First Business Connection Event Features New York Life

Inspired by the successful reception of Business Showcase Series events as virtual presentations, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the College introduced its Business Connection Series on Wed., Sept. 15.

Two Augusta agents for New York Life spent an our online with students and faculty of the Hull College of Business discussing the company’s history, business model, and career opportunities.

“New York Life doesn’t put limits on the number of agents it’s going to hire. We want the best of the best. There are plenty of opportunities,” said Bob Kendra, co-owner of Kendra Financial Group.

James “Jamie” Clayton, a registered representative and licensed local agent, said he chose New York Life because he wanted a career that would have a positive impact on the community where he was raised.

“I can help people plan to take care of their family. I can help people create generational wealth,” Clayton said during the presentation.

New York Life has been in business for more than 175 years. It is ranked 67 on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. corporations. One of the cornerstones of its business is life insurance and annuities, Clayton said.

Kendra and Clayton fielded questions about the Million Dollar Round Table, an honor society for the most successful life insurance agents in the world, and how to get into the industry.

One of the keys to being successful in insurance, they said, was to have strong self-motivation.

The College has been holding Business Showcase events, featuring local businesses with on-campus presentations, since the spring of 2018. They became virtual presentations during the pandemic in 2020. With the return of in-person Showcases this semester, the idea to continue virtual business events became the Business Connection Series.

“Our obligation as a business school is to prepare students for a career in business and introduce them to more of those careers,” said Dean Rick Franza, Ph.D.

Franza said the virtual presentations have advantages, such as inviting guests who do not have to commute to Augusta and not limiting the number of student attendees due to room capacity.