BOSTON, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Max Hockenberry, an experienced financial services leader with MaxWorth Benefits Group, LLC, was named as the Financial Representative of the Year for all of John Hancock Financial Network. MaxWorth Benefits Group is based in Charlotte, NC, with offices in Columbia and Greenville, SC.

"We congratulate Max and are pleased to recognize his tireless dedication to his work and his clients," said Brian Heapps, President, JHFN. "To achieve this recognition following two years in a row in our top ten is a testament to the highly personalized approach he takes when working with clients as well as his overall commitment to client service excellence."

Steve Worthy, partner, MaxWorth Benefits Group, added, "I couldn't be happier for Max. I've worked in the industry for a number of years, many of them with him, and know that he is deserving of this recognition. He certainly is an asset to our firm and clients."

Known for delving deeply into the concerns of his clients to find solutions, Hockenberry has more than 25 years of experience in financial services. He has worked in specialized areas and is currently focused on incentive compensation design in hospitals and related financial services. Hockenberry teaches the concept of a mutually beneficial pay for call concept which achieves hospital and physician alignment as a Guest Fellow with the Estes Park Institute, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress, in conjunction with the Horty Springer Law Firm, and numerous other national venues.

Additionally, he has earned a number of advanced educational designations including the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) from the American College and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) from the College of Financial Planning.

About John Hancock Financial Network
John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with approximately 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit https://www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principle operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$500 billion (US$491 billion) as at December 31, 2011. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network