GWU Leadership Summit 2026

icon-image Countdown icon-image

Napa Valley, California

March 4 - March 6, 2026

We're bringing our agents and agency partners together for an unforgettable experience in the heart of wine country.

This years summit is intentionally designed to help you grow and scale your business.

icon-image Agenda icon-image

Leadership Summit Schedule

Schedule Subject to Change
Icon TIME Icon session Icon Location
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Check-in to Hotel
Transportation voucher to hotel will be provided
Napa Valley Marriott
3425 Solano Avenue, Napa, CA, 94558, US
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Grow With Us Registration Lobby
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Welcome Reception South Yard
Icon TIME Icon session Icon Speakers Icon Location
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Napa Ballroom
9:00 am – 10:00 am General Session - All Attendees Tegrey MootHFG, Chief Sales Officer Syrah, Merlot
10:00 am – 10:15 am Breakout Opening Remarks Tim NardoniHFG, Chief Distribution Officer Zinfandel
10:15 am – 11:00 am Carrier Panel
Medicare Advantage Market Overview
Moderated By: Tim Nardoni Michael Volpe(UHC) John De La Torre (Humana) Eric Neria (Wellcare) Zinfandel
11:00 am – 11:45 am Agency Owner Panel
Independent Brokerage Route to Market
Moderated By: Yolanda Brown Eric McGuffie (AXXESS Benefits) Leslie McGuffie (AXXESS Benefits) RJ Mendoza (Seniors Advantage Brokerage) Lori Swanigan (The Benefits Solutions Group) Zinfandel
11:45 am – 12:30 pm Break for Lunch Napa Ballroom
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Carrier Panel
Medicare Supplement &
Ancillary Product Portfolio Overview
Moderated By: Tyler Burns Melissa Gwennap (Humana) Bobby Bridges (AHL) Kyle Ingenthron (AHL) Kevin Moore (Aetna) Zinfandel
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Cross-Selling Opportunities Scott SchaettyRegional VP - Sales Training Tye WeaverRegional VP - Sales Training Zinfandel
1:45 pm – 2:30 pm Agency Owner Panel
Career Model Route to Market
Moderated By: Tim Nardoni Paul Kuhn (Senior Health Solutions) Emily Trevino (Wise Up Financial) Zinfandel
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Agency Owner Panel
Marketing Strategy Discussion
Moderated By: Yolanda Brown Raul Cardenas Sr.(Affordable Insurance & Tax) Horacio Silva (JEMS of Insurance) Zinfandel
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Cracking the Code to Annuity Leads Rick RooksHFG, National Sales Manager Andrew JohnsonHFG, Annuity Specialist Zinfandel
5:30 pm Depart for Dinner Lobby
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm HFG Awards Dinner Brindare
Icon TIME Icon session Icon Speakers Icon Location
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Napa Ballroom
9:00 am – 10:00 am General Session - All Attendees Tegrey MootHFG, Chief Sales Officer Syrah, Merlot
10:00 am – 11:00 am Life Carrier Panel Moderated By: Eric Salazar Amy Darling(Pekin) Michael Torrenti (Royal Neighbors) Jeff Taber (Columbus Life/Gerber Life/Lafayette Life) Tom Edgington (F&G) Jason Speigel (Corebridge) Syrah, Merlot
11:00 am – 11:45 am Cross Selling Scott SchaettyRegional VP - Sales Training Tye WeaverRegional VP - Sales Training Syrah, Merlot
11:45 am – 12:30 pm Break for Lunch Napa Ballroom
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm Carrier Panel
Not Your Typical Carrier Discussion
Moderated By: Rick Rooks & Andrew Johnson Tom Ross(F&G) Carrie Freeburg (SILAC) Syrah, Merlot
1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Three Phases of Being an Agency Manager Myles LamoreeHFG, Senior Production Consultant Johnny MaestasHFG, Senior Production Consultant Alex ValdovinosHFG, Sales Manager Syrah, Merlot
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm Life Carrier Panel Moderated By: Lee Mowry Sean O’Connor(Baltimore Life) Ward Garrett (Aflac) Bruce Burak (Foresters) David Neal (Mutual of Omaha) Scott Grode (Transamerica) Jay Csipkes (American Amicable) Syrah, Merlot
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Index Universal Life Chris MillerCEM Financial Syrah, Merlot
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Building an Agency & Closing Remarks Mike PassagliaHFG, Senior Vice President Syrah, Merlot
5:30 pm Depart for Dinner Lobby
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm HFG Awards Dinner Brindare
Icon TIME Icon session Icon Speakers Icon Location
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Napa Ballroom
9:00 am – 9:30 am Raffle Giveaway Columbus/Gerber/Lafayette Life, Corebridge, F&G Pekin, TransAmerica, UnitedHealthCare  Wellcare, AHL, Devoted, Humana, Aflac Syrah Merlot Cabernet
9:30 am – 10:00 am Special Carrier Panel To Be Announced... Syrah Merlot Cabernet
10:00 am – 11:00 am IntegrityCONNECT Demo
Life and Health Technology Updates
Tyler BurnsHFG, VP of Health Sales Syrah Merlot Cabernet
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Leadership Panel & Closing Remarks HFG Leadership Team Syrah Merlot Cabernet
icon-image faq icon-image

Your Questions Answered

What is included in the summit registration?

Heartland Financial Group is pleased to cover your hotel accommodations, all meals, transportation (voucher will be provided), and a relaxing, fun excursion during our leadership summit! Please note that attendees are responsible for covering their own airfare to get to the summit.

How do I get to the venue?

Transportation will be set up for you. Make sure when filling out the registration form to include where you are flying into so we can arrange transportation for you. You will be provided a voucher for transportation.

Can I bring children?

No. Attendees should be 21 and over. We cannot accommodate children or minors.

What costs am I responsible for?

Attendees are responsible for covering their own airfare to and from the summit. All other expenses including hotel, meals, local transportation, and excursions are covered by Heartland Financial Group.

Where is the summit being held?

The summit will be held at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa in Napa Valley, California. For directions, click here.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport to fly into are Sacramento (SAC), San Francisco (SFO), and Oakland (OAK).