Bullard City Councilman and local businessman Rodger Johnson has been named New York Life Insurance’s top agent in the company’s field force of 12,250 licensed agents.

Johnson was named as Council President, an honor bestowed annually on the New York Life agent with the company’s highest sales and service achievements.

“Reaching the Council President distinction at the largest mutual life insurer – New York Life – is an impressive achievement and recognizes Rodger as one of New York Life’s finest financial advisors, whose service practices are a model of excellence,” said Mark W. Pfaff, executive vice president of New York Life. “All of us in the New York Life family applaud Rodger’s success.”

Johnson’s career with New York Life has spanned 30 years as a registered representative and financial advisor whose business focus is meeting the financial needs of preretired and retired customers, small businesses and high net-worth families. His home office is in Tyler, and he currently holds Certified Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Master’s of Science in Financial Services and Certified Financial Planner professional designations.

He completed the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy program with the American College and facilitated the Jan. 2011 class, and is looking forward to mentoring others through the material.

In addition, he is a member of the MDRT, formerly known as the Million Dollar Round Table, an international, independent association of nearly 36,00 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial service professionals from more than 430 companies in 78 countries. MDRT membership is internationally recognized as the standard of sales excellence in the life insurance and financial service business.

Johnson is an active member of the Bullard City Council and devotes significant time to charitable causes like Grace Flight, which supplies free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes.

Additionally, he serves on the advisory council of Grace Baptist Church, where he is also the music director and teaches an adult Sunday school class.

“I’m grateful for the acknowledgement from New York Life and most of all for the guidance and mentorship of senior agents, whose patience and advice allowed me to develop Johnson Financial Group,” Johnson said. “I’m blessed with a wonderful staff of devoted professionals and supportive family.

“In all the years that I’ve worked helping families protect themselves financially, never has the significance of what we do been more clear than in the past few years. To be recognized for my commitment to helping others meet their financial goals is a wonderful validation of my work. I’m proud to represent New York Life and thankful for the support I have received from the company over my long career.”