Scholz began his career with Ameritas in 1975 and has served in numerous NAIFA leadership roles, including NAIFA-Omaha President, NAIFA-Nebraska President, NAIFAPAC-Nebraska board member, and NAIFA National Political Action Committee board member.

“Dan Scholz was a close, long-time friend of our award’s namesake, Terry Headley,” said NAIFA President Christopher Gandy, LACP. “Like Terry, Dan offers a fantastic example of how a NAIFA member can make a meaningful difference on behalf of their industry, professional practice, and clients by engaging in grassroots advocacy and being fully committed to supporting NAIFA’s political action committees. This is a richly deserved honor for a man who truly understands the importance of the work we are doing at the Congressional Conference and the role our PACs play in ensuring our voices are heard by state and federal lawmakers.”

Scholz is recognized as a NAIFA PAC Joint Chief for having surpassed $100,000 in lifetime contributions. He was the inaugural recipient of NAIFA-Nebraska’s IFAPAC Defender Award and has twice been a driving force behind NAIFA-Nebraska’s victories in NAIFA’s national PAC Madness Challenge. Fully engaged as a grassroots advocate, Scholz regularly attends NAIFA’s Congressional Conference and NAIFA-Nebraska’s state legislative days. He serves as a key contact for his state and federal lawmakers.

An inductee into the Ameritas Hall of Fame and winner of the Lester A. Rosen Humanitarian & Achievement Award, Scholz has served as Chair of the company’s Field Advisory Cabinet. He has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table for 45 consecutive years. 

Shane Westhoelter Is NAIFA’s 2025 Terry Headley Lifetime Defender

The California and New Mexico-based financial professional is being recognized for his support and engagement in all of NAIFA’s advocacy efforts. As a citizen advocate on Capitol Hill and in multiple State Houses, Shane is a powerhouse giving of both his time and resources to secure the financial future of his clients.

NAIFA is proud to announce that Shane Westhoelter, AEP, CLU, LUTCF, LACP, the Founder and CEO of Gateway Financial Advisors, LLC., Gateway Insurance Group, Inc, and Gateway Insurance & Financial Services, LLC in Albuquerque, N.M., is the 2025 recipient of NAIFA’s Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award.

“Shane Westhoelter has shown and continues to show his unwavering commitment to NAIFA’s political advocacy mission by giving his time, energy, and money to promote policies favorable to our industry and the consumers we serve,” said NAIFA President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, FSS. “Whether he is supporting NAIFA’s political action committee, meeting with state and federal lawmakers, or encouraging his industry colleagues to become politically aware and involved, Shane sets a standard that makes him a worthy recipient of the Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award.”

Westhoelter, a NAIFA member since 1994, was President of NAIFA-California for the 2016-2017 association year. He is a relentless political advocate on behalf of his clients and industry and is an annual participant in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference. He has earned his Financial Security Advocate badge from NAIFA and regularly attends NAIFA-California legislative days and other advocacy events. Westhoelter is a Capitol Club level IFAPAC contributor with his lifetime support approaching the Joint Chiefs level.

He is a frequent speaker, consults as a business performance coach, is a published author for Insurance Selling Magazine, Investment News, Insurance News, Estate Planning Council, and Society of Financial Service Professionals. His most recent book is Quality Life Planning: Take the IF out of Life.