Founder: Michael T Rodman

Michael Rodman has been a life insurance industry leader for the past 22 years.  Michael, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1983, has been an agent, general agent and a brokerage general agent during the course of his career.  Michael has qualified for the Top of the Table, MDRT’s highest honor; has been a four-year member of the International Forum; a member of the Association of Advanced Underwriters (AALU); and a

member of the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA). 

Michael is also past president of NAIFA-San Diego and is an active member of The Financial Planning Association (FPA), The Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP) and The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA). He has also been a speaker at the International Forum’s Annual Meeting.

In 2003, Michael saw the potential for joint-work among the colleagues he has worked with over the years and started Best Practices of America, an organization dedicated to connecting the country’s top CPAs, attorneys, property and casualty agents, financial planners and life insurance agents.  Through Best Practices of America, Micahel has helped many top advisors gain access to new clients and has managed the referral systems among these advisors.  Michael is dedicated to maintaining this growing network of advisors through national networking, educational events and many other member benefits.

Michael also serves as president and founder of Advanced Planning Services, Inc. (APS) – The Industry’s First Advanced Sales Brokerage General Agency.  Since its inception in 2001, APS has become the premier advanced sales and advanced underwriting organization serving the entire industry, including producers, producer groups, and other agencies and carriers.

Michael sits on the board of multiple privately-owned companies in the financial services industry.  He and his wife Lisa reside in Southern California where he enjoys golf and travel. 

Email Mike Rodman

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan joined the Best Practices team in February 2006 and serves as the organization’s Director of Special Events.  Meg comes to BPA with extensive experience working with the International Forum.  At the Forum, she worked with the Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee and the Board of Directors to plan the educational sessions and manage speakers for their annual meetings.  In addition to her background with the Forum, Meg has experience managing corporate events and large-scale conferences. 

In addition to her duties with Best Practices of America, Meg serves as a Brokerage Director for APS’ Chicago office.  This new office, opened in April of 2006, serves as APS’s Midwestern branch. 

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Andrea Siedsma

During her 16 years in journalism, Andrea Siedsma has gained insight and knowledge on a variety of industries, including financial services, high technology, biotech, general business, defense/military and Indian gaming.  Her award-winning career has been spent with several organizations, including the San Diego Business Journal, North County Times, San Diego magazine, T Sector magazine, KPBS Radio, Hispanic Business magazine, and CONNECT, a nonprofit technology and business development accelerator.

Andrea, a San Diego native who graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism, joined Advanced Planning Services and Best Practices of America  in late 2005 to help the growing organizations accelerate their marketing and communication efforts, including launching an industry magazine called Best Practices magazine.