Traditions, Trends and Turns at PIANY’s MetroRAP

Readers of The Advocate surely are familiar with MetroRAP, the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State’s (PIANY) regional aware- ness program for New York City and the surrounding areas. The event has a history spanning three decades and it usually kicks off PIANY’s extensive events calendar each year. Since 2001, it has been held in Brooklyn (with the exception of a short stint in Manhattan a couple of years ago). I, myself, was an officer of PIANY in 2001, when the Secret Service inhabited most of the Brooklyn Marriott, where MetroRAP was held that year (and still is). Other major MetroRAP memories include featured speakers like Al Sharpton in the 1990s and then-New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, just a few weeks before he announced his investigation of major brokerage and attack on the industry’s business model in 2003.

It certainly is a place where memories and friendships are made. The Brooklyn site is centrally located and easy to get to. I look forward to the event every January, and this year—despite coming a day after one of the major blizzards that hit the city—was no exception: It was nice to see old friends and acquaintances, and see the newest developments in our industry.

When I first walked into the exhibition hall this year, I found my friend Marty Asher, of International Underwriting Agency, and his son Michael. It was good to see yet another family with a second generation coming into our industry. The networking at MetroRAP reflects a unique community, whereby we celebrate the successes of our colleagues (and competitors) to make our entire industry better. I noticed new additions and technology this year, too: a jumbo screen featuring messages on Twitter and photos that were being displayed in real time as they were at the step-and-repeat red carpet, sponsored by Honig Conte Porrino Insurance. I’ve received several emails about the pictures of myself posted on the PIA website and on Facebook—social media has taken networking to a whole new level!

During the luncheon, I was seated next to the Magna Carta Table, where John Hill, president; Lou Masucci, vice president of underwriting; and Debbie Gillian, branch manager of the Long Island territory, were sitting. Magna Carta Co. has supported MetroRAP for more years than I can remember—well over a decade—and their support of PIA (and sponsorship of the luncheon) is appreciated more than we ever have the opportunity to note.

MetroRAP had a single honoree this year: A gentleman named Kevin Davis, owner of the Kevin Davis Insurance Agency in New York. While most New York City professionals are familiar with him, I was not. But, after hearing his story, his success made me proud of our industry that this man succeeded and of the independent agency system. Many agencies, my own included, were started from nothing. Independent agents are self-starters and Kevin had many, many road blocks in front of him before he succeeded as the owner of an agency with 28 offices. He is a role model for new entrepreneurs in our industry and for those in the future. I know I am joined by everyone who was at the MetroRAP lunch when I thank him for sharing his story, which received a well- deserved standing ovation.

Tom Kozera, CPCU, chairman and CEO of Assured SKCG Inc., was the keynote speaker. Tom is a specialist in private equity ventures and particularly in insurance agency mergers with his own organization. Tom talked about the process of selling an agency and the benefits of selling right now, as well as the trend of acquisitions by hedge funds and private equity firms. This trend is worthy of its own article, and I’ll save additional details about his speech for one I plan to write soon.