Bo Johnson, Industry Personality, Passes Away

December 17, 2009

To those who knew him, Bo Johnson was courageous, optimistic, a loving father and devoted husband. Berry Holland Johnson Jr. (known as ‘Bo’ to his peers), 37, of Cornelius, N.C., died Dec. 5 at his home, surrounded by his family. Bo passed away after a relentless and brave fight against lung cancer,  but left an indelible impact on the lives around him – family, peers, agents and clients. He is survived by wife Christi and daughter Addi.

Bo was also a principal of Regulus Advisors, an independent securities producer group. He will be missed sorely by everyone who knew and worked with him.

Bo began his career in financial services as an advisor with a commercial health insurance carrier. While working in the field, he received several awards for top production and superior customer service. In 1997, Bo joined Financial Independence Group Inc. (FIG) to help the company become a national wholesaler. In his most recent role as CMO, Bo was responsible for the marketing department, including annuity, life, long-term care and securities. In addition to working with FIG’s marketers, he also worked with many agents personally, in seminars, workshops or one on one, helping them to grow their businesses and achieve their business goals.

According to Bill Cain, founder and CEO of Financial Independence Group, “Bo, my son and partner, was an outstanding young man who was always happy, who cultivated true friendships with people in every walk of life, and who achieved success beyond measure.  He showed compassion for those in need, concern for everyone he knew, and lived a life of faith and determination.  His fight against cancer gave us an appreciation for what we have, and an inspiration to never give up.”

Bo has been a featured and a guest columnist in several periodicals and websites, including The Agent Sales Journal, Insurance Marketing, National Underwriter, Up Close, InvestmentNews.com, Huntersville Herald, Lawrence Journal World, Duke University Cancer Center Notes, The Rock: Sigma Nu, Appalachian Alumni Association, Connections and Senior Market Advisor. He served on several insurance companies’ advisory boards. Bo was also very proud to be a past board member of the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA).  To the end, Bo was very active in NAFA and the difficult challenges faced by the FIA market.  He received his master's degree in Science of Management with an emphasis in leadership  in April 2007 from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

In the fight against lung cancer, Bo started a 501(c) organization called Addi’s Cure. The Web site for the charity is http://www.addiscure.org/. His impact has gone beyond the positive influence he had on peers and friends, and it will continue to influence the lives of people everywhere. Please visit the web site for more information. To see personal comments from Christi and those who knew Bo, visit http://bovsbac.blogspot.com/.