Fairfax Virginia businessman endures war, resettlement camps – now heads MassMutual agency

Fairfax, VA - When Jonathan Phan of Fairfax fled his native war-torn Vietnam in 1979 and came to the United States, he was 14-years-old, didn’t speak English, and began his American dream as a waiter.

Now, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has named Phan General Agent of its Fairfax office with more than 400 financial services professionals, over five thousand clients, and more than 100 million dollars in total insurance, investments, and retirement assets as of January 23, 2009.

"When I came to America, the forces from the north had just taken over South Vietnam, my father was thrown into prison, and my mother was barred from leaving the country. There have been many low points in my life. Leading MassMutual’s Fairfax firm is a highpoint on a very difficult path,” said the 45-year old Phan.

MassMutual has nearly 90 general agencies across the country. The company appointed him General Agent in Fairfax because of his outstanding achievement and more than two decades of financial services and management experience.

“Jonathan is taking the helm in Fairfax during a critical time. Because of the current economic environment, it has never been more important for the people to have access to well-trained financial services professionals. Jonathan and his team are uniquely qualified to help consumers focus on strategies that will help them insure long term security,” said Burv Pugh, Senior Vice President, MassMutual USIG Sales and Distribution.

The Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC areas make up the nation’s second largest multicultural market, says Phan.

“There is a diverse ethnic population that includes Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese people living here. Their parents came to America to make money, now their children want to protect it,” said Phan.

“We have a diverse staff of financial professionals who personally understand the cultural, religious, and social nuances of these various ethnic groups – because they walk in their shoes every day,” he continued.

Across the country, MassMutual and its agencies are seeing many worried people who want financial stability. This “flight to stability” is sparking record sales of whole life insurance because it guarantees a generally tax-free death benefit, level premiums that don’t go up, increasing cash value that can be accessed through loans and withdrawals to help get out of debt, purchase a home, supplement retirement savings, or almost anything else.

“I believe passionately in the promises and guarantees people get from whole life,” said Phan.

Because of the strong demand for whole life insurance, MassMutual and its agencies have seen a net increase of nearly a thousand new financial services professionals in the last three years, and the company is intensifying its campaign to recruit financial services professionals to meet growing consumer demand.

Phan has come a long way since his mother put him on a rickety boat under the cover of night, and sent him to America.

“Along the way I’ve developed a strong character, a will to succeed, and a passion for helping people set and achieve goals the way I have,” said Phan.

ABOUT JONATHAN PHAN

Jonathan Phan is the founder and President of the Asset Management Group, Inc. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Jonathan’s special focus is Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation, Risk Management, and Investment Services.

Jonathan was awarded his CLU (Charter Life Underwriter) designation from American College in 2006. Jonathan holds a FINRA 6, 7, 24 & 26. Jonathan is a Registered Principal and offers securities through MML Investors Service, Inc., member SIPC. Supervisory office: 3975 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite 175N, Fairfax, VA 22033, Telephone 703-273-1002.

Jonathan joined a major financial firm in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986. In his first 5 years of serving his clients, Jonathan qualified as a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, and received numerous company and industry awards for production and quality client service.

In 1990, Jonathan entered management and was recognized for his outstanding efforts in leadership and building a successful organization - earning him many prestigious awards by the company on a national level. Within ten years, Jonathan had worked his way up to partner, and enjoyed one of the best records and reputations in the industry.