Two Distinguished Professionals Receive Highest Honor Bestowed By The American College

BRYN MAWR, Pa., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Peter C. Browne, LUTCF, co-founder and longtime manager of Price, Raffel and Browne, an Ameritas affiliate, and Alan Press, CLU^®, LUTCF, former Chief Executive Officer of the Wealth Advisory Group, were recently awarded the Huebner Gold Medal at a ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier in Chicago. The Huebner Gold Medal is the highest honor bestowed by The American College.

"Of the over 160,000 graduates of The American College, only 67 individuals have received the Huebner Gold Medal.  Both Peter and Alan embody the ideals upon which The American College was founded more than 86 years ago.  They are living examples of what every financial services professional should aspire to become," said Dr. Larry Barton, CAP^®, President and Chief Executive Officer of The American College.   

The Huebner Gold Medal is named for Dr. Solomon S. Huebner, founder of The American College. It has been awarded annually since 1975 and honors the special individuals whose support of The College and its programs, and whose dedication to education and professionalism, have been of particular meaning to the mission and progress of the institution.

Award recipients are recognized each year at the President's Dinner amid some of The American College's most dedicated supporters.  The Huebner Gold Medal is a crowning achievement for both Browne and Press, highlighting two prodigious careers dedicated to creating financial security for clients.

Brown has served as President of the New York State Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and its New York City chapter. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the LIFE Foundation.  Browne is a Past Treasurer and Trustee of the Board of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). 

In addition, Browne is a member of the Board of Trustees of The American College and is a past Trustee in the National Board of the Life Underwriters Training Council. He is a Past Trustee of the National General Agents and Managers Association (GAMA) and is a Past President of its New York City Chapter.  He holds the distinction of Top of the Table membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) for 27 consecutive years.

Other industry accolades honoring Browne include induction into the Ameritas Hall of Fame, the Lester A. Rosen Humanitarian and Achievement Award, the Julian S. Myrick Award, and the Ralph G. Englesman Award.  He is also a member of Standard & Poor's Agent's Advisory Board.

An active member of the community, Browne has served as Past President of the Board of Trustees at Bedford Presbyterian Church in Bedford, NY and as Past President of the Board of Trustees at King & Low-Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, CT.  He and his wife Mibb live in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. and have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Press is a graduate of Columbia College in New York City and earned his Chartered Life Underwriter^® (CLU^®) and LUTCF designations from The American College.  The CLU^® is regarded as the world's most respected insurance credential and is widely considered "the highest standard of knowledge and trust."   

He joined The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America in 1956 and has been an agent, supervisor, and was named a general agent in 1964. Currently, Press is a senior vice president and the past CEO of the Wealth Advisory Group, LLC, a Guardian general agency in New York City.

With more than 55 years of experience in financial services, Press has served as the President of important insurance industry associations including the New York City and New York State Associations of Life Underwriters, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and was a trustee to The American College from 1992-2001.

Press has testified before the U.S. Congress on numerous insurance issues. He has received prestigious industry awards including the John Newton Russell Memorial Award in 1991 and was inducted into the GAMA International Management Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Always willing to share his expertise with aspiring professionals, Press has given speeches to industry groups in every state of the U.S. and abroad. At the Wealth Advisory Group, he is always on hand to assist new and veteran Associates with understanding products and services, practice management, client service, or any other issues that they may encounter on the road to a successful career.

His hobbies include reading, writing, walking and talking. Press and his wife, Hanna, reside in Demarest, N.J., and have three children, Tamar, Arl, and Ethan.

Browne and Press' names will be added to the Huebner Gold Medal Recognition Wall located on The College's campus. The wall features the names of every medal recipient since the award's inception. 

The American College is the nation's largest non-profit educational institution devoted to financial services. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for over 86 years.  The American College's faculty represents some of the financial services industry's foremost thought leaders.  For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu.

SOURCE The American College