World Financial Group (WFG) - WFG Chairman's Council

The latest addition to World Financial Group's executive leadership team, Joe DiPaola joined the company as President in early 2010 and was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in July. Prior to his new role, DiPaola served as Chief Agency Officer for Transamerica Insurance & Investment Group (TIIG), a marketing unit of Transamerica Life. DiPaola brings a wide range of field and executive experience to World Financial Group - as an agent and as a builder of an entrepreneurial sales organization. He earned a business degree from Adams State College and started his insurance and financial services career as a field agent, branch manager and general agent. After running his own agency successfully for 10 years, DiPaola joined Transamerica Life as Senior Vice President of TIIG's Western Regional Marketing Center in 2006.

After nearly 10 years serving as WFG's President and as Executive Vice President, Jack D. Linder has assumed the reins as Chairman of WFG's Board of Directors. In these various roles, Linder has worked closely with a variety of headquarters' departments, executives and employees, providing him with a thorough understanding of the workings of the company. That experience coupled with more than 30 years in the field leading his own SVC team, made him a strong choice to serve as Chairman of WFG's Board of Directors.

Linder began his business career with Ralston-Purina. After becoming a successful executive with that company, he sought out the opportunity to build his own business. Since that time more than 20 years ago, Linder has built a strong financial services business where he continually inspires associates to achieve the same high standards of excellence that he sets for himself.

Linder, who completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University and holds a master's degree from Colorado State University, serves on the boards of World Group Securities, WFG's affiliated broker-dealer; WFGRe, WFG's reinsurance company; and The WFG Foundation, WFG's charitable organization. He currently splits his time between the ranch he shares with his wife of more than 45 years, Linda, in Lampasas, Texas, and his office at WFG Corporate Headquarters in Johns Creek, Ga. The Linders have four children and 17 grandchildren.

Monte Holm, moved from the construction business to build a prosperous career in the financial services industry. Over two decades, Holm built a successful business and managed a team of associates located throughout the United States and Canada. With the success of his business and his team soundly in place, Holm was asked in 2005 to expand his leadership in World Financial Group (WFG) and was named President of WFG. In 2008, he transitioned from day-to-day management of the company to a field leadership role, supporting the company's domestic and international growth initiatives.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Judy Hsiao Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) Judy Hsiao considers her current position with the company as a new starting point for her career with World Financial Group (WFG). Judy, who had experience in the insurance business prior to becoming a WFG associate, saw the business opportunity as a way to build own financial services business and help make a difference for families. Through her success in WFG, she began fulfilling a lifelong dream of building schools in China, the first of which was named after her mother, Tszyun, who was a teacher. Judy currently works with clients and associates in Alviso, Calif.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Jeff Levitan Jeff Levitan came to the company several years ago, but quickly made his mark. He achieved the CEO Marketing Director level in a short time, and has steadily achieved promotions over the last few years, culminating at his current position of EVC. He says that his career with WFG has helped him find wisdom, wealth, happiness and fulfillment for him and his family. With his success, Jeff decided to give back to the world and is the president and founder of All for One^TM, a charitable foundation dedicated to deterring poverty changing the lives of children around the world by improving social conditions. Jeff's WFG office is just outside of Atlanta, Ga.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Tom Mathews EVC Tom Mathews is known as having one of the most high-tech offices in World Financial Group. Since becoming an associate with the company, Tom has shared his technological know-how with other WFG associates to help move their businesses forward. Raised in a family of accountants, Tom was a natural for the financial services industry. But through WFG, Tom has found a way to align his accounting knowledge and financial services expertise with an energizing group of leaders and a unique distribution system. Tom's office is located in Johns Creek, Ga.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Carl Meldrum After Carl Meldrum's mother passed away when he was young boy, Carl went to live with his father, who struggled to find steady work to care for his family. Growing up in a household that struggled with finances, and realizing this was not how he wanted to live the rest of his life, drove Carl to succeed. He has done so at World Financial Group. Within eight months of becoming an associate, Carl earned his WFG $100,000 ring, and then two years later he achieve his first executive level promotion to CEO MD and today he is an Executive Vice Chairman with WFG. Carl continues to help families and individuals develop strategies to achieve a sound financial foundation in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Norm Meldrum Norm Meldrum, from Calgary, Alberta, had a career in retail before becoming an associate with World Financial Group. He noted that while the retail business was rewarding, it did not allow him the proper time to enjoy his family. Through a chance meeting with WFG EVC Carl Meldrum, who is no relation to Norm, he was introduced to the WFG opportunity and put his retail experience to good use. Within three years of joining, he became a CEO MD, two years later he became a Field Vice Chairman, and now he is at the pinnacle WFG promotion level, Executive Vice Chairman, Through his business, Norm can spend quality time with his family as he chooses, and he can help people achieve their dreams as well.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Real Michaud Originally from St. Paul, Alberta, Réal's previous work was was mainly in retail. An entrepreneur at heart, he owned a jewelry business for 17 years. Unfortunately, his business ventures were not always successful - until he was introduced to World Financial Group. Over the years, Réal has built a strong, successful business with WFG and has found the ability to touch many lives in so many different ways. Now living in Edmonton, Réal has made WFG a family operation. His wife Claudette helps him manage his business and his two sons, Corey and Cameron, both have successful WFG organizations.

WFG - Ed Mylett When an injury ended a possible career in baseball, WFG's Ed Mylett climb to Chairman's Council member was steep and quick - shortly after joining WFG, he became a CEO MD, one of the youngest in the company's history. Soon after, he achieved the top level of Senior Executive Vice Chairman, and in 2006, he became the newest Chairman's Council member. In addition, Ed has been named the new WFG Agency Chairman. In this role, Ed works closely with the WFG Marketing team, as well as with associates in the field, to encourage the flow of information and ideas between the two groups.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Andy Nguyen EVC Andy Nguyen responds definitively to the question: What do you find inspiring about WFG? His answer is threefold: the freedom to build his own business, an ownership program that helps him build a legacy and a great compensation plan that rewards his, and his team's, hard work. He came to WFG from a software engineering and management career, starting his business out of his home. Thanks to the support of his wife and business partner, Lynn, Andy found the means to build a successful organization that has helped many clients and associates become achieve their dreams. Based out of Rockville, Md., Andy is a member of the WFG Millionaire's Hall of Fame.

World Financial Group's Xuan Nguyen began his career in social services. He never thought he would one day own his own business and still continue to do what he loved most - help people. Turning to the financial services industry, Nguyen was able to do both. After learning about WFG, Nguyen has spent the past two decades building a successful WFG business and team of associates who bring financial services and products to people from all walks of life. In early 2009, he achieved WFG's highest field leadership promotion - Executive Chairman.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Penney Ooi Since she was a little girl growing up Malaysia, WFG EVC Penney Ooi has been interested in learning about money. She came to the United States for college, and majored in finance so she could learn how to manage and preserve wealth. Starting as a loan office for a mortgage company, Penney had a difficulties saving money on her salary, so she looked to WFG. Now with more than 15 years experience in the financial services industry, Penney's hard work continues to pay off, as she educates individuals and families, from her successful World Financial Group business based in Pleasanton, Calif., on how they can have solid financial futures.

World Financial Group (WFG) - Bryce Peterson WFG Executive Vice Chairman Bryce Peterson is a seasoned financial services veteran with more than 35 years in the business. Born and raised in central Utah, Bryce's parents taught him that a good work ethic - one that makes work both fun and rewarding - which he applies to his WFG business. Bryce enjoys helping people who are looking for a new career through the WFG opportunity, and appreciates that his clients can benefit from the company's products and services. Now working from South Jordan, Utah, he shares his commitment to the WFG mission with his team every moment of every day.

More than 20 years ago World Financial Group's Rich Thawley took a chance with his future, leaving his job as an assistant university athletic director to join the financial services industry. Throughout his career, Thawley has been most admired for his enthusiasm and passion for bringing critical financial concepts to everyday people who are looking to build a strong financial future. Today, he continues to inspire and motivate associates throughout WFG to help families achieve financial independence.

World Financial Group (WFG) - John Woo Although a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management may seem a world away from a financial services career, WFG EVC John Woo found that one really translated well to the other. Being a social person, Jon enjoys meeting and working with different types of people every day, which helped him in both his hotel/restaurant management work and building a successful WFG business. John loves that his WFG business lets him help individuals and families discover and reach for their financial goals. Born in South Korea, John works with clients and associates from his WFG office in Los Angeles, Calif.