Michele Trachy Joins Berkshire's Circle of Excellence

BOSTON, MA, September 2009 – Michele Trachy, a Disability Income Specialist from Birmingham, Alabama, was recognized from the main platform at the recent Advanced Disability Meeting in Boston for joining the Circle of Excellence, a group of Disability Income Specialists who qualified at least ten times for Guardian Life Insurance Company of America’s Leaders Club. Ms. Trachy received a medal and plaque in recognition of her accomplishment.

Ms. Trachy serves as the Disability Income and Long Term Care Specialist for Ashford Advisors in Alabama and has been with the firm since 2000. Her passion and expertise in the disability and long-term care markets developed over more than 20 years in the insurance and financial services industry. She has qualified numerous times for Guardian’s Leaders Club and Disability Inner Circle, an exclusive group recognized for their knowledge, production and expertise of Disability protection. Ms. Trachy was named the Disability Income Specialist of the Year in 2001 for Guardian.

“Michele is one of the most passionate and hard-working people I have ever met. Her dedication to her brokers and their clients, as well as her tireless work on their behalf, is inspiring,” commented V. Thomas Purcell, CEO of Ashford Advisors. “We are so proud of Michele and are thrilled to share in her achievement.”

Ms. Trachy derives the most satisfaction in her career from educating brokers, selling disability and long term care insurance and contributing to the success of her brokers, agents and firm. She is passionate about her work, and her enthusiasm and knowledge encourages brokers and clients.

About Ashford Advisors

Since 1898, Ashford Advisors has grown to be one of the largest financial services companies in the Southeast. With 18 offices in Georgia and Alabama, the firm continues with the mission of growing the wealth and enhancing the financial security of our clients through the development of comprehensive financial strategies. Ashford Advisors is a general agency of the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. More information about Ashford Advisors can be found at: www.ashfordadvisors.net.

About Guardian

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), one of the largest and oldest mutual life insurance companies in the United States, is known for its stability and strength. A Fortune 300 company, Guardian is the only major life insurer to earn upgrades from two major rating agencies in 2008: A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best and AA+ (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. As of July, 2009, three major rating companies have affirmed Guardian’s ratings: Fitch (AA+/Very Strong); Moody’s (Aa2/Excellent); and Standard & Poor’s (AA+/Very Strong).

Founded nearly 150 years ago, Guardian and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting individuals, business owners and their employees with life, long term care insurance, disability income, medical and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products.

Guardian operates one of the largest dental networks in the United States, and protects more than six million employees and their families at 120,000 companies. The company has more than 5,400 employees in the United States and a network of over 3,000 financial representatives in more than 80 agencies nationwide.

Disability income products and long term care insurance products are provided by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA, a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, (Guardian) New York, NY.

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Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, or employees do not provide tax or legal advice. The Associates of Ashford Advisors, Inc., are not licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states. To find out if an agent is licensed in your state, please contact Johnny Howard at 770 390-2600. The Registered Representatives are securities licensed in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois and Nevada and is strictly intended for individuals residing in those states. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these specified states. The information or opinions contained in this Internet site should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any particular investment product. The information contained herein is directed solely to those individuals who reside in jurisdictions in which the representative is registered in the state where the consumer and/or prospective client reside. Any subsequent direct communication with a consumer and/or prospective client shall only be conducted by a representative that is registered in the state where the consumer and/or prospective client reside. The information on this web site is designed to be general in nature and for educational purposes only. Guardian, its agents and employees do not give tax or legal advice.

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* Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30346. Securities products and services offered through PAS, (770) 390-2600. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.
PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC.

** Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30346. Securities products/services and advisory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, (770) 390-2600. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.
PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC.

Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed reliable, please note that individual situations can vary, therefore the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.

Disability Income and Long Term Care products underwritten and issued by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA, a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products not available in all states. Product provisions and features may vary from state to state.

Guardian does not offer Property and Casualty insurance products or services.