Join Us in Honoring Don Schamay and Ken Bloch at the 2026 IDIS Conference
We’re pleased to announce that Don Schamay and the late Ken Bloch have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award - the highest honor awarded by IDIS.
Join us at the annual IDIS Conference as we recognize Don and Ken’s outstanding contributions to the Disability Insurance industry and celebrate their decades of leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
About the Award
The W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to a current IDIS member who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the field of Disability Insurance. Recipients exemplify outstanding leadership in their professional lives, have made a distinctive and lasting contribution to the industry, and have consistently upheld the highest ethical standards in the practice of their profession. This award honors those who not only advance the profession but also inspire others through their integrity and impact.
DON SCHAMAY, CFP®
Don has devoted nearly four decades to the insurance industry, beginning his career with Provident Life and Accident in 1988 before joining Principal, where he built a distinguished career specializing in disability income insurance and executive benefits. Over the years, he has been recognized as one of the industry's leading professionals and has become a highly respected educator, speaker and resource for financial advisors.
A longtime leader within the International DI Society, Don has served as President and in other leadership roles, sharing his expertise generously with fellow professionals and helping advance awareness and understanding of disability income protection. He has also been actively involved in professional education and industry organizations, including leadership with the Atlanta chapter of NABIP.
Now recently retired, Don is leaving behind a remarkable professional legacy - not only through his accomplishments in the disability insurance industry, but through his commitment to educating, mentoring and supporting the next generation of DI professionals.
KENNETH A. BLOCH, CLU
Ken, who sadly passed away in August 2025, leaves an enduring legacy of innovation, integrity, and service to the disability income industry. As founder of The Bloch Agency, Inc. and a founding partner of The Plus Group, Ken spent decades advancing the industry through leadership, mentorship, and the development of innovative income protection solutions, including the ValueGuard series of proprietary products. He also served on numerous carrier advisory committees and held leadership roles with The Plus Group, NAIFA, and the Society of Financial Service Professionals.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ken was known for his honesty, generosity, and genuine desire to help others succeed. He freely shared his knowledge, celebrated the accomplishments of others, and approached his work with an unwavering commitment to doing what was right. Above all, Ken was a devoted family man who took great pride in being fully present as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Though he never sought recognition for himself, Ken’s contributions, character, and lasting influence make him a deeply deserving posthumous recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
We look forward to celebrating with you and honoring Don and Ken's outstanding contributions to the Disability Insurance industry!
