Rick Tonkinson

Cover StoryCancer Society. Says Rick: “Educationalopportunities for the needy have alwaysbeen important to me. I’ve been there, andnow I want to help other people.”Rick is a past president of the Rotary Clubof Miami and is currently the Chairmanof the Foundation for the Rotary Club ofCoral Gables. He is also a member of theboard of directors of the Diabetes ResearchInstitute and the Cleveland Orchestra MiamiResidency (Musical Arts Association ofMiami). At the University of Miami, Rick isa member of the Citizen’s Board, the IBISSociety, and the Heritage Society.According to Rick, “We basically putour money where we have a sincerecommitment to do something that ismeaningful.” TheTonkinson familytries to be as generousas they can by givingback to the localcommunity withspecial attentionto children, theenvironment, andto those sufferingfrom illness.The Tonkinsons’ passionfor life is expressed intheir varied interests.Margarita and Ricksupport the arts andspend many eveningsenjoying opera, ballet,and the symphony. In addition, they find timefor fly fishing, skiing, and traveling. In theirtravels, they have explored Asia, Europe,Africa, and South America. To celebratehis 50th birthday, Rick summited MountKilimanjaro with Steven. This summer theyall went to South Africa and attended theopening ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup.Rick and Steven at Mount KilimanjaroWhy Pacific Life?Rick and Margarita in Their Library“The Pacific Life Experience is outstanding.I have a uniform experience with everyonefrom customer service to my field andinternal wholesalers. They are knowledgeableand accountable. I enjoy their promptresponses and attention to detail. I havehad many experiences at other companieswhere the call center will say one thing,but the wholesaler says something else. Myloyalty has a direct correlation to the levelof service I get at Pacific Life,” says Rick.“I like the product mix that Pacific Lifeoffers. Pacific Life still offers the C-share,L-share, B-share, and bonus variable annuitycontracts, which is not always the case withother carriers. This gives me the opportunityto select the right product for the manydifferent types of clients I have. My favorite,however, is the Pacific Innovations Selectvariable annuity because its three-yearsurrender charge period provides theflexibility my clients require should theirneeds change,” explains Rick.4 Pacific View Spring/Summer 2010