Northwestern Mutual's Jim Erb Recognized in Multiple Forbes Top Financial Professionals Lists

TAMPA, FL. December 22, 2025 – Northwestern Mutual Greater Tampa Bay announced today that Wealth Management Advisor Jim Erb has been recognized on the prestigious Forbes America's 2025 Top Wealth Advisors Best-in-State and  Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-Statelists.

"Jim is a well-respected and unique advisor because of his deep expertise in wealth management, risk protection and what it really takes to build financial security," said Kevin O’Connell, managing partner, Northwestern Mutual, Greater Tampa Bay. "Jim’s approach to comprehensive financial planning – pairing investments with world-class insurance products – is designed and proven to deliver superior results for clients over the long term."

Forbes' Top Wealth Advisors*, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual, and in-person due diligence interviews, along with quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm also weighs factors such as service models, compliance records, and industry experience, focusing on those who exemplify best practices in their approach to working with clients. 

The Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list recognizes top-performing financial advisors who provide holistic financial planning for their clients. Honorees are selected using a broad set of criteria that includes production and premiums, death benefits, assets under management, client-related trends, such as persistency rates, and more.

Northwestern Mutual's award-winning training and leadership development program provides ongoing education to its 8,500+ financial advisors nationwide, helping them secure new licenses, enhance their capabilities, and build their practices.

To achieve its mission to help more Americans build financial security, Northwestern Mutual aims to grow its field force of financial advisors in 2025, with an ambitious goal of recruiting 5,000 advisors by year-end.