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The 2026 nomination process is open from March 15th – March 31st.
The Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award recognizes a current NAIFA member who shows exemplary service to their profession, colleagues, and clients through their political advocacy and support of NAIFA's political action committees.
Nominees for NAIFA's Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award should be current NAIFA members who exhibit Headley's commitment to advancing the legislative agendas of agents, advisors, and their clients. To nominate members, please submit a letter of recommendation to ifapac@naifa.org with a description as to why this person is worthy of receiving the award, the nominee's full name, chapter, and a listing of all leadership positions they have held (advocacy positions will hold more weight in the decisionmaking process), and all legislators for whom the nominee is a contact this is not already reported to NAIFA grassroots.
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.
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