Background

For Emelio, his diversity of experience personally and professionally well qualifies him for the job he holds today as Sales Manager. “I started out working in production and ended up as a line supervisor at Kodak. I was in those jobs for five years. From there, I spent the next 18 years in the ministry,” explains Emelio. “For more than a decade now, I’ve been in financial services in Albuquerque and in Rochester—a field that is not entirely unrelated to the work I did in the ministry,” jests Emelio.

Philosophy

The skills he employed every day as a minister were a good proving ground for the career in financial services he now enjoys. “In order to be successful working with clients one-on-one or in recruiting new financial service professionals, you have to be a good listener and really hear what the person is saying, and then be able to provide honest and objective strategies.” Emelio’s desire to help people began early on. “My father died with no insurance when I was 12, leaving me to live with relatives. I lived the problem that I am looking to help others solve.”

Putting client needs first is an important hallmark of Emelio’s success and a key quality that he looks for in new financial service professionals, whether recruiting recent graduates, mid-career professionals or career changers. Emelio’s ideal candidate is a professional 25-45…a college graduate, employed, with some sales experience, but most importantly an interest in and commitment to helping people. “Today, a good social network and an entrepreneurial affinity are big helps,” adds Emelio.

Emelio believes in the importance of developing people by following a highly ethical model. “The common denominator is always the same. Professional ethics and client commitment are crucial key success factors that should never be undervalued. As a life insurance-focused professional, I believe in the quality of the opportunities we offer here at Financial Architects and enjoy sharing this wonderful career with people.”

In his spare time, Emelio is very active in many faith-based organizations and volunteers with the Town of Clarkson on their Good Neighbors Day event where he serves as a board member.

He and his wife reside in Brockport and have three grown children.

Emelio Sebastian is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC (www.sipc.org). 600 Clinton Square, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 262-5600