The Texas Financial Group, Houston-Austin-San Antonio

Samuel M. Schlanger
Financial Representative
713-972-8078  

Sam Schlanger was a successful business owner even before starting his career with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. But in 1987, a year after his marriage, it became clear that the delicatessen he owned and operated with a family member would not support both of their families in the lifestyle that he wanted for his family.  He began to explore his career options.

“I was drawn to the financial services industry because it provides the opportunity to help people achieve the goals and dreams they have for themselves and their families,” he said. “I looked at several companies but chose Northwestern Mutual because of the quality of people I met and the comfort level I felt during the selection process.”

A consistent Houston office leader in both policies written and new clients, Sam has earned numerous awards. He has been a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table every year since 1990 and is now a life member. As a Field Director, Sam now helps new Financial Representatives get off to a fast start in the business. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Rick Thuman, MBA
Financial Representative
713-266-0775

After more than a decade of earning his living in corporate America and helping families with personal finance issues as a hobby, Rick Thurman turned his avocation, and his passion for helping others succeed, into a career as a Financial Representative with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He joined the Network in January of 2003 in a move that he calls the last stop on a career path that was both varied and successful.

With an undergraduate degree in civil engineering, Rick spent the first three years of his career as an engineer with a large pipeline company while also completing an executive MBA program. He made a series of career transitions that led him to marketing and sales management where he made a lot of money for corporate America and was rewarded handsomely but did not find satisfaction. "Now I'm helping others to reach their goals and dreams," he said.

Rick got off to a quick start, earning Pacesetter 40 recognition for completing 40 transactions in his first six months with the Network. Today he has a successful practice that is well balanced between insurance and investments, he consistently ranks in the Northwestern Mutual top 50 Financial Representatives in the nation, and he qualified for Million Dollar Round Table based on his 2005 production. He attributes his success to going the extra mile for his clients, which has earned him a 98.5 percent retention rate.

"If we're doing our job right, we develop relationships with clients that will last for 20 or 30 years," Rick said. "That gives us the right, but also the responsibility, to be their accountability partner – to be sure they stay with what they said they wanted to do. My clients know that, at any time, they can give me a ring. I think that's the key, really reaching out and being very dedicated to serving."

Jason Bohmann
Financial Representative
713-266-0775

Before joining the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in 1992, Jason Bohmann had the world's best job in what he described as the world's worst environment. Responsible for managing a $2 billion bond fund, he loved the challenges of his job but did not feel he had any control over his compensation, time or destiny.

"I made a handsome salary but saw that people weren't rewarded for their production. Also, with an 80- to 90-hour work week, I came to the realization that I hadn't seen my daughter in six days. What I had seen was 70 out of 100 people that I worked with fired over a two-year period for arbitrary reasons or no reason at all. Most importantly, my work felt empty. I wanted to do something that would make a difference."

With an entrepreneurial spirit, Jason researched a wide variety of business opportunities before deciding to apply his educational background and eight years of experience in the financial arena to building his own business with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

"The financial strength and track record of Northwestern Mutual appealed to me. When I met Managing Partner, Jeff Reeter, I found that our values meshed. I had interviewed with many other companies who talked about nothing but unlimited income. Jeff was the only one who talked about making sure families are protected and making a difference in clients' lives.

Jason got off to a strong start with a "Pace Setter 40" award for writing 40 policies in his first six months in the business. Despite a few ups and downs, he has built a diverse and successful practice. He serves a lot of small business owners who initially want to talk about employee benefits but also need personal protection. Drawing on his past career, he also has attracted investment managers as clients.

"I never have a boring day because in the morning I may be meeting with executives on a 401-K proposal and in the afternoon developing a marketing strategy for my own business. I like the ultimate responsibility of wearing all of these hats—marketing strategist for my own business, sales representative and service person to my clients. I get a great feeling by providing service that exceeds my clients' expectations."

Jason holds an undergraduate in geography from Southwest Texas State University and an MBA from the University of Houston with a Finance concentration.

Hassan Khan, LUTCF
Financial Representative
713-972-8072

Hassan Khan left an 18-year corporate career in engineering and computer applications to start a business with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network because he wanted more independence, better growth prospects and greater control over his destiny.

Laid off from a large construction company during the economic downturn in the mid-1980s, he had a number of job opportunities but decided that he never again wanted to put his future in the hands of others. Impressed with the service and regular follow-up he had received as a client of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network for more than 15 years, Hassan joined the Network in 1986.

"If you're looking for a good long-term relationship, this is the place for you," he said. "I have been here 21 years. I have built strong client relationships by growing with my clients as their needs change. Younger people might just need a little help getting started on the right path. As they acquire considerable assets and life insurance, clients start thinking about their estate needs. A lot of my business actually comes from people seeking health insurance who find they also need Northwestern Mutual's core insurance products such as life or disability income. Regardless of their situation, I find the needs analysis process to be a very valuable tool."

A native of India who emigrated to the United States in 1967, Hassan serves many clients from the Indian subcontinent. He has been recognized with numerous awards for both sales and service. He has been a Qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (Provisional Member: 1988, Qualifying Member: 1989-1992, 1994-1997, Qualifying/Life Member: 1998-2006) has twice been a Northwestern Mutual Forum producer and has received the National Quality Award, which recognizes client retention, numerous times (1988, 1991-1996, 2000-2004, 2006).

"I get a lot of satisfaction from the positive impact I've had on people and being able to help when they have life or disability claims," he said. "I take pride in the confidence that people place in me and the fact that they can trust me to help them whether it be with insurance or preparing for their retirement."

Hassan graduated with honors from the Indian School of Technology, earning a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. After moving to the United States, he earned a master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.