<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=319290&amp;fmt=gif">
conferenceTX

Awards

 

NAIFA-Texas Awards Program

The NAIFA-Texas Awards program recognizes highly qualified members that have been identified for exhibiting leadership qualities, character, significant contributions to the insurance and financial industries, and meet or exceed the required qualifications for the award in which they are being nominated. 

The NAIFA-Texas Awards Nominations are open each fall. Any NAIFA-Texas Member in good standing can nominate peers for one or more award for which they qualify. Award nomination forms are to be emailed to NAIFA-Texas at support@naifa-texas.org by the designated deadline to be considered for selection. 

The 2025 NAIFA-Texas Award Nomination dates are Wednesday, October 29, 2025 through Monday, December 1, 2025

NAIFA-Texas Tall Texan Award Graphic

Bruce Murray Tall Texan Award

NAIFA Great Southwest historically honored a member of NAIFA-Texas for outstanding contributions to the association (2003-2018). The award is named in honor of Bruce Murray, one of NAIFA Great Southwest’s most faithful and long-serving members. NAIFA-Texas has continued this long-standing tradition since 2022 by presenting this award in homage to Bruce and NAIFA Great Southwest.

Bruce A. Murray, CLU, LUTCF, was a devoted leader, mentor, and advocate whose decades of service left a lasting impact on NAIFA and the financial services profession. Twice serving as President of NAIFA Great Southwest, Bruce also chaired numerous local committees and for more than 20 years represented the association as the National Committeeperson. His leadership extended to NAIFA-Texas, where he served as a director and chaired both the IFAPAC and APIC committees, as well as contributing at the national level on these key initiatives.

A tireless recruiter, mentor to young professionals, and passionate advocate for political involvement, Bruce embodied the very best of association leadership. Dedicated above all to the success of NAIFA and the advancement of its mission, he set the standard for commitment, service, and professional excellence. The Bruce Murray Tall Texan Award was established in his honor to recognize individuals who carry forward his extraordinary legacy.

Qualified nominees must be a NAIFA-Texas member in good standing and demonstrate significant contributions to NAIFA, including but not limited to:

  • Participation in grassroots political advocacy (IFAPAC, legislative involvement)
  • Building relationships with policymakers
  • Serving in leadership positions in the local, state, and/or national levels
  • Active committee work
  • Event support
  • Consistent engagement in NAIFA; and
  • Commitment to the success and growth of the association

 

 

John M. Ruckel Lifetime Achievement Award Graphic-1

John M. Ruckel Lifetime Achievement Award

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Texas Chapter boasts a rich history since its founding in 1925 as the Texas Association of Life Underwriters. The esteemed John M. Ruckel Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients have been integral to guiding the direction of the association.

The John M. Ruckel Lifetime Achievement Award is NAIFA-Texas’ top-ranking award that recognizes the most prestigious and successful members in our association. The award is named after long-standing NAIFA-Texas member, John M. Ruckel, who began his career in June 1969.

John served as President of the Texas Chapter of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA-Texas) from 1987 to 1988 and went on to serve as President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA National) from 1999 to 2000. John received the NAIFA-Texas Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the organization. The award was aptly re-named after the outstanding John M. Ruckel in 2023 following a unanimous decision by the NAIFA-Texas Board of Directors.

Qualified nominees must be a NAIFA-Texas member in good standing, have at least twenty (20) years of continuous membership in NAIFA-Texas and demonstrate significant contributions to the association, including but not limited to:
  • Serving in leadership positions at the local, state, and/or national levels
  • Consistent engagement in NAIFA
  • Commitment to the success and growth of the association
  • Active and ongoing support of the NAIFA-Texas PAC and advocacy initiatives
  • Engagement in political efforts that strengthen the industry’s voice
  • Advancing the insurance and financial services profession through professional excellence
  • Mentoring and developing future leaders; and
  • Building a career marked by integrity, service, and dedication that reflects the prestige of the award.

 

NAIFA-Texas Tom Currey Local Leader of the Year Award Graphic

Tom Currey Local Leader of the Year Award

The NAIFA-Texas Tom Currey Local Leader of the Year Award recognizes an advisor’s commitment to NAIFA by their service and leadership at the Local Chapter and/or Affiliate level and their positive impact on the insurance and financial services industry. In 2024, the NAIFA-Texas Awards Committee and Board of Directors renamed the award after Thomas ‘Tom’ D Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF. Tom joined NAIFA in 1980 and has been an integral part of the success of our association. He is a member of the NAIFA-Fort Worth Chapter.

Tom led NAIFA-Texas as state President in 1998 – 1999 and played a crucial role in the development of the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI). The first recorded LILI was held in Texas in February 2000 and was led by Tom Currey. Tom went on to serve as NAIFA National President in 2009-2010. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Life Underwriting Council Fellow (LUTCF) and a Financial Security Advocate.

 

Qualified nominees must be a NAIFA-Texas member in good standing and demonstrate significant contributions to NAIFA, including but not limited to:
  • Active service and leadership at the Local Chapter and/or Affiliate Level
  • A positive impact on the insurance and financial services industry
  • Consistent engagement in NAIFA; and
  • Commitment to the success and growth of the association

 

NAIFA-Texas YAT Leader of the Year Graphic

Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year Award

The NAIFA-Texas Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year Award recognizes an advisor’s commitment to NAIFA including service on local and state and committees as well as participation in the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI); involvement with state and/or federal legislative efforts; participation in external service work such as charities; and an ability to inspire others.

This award was first presented by NAIFA-Texas at the 2022 NAIFA-Texas Annual State Conference and was awarded for achievements in the 2021 calendar year. This award is not associated with the Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year award presented by NAIFA National.

Qualified nominees must be a current NAIFA-Texas member in good standing, age 40 or younger by December 31st, and have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the insurance or financial services industry and demonstrate significant contributions to the association, including but not limited to:

  • Serving in leadership positions at the Local Chapter, Affiliate, and/or State Chapter levels
  • Active committee work
  • Participation in the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) program
  • Involvement in state and/or federal legislative efforts
  • Consistent engagement in NAIFA; and
  • Commitment to the success and growth of the association

 


NAIFA-Texas Defender Award Logo

NAIFA-Texas Defender Award

The NAIFA-Texas Defender Award recognizes NAIFA-Texas members each year that have demonstrated commitment to the insurance and financial industry through their participation in advocacy and government relations. Recipients are NAIFA-Texas members in good standing that meet a minimum of 4 or more of the listed eligibility criteria. This award is given based on individual merit, rather than peer recommendation. Individual member qualifications are confirmed by the NAIFA-Texas Awards Committee and staff. Recipients are recognized in-person at the NAIFA-Texas Annual State Conference.  

 

 


NQAlogo-

NAIFA National Quality Award

The NAIFA National Quality Award was created in 1947, focusing on recognizing outstanding performance by life insurance agents. Today, the award has expanded to include multiline, financial advising, health, employee benefits, and insurance agents. This award provides advisors at any career stage the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to excellence. This includes:

          Professionalism through education and earned designations
          Production measured by performance metrics customized for each practice specialty
          Adherence to the NAIFA code of ethics, and
          Service to your industry association

Advisors specializing in Life & Annuities, Financial Advising & Investments, Health & Employee Benefits, Multiline Sales, or any combination of these specialties have the opportunity to demonstrate the quality that is the mark of a true professional. We are proud to share the NAIFA Quality Award recipients selected from the state of Texas below. To learn more about this award, please visit: https://belong.naifa.org/nqa 

 

 


NAIFA is the leading association in
the life insurance industry