Chris, Ashley, Melisa and Ken Askew enjoy the Rocky Mountains as part of their trip to the awards banquet at which Ken was presented The Spirit of First Protective award.

A Russellville resident’s superior work achievements have been recognized at a regional level.

First Protective, a regional life insurance and annuity brokerage general agency headquartered in Birmingham, has awarded Ken Askew of Russellville The Spirit of First Protective award at the company’s annual Elite Producer Conference held earlier this month in Bachelor Gulch, Colo.

The Spirit of First Protective is voted on by peers in the financial services business, making it the top award given by First Protective each year.

“It is our highest award and is always given to a consistent top performer who has a reputation for being nice to others, helpful to his peers and always willing to give back,” said Andrew Martin, president of First Protective. Askew’s award was voted on by financial advisors throughout the United States.

Askew and his wife, Melisa, reside in Russellville, where they are involved in their local church and enjoy their two grown children, Chris and Ashley.

Askew said receiving this recognition was “quite overwhelming.”

“Melisa and I were sitting in a banquet hall with about 100 other folks wondering, until the last minute, who would receive this year’s award. Talk about shocked,” he said. “It is their highest award, and I am truly honored to have received it, especially because it is based on service that benefited the company and many of my peers.”

Askew is a financial advisor at Legacy Planning located in Huntsville, where he specializes in working with baby boomer individuals and families, preferring the intimate professional relationships that develop there instead of the typical corporate engagement. “One of the most rewarding things about my vocation is that moment when a client has an ‘aha’ moment – when you’ve opened their eyes to a solution they’d never considered,” he said.

He has served on many community boards, including being past president of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Board of Directors for HeartCry Missionary Society, an international mission group.