Michael Keenan to be Awarded the Insurance Industry’s Highest Honor
Contact:
Jennifer Corcoran, NAIFA Executive Office
(703) 770-8103
69th Annual John Newton Russell Memorial Award will be presented this September during NAIFA's Career Conference and Annual Meeting in Seattle.
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FALLS CHURCH, VA (April 27, 2010) — The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) proudly announces that Michael C. Keenan, CLU, ChFC, Senior Vice President of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education in Arlington, Virginia, has been named the recipient of the 69th annual John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the insurance industry. The award recognizes sustained and meritorious service to the life insurance and financial advising industries.
Keenan will receive the honor during NAIFA’s Career Conference and Annual Meeting, September 14, 2010, in Seattle, Washington.
"Michael's dedication to the life insurance industry over the past five decades provides a great example of what the John Newton Russell Memorial Award is all about," said John A. Davidson, LUTCF, FSS, chair of the award selection committee. "The award honors the best in the business, and we are proud to name him this year's recipient."
John Henry Russell created the John Newton Russell Memorial Award as a tribute to his father, an influential leader in the life insurance and financial advising industries. John Newton Russell served as NAIFA's president from 1916 to 1917 and was a contributing founder of LIMRA International, The American College and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. Award recipients are selected by a committee comprised of officials from several life insurance and financial services organizations, past award recipients and NAIFA past presidents.
"Michael has a long, distinguished record of service and leadership with NAIFA and the LIFE Foundation," said NAIFA President Thomas D. Currey, CLU, ChFC. "It is great news, indeed, that the selection committee has chosen to recognize his contributions with this richly deserved honor."
Keenan entered the life insurance business in 1962 and soon established himself as a successful agent with the Prudential. In 1971 he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table and remains an MDRT Life member to this day.
Soon after his start in the business, Keenan joined and became active at all levels in NAIFA (then NALU), serving on its board and as president for 1984-85. He gave NAIFA the same tireless commitment as he did his sales career. As president of his local association in Chicago, Keenan led that group to a membership high. From his local to national involvement in NAIFA, Keenan has recruited some 1,000 members to NAIFA. He remains involved in recruitment today.
As trustee to the national NAIFA board, he led a fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 between 1978 and 1980 to build a new wing on the association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. After serving as NAIFA president in 1984-1985, Keenan demonstrated his passion for the association’s advocacy mission by joining what was then LUPAC (now the Insurance and Financial Advisors PAC). He joined the PAC board and ran its successful “Morning with a Star” program. His dedication led to new fundraising records for IFAPAC.
In 1998 Keenan joined the staff of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, where he calls on and raises funds from companies that support LIFE’s programs and mission. His willingness to go anywhere at any time, regardless of the size and potential of the company contribution, has become legendary at LIFE.
Keenan has also given his support and leadership to numerous civic and charitable activities. He served as president of the local Jaycees, was a member of the Young Republicans and was a junior warden in his Evanston, Ill., church. Michael also provided guidance for young people, coaching youth hockey, baseball and track before and after his children were participants.
A photo of Michael C. Keenan is available on request.
About NAIFA: NAIFA comprises more than 700 state and local associations representing the interests of approximately 200,000 agents and their associates nationwide. NAIFA members focus their practices on one or more of the following: life insurance and annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, multiline, and financial advising and investments. The Association’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members.
NAIFA, 2901 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042-1205 | 877-866-2432 |