Jules Gaudreau Becomes President of National Trade Organization

WILBRAHAM — Jules Gaudreau, third-generation owner of the Gaudreau Group, was recently inducted as president of his industry’s national trade organization, the National Assoc. of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

“It will be a great privilege and responsibility to lead an association of over 42,000 professionals who help American families achieve financial security. I look forward to advocating on their behalf in Washington and throughout the country as I have done for over 25 years here in Massachusetts,” Gaudreau said.

Founded in 1890 as the National Assoc. of Life Underwriters, NAIFA is one of the nation’s oldest and largest associations representing the interests of insurance professionals and financial advisors across the U.S. NAIFA is the only organization that serves and represents insurance and financial advisors regardless of the products they sell or the focus of their practice. Members include insurance agents, financial advisors, multi-line agents, and health-insurance and employee-benefits specialists. NAIFA’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members.

The Gaudreau Group, launched in 1921, is one of the largest independently owned insurance agencies in the Northeast. This family-owned business was originally founded by Oscar Gaudreau, and today serves more than 6,000 families and businesses across 14 states with a broad range of insurance and financial products.

A perpetual Super 60 Winner, it was recently honored with the Reader Raves award from the Republican as the region’s best insurance agency. The Gaudreau Group and its affiliated wealth-management firm, Gaudreau-Wealth New England, employs 30 professionals, including the next generation, Jules Gaudreau III.

Gaudreau is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and a Top of the Table qualifier. He is also past president of both the state and local affiliates of NAIFA, and past president of Independent Insurance Agents of Hampden County and the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County.

Gaudreau has served as president of numerous community organizations, including the Wilbraham Rotary Club and the Wilbraham Nature and Cultural Center. He also chaired the annual scholarship campaign for the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and encourages his employees to serve on nonprofit boards as well. “In my position, I am able to help individuals when they are most vulnerable, many times suffering a business or personal loss,” he said. “It is in our enlightened self-interest to make our area a better place to work and live.”