(Fairfax, Va.)—The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) tonight posthumously presented Col. J. William Felton, III with its 2011 Douglas Mooers Award for Excellence. Col. Felton died in June; his son John W. Felton, IV, a former NAILBA Chairman, accepted the award on his behalf.

The annual award, NAILBA’s most coveted and prestigious accolade, honors distinction in brokerage and is bestowed upon the individual most committed to furthering independent life brokerage as a distribution system, and who demonstrates an exemplary record of community service. Felton was recognized posthumously at a special awards dinner held November 18, 2011, as part of the association’s annual meeting, NAILBA 30.

In presenting the award, Mark Rosen, NAILBA Immediate Past Chairman, acknowledged Col. Felton as a “humble leader whose extensive efforts improved the lives of anyone he knew. His contributions to NAILBA, the brokerage community, and many other organizations are well deserving of recognition.”

Until his passing in June after a courageous 19 year battle with cancer, Col. J. William Felton, III was the Chairman Emeritus of the NAILBA Charitable Foundation and an emeritus member of NAILBA. Col. Felton lived in Knoxville for most of his 78 years. He raised a family of three children and supported each through his career in the life insurance business. Two of his three children joined him in his agency.

He started with John Hancock Life in 1960 and took over the East Tennessee division of a Manhattan Life of New York's office in 1965. He remained with Manhattan Life and eventually opened Tennessee Brokerage Agency in 1976.

In 2002, Col. Felton spearheaded the founding of the NAILBA Charitable Foundation. He served as a Board member, ultimately as Chairman Emeritus, a position he held until his passing. In 2008, the NAILBA Charitable Foundation honored the Colonel and his contributions to the Foundation’s success by naming a Foundation grant in his honor. The Felton Grant will always be the largest of the NAILBA Foundation Grants, recognizing his tireless efforts to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

Col. Felton was a past president and past vice president of the Knoxville Association of Life Underwriters (KALU), which eventually became NAIFA-Knoxville. He has been awarded the David M. Blumberg Award for outstanding service both to the industry and the community. Col. Felton was chairman of Manhattan Life of NY’s General Agent’s Advisory Committee, author of three nationally published articles on the Life Insurance Industry, and a frequent speaker at Industry and Company meetings.

In addition to his activities in the life insurance community, Col. Felton was also an active volunteer in his community. He was Former Chairman, Co-Chairman, and Board Member of the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville, was the Rotary Club of Knoxville Rotarian of the Year 2005 and 2006, and was Founder of the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial. In addition, he was Knox County Chairman of the Reagan-Bush Campaign in the early 1980’s, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Army Transportation Museum Foundation. Col. Felton also served in leadership roles in the Presidents Club for Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, the Knoxville Girls’ Club, the Knoxville Beautification Board, and the Knoxville Civitan Club. He was also a very active member of the Episcopal Church community in Knoxville, and served on various civic, social, and church boards.

“Colonel Felton’s accomplishments were widespread and he was both a personal and professional inspiration to many of us,” said Rosen. His legacy remains strong through the continued success of his friends and family – and the independent brokerage community.

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The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) is the premiere insurance industry organization promoting financial security and consumer choice through the use of independent brokerage distribution. NAILBA member agencies represent 250,000 producers who deliver more than four billion dollars in first year life insurance premiums annually. For more information visit www.nailba.org.