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Savage named 2023 top workplace

For the seventh consecutive year, Savage and Associates has been named one of the region’s top workplaces by the Toledo Blade. Additionally, Savage received the superior values award.

“To be a top workplace means you need remarkable people,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage. “Of course, this includes our team of more than 160 associates across four locations – their energy, passion and dedication is contagious. However this also includes our clients – they drive us so fiercely every day to live our mission of serving others.”

Being named a top workplace is based on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner, Energage, LLC. The Blade partnered with Energage to conduct the anonymous survey that uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization, such as alignment, execution, and connection.

Savage has offices in Maumee, Bowling Green, Findlay and Ottawa, Ohio.

Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Savage earns national recognition for philanthropy

Savage and Associates has been named one of only 10 financial advisory firms in the nation selected for the Invest in Others Charitable Champions List.

The list recognizes advisory firms for their exemplary efforts to give back to their communities by promoting a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism amongst employees and financial advisors. Submissions were evaluated blindly by a panel of judges based on criteria including employee benefits, company contributions, and philanthropic events and programs.

“We are deeply honored to continue our founder’s belief toward serving others,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage. “Everything we do is measured by our vision to improve the lives of all we serve.”

Savage holds several programs and events throughout the year, including the Savage Foundation Golf Classic, Savage 5K, and many other notable philanthropy endeavors. The Golf Classic alone has raised more than $1.4 million for charities since 2003.

Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Five local students join Savage summer internship program

Savage and Associates hired five local college students with northwest Ohio ties to join the advisor internship program this summer.

The program provides formal training, access to mentors, opportunity to acquire professional licenses, and other valuable experiences. Joining the program are the following students:

  • Connor Judy – junior from Bowling Green State University; business major specializing in finance; hometown is Monclova, Ohio (top left).
  • Paul Latz – junior from The University of Toledo; finance and professional sales major; hometown is Perrysburg, Ohio (top middle).
  • Connor McCann – junior from Bowling Green State University; finance and insurance, and risk management dual major; hometown is Sylvania, Ohio (top right).
  • Maher Saleh – junior from The University of Toledo; finance and management, and leadership skills dual major; hometown is Toledo, Ohio (lower left).
  • Caitlin Tudor – junior from The University of Toledo; finance major; hometown is Kenton, Ohio (lower right).

“Savage is fortunate to have such impressive college students join our team this summer,” stated J.R Toland, president and CEO, Savage. “We’re excited to have these five bright, talented individuals grow with us.”

Along with working to acquire their life and health license, the students will learn some of the basic risk products, meet regularly with industry experts, learn the importance of ensuring clients are well rounded in their portfolio of bank accounts, investments and insurance, as well as progress in several areas to enhance their industry knowledge. The internship program runs through mid-August.

Students interesting in learning about the advisor internship program should contact Liz Harmon, director of recruiting and practice development, at 419-725-7211 or [email protected].

Savage named 2022 top workplace

For the sixth consecutive year, Savage and Associates has been named one of the region’s top workplaces by the Toledo Blade. Additionally, J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage, received the superior leadership award for the third time in six years.

“The credit goes to those with such a strong passion for serving our clients,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage. “We take great pride in living our mission, vision and values, and we are honored to receive this distinction for the sixth time in a row.”

Being named a top workplace is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The Blade partnered with Energage to conduct the anonymous survey that uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization, such as alignment, execution, and connection.

Savage has offices in Maumee, Bowling Green, Findlay and Ottawa, Ohio.

Savage appoints Marianne Peters as COO

Savage and Associates, a financial and insurance services company focused on individuals, families, and businesses, has named Marianne Peters as chief operating officer (COO). As COO, Peters will lead the company’s systems and processes that promote the mission, vision and values, drive efficiency improvements, manage training, and assist with the company’s overall strategy and plan. She previously served as Savage’s director of people and performance, and will continue to report directly to president and chief executive officer, J.R. Toland.

“Marianne is the perfect choice to guide Savage into the future,” Toland stated. “She has made a strong and impressionable impact since joining the company. Well respected and admired for her skills, she has outstanding forward thinking and a unique ability to enhance processes and increase output – all with the goal of improving the experience for the clients we serve.”

Peters has been with the company since 2012.

Prior to joining Savage, she was controller for companies in the Columbus, OH and Columbia MO, regions. She was internal audit project lead for Motorola, and an associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

She is a board member for Imagination Station, serves as chair for the Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio chapter leadership council, and assists with various community projects and events throughout the region.

Originally from Chesterfield, Missouri, Peters has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Indiana University. She and her husband, Chris, have two children, Sydney and Cole.

Savage’s Frisch named to national advisory board

Curtis Frisch

Curtis Frisch, ChFC®, CFP®, Savage, has been named to the NextGen Advisory Board of the wealth management firm, Royal Alliance. The 12-person board functions as a forum for financial professionals under age 45 to foster communication, strengthen relationships, solicit feedback, and advance the next generation by offering unique perspectives on industry trends through webinars, online networking, white papers, and more.

“We are thrilled Curtis was selected to this highly-impressive group of young professionals,” stated Russ Karban, ChFC®, CFP®, AIF®, vice president and managing executive, Savage and Associates. “He has outstanding knowledge and forward thinking, which will lend very well to the board.”

Royal Alliance is part of Advisor Group, one of the largest networks of independent wealth management firms in the nation.

Located in Savage’s Findlay, Ohio, office location, Frisch has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, Breanna, have two sons, Harrison and Miles.

Savage hires two area graduates

Savage and Associates announced the addition of two associates to the team – both with close ties to northwest Ohio. Lauren Hehl-Myers and Kirby McLoughlin will assist clients with saving, risk management, group health and protecting assets.

“Savage is excited to add new, energetic talent to our company,” said J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage and Associates. “We know Lauren and Kirby very well from their experience in our internship program last year, and we’re excited to keep them a part of Savage for years to come.”

Hehl-Myers, a Toledo native, attended Bowling Green State University, where she graduated this year with honors, achieving her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance.

Originally from Monclova Township, McLoughlin graduated from The University of Toledo this spring, completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration as well, majoring in finance.

Hehl-Myers and McLoughlin are neither registered, nor affiliated, with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

Savage recognized with community impact award

Savage and Associates has been named the recipient of the Maumee River Award from the Maumee Chamber of Commerce during their 46th annual Hometown Hero awards banquet.

“We are so grateful for this acknowledgment, especially knowing the impressive list of past recipients to receive this prestigious award,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage and Associates. “On behalf of our 130+ associates, we are humbled by this great honor.”

The award is presented to a company or organization that is making a tangible, measurable impact in the Maumee community through activities such as job creation, workforce development, volunteer efforts, board service, philanthropic support, or innovative business models that promote social goals.

Photo: Kristin Meyer (left), executive director, Maumee Chamber of Commerce, presents the nominations and letters of support from various businesses and organizations throughout the Maumee area, to J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage.

Savage hires five college students for summer program

Savage and Associates has hired five college students with northwest Ohio roots to join the advisor internship program this summer which provides formal training, access to mentors, opportunity to acquire professional licenses, and other valuable experiences.

Joining the program are the following students:
• Anna Brubaker – student from The University of Toledo, majoring in finance and minoring in professional sales (top left)
• Ryan Christie – student from The University of Toledo, majoring in finance and information systems (top middle)
• Jason Drees – student from The University of Toledo, majoring in finance and professional sales (top right)
• Chandler Fitzgerald – student from Pensacola Christian College, majoring in business management (lower left)
• Shawn Old – student from Ohio University, majoring in international business and business analytics (lower right)

“It is our honor, and long standing tradition at Savage, to work with some of the best and brightest students so they can begin their professional careers immediately after graduation,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage and Associates. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing them grow with us.”

Along with working to acquire their life and health license, the students will learn some of the basic risk products, meet regularly with industry experts, learn the importance of ensuring clients are well rounded in their portfolio of bank accounts, investments and insurance, as well as progress in several areas to enhance their industry knowledge. The internship program runs through mid-August.

Students interesting in learning about the advisor internship program should contact Liz Harmon, recruitment and practice development manager, Savage and Associates, at 419-725-7211 or [email protected].

The importance of preparation

We hear the word, “prepare,” in some form, quite often from clients.

“I wish I had better prepared.”

“Can you tell me how I can prepare for the future?”

… and so on.

It is not uncommon when something as catastrophic as a pandemic leaves the world thinking more and more about some basic necessities of life that are sometimes overlooked – and wishing they had prepared. COVID-19 has heightened our awareness in many ways. Many can lay claim to knowing someone who contracted the virus, whether a family member, friend, co-worker, etc. Maybe it was even our own first-hand experience!

It has turned the focus of many toward life insurance.

It is such an important piece in life, which also happens to be one of the services at Savage that is seeing an exponentially increased awareness.

There are those who think they are covered sufficiently through their life insurance policy at work. The reality is that may not always be enough.

In a study published in 2020 by LIMRA (an organization that helps 600+ insurance/financial services companies across 73 companies increase marketing effectiveness), and Life Happens (nonprofit providing information to consumers to help make smart insurance choices) held a study just last year. Some fascinating statistics:

  • Nearly a quarter of American households do not have coverage, and another 30 million do not have enough. (That’s roughly half of all households!)
  • The average coverage gap between what people have, and what they need, is about $200,000.
  • About 44 percent of households said they would face financial hardship within six months if the primary wage earner were to die prematurely. For 28 percent of households, financial hardship would hit within one month.
  • More than half say they haven’t purchased life insurance because they don’t know how much they need or what type to buy.
  • Six in 10 Americans say they have a heightened awareness of the importance of life insurance due to COVID-19.

    Kevin Baumeier

While these are alarming statistics, there is good news. Almost 30 percent of adults are more likely to buy life insurance over the next year. Are you one of them?

It’s more inexpensive than people realize, and to make life easier, we even accept e-signatures to ease the process.

If you already work with a financial professional at Savage, reach out to them for their insight. If not, and you would like to speak with someone about life insurance, contact Kevin Baumeier, CLU®, manager of risk services, at 419-725-7243, or [email protected].

Kevin Baumeier is not registered with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
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