Securities America Congratulates Top Advisor on Community Leadership Award

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Securities America, Inc. congratulates Brett S. Ellen, president and CEO of California-based American Financial Network, on his receipt of the Community Leadership Award in the Mentoring Excellence category presented by Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and Investment News magazine. The achievement honors successful financial advisors who demonstrate a philanthropic spirit and commitment to strengthening their communities and enriching the lives of others.

"Brett places service at the center of all of his efforts. Not only does he seek to provide unparalleled service to his clients, he constantly strives to mentor, coach and serve fellow advisors and his community at large," said Securities America Chairman and CEO Steve McWhorter. "We are fortunate to have a leader of such caliber be part of our organization."

Based on gross dealer concessions and fees, Ellen is ranked as Securities America's Top Advisor. In addition, he ranks second based on assets under management. He was chosen to receive the leadership award for his impressive work with Turn Kindness On (TKO) Helping Hands, an organization established to promote community involvement and social responsibility among young children. Ellen's involvement with TKO runs the gamut from co-founder and board member to hands-on participant in service projects. Ellen actively engages local youth in volunteer activities, empowering them to make a difference in their world. TKO received a $12,500 check from Invest in Others in recognition of Ellen's award.

"Brett's on-going commitment to community involvement exemplifies a core value at Securities America," said McWhorter. The broker dealer recently launched "Investing in Our Communities: 25 Weeks of Caring, Giving and Sharing" to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary through community service projects in communities across the country where the firm's employees live and work.

About Securities America
Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Securities America, Inc. has more than 1,900 financial professionals nationwide with more than $42 billion in client assets under their supervision. Securities America Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm with more than $13 billion in assets under management and administration that offers investment management, financial advice and financial planning through financial advisors. As your business growth expert, Securities America's mission is to foster the success of financial professionals so they can provide quality, objective counsel and services to their clients. Additional information is available at www.securitiesamerica.com.

About Brett Ellen and American Financial Network
Brett Ellen, founder and president of American Financial Network, is a financial planner and investment advisor representative with Securities America Advisors who specializes in wealth management and corporate benefit planning services. Additionally, Ellen established and is an active part of the Financial Solutions Alliance, a network of financial service providers from across the country that work collaboratively to address the financial and business needs of their clients. Unprecedented in his ability to serve both individual investors and corporate planners, Ellen is recognized by Securities America as one of their top advisors.

As a California native, Ellen believes strongly in giving back to his community. He and his firm actively support a variety of non-profit organizations. In 2008, the Muscular Dystrophy Association awarded Ellen the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Award for his philanthropic endeavors and dedication towards making a difference. Ellen writes a finance blog for children - www.KidsFinanceCoach.com - to help them understand important concepts and become financially literate and responsible adults. For more information about Brett Ellen, visit www.afn-net.com.