ATLANTA – State Representative Richard Smith (R-Columbus) was recently named “Legislator of the Year” by the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), a national nonprofit organization representing the interests of insurance and financial advisers.
“I am extremely honored to be named the NAIFA Legislator of the Year during my first term as Chairman of the House Insurance Committee,” said Rep. Smith. “The recognition should really go to the Insurance Committee and the support staff. The expertise on the committee made my job easy. My goal has always been to pass legislation that makes sense and to be sure it is thoroughly vetted before being brought up for a vote.”
“Chairman Smith is a great selection for legislator of the year,” said Martin Wilson, the Legislative Advisor for NAIFA-Georgia. “He really jumped in as a new chairman in 2011 and handled the role in an exemplary manner.”
“We applaud Chairman Richard Smith as our consensus choice for NAIFA-Georgia Legislator of the Year,” said Al Elliott, the President of NAIFA-Georgia. “His integrity, experience, and legislative knowledge are evident in each decision he makes, and we are proud of the accomplishments he has achieved with the House Insurance Committee in 2011.”
Founded in 1890, NAIFA is the nation’s largest financial services membership association. The Association is comprised of more than 700 state and local associations, representing the interests of 200,000 members and their associates nationwide. NAIFA members focus their practices on one or more of the following: life insurance and annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, multiline, and financial advising and investments. The Association’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members.
Representative Richard Smith represents the citizens of House District 131, which includes portions of Muscogee County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and is currently the Chairman of the Insurance Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules, and Reappointment committees.
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