Axa Advisor Brian Ashe has a theory about those who once contemplated going into the priesthood: They are destined to work with people.

In accepting the prestigious John Newton Russell Memorial Award during the NAIFA Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Ashe, an ex-seminarian, said his decision to enter the insurance business more than 40 years ago was the right one. “The business of life insurance was the perfect blend of providing private (counsel) with social good.”

Said Ashe: “As agents, we get the chance to do well for us, by doing good for others. As societal needs grow, advisors are needed now more than ever.”

Ashe praised organizations like NAIFA and MDRT for “shaping his skills” and motivating him as a professional. While Ashe’s record as a professional advisor speaks for itself, he describes his “guiding principles” this way: “When values are clear, decisions are easy. Our values are pretty clear. We (advisors) always plan for the best interests of our clients above our own.”