FARGO, N.D. — Chris Samuels, systems engineer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND), has been named the 2025 recipient of the SSG Andrew P. Nelson Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service, an honor that recognizes commitment to service and community.
The Northern Lights Council, Scouting America presented the award at its Hometown Heroes Gala on Thursday, Oct. 30.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Samuels served five years in roles of increasing responsibility. He was selected for the elite Presidential Support Detail during boot camp and provided security at Camp David, including during the 2012 G8 Summit. He later deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, where he participated in helicopter raids and base security operations.
Samuels continues to honor the legacy of his fellow Marines, including Sgt. Daniel Vasselian, who was killed in action. He shares their stories with reverence and purpose, ensuring their service and sacrifice are remembered.
His commitment to service extends into the community.
For more than a decade, Samuels has volunteered as a drama coach for middle and high school students and served as a judge at district and national competitions. He has also participated in Junior Achievement programs, helping students build financial literacy and career readiness skills.
At his church, Samuels leads the audio/visual team and serves as lead sound engineer. He also served as president of the BCBSND Employee Experience Council, advocating for employee engagement and workplace improvement.
Samuels joined the BCBSND team more than eight years ago, beginning his career on the IT Help Desk. He advanced to server administration and, most recently, the Infrastructure Core Engineering team. In his current role, he supports the organization’s core virtualization infrastructure, ensuring the reliability and performance of critical systems.
“Chris leads by example and serves with heart,” said Dan Conrad, president and CEO at BCBSND. “His contributions to his country, community and workplace make him a deserving recipient of this award. We are proud of his accomplishments and proud to call him our colleague.”
Honoring SSG Andrew Nelson
The SSG Andrew P. Nelson Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service and dedication to others. An Eagle Scout from Troop 644 in Moorhead, Minn., Nelson followed the Scout Oath and Scout Law and served others throughout his life.
A 2003 Shanley High School graduate, Nelson died in Iraq on Aug. 29, 2007. He was on his fourth tour with the 82nd Airborne Division.
The Northern Lights Council honors Nelson’s memory by recognizing others in our community who lead through service. These individuals work each day to improve the lives of others.
Previous BCBSND recipients include:
- Cody Anderson (2024)
- Jarred Munoz (2023)
- Darcey Lunski (2022)
Learn more about life at BCBSND at bcbsnd.com.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
BCBSND was founded in 1940 with the mission to provide members with affordable access to health care across the state. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), BCBSND is committed to transforming care and health across the state to improve outcomes, lower cost trends and make it easier to shop, buy and use health care coverage. Members have access to unmatched local service and to a comprehensive network of health care providers across the state, the nation and more than 190 countries.
