Northwestern Mutual's Ober Honored in Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State

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

“With financial anxiety on the rise in America, dependable and trusted advisors like Derek are more essential than ever in helping individuals reach their goals of greater financial security,” said Kevin O'Connell, managing partner, Northwestern Mutual, Greater Tampa Bay. “Derek’s focus on building relationships and developing customized financial plans unique to each clients’ circumstances sets him apart. By blending permanent life insurance with investments, Derek is working to provide lasting value to his clients for generations to come.”

The Forbes 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.