A Tip of The Hat…

Congratulations to Adam Friedlander on his soon–to –be–published landmark book on WC…..to Frank and Ellen Mastowski, founders of Jimcor Agencies, on 25 years of service as an MGA/Wholesale operation with 7 branch offices throughout the Northeast and 150 employees, including the Mastowskis’ agency partnerships and two children–Coryn and James—currently Co-CEO’s—of the Montvale, NJ based enterprise…to our old friend Mark Yavornitzki, Principal of GR Initiatives, LLC, an Albany-based government relations advocacy firm, just chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Ben Brewster Government Affairs Award by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors–New York State (NAIFA-NYS). Mark began his career in Albany in 1970 working in the State Senate and in volunteer and paid positions in a number of local, state and national political campaigns and joined the staff of the NAIFA-NYS, then called the New York State Association of Life Underwriters (NYSALU). From 1991 to 2010 he was the Executive Vice President of the association and as such was the Chief Executive Officer and principal spokesman and representative to the state legislature and Insurance Department. The NAIFA-NYS presented him with its most prestigious industry honor, the Spencer L. McCarty Award in 2007. In September 2010 he formed his own lobbying firm – GR Initiatives, LLC with the NAIFANYS as his first client……and to all the volunteers and awardees at Downstate Council and PIA RAP meetings (see recap stories in this issue).…We are not inclined to be self congratulating as a rule, but here’s one the Insurance Advocate put out sharply ahead of other media. As we go to press on Tuesday the 10th, we have just seen the New York Times cover story on Captives. We show it below alongside ours on March 31st. Not that we are in their league for news and coverage, but now and then we hit a trend on target. Thanks to Greg Serio for his push on this issue.