2006 News Releases

Scott Galbraith Joins John Hancock as Managing Partner Firm Looking to Expand, Hire

Boston – John Hancock Financial Network announced today that it is establishing an agency in San Diego that will offer retirement plans, estate conservation , financial planning for small businesses, executives, individuals and families, and long term care insurance for individuals and groups. The new office is temporarily located at 7676 Hazard Center Drive in San Diego.

Scott Galbraith, a leading financial services industry field manager with more than 25 years of experience, has joined John Hancock to become Managing Partner of this agency, responsible for starting the firm and accelerating its growth, adding financial services professionals, and developing its clientele in the San Diego marketplace.

Galbraith has hired an experienced management team, will be recruiting six more individuals in 2006 and hopes to double the size of the agency in 2007.

“We’re working to create a firm attractive to new and seasoned agents as well as experienced registered representatives,” said Galbraith. “John Hancock provides an excellent brokerage platform, high quality insurance and investment products, education, technology and a robust marketing platform so our financial professionals can build their businesses and spend time with clients. Our leadership team is eager to provide the hands-on support and guidance to help our staff reach and achieve their goals.”

Among the new leadership are:

• Abel Perez, Sales Manager, who has been licensed since 1987 and has held positions as Agent, District Agent and General Agent at various insurance companies. Perez is multi-lingual, speaking Spanish, Italian and Tagalog in addition to English. Abel is married and volunteers his time to help young people improve their social and economic prospects.
  
• Mike Shook, Brokerage Manager, who has been licensed since 1987. He has held various management positions including Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Regional Manager and Vice-President of Sales.
  
• Helen Tomsen, Office Manager, who brings many years of administrative, management and insurance experience to the agency. Tomsen has held an insurance license and NASD registration in California. She is active in the community and volunteers regularly.
  
• Janette Jack, Trainer, who has worked continually in the financial services industry since graduating from the University of the Redlands. She is a registered representative as well as a life and variable product agent. She’s held training positions in the past and is currently an avid soccer mom.

“We are very pleased that Scott has joined Hancock and already assembled an outstanding management team,” said Wendy Benson, COO, John Hancock Financial Network. “His enthusiasm and leadership are a perfect fit for developing a strong market presence in San Diego and we will benefit from his passion and experience. We believe San Diego will become an area of growth and development for the company.”

Prior to joining JHFN, Galbraith had been General Agent for another large insurance agency in San Diego. A graduate of Oregon State University, he entered the insurance and financial services industry as an agent in 1976. Galbraith moved to another firm and into a series of management roles of increasing responsibility as Sales Manager in 1980, District Agent in 1982 and then General Agent in 1985. He has won numerous industry and leadership awards including the GAMA Gold Management Award 1996 – 2006; the Qualified Plan Agency of the Year in 2003 and Sales Builder Awards from 1985 to 1996. He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), National Association if Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and GAMA, an industry management group.

Galbraith is active with Children’s Hospital. A native Californian, he lives in San Diego with his wife. They have 2 children.

John Hancock Financial Network ( www.jhnetwork.com) has more than 300 registered branch offices across the United States, and is a career agency distribution unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and most of Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the U.S., the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$370 billion(US$332 billion) as at June 30, 2006. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

*John Hancock Financial Network is the servicemark of John Hancock Life Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

SOURCE: John Hancock Financial Network

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Contact:
Melissa Berczuk
617-663-4750