Main Platform Speakers

Opening speaker Walter Bond is known for his message on accountability and energetic speaking style. Following an eight-year career with the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons US professional basketball teams, Walter developed the ability to apply on-the-court success and teamwork to the business world. People buy from people they like. In his presentation, Bond will highlight the power of likability and the need to provide an enjoyable experience for customers in addition to service.

Coach Don Meyer was on target to become the winningest coach in US college basketball history when he almost lost his life in a tragic accident in September, 2008. Despite serious injuries that resulted in the amputation of a leg, Coach Meyer didn’t miss a game. Just 4 months later he coached his team to the 903rd victory of his career to become the most winning coach. In June 2009, Meyer became the third recipient of the ESPN ESPY’s JIMMY V Perseverance Award. (Jimmy Valvano, a Main Platform speaker at the 1987 MDRT Annual Meeting, is remembered as one of the Annual Meeting’s most inspiring speakers.) The award is given to any personality belonging to the world of sports who has achieved success in their respective field after being able to overcome immense obstacles in their path only due to sheer zeal and perseverance. Coach Meyer will share his inspirational story of a life renewed by unimaginable hardship and his message that fortune can smile upon us even in our most trying hours.

Dale Alexander, CLU, CFP is an MDRT member and the founder of Alexander & Company, a Georgia (US)-based employee benefits brokerage and investment firm. He knows he is in business SOLELY to change lives, and hopes to have you believe you are too. Learn the strategies of this past recipient of Employee Benefit Adviser magazine’s national “Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year” award uses to bring financial planning to the masses.

Tracy Hunger is a 2008 Grand Prize winner in the LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program. Sponsored by the LIFE Foundation, this program recognizes the character and perseverance that so many young people show when faced with the loss of a parent or guardian. By the age of 18, Tracy had lost both parents and become the guardian of her 14-year old brother. Even though she quit high school and worked two jobs to raise her brother and pay the bills, she never gave up on her dream of going to college to get a nursing degree. This inspiring young woman, who knows that life is full of surprises, will stress the continuing need for advisors to help their clients understand the importance of having life insurance.

MDRT Foundation President, Robelynn H. Abadie, LUTCF, RFC, 16-year MDRT member with two Top of the Table and five Court of the Table qualifications, reports on the good work of the Foundation over the past year and introduces the charitable organization that is the focus of this year’s Promise Appeal.

After the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, Wayne Elsey, was watching TV and saw a picture of a single shoe washing up on the beach. An executive in the footwear industry, he made a few calls to some other executives in the industry resulting in the subsequent donation of a quarter of a million shoes to victims in the devastated countries. A year later he did the same thing when Hurricane Katrina struck and found his passion. Shortly after, he founded Soles4Souls, a charity that procures shoes and distributes them to those in need around the world and the focus of the MDRT Foundation’s Promise Appeal. As powerful as the Soles4Souls story is, Elsey’s personal story is equally compelling. When considering suicide in 11th grade, a teacher who told him he mattered and could do anything he wanted. Her words saved his life. Elsey’s inspiring message will highlight how one person can make a difference in the world.

Jason Ryan Dorsey, The Gen Y Guy®, has a mission. It is to help companies and entrepreneurs build their business by connecting the generations. The Gen Y age group, also called Millennials, is larger than the Baby Boomer generation and are impacting all aspects of life just as the Boomers did. In this funny and entertaining presentation, attendees will learn strategies for engaging this age group as both customers and colleagues.

Michelle May, M.D. says you can achieve a healthy life style while eating what you love. May’s passion for healthy lifestyles stems from her own personal struggle with food and weight. After years of chronic dieting, she resolved her own struggle with yo-yo dieting by developing a healthy, balanced relationship with food. Delivering her message with energy and humor, she will provide insight that will transform the way attendees view weight management. Learn how to nourish your body, mind, and spirit to build your health, energy, and joy.

Chad Hymas is a business man, marathoner, athlete, rancher, professional speaker who travels over 180,000 miles a year and, oh yes, a quadriplegic. Having to rebuild his life after a farm accident that left him paralyzed at the age of 27, he uses the insight gained during his recovery to teach companies and individuals how to accomplish seemingly impossible dreams. Viewing situations from a different perspective can help unleash innovation and creativity that can turn obstacles into incredible opportunities. Attendees will be motivated to tap into unseen personal power and inner strength to accomplish seemingly impossible dreams!

MDRT member, Jose Feliciano, Jr., CFP, CLU, had to grow up early. The eldest child of deaf parents, he quickly became their communication link with the speaking world. Despite their hearing impairment, his parents created a home where family, hard work and giving back were valued. Feliciano will share how the values learned while growing up in this unique family have helped him overcome poverty and adversity and focus on turning the IM-possible to IS-possible.

Matthew Kelly understands the powerful connection between personal dreams and achieving goals. He also knows that when there a disconnect occurs between an individual's passion and their life, energy is spent on maintaining the status quo instead of realizing one’s dreams. Attendees will hear how their own dreams are drivers in their personal and professional life. As advisors, they will be challenged to become "dream managers" who help their clients identify their dreams and take the steps needed to live with passion and purpose.

Christine Cashen warns against getting caught up in negative energy. Delivered in a fast-paced, hilarious presentation, she encourages attendees to quit complaining about the things they can’t change and focus their efforts on the things they can change.

Bill Cates, CSP, an industry expert on building a referral-based business, has revolutionized the way financial professionals generate referrals. He will share have tips for increasing referrals you can implement as soon as you return home.

Dan Thurmon speaks of the importance of having a plan of action to help you focus on what is important In this unique and entertaining presentation.

Steve Gilliland, business man, speaker and author, understands true success is a life long journey. As the closing speaker, his message of how to “Enjoy the Ride” will stay with attendees as they travel home. He will share tools to help better manage professional and personal priorities and embrace a lifestyle which permits attendees to grow every day.