The Lawrence office of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network finished in the top 10 of the company’s first-year offices nationwide in 2007, and the office finished first in Northwestern Mutual’s Southern Region by market category.

Joe Jones is managing director for the network’s Lawrence operations. Also working in the office are financial representatives Nancy Jones and Bruce Scott.

Joe Jones, who described the rankings as “equivalent to the Jayhawks winning the national championship,” said that he had plans to purchase a new building this year. He also plans to bring on additional financial representatives and staffers.

The office finished 2007 with $1.72 million in total premium production. Joe Jones recorded personal premium production of $1.11 million, ranking him No. 18 in sales for the overall company.

Northwestern Mutual, based in Milwaukee, has been recognized by Selling Power magazine as the top service company to sell for, and has been ranked by Fortune magazine as the most-admired company for health and life insurance.