Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LTS, LTS PrA), is proud to announce Jennifer Telles of Jacob Young Financial Services in Watsonville, California, is the winner of its 2016 Assistant of the Year award.

“Jennifer is a perfect example of individual growth in this business; growth on a personal level, leadership growth, and professional growth, which has translated to growth of my business and assets under management,” said company founder and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Jacob Young. “My business has grown since coming to Securities America in 2009, and Jennifer is a primary reason for that growth.”

To qualify, assistants must be nominated by a Securities America advisor, have a minimum of two years’ experience in the financial services industry and, if securities licensed, have a clean compliance record. This top assistant is also selected based on specific instances of service above and beyond expectations to clients, advisors and the firm; demonstrated leadership abilities; and personal and professional development.

Young nominated Telles for the award based on her exceptional attention to detail, professional growth and her ability to lead and coordinate assignments. In addition to Telles and Young, the firm employs two licensed advisors and three assistants.

After graduating from California State University Monterey Bay with a bachelor’s degree in management and international entrepreneurship in 2003, Telles joined the Jacob Young Financial Services as a part-time assistant. Today, she serves as client account manager, has earned Series 6 and 63 industry licenses and completed Securities America’s Assistant University.

“Professionally, Jennifer has moved from a part-time assistant who primarily assisted me with paperwork and client servicing, to a knowledgeable assistant who could take any role assigned to her,” Young said.

Securities America has a long history of providing support for sales assistants. 2017 marks the 20th year the independent broker-dealer has hosted its annual Assistant University, an intensive two-day workshop for both new and experienced office staff. This year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 5-6, in Omaha, Nebraska. It will include training in technology, compliance, marketing, operations, business management and practice management.

Securities America also offers these exclusive programs to help sales assistants grow professionally:

  • A Sales Assistant Advisory Board that provides Securities America suggestions and a sounding board for how to best equip and serve assistants to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Assistant certification training covering industry, product and firm-specific topics.
  • Fast Track training sessions to help assistants stay informed about changes in technology and procedures.
  • Assistant orientation with detailed resources to get new office staff up and running.
  • An annual National Conference with educational events tailored to assistants.

About Securities America
Securities America is one of the nation’s largest independent broker-dealers with more than 2,000 independent advisors and $60 billion in client assets.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, Jacob Young, Registered Representative. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors Inc. Jacob Young Financial Services and Securities America are separate entities.