The Omaha-based financial professional will be recognized for his exemplary political advocacy and participation in NAIFA’s political action committees as the sixth recipient of NAIFA’s award named after industry legend and fellow Nebraskan Terry Headley.
NAIFA is proud to announce that Dan Scholz, CLU, ChFC, a Senior Financial Advisor with Ameritas Wealth Advisors-Omaha, is the 2026 recipient of NAIFA’s Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award. 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.
Scholz will receive the award May 18 at the Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Legacy Reception at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., during NAIFA’s Congressional Conference.
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 contributions to NAIFA’s PACs. NAIFA is the leading advocacy association for producers in the insurance and financial services industry, working for positive legislative and regulatory outcomes at the federal, interstate, and state levels. NAIFAPAC is a leading insurance political action committee with associated PACs in every state supporting selected candidates for legislative office. Participation in advocacy initiatives is one of the ways that association members are “good NAIFA citizens.”
Former NAIFA President Terry Headley, LUTCF, LIC, FSS, had a long, distinguished record of service to NAIFA. He was recognized as a key NAIFA contact for multiple members of the Nebraska Congressional delegation and state legislators over the years. Headley served in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. He was also a NAIFA PAC Capitol Defender and Co-Commander-in-Chief.
ABOUT NAIFA: Founded in 1890, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is the preeminent association for financial service professionals in the United States of America. NAIFA members, in every Congressional district and every state house, subscribe to a strong Code of Ethics and represent a full spectrum of practice specialties to promote financial security for all Americans. Complimented by its professional development and consumer divisions, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and Life Happens, the association delivers value through advocacy, service, and education.
