Wayne McCullough didn’t plan on spending five decades in the insurance and financial services industry. In fact, he thought it would be a quick stop on his way back to college. But what began as a six-month detour became a lifelong career—one rich with relationships, professional growth, and meaningful impact.

The NAIFA National Grassroots Committee proudly recognizes Brian Fleming of NAIFA-Minnesota as the recipient of the Q1 2025 Hard Hat Award for his exceptional advocacy leadership and unwavering dedication to our industry.

Brian played a pivotal role in organizing NAIFA-MN’s grassroots mobilization during the early fight against House File 2437, legislation that proposed a sales tax on a range of professional services—including financial planning, insurance commissions, legal services, and even CPA services.

Please join us in congratulating Paul Szkotak, our Q1 Hard Hat Award winner in the Membership category!

As a dedicated member of the National Membership Committee, Paul has invested countless hours into enhancing NAIFA’s new member onboarding experience. His thoughtful input and strategic vision have laid the groundwork for a refreshed and more impactful welcome process—one that ensures new members feel connected, informed, and valued from day one.

NAIFA is proud to recognize Joseph Orr of NAIFA-Texas as the Q1 recipient of the Hard Hat Award in the PAC category - an honor reserved for outstanding champions of political advocacy. Known for his magnetic leadership and heartfelt commitment to NAIFA’s mission, Joseph was instrumental in the success of the NAIFA-TX Centennial Celebration, helping drive over $12,000 in PAC contributions.

When John Duni walked into his first job out of college on November 4, 1974, he had no idea it would be the start of a 50-year career in financial services—and a lifelong commitment to NAIFA.

Hired by Harold Morris at Southwestern Life Insurance Company in Washington, D.C., John recalls that joining NAIFA (then NALU) was not just encouraged—it was expected. “You’d sign your agent contract and then your NAIFA application. There was no choice. But I always thought that was great. If I was going to commit to the profession, I wanted to be fully in it.”

Brandon Chambers didn’t follow a traditional path into the financial services industry. After several years working in the chemical field with long, irregular hours, he began seeking a career that offered more purpose and better work-life balance. A call from a longtime friend—now his general agent—reignited a conversation about joining the Knights of Columbus as a field agent. With a leap of faith and a desire to serve others more meaningfully, Brandon entered the profession in 2017 and hasn’t looked back.

Melvin L. Pope III, of Tallahassee, Florida, is a loyal NAIFA member since 1979. He has built a long-standing relationship with the association and a career dedicated to serving others through thoughtful financial planning and advocacy.

Melvin now leads Financial Partners, where his passion lies in the design of comprehensive benefit plans, including medical, dental, disability, and life insurance. What first attracted him to the profession—and continues to inspire him today—is the independence it provides and the ability to craft meaningful, complex financial solutions that change lives. Helping people protect and achieve their financial goals has been a constant motivation throughout his career.

Chris Henderson, a dedicated member of NAIFA since 2014, has built a successful career in the financial services industry, making a lasting impact at both the local and national levels. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Chris works with M3 Insurance, where he specializes in life insurance for both individuals and businesses, as well as executive benefits. For Chris, the opportunity to help people and meet new, interesting individuals keeps him motivated every day. His background in finance, combined with his business school education, led him to join M3 Insurance, where he has spent the past 20 years helping the company grow its financial services division, through his registration as an investment advisor representative with Global Retirement Partners, LLC, dba M3 Financial, an SEC registered investment advisor. Chris serves as Managing Director of M3 Financial.

Ashley K. Butler, a proud resident of Gilbert, Arizona, and a dedicated member of Alpha Omega Wealth, is a new NAIFA member as of 2024. Though relatively new to the organization, Ashley’s passion for the financial services industry runs deep, with roots stretching back to 2014 when a college friend introduced her to the field. From the beginning, it was clear to her that this career path held something truly meaningful—the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Lisa Skinner, president of Brokerage Services Inc. in Herman, NE, has had a lifelong connection to the financial services industry. Her journey began early, influenced by her father, who was a General Agent for over 50 years. Lisa started working during school breaks, taking on tasks such as filing, computer work, and scanning files to digital formats. These early experiences set the foundation for a long and fulfilling career in the industry.