John Newton Russell Memorial Award History

2025 John Newton Russell Memorial Award Recipient, Robert A. Miller

As NAIFA President for the 2011-2012 association year, Robert Miller was an early advocate of modernizing NAIFA’s structure and governance. His ideas foreshadowed the highly successful NAIFA 20/20 strategic plan implemented in 2015. He pushed for a more streamlined NAIFA governance structure, a consistent membership model, and uniform branding and messaging across NAIFA’s chapters. He convened a Presidential Blue Ribbon Task Force to explore these issues, and many of the Task Force’s findings contributed to the formulation of the NAIFA 20/20 plan.

He represented NAIFA as a media spokesperson, sitting for interviews with The Wall Street Journal, InvestmentNews, Think Advisor, InsuranceNewsNet, and other outlets to explain NAIFA’s vital role representing the interests of financial professionals and the consumers they serve. He led NAIFA’s successful efforts to oppose an overly restrictive Department of Labor fiduciary rule for financial professionals and to educate the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it shaped a regulation requiring advisors to act in clients’ best interests. He has testified multiple times on behalf of NAIFA and his fellow financial professionals before congressional committees, the SEC, and other government bodies. Learn more about Robert Miller.

Tributes to Robert Miller

"On behalf of The American College of Financial Services, I want to congratulate Robert Miller on being selected as the John Newton Russel Memorial Award recipient presented by NAIFA. What a great recognition for someone who has been a statesman and champion for NAIFA and the industry at large. Robert has had a very distinguished career and all who know him acknowledge his achievements. The greatest thing about him is his loyalty to friends and support to lift up our profession."

George Nichols, President and CEO of The American College

"Over many years as an executive in the insurance industry, I have had the honor of personally knowing many of the John Newton Russell award winners. I am thrilled to see that my friend Robert Miller is this year's recipient. Before, during and after he served as the NAIFA president, he has had a truly profound impact on the organization and on its long-term sustainability. I worked closely with Robert before he was the President of NAIFA as we often strategized about the future of NAIFA. I would add that his passion for the industry and for NAIFA have only been exceeded by his commitment to his family and his clients. My heartfelt congratulations to a very deserving John Newton Russell Memorial Award winner!"

Fred Sievert, Retired President of New York Life Insurance Company

John Newton Russell Legacy and 2024 Recipient Matthew Tassey Tribute Video

Past Recipients

The John Newton Russell Memorial Award was first conferred at NAIFA’s (then NALU) annual convention in 1947. Because of the war, the award was given to five outstanding members of the field. Each year since the selection committee has strived to honor an exemplary agent or advisor who represents the best of the industry.