Each year, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - South Dakota honors a member who exemplifies excellence in their profession. This individual has made significant contributions to their local affiliate and state association, actively participated in community and public service initiatives, and has dedicated much of their career to the life insurance industry.

Formerly called the Underwriter of the Year Award, at the 1966 South Dakota Association of Life Underwriters state convention, it was decided to change the name of the award to the Edward H. Downs Memorial Award. A 1957 winner of the SDALU Underwriter of the Year Award, Downs had often expressed a deep sense of fulfillment as a result of his activities in the life insurance industry and his work in the local, state, and national associations.

Nominations close August 19, 2024. Nominate your colleague today!

Who was Edward H. Downs?

Ed Downs, as he was known, started a career in life insurance in 1943, writing 369 life policies in his first year in the business. A top-notch personal producer, Ed was a sales leader in his company, Midland National Life Insurance Company five times. Ed served 18 years in agency management and was a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Ed served four terms in the South Dakota Senate. A Democrat in a Republican State, he was State Legislative Chairman for Life Underwriters for 10 years and was thought to be a possible gubernatorial candidate for 1966. Ed Downs died on October 31, 1964, at 57 and was survived by his wife, Bessie.