Title: Registered Representative
Company: New York Life Insurance Company
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Stephen O. Ashley, Registered Representative at New York Life Insurance Company, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Financial Services Industry.
Mr. Ashley’s remarkable and diverse career has spanned five decades, marked by leadership roles and significant achievements in the consumer electronics and financial services industries. Since 2010, he has served as a registered representative with New York Life Insurance Company, where he manages existing client relationships, advises clients on financial needs and investment strategies, and maintains a robust schedule of client commitments. Mr. Ashley’s focus on high-net-worth individuals and his dedication to exceeding industry benchmarks have earned him repeated recognition, a testament to his passion for serving his clients’ best interests.
Before joining New York Life Insurance Company, Mr. Ashley was the director of national accounts at The HON Company, a furniture manufacturer, from 2007 to 2008. In this capacity, he oversaw key business relationships and contributed to the company’s growth in the office furniture sector. Initially hired by the organization in 2005, Mr. Ashley spent two years as the director of consumer marketing, leading strategic marketing initiatives during a period of industry transformation.
In 2004 and 2005, Mr. Ashley excelled in his role as the general manager of national accounts for Thomson Consumer Electronics. Meanwhile, his expertise in electronics, as the general manager of TTE/RCA’s flat panel business from 2003 to 2004, was instrumental in the company’s product launches and market expansion. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ashley served as the vice president and general manager of dealer sales for RCA and GE Consumer Electronics at Thomson from 2001 to 2003. In this executive role, he managed $1 billion in revenue and growth, directed nationwide sales operations and cultivated significant account relationships that contributed significantly to company revenue.
Mr. Ashley’s professional journey began shortly after college. He entered the electronics industry with General Electric in Chicago, Illinois, before relocating to Los Angeles, California, for various management roles. His early career included participation in landmark product launches, such as microwave ovens and remote-control televisions. As a regional sales manager for product service in New York and, following GE’s acquisition of RCA, later as an operations manager in Arizona and Los Angeles, Mr. Ashley demonstrated adaptability and leadership across diverse markets.
During the 1980s, Mr. Ashley managed major national accounts, including a transformative partnership with Sears that increased sales from $110 million to $310 million, and he received awards for outstanding performance. He advanced into marketing leadership as the vice president of sales for GE products nationwide, then transitioned internationally after GE’s sale to a French company. After three decades in electronics, Mr. Ashley shifted to the office furniture industry with The HON Company before ultimately moving into financial services.
Mr. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, in 1975. He also received Series 7 certification, which has enabled him to provide comprehensive investment advice to his clients throughout his tenure at New York Life Insurance Company.
In addition to his education, Mr. Ashley remains committed to service. He is a board member of the Great Lakes Region of Northeastern Ohio for the Arthritis Foundation and serves on the board of the diversity, equity and inclusion division at Kent State University. Additionally, he is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
In light of his success at New York Life Insurance Company, Mr. Ashley has been appointed to multiple terms on the President’s Council. He also received Million Dollar Round Table distinction and three Agent of the Year honors at his office. Moreover, Mr. Ashley was honored to receive an Executive Council Award from New York Life Insurance Company, further underscoring his commitment to excellence.
The foundation of Mr. Ashley’s success lies in his upbringing during the civil rights era in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was often one of the few African Americans in professional settings. Inspired by his parents’ work ethic, he developed resilience and ambition that propelled him through barriers and motivated him to open doors for others. Mr. Ashley remains dedicated to educating others by sharing his experience and wisdom with those around him while continuing his own journey of lifelong learning and personal development.
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