Greg Williams Wins Award and Donates Money to Jordan School District

7/18/2012 Salt Lake Tribune — Learn More

As listed in the Salt Lake Tribune July 18, 2012:
Education » $10,000 grant will implement leadership program in Jordan School District.

Thirty years have passed since Greg Williams last walked the hallways of Hillcrest High School in Midvale as a teacher.
Williams pursued a career in finance after working as a history, psychology, and geography teacher and coach at the school. But he didn’t leave his passion for education behind as he climbed the ranks as a financial adviser for the Massachusetts-based MassMutual Financial Group.

Williams joined the board of the Jordan Education Foundation more than a decade ago, where he has worked to raise money for school activities and programs.

So when Williams’ company offered a contest of sorts to honor volunteers — with an award of $10,000 to donate to the winners’ favorite charity — he submitted an application.

Out of more than 5,000 people in Williams’ company, he was recently selected as one of 10 winners nationwide for his history of community service and success as a financial adviser at Intermountain Financial Group in Salt Lake City.
The $10,000 grant will be used to fund a program called The Leader in Me, modeled after Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, at Silver Crest Elementary in Herriman and Southland Elementary in Riverton.

Twenty-two schools in the Jordan School District already have the program, which costs about $5,000 to sponsor at each school. The program is funded through donations from business partners and the Jordan Education Foundation.

The program incorporates The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, written by the late Stephen Covey’s son Sean Covey, into the school’s culture and curriculum.

Students and teachers focus on such habits as being proactive, finishing work before play and planning. Children keep data folders with individual mission statements, goals, and academic scorecards and figure out what types of learners they are. Students then take classes in certain subjects based on their ability level.

“I think The Leader in Me program kind of permeates everything — the student, the teacher, the parent, the home and the community. It teaches values and it doesn’t focus on one thing,” said Williams. “I think it would have a long-term impact for the kids and the school. It changes their study habits; it improves disciplinary problems.”

Sandy Riesgraf, a spokeswoman for the Jordan School District, said school officials eventually would like to offer The Leader in Me program at all elementary schools. She said it’s exciting that Williams’ grant will expand the program to two more schools.
Williams said he’s pleased he won the grant and plans to continue his volunteer work with the district.

“I’m real committed to education and to the students,” he said. “That was how I started my career; that is how I want to continue in my career.”

mrogers@sltrib.comTwitter: @mrogers_trib

Greg Williams wins award, donates money to Jordan School District

Education » $10,000 grant sponsored by MassMutual will implement leadership program.

By melinda Rogers

|  The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Jul 18 2012 03:39 pm • Last Updated Jul 18 2012 03:39 pm

Thirty years have passed since Greg Williams last walked the hallways of Hillcrest High School in Midvale as a teacher.

Williams pursued a career in finance after working as a history, psychology, and geography teacher and coach at the school. But he didn’t leave his passion for education behind as he climbed the ranks as a financial adviser for the Massachusetts-based MassMutual Financial Group.

Williams joined the board of the Jordan Education Foundation more than a decade ago, where he has worked to raise money for school activities and programs.

So when Williams’ company offered a contest of sorts to honor volunteers — with an award of $10,000 to donate to the winners’ favorite charity — he submitted an application.

Out of more than 5,000 people in Williams’ company, he was recently selected as one of 10 winners nationwide for his history of community service and success as a financial adviser at Intermountain Financial Group in Salt Lake City.

The $10,000 grant will be used to fund a program called The Leader in Me, modeled after Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, at Silver Crest Elementary in Herriman and Southland Elementary in Riverton.

Twenty-two schools in the Jordan School District already have the program, which costs about $5,000 to sponsor at each school. The program is funded through donations from business partners and the Jordan Education Foundation.

The program incorporates The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, written by the late Stephen Covey’s son Sean Covey, into the school’s culture and curriculum. Students and teachers focus on such habits as being proactive, finishing work before play and planning. Children keep data folders with individual mission statements, goals, and academic scorecards and figure out what types of learners they are. Students then take classes in certain subjects based on their ability level.

“It think The Leader in Me program kind of permeates everything — the student, the teacher, the parent, the home and the community. It teaches values and it doesn’t focus on one thing,” said Williams. “I think it would have a long-term impact for the kids and the school. It changes their study habits; it improves disciplinary problems.”

Sandy Riesgraf, a spokeswoman for the Jordan School District, said school officials eventually would like to offer The Leader in Me program at all elementary schools. She said it’s exciting that Williams’ grant will expand the program to two more schools.

Williams said he’s pleased he won the grant and plans to continue his volunteer work with the district.

“I’m real committed to education and to the students,” he said. “That was how I started my career; that is how I want to continue in my career.”

mrogers@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mrogers_trib

Salt Lake City, Utah Cancer Research and Treatment Organization Gets Donation from Intermountain Financial Group/MassMutual

MassMutual continues support of breast cancer awareness through major donations and innovative programs

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Salt Lake City chapter of the American Cancer Society will be presented with a $2,000 check at a luncheon Friday, December 17. This check is a part of an innovative National Breast Cancer Awareness program from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The donation will be in the name of Kim Hemenway from Intermountain Financial Group, the Utah general agency of MassMutual.

“I’m delighted that local women struggling with breast cancer, and the agencies that serve them, will benefit from our donation and commitment to the cause,” said Kim Hemenway of Intermountain Financial Group. “We look forward to continuing our support of organizations that provide information and hope to women with breast cancer.”

Hemenway, whose firm is based in Salt Lake City, recently conducted informative financial seminars geared toward women. Their efforts are part of a MassMutual program that makes charitable contributions to local breast cancer awareness programs in the names of its local agents who work extensively with women’s groups

and women clients. Under the program, MassMutual uses its educational financial seminars for women to also raise awareness of breast cancer.

“We’re very heartened to know that we’re playing a role in educating women about not only their finances but also their health,” said Kelley Gay, Asisstant Vice President of Market Development. “And we’re especially appreciative of Kim Hemenway’s efforts in such an important cause.”

MassMutual’s breast cancer awareness initiative is one of many ways it supports women personally, professionally and as business owners. For example, MassMutual continues to be a leader in providing life insurance coverage for breast cancer survivors, updating its underwriting guidelines to reflect the positive long-term survival benefits of early detection and new treatments.

Additionally, MassMutual is recognized as a leader in efforts to improve understanding of women’s diverse financial needs, to support women agents in the field, and to educate women on financial issues. MassMutual sponsors a variety of research and educational projects and events that promote a greater understanding of women’s individual financial needs and how financial services companies can best meet them.

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About Intermountain Financial Group, LLC

For more than 156 years, local residents and businesses rely on Intermountain Financial Group to help them secure their financial futures. The company has been in awarded the national Sloan When Work Works award in 2010, 2009 and 2008, as well as the Work/Life Award by the Utah Department of Workforce Services in 2010, 2008 and 2007 naming them one of Utah’s best places to work. The company currently has offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; St. George, Utah; and American Fork, Utah.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, Inc. member SIPC.  (Salt Lake City Agency – 6340 S. 3000 E., Suite 500, SLC, UT  84121 – (801) 943-6277)

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives.

Insurance offered through MassMutual and other fine companies.

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