He probably would have been a Regional Vice President (RVP) almost 10 years ago. However, the Primerica agent who recruited Alex Sanabria at that time and sold him an insurance policy “went around the bush” about the business opportunity. Alex quit after one month. In 2001, while working as a personal banker, he wanted someone to help a client with life insurance and was looking for a Primerica office. Someone referred him to Lilian Burke who fully explained the Primerica opportunity and recruited Alex.

Prior to Primerica, Alex had managed a territory for a parking company and then became a personal banker for 1 ½ years with a salary of $50,000 annually. Six months after joining Primerica, the bank gave Alex an ultimatum to quit Primerica or the bank; they increased his salary to entice him to stay. He quit. Two years later he became an RVP with an $80,000 income. Twenty-one months later in March 2009, he earned $200,000. Three months later, he promoted his first RVP.

Claudia, Alex’s wife, was not initially receptive about his decision to join Primerica. She didn’t

understand. So she continued with her job as a medical technologist ($45,000 per year salary) and, in her words, “was very negative.” However, a few months later, Alex won a company trip to Hawaii . Since Primerica pays for the agent and the partner, Claudia went also. Wow! Did she change her mind and her support! She and Alex saw the big picture of the company and also gained a bigger picture for their life and their two children, Alexander Jr., age 10, and Sebastian, age 7. Two years later, Claudia left her job and now works enthusiastically in the business with her husband every day. Their largest Primerica income for one month is $24,300, half of Alex’s former yearly income.

Alex grew up in Colombia , the second oldest of five boys. When asked what he did as a child, he says, “Grow tomatoes.” That’s because he and his brothers always worked on farms when they were out of school. His father owned a business selling vegetables locally and exporting them. His mother was a homemaker. The family was upper middle class but when Alex was graduating from high school, his dad went bankrupt and they lost everything. Five years later the family moved to New York , where Alex lived 7 years before moving to Georgia five years ago. He hadn’t intended to move to Georgia but when Alex and Claudia were on their way to Orlando for vacation, they decided to stop off in Atlanta to visit a friend. Three days later they bought the house in which they now live!

Through Primerica, the Sanabrias have accomplished much in a short time. In addition to income, they have won numerous awards as part of the SuperTeam and nationally. They were MVP of the SuperTeam three years in a row. At the company trip in Cancun in 2007, they were #1 in the Pioneer contest out of a few hundred winners. In June 2009, Alex was honored to be selected as one of three “Rising Stars” to speak at the company’s southeastern regional Builders Summit which was attended by over 8,000 people.

They also have the opportunity to lead others to success and to take care of themselves financially. They support the small church that his mother attends and they provide help for Colombians in need. However, they have other goals. They want to save at least $1.2 million, the amount needed for their retirement. Alex wants to become a National Sales Director by December 2010 and earn $500,000. He has a five year goal of being the number one earner in the Shepard hierarchy, even surpassing Sam Shepard. Alex says he’s only working at about 50% power now but is striving daily to reach 100%. When that happens, look out!

Team name: “Fantastics” – That was Claudia’s idea.

States: Georgia and South Carolina

Guiding principles: “Cry in silence, no matter how bad the situation. Work hard and never cry aloud; this relates to every situation. Do your best always, living as though it’s your last day.”

Advice to new reps: “Do it with your heart and power as though this is the last opportunity in your life.”

Advice to long timers: “Stay in the cold 30 days. That means that if you had to stay outside in the cold for a month to save your children, you would do it. The same goes for Primerica. As stated for the new reps, work as though this is the last opportunity in your life.”

Other words of wisdom:

• “Don’t be negative about ANYTHING. Be thankful to be alive each day.”