NFP National Financial Partners Corp.

NEW YORK, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Insurance Services of Florida, Inc. (Universal Insurance Services), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp. (NYSE: NFP), a leading provider of benefits, insurance and wealth management services, today announced that Stacy Cooley and John Balis have joined Universal Insurance Services as Vice Presidents of Brokerage Development.

Ms. Cooley and Mr. Balis join Universal Insurance Services from PartnersFinancial, one of NFP's premier national membership organizations, where they served as the recruiting team that brought new firms into the PartnersFinancial membership.  Prior to joining PartnersFinancial in 2004, Ms. Cooley's experience included over 20 years in the life insurance industry, working in advanced sales, marketing, business development and personal production.  Mr. Balis entered the life insurance industry in 1964 in personal production and joined PartnersFinancial as a Principal in 1989.  In 2000, he left personal production to head up the PartnersFinancial recruiting effort.

Mike Sorensen, chief executive officer of Universal, said, "John and Stacy bring years of recruiting and relationship management experience that will serve them well as they attract high-end life insurance professionals to serve their clients through Universal Insurance Services. We're fortunate to have such a talented team on board."

Also commenting, Vicki Evans, president, NFP Life Brokerage, said, "Universal Insurance Services is one of the leaders in the brokerage general agency and financial planning marketplaces.  With the company's increased focus on business development in life insurance brokerage, John and Stacy's track record will prove to be a valuable asset."

About Universal Insurance Services

Universal Insurance Services of Florida, Inc. (Universal Insurance Services) is a financial services business serving the broker-dealer, general agency, producer group and high-end agent.  The company is supported by a top-tier wholesale distribution platform of life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance and annuities.  Headquartered in Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton, FL, Universal Insurance Services operates throughout the United State along with its divisions, Elite Advisors Group, Private Advisors Suite, Advisors Architect and Gains & Smith.  Universal Insurance Services is a subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp.

About NFP

National Financial Partners Corp. (NYSE: NFP), and its benefits, insurance and wealth management businesses provide diversified advisory and brokerage services to companies and high net worth individuals, partnering with them to preserve their assets and prosper over the long term.  NFP advisors provide innovative and comprehensive solutions, backed by NFP's national scale and resources.  For more information, please visit www.nfp.com.

SOURCE Universal Insurance Services of Florida, Inc.