Craig A. Lance is the CEO of Global Planning Partners.
In 1994, Craig joined MetLife Financial Services in Sarasota, Florida as a Financial Services Representative where he became a successful advisor and was quickly identified for his leadership skills. In 2003 Craig was promoted to the Naples/Fort Myers, Fla. market as a Managing Director. In this role, Craig continued as a perennial Management Leaders Conference Qualifier and was awarded the National Management Award and Career Development Award each year 2004 through 2008 for his efforts in regard to increased firm market-share and the recruitment and development of new Financial Representatives.
Recognizing the unique opportunity that the South Florida marketplace presents to the truly independent channel, Craig made the move to begin to help those on a more open and free platform. There he has created an already highly successful organization to add to his close to 30 years of vast experience in the finance industry.
Currently, Craig is an active member in the Million Dollar Round Table, the Miami-Dade/Broward Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors where he has been recognized as a member of the “Pinnacle” recruiting and development award. He also is an active member of GAMA International. Craig has spent time sitting on the Board of Directors for the ASOLO Theatre and Acting Conservatory in Sarasota, Florida. There he served on the endowment steering committee. He also has been involved with the Local Leadership Council of the Collier County Community Foundation where he assisted the leaders of 60+ not-for-profit organizations in raising funds for their respected charities.
Craig is a former actively enlisted United States Marine, and served both domestically and overseas. Through his four-year active enlistment, Craig attained the Combat Action Ribbon for active combat duty during Operation Desert Storm, along with numerous other accommodations. In 1992, Craig was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Craig’s time regarding community involvement is now centered on the Association of Financial Educators where he assists in helping those in our community battle financial illiteracy. Craig is also very active in the Marine Corps Athletic League, Veterans of Foreign War and the Miami-Dade Veterans Alliance to assist in placing returning veterans into our local work force.
In 2007 Craig was recognized by local news outlets and Gulfshore Life as one of the top 40 Business People Under 40 in Southwest Florida.
Craig and his wife, Ivette, live in Naples, Florida.