LC26 Recap: Twenty Years of Momentum

From July 30 through August 1, First Financial Security gathered its field leaders, carrier partners, and Home Office team at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas for Leaders Convention 2026.

LC26 marked the company’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of service, innovation and community. Its theme, Momentum, carried through every presentation and personal story, showing how meaningful progress is built through consistent action, strong relationships, and a purpose greater than individual achievement.

Stories of Resilience, Leadership, and Service

Chairman Phil Gerlicher opened the convention by thanking the people and partners who helped shape FFS, describing its culture as one of the company’s greatest strengths. From there, the general sessions explored what momentum looks like in real life: choosing a new direction after adversity, turning personal hardship into service, and continuing forward before success becomes visible.

Area Marketing Directors Andrew Tran and Thuan Bui reflected on overcoming difficult beginnings and choosing forward momentum. Senior Vice President Musu Walker shared how loss and caregiving shaped her commitment to help families preserve their dignity. Senior Marketing Director Michael Ward demonstrated the value of listening closely and solving the problem behind the product, while Senior Marketing Director Markel Gale showed how unexpected changes can prepare a person for a larger purpose.

Senior Vice President Pongtavee “Eddie” Janchana spoke about rebuilding after career and financial setbacks. National Marketing Director Tong Moua described how losing her husband without life insurance inspired her to educate other families. Regional Marketing Directors Ted and Zoua Terio showed how one decision, followed by consistent effort, can redirect a family’s future.

In one of the convention’s most moving moments, Executive Field Chairman Kaolee Vang honored her late husband, Chia Vang, and shared her decision to carry their work forward as the leader of Team Conquer. Her message demonstrated that legacy is not just what’s left behind, but also what gives others the courage to continue.

Veteran Executive Field Chairmen added practical lessons on creating and sustaining momentum. Javier Rodriguez emphasized action over perfection, Brandi Bridgett explained that progress begins long before it is publicly recognized, and Thai Thao spoke about protecting focus. To close, Shirley Luu demonstrated the value of a consistent process, and Victoria Le celebrated the unity that allows teams to rise together.

LC26 also elevated emerging voices through multiple rounds of two-minute speeches, giving newer members of the FFS community the opportunity to share their experiences, aspirations and reasons for serving. The launch of the new book Ordinary People, Extraordinary Change, a collection of stories from across the company, extended that commitment beyond the convention stage and placed those experiences into print.

A Keynote That Reframed Strength

Four-time Olympian Chaunté Lowe delivered the emotional center of LC26. Her keynote moved from childhood hardship and Olympic setbacks to breast cancer, a double mastectomy, months of chemotherapy, and a return to the Olympic stage. She shared how hope, preparation, accountability, and the people in her corner helped her continue fighting when she could not see her own strength.

Her diagnosis also transformed her understanding of the work FFS agents perform. Financial protection helped quiet the fear surrounding her family’s future, leading her to describe life insurance as “love insurance, because people buy it to protect the people they love.”

Now six years cancer-free, Chaunté challenged the FFS family to anchor its work in meaning and use its stories in service to others. As she reminded the audience, behind every story is “a life, a breath, a heartbeat that is worth fighting for.”

New Resources and Continued Reinvestment in the Field

LC26 also gave agents a clear look at how FFS intends to carry its value proposition forward.

Ron Wheeler announced that FFS is targeting the first week of October to begin paying commissions daily, subject to the successful completion of the necessary technology. He also announced that the company had signed a letter of intent to acquire a life and health brokerage operation. The proposed acquisition has not yet been completed, but Ron emphasized its potential to benefit the broader FFS community.

Senior Director of Sales Andy Cowan introduced Annuity Compass, a new resource designed to help agents begin more informed retirement conversations and identify potential solutions more efficiently. Carrier partners also shared developments in products, underwriting, technology, service, and agent support, reinforcing the strength of the relationships behind FFS.

Another class of restricted-stock recipients took the stage, demonstrating that FFS’s commitment to ownership is not simply a promise on paper, but a program that continues to recognize those helping create the company’s long-term value.

Carrying Momentum into the Next 20 Years

CEO Ron Wheeler closed LC26 by reflecting on “promises made and promises delivered,” tracing the company’s history through the commitments, relationships, and people that helped it grow. His closing message returned the focus to the stories heard throughout the convention and the culture those stories have created.

LC26 demonstrated why Leaders Convention has become a defining FFS tradition. It brings together education, recognition, professional development, and personal connection — but its greatest strength is the way it reminds people that progress is rarely created by one dramatic moment. It is created through conversations, courageous decisions, and consistent actions that compound over time.

Leaders Convention 2027 is scheduled for July 29–31. As First Financial Security enters its next chapter, the lessons of LC26 will continue to guide the way: protect families, develop leaders, share knowledge, and keep moving forward together.