The Million Dollar Round Table, an international association of financial professionals, has selected Guy E. Baker, managing director of BTA Advisory Group in Irvine, Calif., as president for the 2009-2010 year. He succeeds outgoing president Walton Rogers of W. Rogers & Associates in Annapolis, Md. Baker intends to further MDRT's aims, which include facilitating mentoring of financial advisors, promoting work-life balance among advisors and educating the public about financial options amid a weak economy.
The 64-year-old Baker commenced his term on September 1, 2009 after being a member of MDRT for 39 years. He achieved the "Top of the Table" membership level 31 times and has been a member of the MDRT executive committee, which governs the organization, for four years.
"MDRT has been at the core of my growth and success and I am honored to serve as president," said Baker. "The present economic climate presents unique challenges and opportunities and MDRT will continue to be the leading source of educational programming and resources to help members extend their trajectory of accomplishment well into the future."
Along with his priorities for the organization, Baker hopes to enhance the group's mentoring efforts.
"Creating mentoring relationships is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the profession," Baker explained. "Not only does the incoming generation of advisors benefit from being mentored, those who mentor see their own businesses grow as a result of the interactions." Baker went on to delineate some of the benefits of the MDRT's Whole Person initiative. "We want to help our members learn how to balance their lives while leading successful careers in life insurance and financial services. As I have traveled the world visiting members, I have found becoming a 'whole person' is one of the most valued benefits of MDRT and we remain fully committed to it."
