PIANY Elects New Leaders

GLENMONT, N.Y.–Anthony A. Kubera, CIC, director of business development for Russell Bond & Co. Inc., in Buffalo, N.Y., was elected president of Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., at a meeting of the association’s board of directors today.

Kubera is a member of PIANY’s Political Action Executive and Governing Committees. He is an ex-officio member of the association’s Buffalo Advisory Council, Company Industry Relations and Member Benefits & Services Committees. Active in the industry, Kubera is a member of the Insurance Club of Buffalo, and he currently serves on that organization’s Past President Council. He is also past president and current member of the Western New York Insurance Association. In his community, Kubera serves on the board of trustees for Mount Mercy Academy and he served on the Insurance Education Advisory Council of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. He is also a past member of the Hamburg Village Recreation Commission.

Officers 2014-15

Anthony A. Kubera, CIC, of Buffalo, N.Y. was elected president. He is director of business development for Russell Bond & Co. Inc. in Buffalo.

Eugene L. Sandy, CIC, of Stony Brook, N.Y. was elected president- elect. He is director of marketing for the Millennium Alliance Group LLC in Syosset, N.Y.

John Parsons II, CIC, CPIA, AAI, of Skaneateles, N.Y. was elected first vice president. He is executive vice president of Parsons and Associates Inc. in Syracuse, N.Y.

Paul G. Casciaro, CIC, CSRM, CPIA, of Kingston, N.Y. was elected vice president. He is chairman and chief executive officer of Frank H. Reis Inc. in Kingston, N.Y.

Jamie Ferris, AAI, CIC, CPIA, was elected vice president.

Ferris is president of P.W. Wood & Son Inc. in Ithaca, N.Y.

Eric T. Clauss of Buffalo, N.Y. was elected treasurer. Clauss is president of E.T. Clauss & Co., Inc. in Buffalo.

Bruce D. Rowledge of Scotia, N.Y. was elected secretary.

Rowledge is president of Rowledge Agency in Scotia, N.Y.

Alan Plafker, CPIA, of Manhasset. N.Y. will serve as immediate past president. He is president and CEO of Member

Brokerage Service LLC in Briarwood, N.Y.

The following individuals were re-elected to serve for a threeyear term, ending in 2017:

Eric Clauss of Buffalo, N.Y. Clauss is president of E.T. Clauss & Co. Inc. in Buffalo. Clauss will serve as treasurer of PIANY for 2014-15. He is also a member of the association’s Company/Industry Relations and Education/Conference Committees and chairperson of its Buffalo Advisory Council.

Mike Skeele, CIC, CPIA, of Fayetteville, N.Y. Skeele is president of the Skeele Agency, Inc., DeRuyter, N.Y. Skeele Agency Inc. also has offices in Manlius, Cazenovia, Chittenango and New Hartford, N.Y. Skeele is chairperson of PIANY’s Nominations Committee. He is also a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance, Government Affairs and Member Benefits & Services Committees. Skeele is also a member of the Glenmont National Alliance Committee. He served as president of PIANY in 2013- 14 and he is an ex-officio member of its Syracuse Advisory Council.

Alan Plafker, CPIA, of Manhasset, N.Y. Plafker is president and chief executive officer of Member Brokerage Service LLC, Briarwood, N.Y. Plafker served as PIANY president for the 2013- 14 administrative year. He is also executive chairperson of the association’s Executive/Budget & Finance Committee and is an ex-officio member of several committees, including: the Education/Conference; Company/Industry Relations; Government Affairs and Member, Benefits & Services Committees. He also is also an ex-officio member of the association’s New York City Advisory Council.

Jamie Ferris, CIC, AAI, CPIA, of White Plains, N.Y. Ferris is president of P.W. Wood & Son, Inc., Ithaca, N.Y. Vice chair of the Government Affairs Committee, he is also a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance and Member Benefits & Services Committees. Ferris is also vice-chair of the association’s Southern Tier Advisory Council.

Robert Shapiro of Bellmore, N.Y. Shapiro is president of Global Facilities Inc. in Lynbrook, N.Y. He is a member of PIANY’s Education/Conference Committee and is an ex-officio member of its Long Island Advisory Council.