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| YOU’RE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY YOU KEEPWHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT JOE MURTAGH, THE DREAMSPEAKER:
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On one of Joe’s major themes
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| Steven Forbes |
President, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine
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| “You are certainly right about the Great Depression being one of the seminal events of American history and that we are still coping with its aftermath.” |
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| Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, RFC |
Feldman Financial Group Past President of The Million Dollar Round Table
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| “21st Century America…Enslaved & Dependent by Joe Murtagh, is an excellent study on the importance of people becoming self reliant and not dependent on government assistance and subsidies. His book stresses building good financial habits such as saving first and investing for the long term. This book is an excellent read for the financial services representative and would be a good tool for clients to help teach them the skill of self reliance.” |
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As Joe as a Keynote Speaker:
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| Jerry Baker, Ph.D. |
Executive Director Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
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| “I’m glad we had you open our CEO Mid-Winter conference. Although attendees all head either scientific or engineering associations, their individual business interest and focus are often very different. Your keynote was challenging and relevant as you blended a mix of serious issues, common to all, with a balance of fun and good humor. Great job at setting the mood and stage for the balance of our three day conference.” |
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| Jim Thompson, CAE, IOM |
Executive Director Association Executives of North Carolina
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| “It was such a treat to have Joe Murtagh as the keynote speaker for our 2008 Annual Meeting. The stories were inspirational and really got you thinking about life and how to live it. I am glad we made the decision to introduce our members to Joe Murtagh.” |
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| Benny J. Williford |
President, Pinnacle Speakers Bureau
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| “You did an excellent job. Great energy; enthusiastic; passionate; calm in spite of AV malfunction; good stories; great universal message. In summary…great job!!” |
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| Barbara Cox-Dunn, President |
JTDunn Enterprises -Meetings Quest Trade Shows
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| “Your keynote connected with our diverse audience and delivered a critical “on point” message about the importance of working together as interdependent and interconnected teams. We laughed during your presentation and left energized and feeling good about the importance of the work we do. We are excited about having you again at our next meeting in Atlanta.” |
| Pat Griffey |
President, NAIFA-Elkhart County
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| “Thank you for visiting with us last Friday. Everyone was very impressed and pleased with the meeting and many left the meeting re-thinking they way they have viewed their future in a very positive light. We found your presentation to be funny and impactful. From your entrance to your ending everything was refreshingly different. The continuing education credit workshops created 100 times more audience participation than I dreamed possible and brought our members closer together.
Your keynote about the critical role that we, as insurance and financial service professionals play in leading our citizens away from government dependency and to financial independence is a message that should be heard by everyone.” |
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On Joe as a Professional Speaker:
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| Ty Boyd |
Past President, National Speakers Association
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| “Joe, you have the things that made the greats of my time outstanding. I have enjoyed watching your career grow! Keep on doing what you do very well. Everybody wins!” |
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On Joe as a Workshop/Seminar Leader:
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| Tim Miron |
Director of Catering, Sales & Events Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, NC
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| “While your upbeat tone and levity kept our attention, it was the content and material that really stuck with me… business practices that I can use and put to work at The Ritz-Carlton.” |
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| Walter Kress |
Regional Development Manager Prudential
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| “Having attended over fifteen of these meetings throughout my 13-year career as a Financial Advisor, I can unequivocally state that yours was the most useful to not only our reps, but ultimately to our clients as well. I recommend your company’s educational services without reservation.” |
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On Joe Leading Challenging Group Seminars:
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| Stan Rodman |
Executive Director Automotive Body Parts Association Houston, TX 77077
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| “He (Joe) easily connected with my members, an audience which can be sometimes too judgmental, while at the same time dispensing pearls of wisdom which made those in attendance, think, reflect and, as most importantly, laugh.” |
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On Joe as a Meeting Facilitator:
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| Scott C. Russell |
Director, Regional Account The Homestead….the birthplace of southern hospitality
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| “Joe Murtagh set the tone with his opening remarks at our client luncheon which stimulated conversion between the participants with some lively discussion about the state of the meetings industry and how we all can become partners. We will definitely use Joe again at a future event.” |
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| Kathi Kelly |
KSL Resorts, Director of Sales, SE A Unique Collection of Memorable Golf, Spa & Ski Resorts
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| “Great job facilitating our meeting, Joe! Your brief opening and closing remarks were motivational and inspirational and embodied our purpose. Your skillful guidance allowed everyone to participate and no one to dominate the conversation. I would enjoy working with you again.” |
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On Joe’s columns and articles:
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| Brian Tracy |
Brian Tracy International Speaker, Author, Consultant
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| “I agree with your thoughts and conclusions. Too many people are too dependent on government for too many things.” |
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| Regina Maxfield |
General Manager Donald Haack Diamonds & Fine Gems Ltd
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| “I have read one article right after another. What a treasure trove of good advice! I don’t care how long someone has been in business/management, he/she will find you a valuable resource.” |
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Other Testimonials and References:
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| Charles F. McDonald, Jr., CAE |
President-AENC Charlotte Chapter Past President (2000-2001 Association of Executives of North Carolina
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| “Our Association members were entertained, and motivated by your message challenging us to connect with our dreams and muster the courage to follow our unique purpose. It was tied beautifully to our meeting theme of helping less fortunate children during the Holiday Season with our toy drive. The closing story about the origin of the song Jingle Bells and all of us singing a few verses had us leaving inspired and in a festive, fun holiday spirit. “ |
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| Benjamin A. Gilman |
Member of Congress
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| “Joe’s message is absolutely on point: Freedom and personal independence are the great links that connect us to our proud American heritage.” |
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| Larry R. Ynman, LUTCF |
President NAIFA–San Antonio
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| “Would love to see your program at our State and National meetings. Your talk was different and refreshing. Different in hat it wasn’t another product presentation or sales technique on how to use it to increase our business. Refreshing in that it focused on the purpose for all of us in NAIFA…to help the public achieve personal financial independence and decrease their having to rely on government.” |
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| Larry Shirley |
NAIFA South Carolina, Past President 1990-1991
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| “Every insurance organization including NAIFA, GAMA, LUTCF and MDRT needs to hear his message. Veteran top producer Joe Murtagh CLU®, ChFC® challenges all of us to help our citizens build financial independence because we have become too dependent on government.
In a tasteful, entertaining and refreshing way, he abandons political correctness, and tells the truth and even quotes President Obama, “Government only steps in when the private sector has failed.” Joe’s right, we are that private sector, the people our citizens look to and we must not fail them.” |
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| Dennis M. Filangeri, CFP® |
FPA-Nevada, Chapter Executive
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| “Every FPA member and Financial Services professional should hear Joe’s message. We are the trained professionals that our citizens look to for leadership and help in achieving financial independence. President Obama has reminded us that, ‘Government only steps in when the private sector has failed.’ We are the private sector. Our FPA chapter laughed, learned and left motivated and inspired…committed to help even more Americans become financially independent.” |
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| Al Elliott, PhD, CLU, ChFC |
President, NAIFA-Georgia
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| “Joe speaks from his heart with a message that challenged me to reevaluate my purpose for being in the financial services business and to double my effort to help my clients become financially independent.” |
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| Madison Dye |
LUTCF and NAIFA-Midlands President
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| “You were a big hit at NAIFA-Midlands and brought us new concepts and ideas to help us grow and prosper in these changing times. Your message was fun and uplifting while providing our members with concrete thoughts to improve our careers and all aspects of our daily life. I look forward to experiencing more of your concepts as I read your book.” |
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| Hank Donaghy, CLU, LUTCF |
Hinrichs Flanagan Financial
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| “Your keynote to our agency was equally impactful on both our newest recruits and our most seasoned professionals. With over 50 years in the business and serving in both top management and sales positions I found your message was a refreshing reminder of the critical role our profession plays in the perpetuation of our free capitalistic society. The youngest agents I spoke with felt the same way.” |
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| Kim Bainbridge, Residential Sales Representative |
Piedmont Natural Gas Company
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| “Your presentation to the Home Builders Association was awesome! Because of it I am recommending that our program committee at Piedmont Natural Gas consider you for our meeting in February.” |
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| Peter Kingman |
President, Nevada Trust Company
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| “Your inspiring talk quoting Charlton Heston, ‘Political correctness is tyranny with manners,’ is an important reminder of the critical role we in the Financial Services industry play in the future of our great country. Banks, broker dealers, brokerage houses, investment, trust and insurance companies all have a serious – and now a fiduciary – responsibility to help our citizens become financially independent. Your message needs to be heard by all. What follows are my specific observations and what I took away.
“At first blush, Joe Murtagh’s wig and cape were a refreshing break from the serious topics of the day presented at the FPA Nevada’s quarterly CE session. After his over-the-top introduction, I was privileged to hear Joe’s important and sincere plea to each member of the Financial Planning Association to put a shoulder to the wheel of our nation’s economy. His premise is profound: that CFPs® have a responsibility to assist fellow citizens, many of whom have spent a lifetime getting ready for retirement only to confront the new reality – financing higher expected costs of longer and more costly retirements with diminished retirement funds. There is a widespread, pressing need to apply the expertise of financial planners to buttress the dignity of a wave of retirees faced with a set of dire circumstances. Retiree preparedness in terms of income, assets and other investments accumulated over careers, when weighed against the cost of retirement, intuitively indicates the increased risk that people of all ages and demographics are not prepared for a comfortable retirement.” |
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| Nelson Ayala |
District Governor
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| “The presentation is equally applicable to audiences from age 16 to 96. The material is timely and the many stories you told were both spellbinding and carried powerful messages.”P.S. “ Few speakers can keep the attention of their audience for every minute of a one hour talk…you are one of them.” |
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| Diane Brice |
National Sales Manager Visit Charlotte
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| “I left motivated, entertained and inspired. Joe brought home the important role we play in business, serving our customers in a special way.” |
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| Vicki Baptista |
Co-Chairperson - MPI- Carolinas Chapter Charlotte Dream Team
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| “Joe joined us as our guest speaker for the MPI Charlotte Dream Team luncheon and did a wonderful job moderating a discussion between suppliers and planners in regards to what we expect from one another and how we can help each other during this economic downturn. Joe was able to keep things funny as well as open everyone up for conversation. What a great sense of humor he has!!! We were honored to have him speak to us and would love to have him again.” |
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| Thomas J. McInerney, CLU, ChFC |
NYSAIFA President
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| “Your talk regarding the importance of the role of the agent in shaping the financial security of the families and businesses of our nation was motivational and informative. It was refreshing to hear a speaker who, in an entertaining way, reminded his audience of what we do and why we do it.” |
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| Elizabeth Lyons, CMP |
MPI-CC Upstate Dream Team Co-Chair
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| “I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Joe Murtagh to speak or facilitate your next meeting. Joe did a superb job facilitating the recent MPI-CC Upstate Dream Team meeting in Anderson, SC. He helped to stimulate discussion and we went away feeling like we can face our challenges in this down market. He also “gets” MPI and the importance of meetings to our economy! ” |
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| Barbara Dragan |
Co-Chairperson - MPI- Carolinas Chapter Charlotte Dream Team
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| “Many speakers tell organizations that they must know where they are going, what they honor and respect and who they serve and how. Not Joe. Using memorable examples of the most successful companies he both entertained and showed us how.” |
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| Glenn Brill |
Executive Director Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau
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| “Joe is a pro - he makes it easy to use him. He was the easiest speaker I’ve worked with for the Dream Team events I coordinated. Joe comes fully prepared and delivers his message in a very engaging manner. Plus, he knows what he’s talking about. He offers information you can take back to the office and use immediately, reinforced with a very informative take-home booklet.” |
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| Jacqueline Thornhill CFP® |
CANI!
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“In a past life, for seven years I served as a certified trainer for Anthony Robbins International and recognize a life changing talk when I see one. The way you lightened the subject with humor while at the same time being in our faces about the serious responsibility that we, as members of FPA and as Financial Services professionals, have to help the American public become financially independent. Outstanding talk and everyone in our industry needs to hear it.”
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| Strauss Moore Shiple |
Projects Manager / Group Tour Representative,Olde English District Tourism Commission
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| “We receive great feedback on your presentation and enjoyed a lot of laughs during it. Although many attendees from our seven county tourism region had never met before, they left knowing that, in order to succeed, we are all dependent on each other. Strangers met at breakfast and, before lunch, you had all of us enthusiastically pulling together as a team. I hope we can work together again.”
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| Aaron Miller |
Hinrichs Flanagan Financial -Financial Services Professional
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“Joe’s inspiring, fun-loving and motivating talk was far better than that of other speakers because he knows our industry and the exact challenges we are dealing with. His message is correct. The only workable solution must comes from us, the Financial Service Professionals. We must encourage as many people as we can to take personal responsibility, and leave those who refuse to heed our advice, so we can serve others who will.”
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| Melissa Klingberg |
Co-Chairperson - MPI- Carolinas Chapter Charlotte Dream Team
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| “Joe joined us with a task to moderate a discussion between suppliers & planners regarding the expectation of the others within the economic downturn; not only was he able to open up conversations, engaging everyone in the room, he did so with ease, grace and a fantastic sense of humor. We would welcome Joe back to MPI Charlotte Dream Team anytime!” |
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| Sonja R. Burris |
Communications Coordinator, Rock Hill/York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
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| “We would love to have you back. Our attendees were motivated and inspired with your message and had fun throughout the morning. We and our strategic partners are empowered with the core competencies needed to stand head and shoulders above our competitors and understand our dependence on each other in order to do so.” |
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| Barbara Cody, SRES,Broker,Realtor |
Allen Tate Realty
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| “I just wanted to say thank you for keeping me in the loop with your newsletters. I have used many of your comments and suggestions.” |
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| Scott W. Neave, CLP |
President Neave Landscaping, Inc.
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| “Many business consultants leave you wondering if they really helped your business…and if you got your moneys worth. Not Joe Murtagh. Before he left, he made sure we had both a plan of action and a capable in-house team to follow up and implement.” |
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| Michael Tomasulo |
President Sullivan County Bankers
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| “We all left feeling much more comfortable about change and most importantly with an appreciation of the key role and responsibility that we, as professional bankers, have by participating in it.” |
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| J. William Lempka |
President Ellenville National Bank
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| “I wish to express my personal thanks and appreciation for your dedicated efforts and service to the customers of Ellenville National Bank. Your planning and service, rather than product and sales approach, fit well with our philosophy of being ‘The Quality Bank.” |
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| Russ Gill, President |
Professional Communications LLC
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| “Joe is right. To compete effectively in the new global economy, companies must focus on exactly where they’re going and what they value. And they must know their customers needs, then continue to meet or exceed those needs, or risk losing customers to the competition.” |
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| Jim Howell, P.A.
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| “Seldom do I hear a speaker who the audience is talking about days after. Joe Murtagh is such a speaker. I found the points he made caused me to reflect on what I’m doing and they served as good reminders.” |
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| Randy Mitchell |
The Entrepreneur’s Source
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| “Entertaining and great presentation to a very diversified audience comprised of both small and large businesses as well as many not-for-profits. You seamlessly wove into your presentation some important points for everyone.” |
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| Hannah Schindler |
The Tool Factory Outlet
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| “Joe is on point that whether it’s business, family or community development, the world is changing and we must also. Developing an appreciation of our differences and seeking diversity is key to success in the 21st century.” |
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| Kevin Barrett |
Real Estate Solutions
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| “Joe’s presentation reminds us of what made our nation great; innovation. He reminds us to defy complacency so we can compete in a changing world.” |
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| Tina Whitley
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| “Thank you Joe! You were great and I thank you for being so good to our members!” |
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| Gordon Rauer |
Hudson Valley Protective Services
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| “Joe Murtagh creates an exciting and challenging setting for discussing the role of leaders in our local community. We spend too little time thinking about our future and our communities’ future - Joe puts us on the right track. An important speaker for our time.” |
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| Ralph L. Mills |
Abbott & Mills
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| “Your presentation…was certainly one of the most enthusiastic we have heard in a long time! ‘Leadership…The bottle neck at the top of the bottle’ was right on the mark. If our country is to remain a dominant force in tomorrow’s global economy, we must start today to develop an attitude of embracing change, innovation and even failure in our future leaders. Keep on getting the word out Joe.” |
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| Sharon K. Malmberg, CPIW |
Carolina Insurance School, Inc.
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| “Joe, I really enjoyed your presentation at the September CAIFA meeting. It was very informative and entertaining (loved your costumes in the power point presentation!) You are a great speaker, and I hope to hear you again.” |
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| Gerald Brown |
AVP, Sale, Marketing and Life & health Ryan Insurance
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| “The talk you gave our producer group was outstanding. We laughed in some parts and became teary eyed in others. Based on the feedback I have received, your talk was enjoyed by and was beneficial to everyone. One of our producers experienced a profound change as a result of your presentation.” |
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| Michael Ryan |
President Ulster County Association of Life Underwriters
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| “ Your talk was inspirational, motivational, informative, and clearly points out he critical role that life underwriters play in the future of our free enterprise.” |
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| Anthony C. DeVivio |
First Vice President Prudential
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| “Your style was both fun and informative. Your performance was excellent and you make what could have been a difficult ordeal into not only a tolerable but also a pleasant experience.” |
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| Marcia Pierce |
Executive Director, NAIFA-Midlands of SC
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| “Joe Murtagh, The DreamSpeaker™, was a presenter at a NAIFA-Midlands meeting. He was dedicated to the details that make the life of the meeting planner a breeze. His presentation related to the members and the issues that they address in their professional and family lives. Joe’s background in insurance and financial products provides a keen understanding of the issues that our members encounter. His presentation was well received and was right on target. ” |
| Pearlene Huff |
Legal Secretary Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
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| “It was a pleasure meeting you at the IAAP meeting. Your presentation was excellent and has prompted me to think about how I am managing time at work and home. We can always improve. Thanks again.” |
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| Click here to view Organizations Impacted >> |
