John F. Nichols, MSM, CLU, DIA
President

jfn@drgdi.com

John F. Nichols serves as president of Disability Resource Group, Inc., a national insurance agency he founded in 1999. In 1993, John suffered a near-death experience from a water skiing accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down to his toes. Through six years of rehabilitation, he reached a level of recovery that less than 1 percent of all spinal cord injury patients attain. John, who in 2010 was LIFE’s industry spokesperson for Disability Insurance Awareness Month, has chronicled his story in Paycheck Protection, The Conversation.

John is a nationally recognized financial services industry speaker. He has addressed MDRT as a session speaker, in 2004 and 2010; NAIFA’s national conference; and more than 500 state and local NAIFA programs.

As a life and qualifying MDRT member, John has two Court of the Table and five Top of the Table qualifications. He is a Platinum Knight–level contributor to the MDRT foundation.

John serves as NAIFA’s Secretary and previously as a national board trustee since 2007. That year, NAIFA Chicago Region recognized John with its Leadership in Life Award. He is among the top 40 lifetime contributors to NAIFA’s Political Action Fund.

He obtained his CLU designation in 2003 and graduated with his Masters in Science Management with an emphasis in Leadership in 2011 from The American College. John is a member of the President’s Circle contributor level at the American College.

John divides his time between Chicago, Lyons, Colo., and Bonita Springs, Fla., and loves to travel, play golf, and train for marathons.

John’s message is powerful and inspiring. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing John speak several times. Each time, I’ve left the meeting, not only motivated, but with practical ideas and techniques that would be helpful to anyone on the financial service industry.”
-Gary Weinlein, Director of Training and Development at Northwestern Mutual.

"His inspiring personal story will captivate an audience and bring an intangible product to life" 
-Cheryl Dukes, NCAHU Symposium Committee Member.

“John’s message is both griping and inspiring, taking the audience on a journey from tragedy and despair to a place of hope and healing.  Nichols’ presentation addresses deeper themes than simply the need for proper disability income planning; his very presence exemplifies perhaps our greatest human characteristic, overcoming adversity, and that the human race is, indeed, a team event.”
-Bryon A. Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, President, NAIFA-Florida

"John spoke at our NAIFA-PA Convention. He is a fantastic presenter and his passion for NAIFA and the Industry is unsurpassed. I spoke with several of the participants after John's presentation and they were PUMPED UP to bring their practices to the next level. THANKS JOHN FOR THE SUPER JOB! I would recommend John as a presenter to any NAIFA or Industry organization that wants to be world class!"
- Joe Marrazzo, President of NAIFA-PA.

"John’s presentation was one of those rare moments that come along every few years.  He commanded our attention without being over dramatic, and delivered such an amazing message that there wasn't a dry eye in the room.  His story is a most inspiring one, but then he goes on to share his Cause, which shows just how selfless and committed a person he is.  If you have to opportunity to share a moment with John Nichols, you too shall be inspired."
-Roger McDowell, Vice President at Retirement Nationwide, Inc.

The following comments taken from the Leadership in Life Award, presented to John by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Chicago Region, 2007:

"He allows you to make your point by helping you with insightful questions that unlock answers and your personal feelings about a problem and its resolution."

"He has always had a strong passion for our business and a powerful drive to accomplish very lofty goals throughout his career."

"When he believes in something and commits to it, its done, period. He thinks big, outside the box. ... He assumes "it" is possible, whatever "it" is.

"John's greatest strength is his ability to plan strategically and conceptualize an abstract thought and transform that vision into a working plan."