Our Team
Arnold J. Price, Founder
For more than five decades, Mr. Arnold Price has been a pioneering force in the life insurance and financial services industry. A nationally recognized authority in executive deferred compensation, estate planning, retirement, and profit-sharing strategies, Mr. Price has set the standard for excellence and innovation in his field.
A life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and one of only eight charter and continuing members of the esteemed Top of the Table, he has achieved this distinction every year since its inception—a testament to his consistency, leadership, and unmatched client service. In addition, he has held memberships in numerous professional organizations and served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Labor, reflecting his influence and expertise on a national scale.
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he earned his B.S. in Economics, Mr. Price was honored with induction into the University of Connecticut School of Business Hall of Fame for his lifelong contributions to the profession.
Mr. Price is an active lecturer on pension and profit-sharing plans, estate planning, deferred compensation, and other advanced insurance topics. Following the success of his own agency, he partnered with Stuart J. Raffel and Peter C. Browne to establish one of the nation’s largest and most distinguished pension and profit-sharing administration firms.
Mr. Price has served on the Boards of Directors of an insurance company, two national banks, and four New York Stock Exchange–listed corporations. A member of The Union Central Life Insurance Company Hall of Fame, he was recently appointed Senior Statesman by its Board of Directors—an honor reflecting a career of exceptional leadership and impact. Over his tenure, Mr. Price has written more business with Union Central than any other agent in the company’s history.
Stuart J. Raffel, Founder
Mr. Raffel has been a visionary leader in the life insurance and financial services industry for more than 40 years. A recognized specialist in executive deferred compensation, estate planning, and corporate retirement programs, he holds the professional designations of CLU and CPC, and is a Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table as well as a Charter Member of the prestigious Top of the Table. Together with Arnold J. Price and Peter C. Browne, Mr. Raffel co-founded PRB Financial Group in 1962.
Mr. Raffel earned his Bachelor of Science in Labor Economics from the University of Illinois. Deeply involved in advancing the profession, he served as Charter President of the Los Angeles Association of Financial Planners, Past President of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of CLU, and Past Director of the American Society of Pension Actuaries. He was the inaugural recipient of the Union Central Life Insurance Company’s Lester A. Rosen Humanitarian and Achievement Award, recognizing his professional excellence and service to others.
Equally committed to his community, Mr. Raffel has dedicated his time to organizations such as the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, the Maple Counseling Center of Beverly Hills, and the Heaven on Earth Stable, which supports children with disabilities. He also serves as a Captain in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve.
Mr. Raffel is a Registered Representative of Ameritas Investment Corp., member FINRA/SIPC
Zachary H. Blume, Partner
Mr. Blume began his career in 2003 with HUB International, one of the world’s largest insurance firms, where he was mentored by industry leaders, and gained a foundational understanding of the life insurance business from the ground up. Since 2011, Zach has had the privilege of working closely with Arnold Price and Stuart Raffel, the esteemed founders of Price Raffel & Associates, an experience that has provided him with invaluable insight, mentorship, and a panoramic perspective of the financial services industry.
Zach earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California State University, Northridge, and his Certified Financial Planner® designation from The American College, following advanced coursework at New York University.
Zach is a Qualifying Member of The Million Dollar Round Table’s Top of the Table, the premier association of the world’s leading financial professionals. He is also an active or past member of the National Ethics Association, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, and the Young Professionals Group of the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Dedicated to community and education, he has served as a guest speaker for Certified Financial Planner® candidate courses and has been invited to speak at the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
A committed philanthropist and active community member, Mr. Blume and his family support numerous organizations including The Dream Center, Jewish Federation, Food on Foot, and Wags & Walks. Zach has been actively involved as a coach, leading his children’s teams across a variety of sports, including YMCA Basketball, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center Flag Football, and AYSO Youth Soccer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Mel, his childhood sweetheart, along with their two children and beloved French bulldog, Elmer.