"As the industry’s premier lobbyist, Doug has provided essential guidance, both conceptually and substantively, to the formation of the current legislative and regulatory structure."
About Doug
Around the world, the name “Doug Head” is synonymous with the Life Settlement Industry.
In 1968, Doug obtained a degree in economics at Lawrence University, a small liberal arts school in Appleton, Wisconsin. During his time at Lawrence, he spent half of his junior year and most of his senior year overseas at the University of Singapore where he continued his study of economics. Following his college education, Doug joined the Peace Corps where he was stationed on the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. In Latin America Doug was exposed to a great deal of international commerce. After finishing his term with the Peace Corps, Doug entered the hospitality industry where he would engage many business entrepreneurs who would later influence him.
In 1986, before delving into one of the most controversial and challenging industries, Doug ran his first political campaign. Doug recounts: “It was my first effort to become a campaign manager and the state representative whose campaign I was running, won.” He was then recognized as a dependable and efficient political consultant and continued to play a lead role in the Democratic Party running various state campaigns throughout the 1980s.
In 1992, Doug was elected party chairman in Orlando and became more involved in the fringes of the political world where he was eventually introduced to the viatical settlement industry. A friend, colleague, and a leading influence on Doug’s early career in the industry, David Reed, had started The Medical Escrow Society and hired Doug to assist him in governmental affairs. “I was greatly influenced by David, a close friend and an entrepreneur. David possessed a unique approach to life and, for truly humane reasons, held great optimism for the future of this industry.”
In the ensuing years, Doug played a key role in the early development of the industry until Reed’s passing in 1996. It was during this period that the viatical settlement industry experienced a significant decline. In 1999, Doug was elected president of the Viatical and Life Settlement Association of America, known as the VLSAA.
A veteran of the life settlement industry for almost 20 years, Doug served on LISA’s (Life Insurance Settlement Association) Board as President from 1999 to 2001 before becoming Executive Director in 2001. Doug explains, “The association, at the time, had very little money, very little reserves and no prospect of a future, so I decided to run the business out of my home.” From 2000 to today, the association has grown its revenues many fold. What started out as a small 13 member association has now developed into the largest and most diverse industry association representing over 140 entities acting in the secondary market for life insurance.
The importance of Doug’s contribution to our industry cannot be overstated. From his early recognition of the inevitability of state regulation to his outspoken advocacy of consumer’s property rights, Doug has fought for and represented many of the benefits which proved essential to the foundation of this industry. As a result of the efforts of Doug and many other important industry leaders, this market continues to thrive and prosper for not only the business community but for all consumers who seek expertise and aid.
Today, Doug applies his years of success in a consulting role. A hallmark of Doug’s leadership is his desire to stay “on the ground” listening to the needs of government officials and other industry leaders. During Doug’s tenure as Executive Director, LISA’s reserves grew substantially, allowing for any unanticipated operational expenses. As the industry’s premier lobbyist, Doug has provided essential guidance, both conceptually and substantively, to the formation of the current legislative and regulatory structure. Doug’s guidance continues to provide support for this multi-billion dollar industry and the consumers that it serves.
In 1968, Doug obtained a degree in economics at Lawrence University, a small liberal arts school in Appleton, Wisconsin. During his time at Lawrence, he spent half of his junior year and most of his senior year overseas at the University of Singapore where he continued his study of economics. Following his college education, Doug joined the Peace Corps where he was stationed on the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. In Latin America Doug was exposed to a great deal of international commerce. After finishing his term with the Peace Corps, Doug entered the hospitality industry where he would engage many business entrepreneurs who would later influence him.
In 1986, before delving into one of the most controversial and challenging industries, Doug ran his first political campaign. Doug recounts: “It was my first effort to become a campaign manager and the state representative whose campaign I was running, won.” He was then recognized as a dependable and efficient political consultant and continued to play a lead role in the Democratic Party running various state campaigns throughout the 1980s.
In 1992, Doug was elected party chairman in Orlando and became more involved in the fringes of the political world where he was eventually introduced to the viatical settlement industry. A friend, colleague, and a leading influence on Doug’s early career in the industry, David Reed, had started The Medical Escrow Society and hired Doug to assist him in governmental affairs. “I was greatly influenced by David, a close friend and an entrepreneur. David possessed a unique approach to life and, for truly humane reasons, held great optimism for the future of this industry.”
In the ensuing years, Doug played a key role in the early development of the industry until Reed’s passing in 1996. It was during this period that the viatical settlement industry experienced a significant decline. In 1999, Doug was elected president of the Viatical and Life Settlement Association of America, known as the VLSAA.
A veteran of the life settlement industry for almost 20 years, Doug served on LISA’s (Life Insurance Settlement Association) Board as President from 1999 to 2001 before becoming Executive Director in 2001. Doug explains, “The association, at the time, had very little money, very little reserves and no prospect of a future, so I decided to run the business out of my home.” From 2000 to today, the association has grown its revenues many fold. What started out as a small 13 member association has now developed into the largest and most diverse industry association representing over 140 entities acting in the secondary market for life insurance.
The importance of Doug’s contribution to our industry cannot be overstated. From his early recognition of the inevitability of state regulation to his outspoken advocacy of consumer’s property rights, Doug has fought for and represented many of the benefits which proved essential to the foundation of this industry. As a result of the efforts of Doug and many other important industry leaders, this market continues to thrive and prosper for not only the business community but for all consumers who seek expertise and aid.
Today, Doug applies his years of success in a consulting role. A hallmark of Doug’s leadership is his desire to stay “on the ground” listening to the needs of government officials and other industry leaders. During Doug’s tenure as Executive Director, LISA’s reserves grew substantially, allowing for any unanticipated operational expenses. As the industry’s premier lobbyist, Doug has provided essential guidance, both conceptually and substantively, to the formation of the current legislative and regulatory structure. Doug’s guidance continues to provide support for this multi-billion dollar industry and the consumers that it serves.
Media Mentions
Mr. Head has made many different TV appearances, such as the Daily Buzz, a nationally syndicated morning talk show, and the Central Florida news affiliates for FOX (WOFL) and ABC (WFTV). He has been quoted in a variety of journals and newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Underwriter and Chicago Tribune amongst many others. His wealth of knowledge is widely recognized and trusted by a broad coalition of industry participants and policy makers.
