(Riverhead, New York, May 15, 2014) — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York recognized excellent performance by insurers, a local trade group, volunteers and associates in a ceremony this evening. Acting for the final time in his capacity as IIABNY chair of the board, Andrew Kaufman presented the awards at the association's 2014 Leadership Dinner, held following its 132nd Annual Business Meeting at the Hyatt Place in Riverhead, New York.
The Outstanding Company Partner Awards went to those insurers that scored the highest in the 2014 IIABNY Industry Index. The index is calculated based on survey responses by New York agents and brokers, judging insurers on criteria such as empowerment and consistency of underwriters and field personnel; technology and documentation; the agency-carrier relationship; and compensation. Kaufman gave awards to:
- Outstanding Regional Personal Lines Company Partner: Dryden Mutual Insurance Company
- Outstanding Regional Commercial Lines Company Partner: Dryden Mutual Insurance Company
- Outstanding Super Regional Personal Lines Company Partner: Andover Companies
- Outstanding Super Regional Commercial Lines Company Partner: Merchants Insurance Group
- Outstanding National Personal Lines Company Partner: Safeco Insurance
- Outstanding National Commercial Lines Company Partner: CNA
Stephen Zogby, executive vice-president of Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig in New Hartford, took home the Vincent Alba Award. This award recognizes an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to IIABNY's political effectiveness. A past chair of the board of IIABNY, Zogby has chaired the association's PAC Committee since 2010. The committee is responsible for raising funds for the independent agents' two political action committees.
The Independent Insurance Agents of Monroe County was honored as the 2014 Local Association of the Year. The award goes to the local association that has done the most outstanding job at building relationships between agents, carriers and vendors; advocating on the critical issues to the industry; encouraging professional development among members; and developing consumer knowledge and trust in the independent insurance agency system.
The IIAMC was honored for its work fundraising for Rochester-area charity Cameron Community Ministries, an organization that works to break the cycle of poverty. The association also held a week-long series of visits with New York legislators in November and sent more participants to IIABNY's legislative day in Albany than any other local association. The group also enhanced its web site and hosted a special program on agency mergers and acquisitions.
Michael Barrett of Barrett Associates in Albany received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions to IIABNY. Barrett has been the association's legislative representative for 35 years. During that time, he has built a solid reputation both for his firm and IIABNY with lawmakers and regulators. He has negotiated landmark legislation in the areas of no-fault insurance, health care, Workers' Compensation reform, and the handling of policy cancellations and non-renewals.
Tim Dodge, assistant vice president of research for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York in Dewitt, also received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions to IIABNY. Dodge, who joined IIABNY in 2002, is responsible for meeting the insurance technical, legal, regulatory and legislative information needs of IIABNY members, and for all communications with the news media. He answers members’ questions, writes white papers and newsletter articles, maintains the association’s research library and insurance legislation pages on the IIABNY website, teaches continuing education classes, hosts the award-winning insurance technical video podcast “Ask Tim” and writes a blog that accompanies the podcast.
The Thom McDaniel Exemplar Award went to Dan Robinson, president of New York Central Mutual Insurance Company. The McDaniel Award recognizes an insurance company executive, manager or employee that demonstrates unwavering support of the independent agency system. Under Robinson's leadership, NYCM has thrived as a locally-owned, locally-focused company that markets its products exclusively through independent agents.
Sharon Emek received the 1882 Fellow Award, IIABNY's highest honor, which recognizes the individual member who has most significantly contributed to IIABNY, the industry and her community. Emek was the second female chair of the board in the association's history and also served on a variety of committees at the state and national level. She was the first woman to receive the Sidney O. Smith Government Affairs Award from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. She is the founder of Work At Home Vintage Employees, LLC (WAHVE), a service that makes the talents of retired insurance professionals available to insurance firms with staffing needs.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,900 agencies and their 18,000 employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, many IIABNY members represent Trusted Choice®, a national consumer brand uniting more than 7,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.