Anthony Sages acquired a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga while attending school on a football scholarship. He graduated in 1981 and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 1983. Later in his career, Anthony Sages attended and completed the Dartmouth Executive Management Program to further develop and hone his management skills.
Directly after graduating with his MBA, Anthony Sages joined AXA Financial Inc. as a Financial Adviser and speedily achieved recognition as a star sales performer by becoming a Million Dollar Round Table Associate. Few sales professionals achieve this status, but he accomplished it in his first full year with AXA Financial, Inc., an impressive achievement. It is unusual for a financial services professional to stay at one firm throughout his career, but Anthony Sages has stayed on at AXA Financial Inc. for over 25 years and has risen to the position of Chief Sales Officer and Divisional President of AXA Advisers LLC, a sales oriented subsidiary of AXA Financial Inc..
Anthony Sages has risen steadily in the ranks of AXA Financial Inc. in various divisions and positions, consistently proving himself an exceptional manager. He is able to motivate, recruit, and develop his associates and mold them into a team that hits sales targets while controlling expenses and maintaining profit margins. As demonstrated by his successful career in the demanding field of corporate sales, Anthony Sages enjoys the competitive aspects of his job.
His competitive nature is also visible in his leisure activities, which include extreme skiing, surfing, and running marathons. Anthony Sages enjoys playing video games, listening to classic rock, collecting coins, hunting big game in the US and in Africa, and traveling the world. Anthony Sages also owns an 86-foot motor yacht called the VP Maritime that was built by the Italian yacht builder Azumit.
As Chief Sales Officer and Divisional President for AXA Advisors, LLC, I have more than two decades of affiliation with the international financial professional’s association Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Founded in 1927, MDRT’s original members were 32 insurance professionals who had each attained at least $1 million in career sales. They formed MDRT recognizing a need for an organization that would uphold the highest financial and insurance service standards while allowing exchange on best practices among fellow members. MDRT currently has more than 30,000 members and maintains a network around the globe, offering a lifeline of professional development and educational resources.
MDRT attracts some 4,000 members to its annual meeting each year, featuring over a hundred workshops and seminars over a four-day period. The 2011 meeting is scheduled for June 5-8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. One important aspect of MDRT is its high standards, embodied in an ethics code whereby all MDRT associates place client interests above their own; hold all client information private, provide full transparency about products and services; and maintain the highest standards of knowledge, skills, and competence.
I have taken these ethical responsibilities to heart throughout twenty years of leadership at AXA Financial, in that time receiving several National Builder’s Trophy and President’s Trophy awards for leadership and managerial skills. An MDRT initiative that I very much support is the MDRT Foundation, which has presented over $26 million to charity since its establishment a half century ago. All recipient charities supported by the Foundation are either personally endorsed by MDRT members or selected in honor of their member accomplishments. The Moyer Foundation received a notable $25,000 grant from the MDRT Foundation in 2010. The Moyer Foundation allows children ages 6 to 17 the chance to explore nature at Moyer camps throughout the U.S. while dealing with the loss of a loved one. Learn more about the Million Dollar Round Table and how to join this prestigious organization at MDRT.org
Anthony Sages Discusses Classic Rock Legends--Led Zeppelin
Formed in 1968, Led Zepplin consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham, and singer Robert Plant. The foursome convened in response to Page’s efforts to form a new band following the dissolution of The Yardbirds. Known as The New Yardbirds, they played their first show at Gladsaxe Teen Clubs in Denmark as part of a Scandinavian tour that Jimmy Page’s original group was scheduled to complete prior to their disbandment. The band changed its name to Led Zeppelin after a former Yardbirds bandmate sent a cease-and-desist letter regarding the use of The New Yardbirds beyond the Scandinavian tour.
Led Zeppelin released its first self-titled album in the United States in January of 1969, then in the United Kingdom in March of the same year. Combining blues, folk, and Eastern-influenced music with distorted amplification, Led Zeppelin’s debut album secured itself as one of the most decisive contributions to the development of heavy metal. The group’s sophomore album, Led Zeppelin II, earned even greater success. It is sometimes deemed the roadmap followed by all subsequent heavy metal bands. Composing its third album at a cottage in Wales, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page wove folk and Celtic sounds into a predominantly acoustic set of tracks, showcasing their multifaceted musical talents. Initially, the album deviated from the band’s typical electronic sound, garnering mixed reviews. Today, it receives mostly positive reaction.
By 1971, Led Zeppelin had tired of criticism deeming it overrated. The group released its fourth album with no title or band name on its original cover, trying to demonstrate that the quality of their music could sell itself. Generally referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, the album remains one of the best sellers in history, solidifying the band’s status as rock legends. In later years, Led Zeppelin continued to experiment with new sounds and techniques. Albums such as Physical Graffiti ascended the charts and the group’s tours broke attendance records. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Led Zeppelin enjoyed substantial success and involvement in other aspects of the music industry, launching its own label.
Following a hiatus, Led Zeppelin resumed performing live shows in 1979, kicking off a brief European tour in 1980. Drummer John Bonham collapsed on stage during a show in Germany, then was taken to the hospital while the rest of the band completed the show. Three months after his collapse in Germany, John Bonham stopped for breakfast on his way to rehearsals and consumed copious amounts of vodka. Once at the studio, he continued drinking. He fell asleep after midnight, then was put to bed at his bandmate’s house, where he was placed on his side. The next afternoon, the tour manager and bassist John Paul Jones found Bonham had choked on his own vomit in his sleep. Following Bonham’s passing, Led Zeppelin decided to disband, putting an end to one of the greatest rock acts of all time.
For the past two decades, Anthony Sages has served AXA Financial, Inc. as an executive, his most recent promotion granting him the position of Chief Sales Officer and Divisional President of AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of the professional world, Anthony Sages enjoys preparing for and running in marathons, traveling the world, and exploring the outdoors by surfing, skiing, and yachting.
I had the chance to sit down with Anthony Sages and talk with him about his personal and professional talents and accomplishments.
Q. First off, I want to thank you for being here with me today. Can you tell me about some of the accolades you have received for your dedicated service to AXA Financial, Inc.?
A. It’s my pleasure to be here. During my time at AXA, I have been granted the National Builder’s Trophy and the President’s Award for my ability to recruit hardworking individuals, increase associate production levels, and manage the team effectively and efficiently.
Q. I understand that you are involved with several physical activities. What are some of your outdoor hobbies?
A. I have completed two New York marathons, and I also like staying fit and going to the gym. When I get the chance, I love skiing, surfing, and hunting big game.
Q. Where are some of your favorite places to travel, and what are some other personal interests you maintain?
A. My mother’s side of the family is from Milan, while my father’s side is from Naples. I have always enjoyed world travel, and my favorite place in the world is St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I also like visiting the Greek Islands and boating on my Azimut yacht, which is 86 feet.
For the past two decades, Anthony Sages has served AXA Financial, Inc. as an executive, his most recent promotion granting him the position of Chief Sales Officer and Divisional President of AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of the professional world, Anthony Sages enjoys preparing for and running in marathons, traveling the world, and exploring the outdoors by surfing, skiing, and yachting.
I had the chance to sit down with Anthony Sages and talk with him about his personal and professional talents and accomplishments.
Q. First off, I want to thank you for being here with me today. Can you tell me about some of the accolades you have received for your dedicated service to AXA Financial, Inc.?
A. It’s my pleasure to be here. During my time at AXA, I have been granted the National Builder’s Trophy and the President’s Award for my ability to recruit hardworking individuals, increase associate production levels, and manage the team effectively and efficiently.
Q. I understand that you are involved with several physical activities. What are some of your outdoor hobbies?
A. I have completed two New York marathons, and I also like staying fit and going to the gym. When I get the chance, I love skiing, surfing, and hunting big game.
Q. Where are some of your favorite places to travel, and what are some other personal interests you maintain?
A. My mother’s side of the family is from Milan, while my father’s side is from Naples. I have always enjoyed world travel, and my favorite place in the world is St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I also like visiting the Greek Islands and boating on my Azimut yacht, which is 86 feet.
Bordering Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, and the Aegean Sea, Greece sits comfortably tucked away on the European continent, and enjoys the varied landscapes of mountain ranges, islands, and seaside topography. Renowned for its Mediterranean climate consisting of warm, sunny summers and mild winters, Greece attracts a wide range of visitors, who hope to either escape the cold of their homeland or simply indulge in the sights and sounds of a foreign place. Among Greece’s many attractions, historical architecture, timeless artwork, stunning scenery, and fine cuisine are excellent offerings of the region.
Comprised of three main groups of islands, The North Aegean Islands, the Argo-Saronic Islands, and the Cyclades, the Greek Islands represent a significant portion of Greece’s land mass, with the number of islands totaling nearly 6,000, 227 of which are un-inhabited. Crete is the largest of the islands, with Rhodes and Lesbos close behind. Most of the other islands are significantly smaller, with far fewer inhabitants.
About the Author: Anthony Sages greatly enjoys world travel, and hopes to take part in many trips abroad in the years to come. The Greek Islands stand out as one of the places Anthony would most enjoy visiting. A lover of surf, sand, and exotic destinations, Greece is a quintessential vacation destination with the added allure of rich cultural experiences and proximity to a number of exciting places.
As a collector of modern art, I appreciate that we have one of the world’s greatest displays of the medium in New York City. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) maintains a vast permanent collection of modernist art, with more than 150,000 works, over 20,000 films, and about 4 million film stills.
The permanent collection is home to what are arguably some of the greatest modern artworks of all time. Among the famous works in the museum’s collection are:
1. The Starry Night: Painted by Dutch post-impressionist Vincent van Gogh, the painting shows the sky over the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in Southern France. Van Gogh spent a year at an asylum there after he cut off his ear in Arles. While his time at the asylum was characterized as one of Van Gogh’s most difficult, it was also his period of greatest artistic accomplishment. He painted more than 150 works while in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and The Starry Night remains one of the most well-known pieces of modern art.
Van Gogh – Starry NightPublic domain
2. The Persistence of Memory: Surrealist artist Salvador Dali painted The Persistence of Memory in 1931. According to Dali, the melting pocket watches in the famous picture represent a surrealist image of “Camembert cheese melting in the sun.” Along with melting watches, Dali also incorporated ants into the picture, which he frequently used to represent death. As in many of his other paintings, Dali also incorporated a human-like figure as a means of self-representation. Dali painted The Persistence of Memory during his Freudian phase. Reconstructing “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali
3. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon): Painted in 1907 by famed Spanish cubist painter Pablo Picasso, the painting depicts five nude prostitutes working at a brothel in Barcelona. While critics deemed the painting immoral upon its first display in 1916, many art historians now believe this work to be essential in the development of modern art and cubism.
About the author:Anthony Sages is a collector of modern art. He lives in New York City, where he serves as President of AXA Financial.
