Freedom . . . Success . . . Financial Independence Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The Koch Group is proud to be part of that tradition.
The Koch Group method for helping our clients achieve financial security comes from the lifelong relationships we develop with our clients and years of specializing in planning for individuals, small businesses and estates. We developed this experience from our five core values:
Personal Responsibility—Our lives are a result of the choices we make.
Personal Growth—Growth occurs when we manage our fears. Addressing personal obstacles challenges us to take risks and be accountable.
Strong Communication—Give and receive feedback (listen!).
Professionalism—High standards and a strong character are necessities, allowing us to strive to be the best in our profession.
Fun—We take pleasure in what we do—and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
This business culture attracts only the best: genuine, client-focused professionals—from the Financial Representatives and network specialists to the support staff.
The ambition of Managing Partner, Bill Koch is to make a positive impact on all associates and their clientele by creating an environment of desire, confidence, consistency, and positive results.
Education, motivation, and empowerment are the tools by which this office enables its associates to envision and fulfill a successful future to better serve its clients.
With 50 representatives, The Koch Group is a strong, growing business as evidenced by its most recent financial highlights.
The mission of Bill Koch and The Koch Group is to provide its clients with expert guidance and innovative solutions that are right for each client. Whether focused on personal finances, business needs or both, they help clients understand their financial goals and ensure they are providing them with the right guidance and products to meet their needs.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network brings together the skills of representatives, the expertise of advisors and the technical know-how of a number of financial specialists to provide solutions for clients' financial goals and help you gain access to the products and services of a wide variety of organizations—each of which has a comprehensive understanding of a specific aspect of financial services.
And through The Network and The Koch Group, here are just a few of the products and services available to your clients:
Our Expertise
Just as your clients trust and rely on you to provide needs analysis and innovative solutions, you can trust and rely on Bill Koch, The Koch Group and the Network to provide sound products and services for your clients.
You might conclude that no one person can be an expert in all financial matters. We agree. That's why we provide you and your clients with access to a nationwide network of representatives, advisors and specialists who will work with you to provide a full range of services.
Diversity
At The Koch Group, we are committed to reflecting our community and seek talented individuals who share our core values. As part of our overall growth strategy, we are committed to building and fostering a diverse organization of network representatives and specialists. We do so without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our entire community can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers we offer. We will continue to be committed to reaching all segments of our community in which we live and conduct business.
Meet Managing Partner, William S. Koch, CLU, ChFC
After graduating from Indiana University in 1986 (where he was a Northwestern Mutual intern), Bill accepted a full-time Financial Representative position in the Indianapolis Network Office.
In 1989, he was appointed Field Director. In 1993, Bill joined the Corporate Office in Milwaukee as Assistant Director of Agency Development. In this capacity, he worked as the liaison between Corporate Office and 103 Network Offices in the areas of productivity and management development.
In addition to the Jacksonville office, The Koch Group territory includes offices in Gainesville, Fernandina and Daytona Beach, and Savannah, Georgia. Bill’s team is comprised of more than 45 Financial Representatives, including specialists in Northwestern Mutual Investment Services and Strategic Employee Benefit Services* of Jacksonville, responsible for more than $5 billion in insurance coverage.
Since coming to the First Coast in 1998, Bill has made a difference in the community and his industry. He’s a member of JAIFA (Jacksonville Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors), serves as a Cornerstone Member of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, and is the 2004-2005 Chairman, Junior Achievement of Florida’s First Coast.
Bill’s goal for the next few years is to see The Koch Group’s insurance coverage double to $10 billion and investments under management grow significantly. With tested, steady leadership, and a dedicated, trained team of licensed security and insurance Financial Representatives, The Koch Group will make the next 50 years on the First Coast as successful as its first.
His volunteerism also includes mentoring an 11-year-old boy in the Riverside Claude J. Yates Branch YMCA after-school program.
*Strategic Employee Benefit Services is a nationwide group marketing program providing specialized services in the employee benefit arena exclusively through Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
An Opportunity to Succeed
Successful financial representatives with The Koch Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
The goal is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and help to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals.
This career offers:
The ability to meet new people and positively impact families, businesses and communities as you help to achieve their goals and dreams
An entrepreneurial opportunity to own your own business
A high degree of support and training, plus ongoing curriculum for educational growth and personal development
The flexibility of a career that allows you to focus on things of importance to you
Earnings where you are directly rewarded for your efforts
A strong team culture and the opportunity to work with a variety of specialists and advisors
Exclusive access to a variety of world-class solutions and services, including life insurance from Northwestern Mutual
Leadership and development opportunities
Your Development
You'll have assistance in developing your business and marketing plans, extensive training and coaching from certified trainers.
New representatives receive initial industry and sales training as well as mentoring and joint work programs for hands-on experience. They have access to on-line education resources for polishing skills and keeping up to date on industry information as well as exposure to opportunities for ongoing career education and advanced professional designations to increase their knowledge and reputation.
Your Business
We know that building your own business is difficult without help. As a financial representative with The Koch Group, you will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. The Koch Group will provide you with support in your training and development, so you don't have to do it alone.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our communities can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers offered through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
If you're ready to be your own boss, set your own hours and make a positive impact on people's lives everyday, then turn your dreams into reality and find out what a career as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representative with The Koch Group can do for you.
Discover your potential when you join our team. Recruiter, Holly A. Tyrrell looks forward to receiving your application.
The Benefits of Your Success
Your career as a financial representative is what you make of it. You have the freedom to balance your hard work and determination with your personal goals. In the beginning of your career, it takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and commitment to earn the flexibility and financial rewards you will enjoy later on. You can achieve financial independence and have a positive impact on your clients, your family and your own community.
Income
A financial representative's income potential is virtually unlimited. Earnings are directly related to sales results and client relationships. Financial representatives are compensated through commissions, renewals and bonuses.
Our top producer group, The Forum, had a median gross income of over $410,800 in 2004.
First-year, average gross income during 2002-2004 for financial representatives ranged from $38,900 to $83,900.
Benefit Package
Whether you are single or married with a family, Northwestern Mutual's benefit package will address the various stages of a full-time financial representative's life. These benefits include: Comprehensive Medical Coverage, Retirement, Flex Programs, Childcare/Eldercare, Maternity Leave, Group Life and Accidental Death Benefit, Disability Income Insurance. Your local network office can provide additional information.
Lifestyle
When you invest the time and hard work necessary to build a successful practice as a financial representative, you can enjoy the rare and envied reward of balancing work with your personal goals. You can arrange your schedule so you may have three or four appointments a day, and still have time to participate in your children's school programs, community involvement or leisure-time activities.
Build a business that allows you to schedule meetings to accommodate your clients' schedules and your own.
Impact
The goal of the Network is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and provide solutions to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals. Every solution you implement may help secure the financial future of your clients, their families, their businesses and your community.
You can experience the rewards of a career in which you can have a daily, positive impact on people's lives, including your own.
Meet some of the members of our Team
Successful financial representatives with The Koch Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
Career Opportunities
Through The Koch Group, our financial representatives have advancement opportunities into management and specialist opportunities. Learn more about some of our team members:
Richard Geriner, Jr., CLU, Managing Director Richard Geriner manages the Savannah, Georgia District Network. In addition to maintaining a strong personal practice, he plays a key role in the career development of other Financial Representatives.
Harry D. Jones, CLU, ChFC, CSA, Field Director Harry Jones assist in the recruitment and selection process in order to build a cohesive unit of productive full-time financial representatives. Harry is a 20-year veteran with The Koch Group, and routinely leads the organization in overall production.
Bradley R. Ernst, College Unit Director Bradley Ernst is a graduate of Flagler College with a double major in accounting and business. Bradley Ernst started his career as a college intern, and today, he leads a group of energized college interns as a College Unit Director.
Paul C. Richards, Sr. Investment Specialist As the Investment Specialist, Paul Richards provides expertise in helping individual and business clients with their wealth accumulation and wealth preservation needs.
Buster Lancaster, Employee Benefits Specialist Buster Lancaster prepares a comprehensive analysis of a client's employee benefits program, and then designs a program to meet the unique needs of that company. Strategic Employee Benefit Services is a nationwide marketing program offered through Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representatives.
Career Insights
Read what some of the members of The Koch Group have to say about their careers:
H. Franklin "Terry" Irwin III, Financial Representative
Before becoming a Financial Representative, I was in teaching. Economics drove me to this career. Northwestern Mutual and Managing Partner sold themselves because of their quality products. I find the greatest reward to be helping people on an ongoing basis and the friendships I form. The greatest challenge is prospecting on a consistent basis. Along the way, I’ve learned that I am my own boss and I’m backed up by God.
Career Achievements and Advice
Earning a place in the Million Dollar Round Table was a memorable milestone, and I look forward to retirement next.
If you’re considering this as a career, listen to your coach or mentor. Do what he or she says. Be disciplined and committed. The career is what you make of it. It can slide and it can be picked up. Our company is differentiated by its moral commitment to the policy holder.
J. Richard Spence, Financial Representative
I was a General Contractor for 28 years. I wanted to get away from the constant ‘mothering’ of many employees and sub-contractors – dealing with a lack of integrity and the long hours with little reward was a problem. I wanted to be my own boss in a very small environment and have the potential of as much or more income as my previous work.
The greatest reward in this career is the ability to work with clients I like and who appreciate me. I am able to schedule my work around my family events and take the time off at my desire and work harder and smarter to make up for the time off if necessary. As a Senior Representative now, I work three days per week, have pared down my client base to a workable size and at 77 years old, have a goal in life that keeps me feeling young and useful. There is no need to retire; I can take time off any time I want.
Career Milestones and Some Advice
Milestones that stand out to me are making the Million Dollar Round Table my first, Career School, and being in retirement but still working. If you’re considering this as a career, do as your trainer/mentor tells you and always do the right thing for your client. Our company is differentiated by its culture, top reputation, financial strength and integrity.
Internships
Whether you know where your college education is taking you or you're still keeping your options open, you owe it to yourself to see if Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's Internship program with The Koch Group is right for you.
As you learn by doing, you'll find that the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship Program is an intense and according to our alumni -- unparalleled learning experience. Expect the process to be rewarding, educational and an opportunity for you to narrow your career search.
Our internships provide a great chance for students to combine what they've learned in the classroom with a real-life look into what they could truly make of themselves. You'll have the chance to work in a real-world business environment and earn performance-based compensation.
The ambition of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship program has been less to sell our financial products than to develop people. As a Financial Representative College Intern, you will enjoy the benefit of working with The Koch Group where you'll receive outstanding guidance, superior support and quality expertise.
As full-time college students, interns generally work 15 to 20 hours per week developing business- and client-building skills. In most ways, our interns follow the same process for establishing their careers as our Financial Representatives.
Our internship offers you invaluable business experience that you will take with you far into your career. But that's just the start of the impact this can have on your future and your present.
Consider these benefits:
Practical guidance in your career selection process
The chance to develop your networking and business relationship skills
Flexible work schedule
Securities license, state licenses for life, health and accident insurance opportunities and a head start program for a career as a full-time Financial Representative
Compensation in the same manner as a full-time Financial Representative.
Actual business experience for your resume.
Test drive the Financial Representative career.
Regardless of what you do after graduation, you'll have a foundation of skills and knowledge to build your career upon. One out of three former interns becomes a full-time Financial Representative upon graduation. These graduates have built a solid foundation for immediate and future career success.
The two-thirds who choose other career paths benefit as well. They launch their career with stronger business-building skills and a clearer sense of where they want their career to take them.
After completing the internship, the knowledge you have gained, coupled with the opportunity to work for The Koch Group as a full-time Financial Representative, can lead you to a profitable and fulfilling future.
The Northwestern Mutual Advantage
Northwestern Mutual exists to help policyowners and clients protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The company, with its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers insurance products, investment products and advisory services that address client needs for financial security and protection, capital accumulation, asset distribution and estate preservation.
With more than 350 offices across the United States, 3 million policyowners and clients, $18 billion in annual revenues and $133 billion in assets, you can count on Northwestern Mutual to help you build strong financial futures for your clients.
The company's tradition of "doing the right thing" has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual and recognized in the industry and media.
World's Most Admired--Northwestern Mutual is the "World's Most Admired" company in its industry, according to FORTUNE magazine's annual survey of industry executives and analysts. For Northwestern Mutual, it is the seventh year as the top life/health insurance company in the magazine's global survey.
First in Customer Satisfaction-- For the third year in a row, Northwestern Mutual has earned the highest customer satisfaction score among U.S. life insurers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) survey. Northwestern Mutual's industry leading score can be found in the ACSI's fourth quarter of 2005 consumer study, focusing on retail trade, e-commerce, banks and insurance.
America's Most Admired--According to the March 7, 2006, FORTUNE magazine survey, Northwestern Mutual has been named "America's Most Admired" life insurance company for 23 years.
One of America's Top Ten Internships for 2006--"Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has made our Top 10 list for ten consecutive years, proving its internship program to be consistently among the best." Internship Informants™, Vault, inc., 20006.
Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For--Northwestern Mutual was ranked as the 2nd best and 4th largest service company (November/December 2005).
Financial Ratings--The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (Northwestern Mutual), the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance, according to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, has always received the best possible insurance financial strength ratings from the four major rating services: Standard & Poor's (AAA), Fitch Ratings (AAA), A. M. Best (A++) and Moody's (Aaa).
Top 100 Employers--Ranked 22nd in The Black Collegian's "Top 100 Employer and The Majors in Demand" for the Class of 2005.
Largest Direct Provider of Life Insurance--According to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, Northwestern Mutual is the largest direct provider of life insurance.
Community Support--The Northwestern Mutual Foundation supports nearly 1,500 schools and nonprofit organizations each year. Last year, the Foundation contributed nearly $13 million ($12,534,005) in national and Milwaukee-area grants.
2006 Dividend--Northwestern Mutual's overall dividend payout to policyowners for 2006 is expected to be $4.27 billion, an increase of $360 million, the largest single increase in company history. This ongoing success, fostered by the company's tradition of "doing the right thing," has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual.
Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The Koch Group is proud to be part of that tradition. 
Meet Managing Partner, William S. Koch, CLU, ChFC 
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our communities can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers offered through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. 
H. Franklin "Terry" Irwin III, Financial Representative
J. Richard Spence, Financial Representative