agent resources to read the material and take the quiz. You must complete this course within 90 days of beginning your contract with Senior Life. If you have any questions about the quiz, please contact our Licensing Department.

On the Senior Life Store, you can order a variety of marketing material, from apparel to brochures. If you ever have any questions about any materials on the store site, please call our Marketing Department and we'll be happy to assist you.

The agent portal allows you to see what lead charges you have and what agents may be working under you, along with other helpful information.

nathaniel hearne guest speaker senior life born to win

DR. NATHANIEL HEARNE

Q1 INCENTIVE TRIP SPEAKER

Dr. Nathanial Hearne, epitomizes what “up by the bootstraps” stands for. An educator, motivator, mentor, executive, Pastor, trainer…and ultimately… the man who has led countless individuals to excel far past their expectations and even their dreams. He was instrumental in combining education with athletics much to the chagrin of some coaches while earning him the love and respect of those he molded into men.

Dr. Hearne played an important part in the lives of those football players and coaches who the film, “Friday Night Lights” was all about. As Assistant Coach he instilled a love of honor and sportsmanship in every team member as he led them in strength and stamina conditioning. The Permian High School team became National Football Champions in 1989 and State Champs in 1991.

As Assistant Principal and then Principal in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD of Texas, he turned around the Discipline Alternative Education Program for difficult students managing it for five years… and motivating hundreds of potential drop-outs to remain in school and graduate.

His Dropout Prevention Program was recognized by the “Texas School Business” magazine as the best prevention program in Texas in 2010. Dr. Hearne practiced what he preached, that by applying yourself and making the most of what God had blessed you with you could do anything and become anything you wanted.

One of eight children raised by strong parents, he excelled in school. But, like those he came to mentor, he didn’t like school and wanted to drop out. He says you didn’t argue with a mom who held two jobs to clothe and feed you… you did what she told you to do. His first degree was a B.S. in Physical Education at North Texas State University in 1974. He returned to the University of Texas in 1979, obtaining a Master of Arts. In 1998 he garnered a Master of Divinity at SMU while working full time at the Clarksville ISD as the Football Defensive Coordinator and Condition Coach. The next year he became an Ordained Minister and served as such in several churches. In 2009 he was back at SMU obtaining a Doctor of Ministry.

Dr. Hearne’s ultimate, all time, challenge and success has been his dynamic presentations on “Leaving a Legacy” that will have you cheering one minute and crying the next. Click here to watch.

He is happily married to Callie & resides in Arlington, Texas. They have five grown children and three grandchildren.

VISIT NATHANIEL'S SITE

howard partridge guest speaker senior life born to win

HOWARD PARTRIDGE

Q1 INCENTIVE TRIP GUEST SPEAKER

International business coach, #1 Amazon.com best-selling author and favorite conference speaker, Howard Partridge grew up on welfare, started his first business out of the trunk of his car and transformed it into a multi-million dollar, turnkey enterprise.

He has owned nine small businesses and for two decades he has helped small business owners revolutionize their businesses and have more freedom in their lives.

VISIT HOWARD'S SITE

Finish Contracting

In order to finish the contracting process, please click the button below to visit our contracting site. From there, you'll need to register with your 6-digit hiring code. Once you've registered, add licensing@srlife.net and you'll be able to start writing business within 24-48 hours.

VISIT OUR CONTRACTING SITE

Karen Boyd

Director of Financial Compliance, Operations

 

“
I am blessed to spend each workday with a fantastic group of co-workers and be part of the Senior Life family that strives hard each day to provide the best service to its agents and clients.
”

Karen Boyd joined Senior Life in January 2020. In addition to overseeing the Accounting Department, she also contributes to administrative duties in Financial Compliance. She is a licensed life insurance agent and is in process of obtaining the Fellow, Life Management Institute (FMLI) designation. Karen earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting and diplomas from Georgia Banking School and Graduate Banking School. She has an extensive financial background with seventeen years in the Financial Management division of a publicly traded financial institution. Karen serves on the Accounting Advisory Committee at Southern Regional Technical College.

Steve Bontell

Director of Business Development

 

“
There are many insurance companies, but only one completely focused on seniors, their families, loved ones, and thousands of agent partners across America. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve you. We are Senior Life Insurance Company.
”

Steve joined Senior Life in 2020 to oversee the company's corporate development and strategic initiatives. He is considered one of the country's foremost leaders in the final expense and senior markets. Steve is an agent and former agency owner, consultant, and home office executive for several companies including Settlers Life Insurance Company, Forethought Life, Pennsylvania Life, Allstate, Progressive, and OneAmerica. Steve created the country's first long term care and funeral assistance plans aimed at helping seniors and their families before, during, and after life ends. He is a distinguished graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

RON POWELL

CEO & President

 

“
Senior Life is always looking for newer, better ways to serve our agents and clients. For that reason, we are growing stronger every day.
”

Dale "Ron" Powell, Jr. has been in the insurance industry his whole life. He officially entered the workforce at 20 years old and immediately soared as a leader in the insurance world. Ron has worked hard to become a successful final expense agent and a trailblazer of the industry. He consistently sets ambitious goals that extend Senior Life’s exceptional service, and monitors market trends to secure its continuing expansion. Ron is dedicated to helping Senior Life’s agents by providing them with expert leadership, cutting-edge tools, and education to ensure their success at Senior Life.

Heath Bassett

In-House Counsel

 

“
Final expense is all we do here at Senior Life. We work hard to honor your wishes and help your family any way we can.
”

Heath C. Bassett joined Senior Life Insurance Company in 2016 after enjoying a successful career in general litigation. He is a member of The State Bar of Georgia as well as The Florida Bar. Heath received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Athens and was later accepted into Georgia State University’s competitive law program in Atlanta where he received his Juris Doctor. Heath is responsible for addressing a variety of legal issues including internal and external legal matters, general regulatory compliance, and analyzing legislative impact on current and emerging business practices.

Wade Bone

Senior Vice President

 

“
I love being a part of Senior Life because we can build a company that improves the lives of our employees, agents, and policyholders by what we offer.
”

Wade Bone is Senior Life’s Vice President of Advertising. Wade joined Senior Life in 2009 to focus on generating television leads for our agents. In 2003, Wade received his BBA in Marketing from Valdosta State University. After graduating, Wade began his career in media by selling television commercials to businesses for a local station and did this for six years. At Senior Life, Wade and his department are responsible for making sure our agents have the leads they need to be successful. Wade is also responsible for creating our television commercials that are aired nationwide.

Eric Mitchell

Senior Vice President & Treasurer

 

“
We sell a product that is easy to understand, and we do everything we can to help families save money on final expense.
”

Eric began his career with Senior Life Insurance Company in 2004 serving the company well in a number of capacities. In 2017, he enrolled at Southern Regional Technical College to obtain his degree in Accounting, where he was nominated for the 2017 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) honor. He received his Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) and Associate Customer Service LOMA (ACS) designations.

LeAnne West

Vice President of Financial Compliance

 

“
By providing the best plans in the final expense industry, Senior Life helps our policyholders and their loved ones achieve peace of mind.
”

LeAnne started her career at Senior Life in September of 2015 as the Manager of Statutory Compliance. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance in 2001 and her MBA with an emphasis in Accounting in 2015. LeAnne is responsible for overseeing the company’s annual audit, managing the company’s financial projections, and financial statement compilation and approval. She has proven herself time and time again by showing great work ethic and producing quality work.

Mitch Conner

Senior Vice President

 

“
I am thankful to work for a company that truly cares for each of its employees. When you join the company, you become a part of the Senior Life family, where we will do whatever it takes to help you succeed.
”

Mitch is an Air Force Veteran and Pastor, whose wide variety of experiences has shaped him into the leader that he is today. Mitch has been with the company from the very beginning. Senior Life President and Co-Founder, Ron Powell, trained him during the week of Christmas in 1989. From then on, he would be continuously competing for the top spot company-wide during his time as an agent and Regional Vice President. Currently, Mitch uses his insight as a career agent to unify the Home Office and our nationwide salesforce to further improve our industry-leading agent and customer supports.

Robert Shiver

Executive Vice President

 

“
At Senior Life, it is our goal to continue to build a company where our support for our policyholders and agents is second to none.
”

Robert Shiver has served Senior Life Insurance Company since 2009, but he did not start out in insurance. Robert attended Brookwood School here in Thomasville, Georgia where he played football, baseball, and basketball. His passion for football led him to be a walk on for Auburn University, where his determination and talent would ultimately earn him a three-year scholarship for the Auburn Tigers. By his senior year, Robert was named team captain. After graduating, he earned the opportunity to advance to the NFL and play for the Atlanta Falcons. Robert's ambitions brought him here to Senior Life where his persistence and commitment has made him an integral part of the Company's operations. Today, he focuses on agent development, recruitment, and the strategic growth of Senior Life.