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.

“Just imagine having to charge an extra fee on every life insurance policy, disability coverage, or financial planning consultation. Implementing that would have been a nightmare—not to mention the burden on consumers,” Brian explained in a recent interview.

Facing a high-stakes legislative session—with both chambers of the Minnesota legislature narrowly divided and shifting weekly—Brian worked closely with NAIFA National, state lobbyists, and a broad coalition of industry partners to coordinate a rapid and effective grassroots response.

From issuing Action Alerts to engaging key lawmakers on crucial committees, Brian’s strategic leadership ensured NAIFA members had a voice during a volatile and uncertain policy environment.

“It was a moving target. We didn’t know week to week who was going to be in charge. But we focused on what mattered most: what’s best for the client,” he said.

Brian credits much of the success to a strong team effort at the state level, including NAIFA-MN leaders like Corey Anderson, Tim Wilkin, and Robert Hanten, as well as collaborative support from other industry organizations. Notably, NAIFA-MN and its partners were able to rally both seasoned advocates and first-time participants across multiple professions to form a united front.

“Our strength came from cooperation,” he shared. “We had attorneys, CPAs, P&C reps—everyone came together to say, ‘This is a bad idea for consumers.’”

As NAIFA-Minnesota’s State President, Brian continues to lead with passion and purpose. When asked what advice he has for members looking to get more involved in advocacy, he emphasized the importance of personal relationships:

“It’s all about personal contact. Legislators don’t always know the details of our industry, but when they hear directly from someone in their district, it makes a difference.”

We applaud Brian Fleming not only for his tireless efforts during this legislative battle, but for setting a gold standard in grassroots advocacy. His story is a reminder that when NAIFA members stand united, we protect not just our profession—but the people we serve.

Congratulations, Brian, and thank you for exemplifying the power of grassroots advocacy done right—strategic, collaborative, and always nonpartisan.