James G. Kerchner   |   William L. Willard, CLU   |   Jon Tehven, CLU, LUTCF   |   April A. Adams

James G. Kerchner

Jamie Kerchner spent 13 years in sales, sales management, and home training after graduating from Hanover College in 1967. The first six years were spent with John Hancock and the last seven as a multi-line independent agent. From 1979 until 1985, Jamie worked with R & R Newkirk, an Insurance Publisher, in regional sales becoming, the National Director of Sales. From 1986 until 1989, he was a partner in the Publishing Firm, Educational Training Systems.

Since starting his own company, Diversified Solutions, in November of 1989, Jamie has been working with client companies, providing them with extensive coaching and training to support their recruiting and selection objectives. He has helped create effective training programs and retention strategies to attract and retain top performers.

Jamie Kerchner can be reached at j.kerchner5@verizon.net.

William L. Willard, CLU

William L. Willard, CLU, is a writer and editorial consultant with 30 years experience creating career development and educational materials for the financial services industry. In addition to marketing, sales, and management training programs — including the popular Guidebook Online — he develops customized programs that meet the needs and objectives of his clients.

A former Air Force Intelligence analyst (1965-1969), Bill entered the financial services business as an insurance agent in Indiana in 1973. As Editor, Managing Editor, and Director of Custom Product Development at R & R Newkirk, Indianapolis, IN (1975-1985), Bill worked with the Career Development, Training, and Advanced Sales Departments of most major financial services companies. Relocating to sunny Tampa, Florida in 1985, he established Willard Associates in 1985, and in 1992 formed Pelican Island Publishing, a member of Diversified Solutions, in Clearwater, FL.

Born in New York City, Bill married the former Sue Davis in 1969. The couple has one son. Bill is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Hawaii (1971). Bill and Sue live by Tampa Bay in Clearwater, and enjoy running, hiking — and just plain living life all the way to the top.

Bill Willard can be reached at billw15@verizon.net.

Jon Tehven, CLU, LUTCF

Jon Tehven has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, first as a salesperson and then as a Manager of Field Training for a major insurance company. As the Manager of Field Training, Jon was responsible for both agent and management training, especially in the areas of sales training, recruiting, and selecting. In the area of recruiting and selecting, he implemented the POP System in 1989, resulting in the doubling of his company's four-year retention. Jon joined Diversified Solutions in 1996 as a sales/service associate of Diversified Solutions.

A graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, Jon spent 11 years as a high school teacher, prior to going into the financial services industry. The combination of teaching, selling, and training gives Jon a unique ability to work effectively and efficiently with companies to implement new training, selecting, and recruiting programs.

John Tehven can be reached at tehven@sbt.net.

April A. Adams

April Adams has worked with Diversified Solutions for over six years. She is a self-taught web designer and graphic artist with additional background in office administration.

April attended Hampshire College in Amherst, MA as well as taking classes at the Massachusetts College of Art. She has worked in various fields including insurance, manufacturing, public relations and advertising.

April Adams can be reached at april@diversified-solutions.com.