Advisor Today has recognized four financial advisors with the “Four Under Forty Award,” given annually to four outstanding advisors who achieve excellence in their profession by or before the age of 40. The advisors will be profiled in the September/October 2013 issue of Advisor Today, which will be distributed to attendees of NAIFA’s 2013 Career Conference and Annual Meeting in San Antonio in September.

Axa Advisor Brian Ashe has a theory about those who once contemplated going into the priesthood: They are destined to work with people.

Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD), the wholesale distribution subsidiary of Lincoln Financial Group, recently announced that the CEO of BRAMCO Financial Resources, Mike Hefferon, has received the prestigious “American Award.”

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors has recognized Sharon Heierman, CAE, IOM, with the association’s most prestigious honor in association management: the C. Carney Smith Award. Heierman served as both chief executive officer and chief operating officer of NAIFA-Florida since 2001. She retired in July 2012.

A ceremonial tribute to Maurice “Maury” Stewart, CLU, ChFC, CLF, in honor of his recent induction into The American College Alumni Hall of Fame, will take place in Chicago in December. Only seven other individuals have ever been inducted into The American College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Advisor Today magazine is pleased to announce this year's Four Under Forty. The award is given annually to four outstanding advisors who achieve excellence in their profession before or by the age of 40.

Phillip C. Richards, Chairman and CEO of North Star Resource Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been inducted into the Securian Hall of Fame, commemorating his significant contributions to the values, practices, culture and success of Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Langdon Ford Financial partners John Langdon and Marc Del Gaudio were presented with GAMA International's James H. Krueger First in Class Award for outstanding leadership and production. GAMA also presented North Star Resource Group’s vice president and field director Mark Bonnett with its Brian Early Front Line Excellence Award for outstanding leadership.

Two NAIFA members are among the recipients of the 2012 National Long Term Care Insurance Sales Achievement Awards, which were announced this month by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).

NAIFA-California has announced that Larry R. Lee, CLU, ChFC, is the recipient of the 21st annual NAIFA-California Distinguished Service Award. The honor is bestowed on individuals who have demonstrated meritorious service to the insurance and financial-services industry, and the community in ways that enhance the image of the agent/advisor. Lee will receive the award May 22, 2012, at the NAIFA-California Annual Meeting in Monterey, California.