John J. Symanitz Award

 

John J. SymanitzThe Symanitz award was established in 1989 for recognition and appreciation of John J. Symanitz. John was known for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the health industry, support of community activities and lifetime of quality professional sales. The recipient of the award will demonstrate these same qualities in their personal and professional endeavors. The award is selected by a nominating committee made up of members of MAHU and presented at the MAHU Annual Meeting during the lunch program. 


QUALIFICATIONS

Nominees must demonstrate the following: 

  • Have contributed significant time and talent to the health insurance industry;
  • Hold a current Minnesota License and be a current or retired past member of the Minnesota Association of Health Underwriters;
  • Have a well-rounded background that represents the finest type of individual who has been community oriented and has shown significant support to all aspects of both personal and professional achievement.

Include the following in your nomination submission:

  • Personal characteristics that make this person stand out from other individuals in the industry.
  • Name a task for which this person has displayed outstanding achievement.
  • List this person’s personal achievements and professional designations for the health insurance industry, community service and continuing education.

Symanitz Award Nomination Form
Historic list of Symanitz Recipients

Recent Symanitz Award Recipients:

2023 Recipient: Marie Bell

Marie BellMarie Bell, this years John Symanitz Award winner demonstrates these qualities in her personal and professional endeavors, is very deserving and long overdue for this award. Her dedication to the industry, her clients and MAHU is unparalleled.

Marie owns her own agency and is know as a “hands on employee benefits broker; providing excellent service, and is a true educator on benefits to her clients”

Marie has been an advocate of MAHU as a long-time Member, Board Member, Committee Chair and Past President. Always being willing to step up and help. She has been integral to MAHU’s continued success and bringing value to our members with her expert leadership in all the roles she’s served.

Outside of being a valued leader and a respected broker, Her hobbies include spending time with her grandkids, reading, and going for walks while listening to her current podcast obsession “Smartless”. Per her daughter, Molly, “don’t get her started talking about it unless you have an hour or two to spare”

2022 Recipient: Fride Mauritzen

Fride Mauritzen

The 2022 Symanitz winner, Fride Mauritzen, has been a leader since birth.  When our winner entered the insurance industry, they were initially reluctant to move into a sales role, but eventually embraced it, took it on by the horns and it was life changing.  She is the epitome of a someone de

dicated to their craft.  Well-liked by all, Fride has built life-long relationships in this business.  From the time she joined MAHU in 2004, she immediately stepped up and lead her committees with enthusiasm and dedication. 

Our winner has been in insurance and financial services since 2000, having worked at highly reputable entities like RBC and NY Life on the financial side, as well as Direct Benefits and more recently PreferredOne and UnitedHealthcare where she is today working in Key Accounts. Long-time colleague and MAHU Past President Diane Lysen had this to say about Fride: “I love Fride.  She is like family to me.  I met her when she was just 14 years old at a friend’s house, and then worked with her for 10 years.  She has grown in a successful sales rep and is adored by many. “