Nick Killoran
Going Beyond 2025: Nick Killoran
Nick Killoran, executive vice president of HUB International Great Plains, was named the agent winner of the 2025 Scotty McIntyre Jr. Go Beyond Award.
The Go Beyond award honors the legacy of former UFG leader (and son of our company’s founder) Scotty McIntyre Jr., who engrained within our corporate culture the importance of giving back. In that spirit, UFG is honored to make a $5,000 contribution to The Great North Pole in recognition of Nick’s above-and-beyond service to others through this remarkable organization.
A long-standing belief
From a young age, Nick’s hardworking parents instilled in him the clear message that helping others through hard times is the right thing to do. He carried that belief into adulthood as he started his own family with wife Michelle in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, where the same spirit of giving back is alive and well. Together, they’ve worked to teach their daughters the importance of community, compassion and stepping up when others need a hand.
And during the frigid winter months — especially during the long holiday break from school when many kids go without access to basic necessities and the lunch they typically receive at school — Nick and Michelle saw families struggling to provide essentials. They felt called to help.
Delivering hope
What began as a small initiative in 2017 evolved into a large-scale community effort called The Great North Pole, thanks to over 1,500 volunteers who return year after year to help the organization ensure families have essential winter wear and basic necessities. Nick and Executive Director, Shannon Thorton, have been able to develop strong partnerships with local schools and numerous nonprofit organizations to help identify and support children and families who need help the most, delivering not only necessities but hope and dignity during the holiday season.
“I’ll never forget a call I received from a mother that had just received our helpful holiday boxes.” Nick explained. “She called to give thanks, but she was in tears because within the box was a product most of us take for granted. It was Downy (fabric softener). She said, ‘I cannot wait to go to work tomorrow — my clothes are going to smell so good!’ In her mind, Downy wasn’t a need. This was something special.”
UFG’s 2025 Go Beyond Award agent recipient, Nick Killoran.
2025 Go Beyond winner Nick Killoran stands with colleagues from HUB International Great Plains, including his nominator Rachel Thurs (left of Nick).
In 2024, The Great North Pole proudly served over 850 families with 23 partnering schools and nonprofits and distributed over 165,000 items to families in need. Looking ahead, Nick is focusing on expanding The Great North Pole’s impact while continuing to be responsible stewards for the community’s investment. He plans to grow their network of vendor partners to ensure they’re getting the best value and quality for every dollar spent.
Rachel Thurs, who nominated Nick for this award, believes that’s more than possible.
“I've watched him bring people together in extraordinary ways, uniting vendors, nonprofits, volunteers and community leaders with a shared mission of giving,” said Rachel. “His ability to form meaningful partnerships is unlike anything I've seen. Nick operates with unwavering integrity, putting in the work behind the scenes, earning deep trust and respect from all who cross his path.”
It takes a village
While Nick could not be prouder to have received the Go Beyond award, he acknowledges that The Great North Pole is a community-built effort, shaped over years by the dedication, investments and thousands of volunteer hours from people across his region.
“While I’m humbled to receive this recognition and the generous gift, I accept it for everyone who has been part of this journey,” said Nick. “This recognition belongs to all of us. The Great North Pole is, and always will be, a reflection of what we can accomplish when a community comes together, and I have no doubt it will continue to grow and serve for many years to come.”
Do you know a UFG agent or employee to nominate?
Nominations are accepted from January 1 through June 30 each calendar year.