Regardless of what you aspire to do in life, how old or young you are, or how far along you are in your career, it always helps to have a role model. Role models can provide inspiration for dealing with life's challenges. What exactly is a role model and how do you recognize one when you see him or her? Well, first let's assume you have a general sense of what your goals are. Maybe you want to be the best sales person in your company. Or maybe you want to be a really effective boss, or a great team player, or achieve perfect balance between work and family life. A role model is a person who has achieved your goal in his or her own life, a person after whom you can model yourself. CGIA is looking for a role model, and we need your help.

The CGIA Board believes it is important to recognize role models within our industry. The Board has decided to seek out and recognize annually a CGIA member who is a role model for our members. For that purpose, we have created the CGIA Career Excellence Award.

Characteristics of Career Excellence
The CGIA Career Excellence Award will be presented annually to the CGIA member who best represents the fulfillment of the ideals embodied in the CGIA mission. CGIA's mission is to advance the level of knowledge, ethics and professionalism in the employee benefits industry. We believe there are certain qualities that demonstrate the fulfillment of these ideals. They include the following:

• Personal and professional integrity
• High ethical standards
• Contributions to the employee benefits industry
• Community involvement
• Balance between career, family, and health
• A positive image of the industry for those outside the industry
• A role model for others within the industry
• Proactive in seeking positive change in the industry
• Contact with a large circle of colleagues and acquaintances

Past Career Excellence Award Winners:

• 1997 - Mike Ferm
• 1998 - Peggy Sandbak
• 1999 - Jack Ehnes
• 2000 - Liz Leif
• 2004 - Randy Savona
• 2005 - John Chenier
• 2006 - Barbara Brett

The 2007 Career Excellence Award was presented to Marty Hurd of Aon Consulting. Marty has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. She currently serves as Board Treasurer for the Cerebral Palsy of Colorado organization, and is the Career Strategies Director for the Colorado Healthcare Association for HR management (CHAHRM). Marty is also a member of the Colorado HR Association (CHRA), and was nominated and is an alumnus of the 50 for Colorado program, sponsored by the Leeds School of Business through CU Boulder. Congratulations to Marty for this well deserved honor!