Life & Annuity
Academy

April 2-4, 2025
Des Moines, IA
The IAMS Producer Academy is a three-day Life & Annuity training course certain to help grow your business and establish lasting relationships with clients, fellow agents, and your IAMS marketing team.
Event Starts in:
Apply Today
There is no fee to apply!
Join us in Des Moines to expand your skillset, spark inspiration,
and build connections that empower you to grow your business.
Sponsored by:
Athene
Join us at our Life & Annuity Academy for an exclusive opportunity to elevate your expertise, enrich your business, and pave the way for success! Unlock your potential - apply now with no upfront fees.
Academy Tuition:
$500/attendee*

Includes hotel accommodations, food and drink, and attendance at all seminar presentations.
*Not charged until time of registration

Here's the exciting part!
From the date of application through 90 days post-academy, if you produce $250,000 of qualifying FIA premium or life insurance equivalent, you will earn a full refund of the $500 tuition fee. If you are selected to attend and your production hits the threshold before registration, you'll sail through with zero tuition fees! It's not just an investment in yourself, it's a win-win opportunity!
Featured Academy Speakers
Event speakers are subject to change

Austin
Eller

Vice President of Sales

Jason
Goodrich

National Vice President

Rod
Mims

Senior Vice President
National Sales Manager

Grant
Kvalheim

CEO

Zack
Brown

Vice President, Relationship Manager

Patti
Hausherr

Vice President, Sales Strategy

Nikki
Shallberg

Director
Product Development

Mackenzie
Galli

AVP Product
Development

Eric
Stanley

Director
Compliance Suitability

Clara
Bacheré

Equity Derivatives Sales

Matt
Gill

President, Decision 1 Financial

John
Entingh

President
Entingh Financial Services

Jeremey
Roodhouse

Managing Partner at LegacyLock

Dave
Baker FERSTM

Fiduciary Investment Advisor

Clifford
Blodgett

Digital Marketing Strategist

Kent
Jacquay

founder of Indexalzer

Loren
Hollingsworth

Director of Advanced Solutions

Steve
Goldstein

Founder
Retirement Analyzer

Duncan
Smith

Director of
National Sales

Steve
Murray

President
CEO

Chris
Conroy

Executive
Vice President

Curtis
Hawks

Executive Vice President
CMO

Laura
Johnson

Vice President
Annuity Sales Director

Lisa
Lachendro

Annuity Sales Director

Tim
Watts

Annuity Sales Director
This is a
3-Day Event
Our Life & Annuity Academy will be packed full of presentations and entertainment to inspire, enrich and grow your business.
View Agenda
IAMS Academy Sponsor
About Our Sponsor:
ImageImage
Athene Annuity and Life Company is a leading fixed annuity carrier that is financially strong and highly rated. We are focused on providing solutions for the increasing number of individuals and institutions seeing to fund their retirement needs. Our drive, discipline and confidence can help you achieve more. Click below to learn more about our innovative and fast-growing company.
Learn More
IAMS Academy Sponsor
About Our Sponsor:
North AmericanAthene
We are a company driven to do more and never satisfied with the status quo. Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment. These are the attributes that set Athene apart and establish us as an industry leader.
Learn More

Academy Agenda

April 2-4, 2025

Des Moines, IA

The Academy syllabus is subject to change,
please double-check these details prior to the event.

Wednesday, April 2

Afternoon

Arrivals -
The Rewind, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

6075 Mills Civic Pkwy.
W. Des Moines, IA 50266

5:00 p.m.
Cocktail & Hors D’oeuvre Reception
The Rewind - Salon A
5:30 p.m.
Introduction
Steve Murray - President, CEO
5:45 p.m.
Brand Better with IAMS Creative
Curtis Hawks - Executive Vice President, CMO
6:15 p.m.
Annuity Landscape
Chris Conroy - Executive Vice President
7:00 p.m.
Success with SPL
Curtis Hawks - Executive Vice President, CMO
7:20 p.m.
The Perfect First Appointment
Matt Gill - President, Decision 1 Financial, Top Producer

Thursday, April 3

6:30 a.m.
Breakfast at Hotel
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse at the Rewind
7:45 a.m.

Bus Departs Hotel for
Athene’s Home Office

7700 Mills Civic Pkwy,
West Des Moines, IA 50266

8:15 a.m.
Welcome & Athene Company Story
Rod Mims - Senior Vice President
9:00 a.m.
MAD5 Index Discussion

Clara Bacheré - Equity Derivatives Sales,
BNP Parabas

10:00 a.m.
Break
 
10:15 a.m.
Product Pricing & Diversification

Mackenzie Galli
- AVP Product Development

11:00 a.m.
Product and Sales Ideas
Zack Brown
- Senior Business Development Wholesaler

12:00 p.m.

Compliance Update - Working Lunch

Eric Stanley - Director Compliance, Suitability
1:00 p.m.
Retirement Analyzer

Steve Goldstein
- Founder, Retirement Analyzer

1:50 p.m.
IAMS Wealth Management
Duncan Smith - Director of National Sales, IAMS Wealth Management
2:30 p.m.
Legislative Risk & Tax Advantaged Distribution Options
Tim Watts
- Annuity Sales Director

3:00 p.m.
Break
 
3:10 p.m.

10X your business with LegacyLock

Court Pitcher - Managing Partner at LegacyLock
3:50 p.m.
Success with Story Selling
Matt Gill - President, Decision 1 Financial, Top Producer
4:10 p.m.
Trust Your Annuity Clients
John Entingh - President,
Entingh Financial Services
5:00 p.m.
Top Producer Panel
Chris Conroy - Executive Vice President, Head of Annuity Sales
5:20 p.m.
Group Photo
Athene Commons
5:25 p.m.
Dinner/Drinks & Tour
Athene Home Office
Download Current Syllabus

Friday, April 4

6:00 a.m.
Breakfast at Hotel
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse at the Rewind
7:45 a.m.
Bus Departs Hotel for Athene’s Home Office/Bring your Luggage
7700 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
8:00 a.m.
Federal Bridge
Dave Baker FERSTM - Founder, Federal Bridge
8:40 a.m.
Indexalyzer
Kent Jacquay - Founder, Indexalyzer
9:10 a.m.
Roth Conversion Alternative
Loren Hollingsworth - Advanced Solutions Expert
10:10 a.m.
Break
 
10:20 a.m.
Safe Money Events
Clifford Blodgett - Digital Marketing Strategist
11:00 a.m.
New Business Best Practices & IAMS Online Tools
Laura Johnson - Vice President, Annuity Sales Director
11:30 a.m.
Building Your Marketing Foundation - Working Lunch - To go if needed
Curtis Hawks - Executive Vice President, CMO, Head of Life Sales
12:30 p.m.
Departures to Airport
 

FEATURED ACADEMY TOPICS:

  • Multi-Million Dollar Keynote Speakers
  • Creating an Endless Stream of Prospects
  • Advanced Sales Strategies
  • Producer Sales Ideas
  • Marketing Strategies for a Digital Age
  • Macro Tax Planning
  • Building Your Brand

  • IAMS Wealth Management:
    Platform, Tools, and Technology

  • Building Your Brand
  • Unlocking the Secrets to Tax-Free Income
  • Practice Development Ideas
  • Indexing Tools
  • Retirement Planning Technology