(Dewitt, New York, October 19, 2016) - Beginning Dec. 1, New York's oldest insurance producer's group will be under the leadership of a new state executive for the first time in 20 years. Lisa K. Lounsbury has been named interim President and Chief Executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. Lounsbury, who currently serves as IIABNY Senior Vice President, will officially assume the organization's top staff position. 

"Lisa has been a key part of IIABNY's success since she first joined the association 17 years ago," said Richard A. Poppa, IIABNY's retiring President and CEO. "Our members can expect a smooth transition since Lisa has had day-to-day management of the association's operations since she arrived in 1999." During her tenure, Lounsbury also oversaw as President the activities and revenue generation of IAAC, Inc., the association's Service Corporation. 

Previously, Lounsbury was employed as a product specialist in the specialty division for Great American Insurance in Cincinnati, Ohio. She started her career at Great American as an agency operations representative for the insurer's commercial lines division, developing an agency plant in Pittsburgh, Pa and underwriting new business. Lounsbury then moved back to Great American's home office in Cincinnati and assumed the role of implementation coordinator for the company's national commercial lines interface initiative. 

"We're extremely fortunate to have someone in Lisa, who is such an innovative and creative leader, to step into the role filled so ably over the past 20 years by Dick Poppa," said John H. Smith, Jr. chair of the IIABNY board of directors. "Her extensive knowledge of the insurance industry and strong familiarity with IIABNY will be huge assets in her new role and to the agents and brokers we serve." 

In 2005, Lounsbury served a one-year term on the Professional Liability Committee for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. She was also a member of several sub-committees for IIABA including: alternative markets subcommittee, loss control working group, minimum audit standards committee and authorized markets working group. She currently serves on the board of directors of IIABA's Big "I" Reinsurance Co. and Agency Administrative Services, Inc. 

In 2008, she earned the Certified Association Executive professional designation. A year later, Lounsbury completed the requirements for the Accredited Adviser in Insurance designation. The following year, Lounsbury also earned the Associate in Insurance Services designation. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance from Miami University of Ohio. 

Lounsbury, her husband and two children reside in Cazenovia, New York. Previously, she was a volunteer for the Central New York Division of the March of Dimes and was chairperson three times for the organization's Signature Chefs Auction. Currently, Lounsbury serves on the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education and Onondaga-Madison School Boards Association. .

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,750 agencies and their 13,000 plus 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, most IIABNY members proudly identify themselves as Trusted Choice^® agents and brokers, a national consumer brand uniting more than 21,000 independent agencies across the United States. 

For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.