NAIFA has roots in Delaware since 1901
1901 - 2016
On June 18, 1890, another historic event occurred in Boston, MA. By 11:30 p.m. a resolution was adopted to create what remains the oldest sustaining professional association in America, The National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU). Over the next 120 years, it’s visibility has remained unquestioned. Its purpose was and remains to provide political access and technical training and support to its affiliated members. On March 29, 1901, the Delaware Association of Life Underwriters (DALU) adopted its charter, becoming the 27th to join the Federation. By the 1950’s DALU had established three local chapters in each of its three counties.
In 1999, the national, and affiliated state members voted to change their names to more accurately reflect the broadening of the financial scope of its members. The new name, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). The Delaware affiliates likewise changed its name to the Delaware Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (DAIFA). In 2013-14, the state membership voted to consolidate into one state chapter.
From the 1960s forward, DAIFA and its county affiliates established awards to recognize the men and women whose leadership had made significant contributions to our associations, and to the citizens of Delaware to whom they served. With the consolidation, the county awards were suspended to create more meaningful state awards to honor those whose contributions brought credit and respect to our membership.
Enjoy some clippings below from The News Journal that shows NAIFA in the news in the early 1900s.
Douglas F. Bennetti Award
We continue to honor strong industry leaders within this Association.
As of fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, with the unification of the original state
and three county associations into one statewide association, we have found it appropriate to consolidate the separate awards into one special, state award as well.
Therefore, NAIFA Delaware has approved the establishment of the Douglas F. Bennetti Lifetime Leadership Award. This award will be presented annually, as long as there is a candidate the committee deems is appropriate.
Consideration for the award will be as follows:
• Practicing in our profession for at least ten years
• Member in good standing of NAIFA Delaware over the same period
• Served in a Board capacity for no less than one term
• Having strong ethics and been involved in community service
As such, NAIFA Delaware is proud to confer this honor based upon those who are listed below.
Douglas F. Bennetti Award Recipients
1993 Douglas F. Bennetti, LUTCF
1994 Horace C. Sherrill, Jr., CIC
1995 Carl W. Hill, CLU
1996 Edward A. Zabielski, Jr., LUTCF, CAP
1997 Daniel B. Short
1998 William B. Ranken, CLU
1999 David L. C. Fetterman, LUTCF
2000 Robert W. Wildey, CLU
2001 Larry Kaufman
2002 Clay A. Monroe, CLU, ChFC
2003 M. Catherine Castiglione, RHU
2004 R. Clifford Berg, Jr., CLU, ChFC, AEP
2005 Nicholas Marsini
2006 J. Frank Hickam, LUTCF
2007 Donald T. Fulton, CLU, ChFC, AEP
2008 Leo E. Strine, CLU, ChFC, MSM
2009 Charles H. Landon, JD
2010 Robin Achenbach
2011 Richard C. Cecil, CLU
2012 C. Anthony McDonald, CLU, ChFC, CLTC
2013 Michael D. Bennetti, LUTCF
2015 Lisa Broadbent-DiOssi, LUTCF
2016 Stanley Minka, Jr., CLU, ChFC, MSFS
2017 Dennis Drake, CBC, CFC, LACP
2018 Roger Owens, RHU
2019 Daniel Reisinger, CLU, ChFC, MSFS
Presidential Citation Award
- Joshua Shaver, CFP, ChFC
- Bob Maxwell, NAIFA Delaware Lobbyist
2017–2018
- Donald T. Fulton, CLU, ChFC, CFP
2018–2019
- Lee Sausen, CPA
- Neil Stalter, CFP, ChFC
Silver Award
NAIFA Delaware takes pride in recognizing Harold Heitmann, CLU, for receiving the Silver Award for serving on the NAIFA Board for 25 consecutive years. His guidance and support has helped strengthen the NAIFA Delaware chapter.