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.

In today's competitive financial services environment, technology isn't just a support tool—it’s a strategic advantage. Life insurance agents and financial advisors who integrate the right software solutions into their workflow not only save time, but also significantly increase client engagement, retention, and revenue.

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.”

Non-cash assets such as real estate, closely held business interests, and collectibles represent a massive and largely untapped opportunity in charitable giving. While these assets are estimated to total between $40 and $60 trillion in value, they make up less than 2% of all charitable donations. For financial professionals working with affluent clients, understanding how to leverage these assets is essential to providing effective tax and philanthropic planning strategies.

David Wood is a seasoned financial services professional with nearly four decades of industry experience. He began his career in 1986, navigating early challenges like the 1987 market crash, which shaped his resilient approach to financial advising. Together with his firm, David has been empowering independent financial advisors through strategic support, innovative growth solutions, and client-centric strategies. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is actively involved in industry advocacy and mentorship, contributing to the advancement and education within the financial advisory community.

In a career that has spanned nearly four decades, Mark Anderson has experienced the financial services industry from multiple angles—advisor, mentor, advocate, and leader. His journey, which began just days after graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in economics, has been one of steady commitment, continuous evolution, and above all, purpose.

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.

Bobby Johnson is an experienced general agent and sales and distribution executive in the financial services industry. He leads life insurance distribution strategies, focusing on expanding agent partnerships and enhancing customer experiences. Bobby's commitment to collaboration and innovation is evident in his active involvement in initiatives that benefit both agents and clients alike.

Joel Tabin is a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant, and an Accredited Estate Planner. Focusing on empowering independent financial professionals, he assists advisors in integrating life insurance into their practices as a vital component of comprehensive financial planning. Joel is recognized for his commitment to advisor development, regularly leading training sessions and celebrating agent achievements. His leadership emphasizes the importance of life insurance in financial strategies, aiming to enhance client outcomes and advisor success.

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.