Tarkenton Financial is actively managed by one of the most talented and experienced executive teams in the industry. Fran Tarkenton, a well-respected athlete and highly regarded entrepreneur for the last 25 years, leads the company. Tarkenton Financial is the culmination of his work for the last 10 years. It embodies his vision, values and his passion. Meet Fran Tarkenton and you'll understand why Tarkenton Financial is right for you.

Q: As an NFL Hall of Fame inductee, you are a well-recognized celebrity and a sports legend. Describe how the two areas of expertise - sports and business - intersect in your career.

The relationship between success in sports and success in business is closely aligned. In sports, you quickly recognize the need for help from others - and that's in both team sports like football and individual sports such as golf. In football, I learned fast as the quarterback that I could throw the football. But, that's not all it takes to win a game. To be successful, to complete a pass, for instance, I needed a line in front of me to block. I needed a receiver to catch, coaches to instruct, recruiters to build a winning team - and the list goes on. Was all of it on my shoulders? Absolutely not. As a team you share the bonus of success.

The same principles apply in business. Nobody has all of the answers, so it's incumbent upon business leaders - the good ones - to assemble a team that brings together the best of everything. I'm talking about leadership teams, product quality, and recruiting those with impeccable skills and the brightest ideas. I'm talking about fashioning a team that's motivated by winning customer respect, by answering their needs, and by providing the highest level of service and commitment possible.

Q. What led you to the formation of Tarkenton Financial?

My entire career has been dedicated to building products and services that people need and that deliver great benefit. I believe the only reason for a business to exist is to provide products and services that make customers' lives better.

As I approached my senior years, I saw the opportunity to build a team that could lend individual areas of expertise and add tremendous value by educating people my age. I am 63 years old. I intend to keep the quality of life that I have now and with enough money and protection to do so in the future. I know other seniors share the same view.

Q: You sound passionate about what you do.

I am. Of all of my businesses throughout my career - this easily provides me with the most passion and satisfaction. It comes from the satisfaction of helping someone meet their personal goals. We are able to help our customers meet long-term financial goals and improve their quality of life without risk. That gives me great satisfaction to help seniors like myself and give them accurate, helpful information.

Q. You are assembling a national network of Tarkenton Financial agents. What are some of the attributes you look for in a agent?

We recruit and retain only the most skilled independent insurance and financial professionals. Our agents must be skilled and they must be honorable and ethical professionals. They must also share my passion - our passion - for educating senior citizens and for improving lives. Each agent that joins our team must live up to a commitment to provide all customers with an unrivaled level of service and intelligence. Trust is at the heart of all of this and anything that we can do to engender greater trust is key. Certainty, intelligence, ethics and accountability are at the very root of that trust.

Q: What do you like about your business?

We truly help senior citizens make better decisions for their financial future. We are able to educate them and give them the tools they need so they feel confident in their choices. We are able to help them keep the quality of life that they have always envisioned and give them peace of mind. That's what I love about this business.