Please join us in congratulating Marc Sigmon, our Q2 Hard Hat Award winner in the Grassroots category!  Grassroots advocacy is the heartbeat of NAIFA's impact, and Marc embodies that mission with every step he takes through the halls of Congress.

A dedicated leader, proud veteran, and unwavering industry advocate, Marc has been named NAIFA’s Q2 Hard Hat Award winner in the Grassroots category. This honor recognizes his exceptional commitment to engaging lawmakers, mobilizing local members, and ensuring the voices of agents and advisors are heard at every level of government.

Dwane McFerrin has spent decades navigating the complexities of Medicare policy and product development and he understands just how disruptive regulatory changes can be for the professionals who support seniors every day. That’s one reason he became a founding member of NAIFA’s Medicare Collective, a new initiative created to empower professionals working in Medicare and healthcare solutions through advocacy, education, and community.

When Jane Ahrens transitioned from a 25-year career teaching Health Education to working in Medicare sales, she didn’t just start a new chapter—she found her calling. What began in 2008 as a solo effort to help clients understand their health insurance options has since grown into a thriving business with a team of more than 160 independent agents trained and mentored under her leadership. Her peers now affectionately call her “Mother Medicare.”

Melinda “Lindy” Camardella’s path to the financial services industry—and to her current role as a Financial Advisor with Equitable Advisors—was shaped by personal strength, a deep sense of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. A licensed acupuncturist and longtime advocate for her profession, Lindy made the shift to financial services after a life-changing health challenge gave her a new perspective.

Eric K. Williams, founder of Empowerment Resources International Corp in Chicago, Illinois, didn’t plan on entering the financial services industry. In fact, he was first introduced to it through a simple question: “Could you save $200 a month?” That question led him to a presentation about insurance and annuity products—and sparked a realization. “I had left corporate America and didn’t have a structured way to save for retirement,” he recalls. Inspired by what he learned, Eric got licensed and officially entered the industry in January 2005.

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.”