University of West Georgia alumnus and Atlanta Association of Health Underwriters member David Knight recently received the Distinguished Service Award at the National Association of Health Underwriters’ 83rd Annual Convention and Exhibition held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
(left) Bruce Benton, NAHU president; (right) David Knight, 2013 NAHU award recipient
David was recognized for the Distinguished Service Award, which honors NAHU members who have made significant contributions to volunteer service at the local, state and national level. His efforts have greatly improved the health insurance industry through an extraordinary commitment of time, talents and professional experience.
“It was a real honor and privilege to have been selected for this award because so many more people are more deserving than me for it,” says David. “I had no idea that I had even been nominated for it, and I guess because I was recommended by my fellow peers makes it even more special.”
David has been an active member of NAHU, a national organization providing guidance to the local and state chapters, for over 20 years.
“We are grateful for Dave Knight’s dedication to association volunteer service and recognize him for those efforts with this well-deserved award,” said Janet Trautwein, CEO of NAHU.
In addition, David has been a broker for J. Smith Lanier & Company since 1978. He continues to serve his community in many ways. He serves as Georgia Association of Health Underwriters fundraising chairman, the University of West Georgia Board of Trustees, the GAHU PAC Board of Directors, the Leader Dog co-chairman for District L of Georgia Lions and a member of the Atlanta Association of Health Underwriters. David is a long time resident of Carrollton, Georgia, and graduated from UWG in 1973.
“Dave Knight has been the key to our association fundraising for the past several years,” said Trey Tompkins, president of the GAHU state chapter. “This year, he successfully raised awareness around the association’s participation with state and national government leaders. He was instrumental in raising funds to help offset association expenses to travel to Washington D.C. for ongoing educational discussions. Without his efforts, many members would be unable to participate in the travels to represent their client’s questions and concerns around employee benefit programs.”
“I love my community and it is a true honor to be able to give back to it by trying to help people less fortunate,” David says. “Since, I make my living by working with so many different employers within the West Georgia area and throughout Georgia, I find much pleasure and satisfaction in being able to give my time to many worthwhile causes. I also enjoy being able to visit with my Congressman and U.S. Senators annually to share ideas regarding healthcare issues and the impact their decisions will make on so many of their constituents back home.”
The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. AAHU is a city chapter for the state Georgia Association of Health Underwriters.
For more information on UWG alumni, visit www.westga.edu/alumni.
