The life insurance industry’s highest honor will be presented at the NAIFA Career Conference and Annual Meeting in October as a tribute to his more than 45 years of service and contributions to the industry.
Mr. Koob will receive the award October 1, 2013, at the NAIFA Career Conference and Annual Meeting in San Antonio.
“We had a strong slate of nominees for the 2013 John Newton Russell Memorial Award, and I am pleased that Dick Koob emerged as our selection,” said Tom Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, chair of the 2013 John Newton Russell Award Committee. “His history of service to our industry speaks for itself. His enduring vision and leadership have contributed to the success of numerous professionals in the life insurance field.”
Mr. Koob served as the president of NAIFA-National for 2002-2003. During his term, he formed the Transformation Task Force, one of the largest working groups in NAIFA’s history, to create a new era for NAIFA. The task force developed a strategic plan focused on delivering legislative advocacy and bottom-line benefits for NAIFA members, and operating an efficient and effective association. He previously served on NAIFA’s Board of Trustees for two terms and as president of NAIFA-Wisconsin and NAIFA-Waukesha. He has been a member of the NAIFA-Wisconsin Committee on Political Action since 1988.
A 38-year member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Mr. Koob has held more than 75 leadership positions with that prestigious organization, including captain of the MDRT Development Committee, chair of local and state Membership Communications Committees, and Divisional Vice President. He is a 19-year member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting and its Legislative Circle.
Mr. Koob has served as chairman of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education and is co-chair of the Industry Task Force for the Future.
“I’m pleased to congratulate Dick Koob as this year’s recipient of the John Newton Russell Memorial Award,” said NAIFA President Rob Smith, CLU, ChFC, JD. “His decades of service to NAIFA, the LIFE Foundation, MDRT, and AALU have strengthened our industry. Dick joins an elite group of recipients. His passion and dedication make him worthy of the most distinguished award our industry can offer.”
John Henry Russell created the John Newton Russell Award in 1942 as a tribute to his father, an influential leader in the life insurance industry and an early advocate of agent education. John Newton Russell served as NAIFA (then NALU) president from 1916 to 1917 and was a contributing founder of LIMRA International, The American College and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation.