PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference Marked by Milestones and Records

Two thousand agents and insurance industry professionals made history at the PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference and 75th anniversary celebration at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J. June 8-10. The event surpassed all previous records for attendance as the industry flooded the boardwalk, networking and honoring industry stars at gala banquets, and packing an expansive trade show and cutting-edge educational seminars with a host of topics important to agents, including a mock trial with standing room only.

A Diamond anniversary; parties galore

An opening reception kicked off the festivities with stations and libations sponsored by Jimcor Agencies and Sunday evening concluded with one of the conference’s most popular events: the NJYIP/NYYIP Nitecap reception, which took place in a new location: The Hard Rock Café, closed down for PIA guests only, enjoying VIP rock-star treatment.

Hundreds of well-dressed stars crossed the red carpet on Monday night at the gala anniversary dinner. A photo booth offered the opportunity to commemorate the event, and speeches were punctuated with a celebratory serenade of bagpipes by PIANJ immediate past President Stephen Tague and son Dan Tague with drums by Michael Monacelli.

Anniversary wishes from friends of PIA

New Jersey State Senator and threetime mayor of Atlantic City State Senator James Whelan welcomed PIA attendees and congratulated the association for its 75 years of supporting producers, their employees and the communities they serve. Throughout the gala diamond anniversary dinner, political friends of PIANJ and PIANY sent well wishes to the associations.

PIA recognizes shining stars

PIANY past President N. Stephen Ruchman received the Community Service Award from PIANY. “I continue to ask myself, ‘Why me?’ when there are so many dedicated and qualified people working with and at PIA … Community Service is something I enjoy and find fulfilling, but every professional agent here knows it also is just good business sense. You can tell from looking around this room: The most successful among us—regardless of how you define success—are also the busiest and community oriented among us.”

Listing myriad examples of fellow volunteers and their work, Ruchman shared his recognition with all of them. “I accept this award on behalf of all of the PIA board members and volunteers who devote so much of their time to our association in addition to the countless other hours of community service they’ve put in,” Ruchman said.

Newly elected PIANJ President Glenn Tippy joined Tague on stage to present the Company Person of the Year Award to James P. Ayers, President of Franklin Mutual Insurance Co. PIANJ Legislative Representative Leon Zimmerman joined Steve Tague on stage to present the PIANJ Distinguished Services award to former DOBI Chief of Market Regulation Anne Marie Narcini, who currently works as regulatory consultant for the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission.

Two PIA staff also received awards at the gala dinner. Char Gaylord, government affairs coordinator, who will retire this month, and Conferences Manager Kim Zielinski, who manages the PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference and all events hosted by PIA in both states received presidential citations and special recognition, respectively.

Maria N. Escalona, CPIA, of Jimcor Agencies Inc., and Leslie C. Rogoff, of Madison Avenue Brokerage Corp., both received awards for Director of the Year from PIANJ and PIANY, respectively, during the associations’ board meetings.

Young Insurance Pros recognized

During Monday’s YIP Award luncheon, the New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals recognized several honorees:

• New Jersey YIP of the Year, Dan Tague of the Travelers Cos.;

• New Jersey Distinguished Service Awardee Mary Joe Conley of G&G Underwriters LLC;

• New York YIP Insurance Professional of the Year Jay Levy of Morstan General Agency; and

• New York YIP Volunteer of the Year, Timothy Madden of Standard Security Life.

Inaugural address and change of administration in New Jersey

Monday’s dinner also featured the inaugural address of newly elected President Glenn Tippy, CPCU, CLU, discussed attributes that make the professional, independent agency system the best distribution method for insurers and clients, as well as the issues the industry must attend to in order to insure its own future. His observations were made during his inaugural address at the association’s Diamond Anniversary Gala Banquet, which was part of the PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference earlier this week in Atlantic City.

During his address, Tippy discussed the strengths of independent insurance professionals and that which sets them apart from online insurance providers and other direct-sales organizations. He shared that preparing for his inaugural speech, he thought it might be the most important speech he’s ever given. But, on further reflection, he knew that he and fellow professional agents in local communities everywhere already had given the most important speech repeatedly during their careers as professional, independent insurance agents. “You know what that speech is?” he asked the crowd. “It goes like this: ‘You’ll be OK, you bought what you needed for this, we prepared for this, and we’ll help you get back on your feet.’” “We have personal knowledge about our clients. We care about them. We live side-by-side with them,” he said. “This personal relationship, combined with professional drive, made evident and strengthened by our attendance and participation in our association, the information we obtain from PIA—the superior education and networking that keeps us current and connected—are the hallmark of professional, independent insurance agents.”

The value of insurance does not come from a simple transaction. Tippy said that professional, independent insurance agents offer thoughtful advice and have unique knowledge of an insured, which is something that can’t be provided by a machine. Tippy also discussed the importance of a strong agent-carrier relationship, noting the relationship works because of strong, vigilant partners. “Successful carriers recognize that professional, local, agents are the most knowledgeable risk assessors of each unique community and because they are the best marketing tool. Professional agents offer consumers a face and a name they trust,” he said. “So, professional, independent insurance agents are going to be around for a long time, and with the help of each other, our partners and our association, we can look forward to a prosperous future,” said Tippy. “But, that’s not to say we don’t have to be concerned. Just as we tell our customers, we need to be vigilant, plan and work to make sure we’ll be OK, that we are prepared and we’ll stay on our feet.” With a nod to his predecessor and board, Tippy said the insurance industry and PIANJ must continue to address important necessities to secure the professional agents’ future: 1) bring young people into the business and encourage them to join the PIA Young Insurance Professionals; 2) support women in the industry; and 3) encourage people with diverse backgrounds to join the industry. To illustrate his point, Tippy said that PIA’s Women’s Business Forum has continued to grow and the association’s inaugural Diversity Advisory Council was a huge success this past year.

“We do those things and growth will take care of itself,” said Tippy. “Perpetuation will take care of itself. Victory for ourselves and our system is assured. Reach out a hand and let’s lift each other. It’s what professional, independent agents do.”

New leaders recognized

Both PIANJ and New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals installed 2014-15 officers and directors.

PIANJ officers:

• President Glenn Tippy, CPCU, CLU, president of Gerrity, Baker, Williams Inc., in Flanders, N.J.

• Vice President Donald F. LaPenna, Jr., president of Donald F. LaPenna Associates in Clark, N.J.

• Charles Caruso, CIC, CPIA, of Herbert L. Jamison & Co. LLC/ Jamison Insurance Group in West Orange, N.J.

• Vice President Kacy Campion Renna, CIC, of Wall Township, N.J., president/ owner of Connelly-Campion- Wright in Belmar, N.J.

• Treasurer Lloyd H. “Rip” Bush Jr., producer for Keer & Heyer in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.

• Secretary Bruce Blum of Blum

&Walsh Group Inc., a division of T.E. Freuler Agency in Somerset, N.J. In addition, the association elected professionals to its board of directors. For a three-year term, expiring in 2017:

• Salvatore Abate, CPIA, of Anderson Jackson Metts in Mount Laurel, N.J.

• Bruce Blum of Blum & Walsh Group Inc., a division of T.E. Freuler Agency in Somerset, N.J.

• Maria Escalona of Jimcor Agencies in Montville, N.J.

• Connie Mahoney of Mark Anthony Associates in Mountainside, N.J.

• William McMahon, CIC, of McMahon Agency in Ocean City, N.J.

• Michael Merwin, CIC, CRM, CPCU, CRIS, MBA, of the Merwin

&Paolazzi Insurance Agency in Lyndhurst, N.J.

• Kristen M. Scott, CPIA, of Chamber Insurance Agency Services in West Orange, N.J.

2013-14 NJYIP officers:

• President Casey Yarger, CIC, of Robert Petri & Daughter Insurance Agency in Milltown, N.J.

• Vice President Natalie Bruno, CPIA, of D’Agostino Agency in Hammonton, N.J.

• Treasurer and Secretary Aaron Levine of LG Insurance Group in Long Branch, N.J.

• Immediate past President Thomas Wilkens of Professional Risk Placements LLC in Red Bank, N.J.

Education that puts the ‘Professional’ in PIA

Participants had the opportunity to take up to 12 credits through exciting courses offered at the conference and, for New York licencees, earn an additional 12 credits with a self-study course and on-site proctored exam for bridge credits, entitled Advertising, Rebating and Referrals: Staying Compliant When Designing Your Marketing Plans.

The conference opened Sunday, June 8, with a wildly popular mock trial “Jury … Have You Reached a Verdict?” for the first of two E&O education courses. Throughout the weekend, professionals had several opportunities to earn valuable education that they can use for their business. Monday morning offered a choice of Getting Back to Basics-Practicing Insurance Fundamentals, taught by Rita Hollada, CPCU, CIC, CPIA; Strategies for Client Benefits in a Changing World, taught by Gary Slavin; or Nasty Stuff You Don’t Want on Your Policy, featuring Steve Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AAI, ARM, AIS, CRIS. That afternoon packed in even more, with Good Stuff-Endorsements You Want on your Policy, with Lyon; What Flood Insurance is Not, taught by Hollada; and Contractors: Insuring the Liability Exposures by Cathy Trischan, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AU, AAI, ARM, CRIS, MLIS. Education closed the conference as well, with Steve Lyon presenting Don’t Get Burnt-25 Potential E&O Issues.

NJYIP Fun Run

The PIANJ Young Insurance Professionals celebrated 30 years of raising contributions for Special Olympics New Jersey through the Fun Run on Tuesday morning, as the weather broke in time for runners to take their marks. This year, more than 175 runners and other participants shattered fundraising records, bringing in $153,000 to this single event. To date, PIANJ and NJ-YIP have raised nearly $3.3 million for the athletes and the events in which they participate.

The runners with the best overall time included: Overall fastest male, Kyle Price, FMI Insurance Co. (time: 17:19.71); Overall fastest female, Tori Martin, FMI Insurance Co. (time: 23:02.11); Top Team Fundraiser, FMI Insurance Co. ($70,440); and Top Individual Fundraiser, Patrick Cusack, ARI ($6,275).

Another notable moment took place as PIANY Past President Michael Loguercio accepted the ceremonial YIP team trophy. NY-YIP and NJ-YIP have good-heartedly challenged each other for several years to be the fastest team. This year, New York took the win, breaking New Jersey’s six-year winning streak. Marc Edenzon, president of Special Olympics New Jersey and Special Olympic Athlete, Maureen Larsen both spoke to the room, sharing the success they and their families have enjoyed with the help the industry has offered through PIANJ and NJYIP support during the post-race breakfast.

NJYIP president Casey Yarger and Vice President Natalie Bruno M.C.d the breakfast celebration, recognizing runners and fundraisers and well as introducing athletes as administrators from Special Olympics New Jersey, which will host the National games this summer. “Today’s activities would not be possible without the support of our industry partners,” Yarger said, as he recognized Franklin Mutual Insurance as the Fun Run’s event sponsor for 13 years. FMI’s Dale Martin accepted an award and challenged all participants to keep the race and its successful momentum going