- FIFEC
- July 23-25, 2025
- On Record: 33 1/3 Years Strong Fighting Fraud!
- Renaissance Orlando at Sea World
NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2023 FIFEC AWARDS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
2023 FIFEC AWARD NOMINATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
​
The Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) is currently seeking Award nominations of exceptional individuals for the 31st Annual Joint DIFS/SIU Conference in Orlando, Florida July 12-14, 2023 representing the following Award Categories:
law enforcement insurance fraud fighter of the year
Nominations are limited to specific cases/investigations concluded in 2022-2023. This category is inclusive of Florida law enforcement detectives, law enforcement analyst, and law enforcement prosecutors. The nominee should be the individual who was the lead person involved in the investigation/case. The Management of the lead individual is not eligible to be listed for the nomination of this Award
insurance industry fraud fighter of the year
Nominations are limited to specific cases/investigations concluded in 2022-2023. This category is inclusive of a Florida insurance investigator, or an insurance analyst, or an insurance defense attorney. The nominee should be the individual who was the lead person involved in the investigation/case. The Management of the lead individual is not eligible to be listed for the nomination of this Award.
The Guy E. “Sandy” Burnette Insurance Fraud Fighter Team Award
Nominations are limited to a concluded investigation with significant events that include arrests, but not
necessarily convictions, during 2022-2023.
This Award incorporates the joint efforts of government agencies and insurance companies involved in the
fight against insurance fraud: i.e. NICB, FBI, Law Enforcement, Insurance Investigators, and Analysts. The
submission for the Guy E. “Sandy” Burnette Fraud Fighter Team Award should list the participants who were
the lead individuals involved in the investigation.
​
The Management of the lead individual is not eligible to be listed for the nomination of this Award.
Click the photo at right to learn more about Sandy.
The jerry zappolo distinguished service award
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor and most prestigious award presented
to individuals by the FIFEC Board of Directors. It recognizes an individual member of the profession who has
had a sustained impact at the local, national or international level that resulted in significant contributions to
pursuing and eliminating insurance fraud. This award celebrates those who embody the intellect, integrity,
leadership, and accomplishment that define absolute excellence in the fraud fighting profession. Click the
photo at right to learn more about Jerry.
Nominations are not limited to a specific year; however, the “years” and related “activities” of the nominee’s involvement are requested.
The Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award is not necessarily an annual award, but rather a special recognition that may or may not be awarded each year.
The nominee for this category should be an individual who has significantly contributed to the public’s understanding of insurance fraud’s impact on society, and how they may be proactive in the fight against insurance fraud.
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
FIFEC is interested in receiving nominations and recognizing individuals for their exceptional/successful insurance fraud investigations and industry service through insurance fraud deterrence, detection, investigation, and prosecution disciplines.
NoMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The nominee must be the primary or lead investigator/detective who completed the majority of the investigative task that proved the fraud or the analyst that discovered the facts that initiated the investigation. One or more significant events of the investigation must have occurred during the award year of the (2022-2023). Significant events should include the analysis that initiated the investigation, majority of analytical/investigative activities, indictments/criminal charges filed or civil actions;
​
Nominee may not be a recipient of the Award he/she is being nominated for within the past 3 years.
​
Nominees must be at least one of the following: a Florida member in good standing with IASIU; a Florida law enforcement officer; an employee of the Florida Division of Investigative & Forensic Services; a Florida prosecutor/insurance defense attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar.
​
Nominations for all categories (except the Jerry Zappolo Distinguished Service Award) are limited to specific investigations/cases concluded in 2022 or 2023.
​
The nominee may not be a member of the Awards Committee.
​
Nominations must be submitted on or before Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
I submitted a nomination. Now what?
FIFEC will confirm the receipt of your nomination via email. The Awards Committee may contact you to discuss additional details or nomination status, if merited.
​
The nominee will be sent a copy of your nomination write-up with a questionnaire for information regarding their specific identification, their background, and an opportunity to submit additional information regarding their investigation/case, and document/photo upload. This questionnaire must be returned by the nominee within 7 days of its receipt, or the nomination may be ineligible for consideration.
​
All qualified nominees will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony/Luncheon on Thursday, July 13, 2023. During this ceremony, the Award recipients will be announced and presented Award trophies honoring their outstanding contributions to the fight against insurance fraud.
For additional FIFEC Awards information, please e-mail us at awards@FIFEC.org and add this e-mail address to your safe senders list.
FIFEC reserves the right to disqualify or exclude any nomination that does not fully meet and maintain the high standards that reflect the mission of FIFEC. To be considered for a FIFEC award, nominees must be a Florida member in good standing with IASIU, a law enforcement officer, and employee of DIFS or a prosecutor/insurance attorney.
The FIFEC Awards Committee and FIFEC Executive Committee decisions are final.
committee contacts
CHAIR
Lt. Colonel Evangelina Brooks
Division of Investigative and Forensic Services
850-413-4020 Office
myfloridacfo.com
​
VICE-CHAIR
Janice Young
Retired - SIU
904-343-3959
fifec.secretary@gmail.com
​