Managing Director

Paul Blanco - LUTCF

6 Corporate Drive
Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203)513-6000
Fax: (203)513-6080
E-mail: pblanco@metlife.com

Paul Blanco's advice for dealing with the inevitable changes life brings: "You can't become complacent. If it's not broken, break it!"

A graduate of St. Francis College, Paul entered the financial services industry with MetLife in 1991. He was encouraged by the unlimited income potential and the opportunity to lead people and run his own business. His goal is to become the number-one financial services marketing firm in the world while helping people become financially secure.

In 2003, Paul became the youngest inductee into the MetLife Manager's Hall of Fame and in 2006, the youngest winner of its Top of the Tower. He has qualified for 17 consecutive Management Leaders Conferences and eight Chairman's Council Conferences. He received MetLife's Triskelion Award for outstanding management leadership in 2004 and 2007. Paul's MetLife firm, Barnum Financial Group, has won the the company's Firm of the Year Award five years in a row.

Paul has contributed to GAMA's Great Ideas book series and served on the GAMA Foundation's board of trustees. He has qualified for the Master Agency Award and the International Management Diamond Plus and Diamond Awards. GAMA has named his firm one of the top 100 U.S. financial agencies.

As a manager, Paul's style is visionary with a desire for success. In fact, he relies most on his vision to shepherd his team through difficult times. He values caring about one another, loyalty and maintaining a no-excuses, high-performance culture. He follows his parents' advice: "Never give up and never plateau."

A prominent philanthropist in his community, Paul encourages all of his employees to give back and get involved with community organizations. Paul's dream is to have 100% of the firm give back to the community in some way. Firmwide projects have included the donation of 300 bikes to children, providing school supplies and clothing for disadvantaged children, the construction of a playground and the sponsorship of a yearly statewide essay contest, entitled, "What the American Dream Means to Me". Paul avidly supports Junior Achievement through mentoring and fundraising.

In 2007, Paul was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Fairfield County Remodelers and Home Building Associaton. Paul was inducted into the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame and his firm was recognized as the "Best Place to Work in Connecticut" by the Hartford Business Journal. In 2006, Junior Achievement inducted him into the Hall of Fame.
Paul is a board member of the Shelton Boys & Girls Club. His passion for sports and youth in the community has inspired him to support a local football camp, little league team, adult softball team, Junior Achievement and the Make a Difference Day campaign.

In 2007, Paul and his wife, Mindee, started the Foundation for Life as a vehicle for BFG employees to provide financial support for charitable organizations. Paul and Mindee have three children: Jennee, Sydnee and Paul. He enjoys weightlifting, coaching and community activities.