The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is thrilled to announce that Richard “Rick” Demko, CLU, ChFC, RICP, AEP, LUTCF, LACP, has been named the 2025 Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. This award celebrates outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact within the financial advisory industry, recognizing individuals who exemplify the highest standards of excellence.

Demko, a NAIFA member since 2015, joined the Board of NAIFA-Houston in 2016. He became that chapter’s youngest-ever President in 2018 and served in that role through 2021. Under his leadership, NAIFA-Houston revitalized itself, came into compliance with NAIFA’s local-chapter standards, and became the largest local chapter in NAIFA. Demko has moved on to state-level leadership positions but remains active at the local level.

“Rick Demko is an energetic, talented, and dedicated NAIFA leader. I have had a front-row seat as he has done great work advancing NAIFA-Houston and my home chapter of NAIFA-Texas,” said NAIFA President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, FSS. “His commitment to NAIFA’s mission, participation in our advocacy work, and success in recruiting new members makes him a great role model for other NAIFA volunteers. Congratulations, Rick, on this well-deserved honor.”

The current President of NAIFA-Texas, Demko has chaired the state chapter’s Membership Value Committee, YAT Committee, and Programs Committee. He served on the Texas PAC Board and as NAIFA-Texas Treasurer.

He has spoken at numerous NAIFA events, including the Congressional Conference, NAIFA Performance + Purpose Conference, and the NAIFA-Texas Centennial State Conference. Demko is a NAIFA grassroots key contact for lawmakers at the state and federal levels and is Capital Level IFAPAC contributor. He has strongly promoted NAIFA’s 100% Agency and 100% Advocacy programs and has personally recruited more than 40 new NAIFA members.

Demko is a member of the NAIFA-Houston Hall of Fame and was the first-ever NAIFA-Texas YAT Leader of the Year. He has received numerous honors based on his production and is a Qualifying MDRT Top of the Table Member. In 2020, he was recognized as one of NAIFA’s Advisor Today 4 Under 40 winners. He will receive the 2025 YAT Leader of the Year Award at NAIFA’s Belong Awards Dinner on October 14 in Arlington, Va.