Office Profile

Steven Dugal was appointed Managing Partner for Northwestern Mutual of Louisiana on June 1, 2007.

Originally from Lafayette, Steven Dugal and his wife Lisa have been a part of the Baton Rouge community since 1993. Steven is a graduate of the University Louisiana - Lafayette where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Steven Dugal started his career with Northwestern Mutual because of his father-in-law, the late Donald J. Romero, who ran the office in Lafayette, La. "I got my start watching him, the culture of his office and how he ran it," Steven says. "His enthusiasm was a natural attraction for me."

After a brief time as an accountant, Steven decided to join the Northwestern Mutual office in Houston. Four years later, in 1993, he and his wife Lisa became parents. Wanting to be closer to family as he grew his business, they moved back to Louisiana.

Steven began his career under Will Hornsby in the Baton Rouge district network office. In 2001, he then became managing director. "I always wanted to be in leadership," Steven says. "I idolized my father-in-law, so seeing what he did in management--I wanted to be just like him."

Steven spent most of his career looking for a leadership role—first as a mentor, then as a field director. And in 2000, Will Hornsby called Steven and asked if he wanted to take over the Baton Rouge operation in January 2001. It was a move that would help get him even further in the direction he was headed.

Now, Steven Dugal succeeds Will Hornsby as Managing Partner. He offers these comments:

"It is a wonderful opportunity to become a managing partner in an office that I'm associated with. I know the office, I know the people that make it up, the culture and the values. And they know me as well. From a personal level, to be able to take over a territory which was once overseen by two of my mentors, my father-in-law and Bill Hornsby, is incredibly satisfying--and incredibly challenging. It's been a vision of mine for many years, and it's a great feeling."

Professional Background
Steven has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. The CLU designation has long been recognized as the fundamental and foremost educational credential for life insurance professionals. Since 1927, more than 94,000 individuals have earned their CLU, helping them build a successful life insurance practice by providing clients with knowledgeable and ethical advice. For financial representatives, field management, home office personnel, and others involved in providing life insurance products to the public, the CLU designation symbolizes continuing growth and commitment to professionalism.

Steven is a member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), a national nonprofit organization representing the interests of more than 70,000 insurance and financial advisors nationwide, through its federation of over 900 state and local associations. Founded in 1890, NAIFA is the nation's largest financial services membership association.

The mission of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of our members.

For 2008, Steven Dugal received NAIFA's Manager's Membership Award (formerly 100 percent Agency Award) which recognizes organizations that support a strong financial services industry by supporting NAIFA and its efforts. Life, health, multi-line agencies and financial groups are encouraged to receive this award by ensuring that a certain percentage of their agents, based on the organization's size, are NAIFA members.

Steven is also a member and past president of the Greater Baton Rouge chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives International, an association of the region’s top sales managers, marketing directors and business owners.

Throughout Steven's career as a financial representative, he has earned numerous awards, including the National Quality Award recognizing persistency and performance (1991-1996, 2000-2001, 2004-2005, 2007); and Million Dollar Round Table Qualifying Member (2000, 2006). MDRT is the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT status designation is granted for one year and members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the MDRT.

The Future
As he looks forward to his career as managing partner, Steven Dugal is focused on the future. "I want to create an environment that propels growth and attracts quality financial representatives. There is always a high expectation when you take over something from someone you care so deeply for, as well as the people that you care so deeply for, but that makes it even more challenging…and even more fun."

Steven loves spending time with Lisa, and their two children, Katy and Nicholas, being involved in his church, reading a great book, being anywhere on the water and telling/listening to a good joke. He is a prior board member of St. Thomas More Catholic School.

This Network Office has been active since 1968.

District Network Offices:

Northwestern Mutual Of Louisiana
504-831-8146
111 Veterans Mem Blvd
Metairie, LA 70005-3028
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Northwestern Mutual Of Louisiana - Baton Rouge
225-293-9527
11440 Lake Sherwood N
Baton Rouge, LA 70816-0408
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Northwestern Mutual Of Louisiana - Lafayette
337-233-3663
2008 S College Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508-3278
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Northwestern Mutual Of Louisiana - Lake Charles
337-436-8940
127 W Broad St Ste 600
Lake Charles, LA 70601-4291
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