Richard N Preston, ChFC
Financial Representative
Region: Eastern

A Rewarding Career Shift
Before becoming a Financial Representative, I worked for a large insurance company, NY Bank and some private firms in middle and executive management positions.

I was basically well paid but not fulfilled and wanted to do something where I felt I could make a difference and have control over the quality of the work I did. I came to Northwestern Mutual by chance but I liked what I saw and decided to make a concerted effort to make this my career.

The greatest reward is doing good work for my clients, representing the highest quality products in the industry, and doing my work with only the highest level of personal integrity.

Overcoming the Challenges
I find the greatest challenge to be prospecting, obtaining referrals and keeping my knowledge up to speed. Early in the career, the biggest challenge was time management and continually committing and recommitting the necessary time to the business so as to shorten the learning curve and success curve.

Along the way, I've learned that I like helping people and solving their financial puzzles. I've also learned that I have the persistence necessary to be successful beyond what I thought was likely or even possible.

A Time I Made a Difference
I lost five clients on 9/11 in the World Trade Center. One of the widowed clients had five children and was pregnant with her sixth child at the time of the attacks. We had completed some important work up to that point.

About two years after 9/11, I stopped by her house to say hi and her new next door neighbors were outside with her. She introduced me to them as the person who saved her life.

Notable Accomplishments
I've made Forum twice and am in the Top 100 in Northwestern in both insurance and investment production.

The Northwestern Mutual Difference
We are distinguished by our excellent executive leadership, the guiding principles of putting the client first and always and doing the right thing, and an overall commitment to excellence in everything we try to do.

I would not do what I do if I could not represent Northwestern.

Considering the Career
If you are willing to work harder than you probably ever have before and have a passion for what you do, no other career can provide as much personal freedom and financial success doing work that truly makes a positive difference in people's lives.

Outside of Work
I am on the board of the Madison YMCA, a very large organization that also runs and operates one of the largest child care centers in the region from newborn to pre-teen. I also enjoy playing golf and traveling with my wife of 27 years.

Richard Preston has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1996. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Richard at 908-918-4046.