The TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association Installs Officers and Directors for 2016–2017
Albertson, N.Y.—New officers and directors took the helm on June 1 during the Long Island-based TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association annual installation dinner. The gathering, held at Chateau Briand in Carle Place, NY, set the TriCounty IIAA leadership for the 2016 through 2017 term. Close to 200 agents and brokers, company representatives, vendors and other members of the insurance community joined the festivities of this special occasion starting with a bountiful cocktail reception.
James G. Bastian of Advantage Partners, Inc., based in Astoria, was installed as president of TriCounty IIAA by his partner and retiring president Peter Phillips. Additional officers and directors were installed by Dick Poppa, CAE, AAI, president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. (IIABNY).
Adam P. Erickson, of Carlstan North Hills Agency, Inc. in Floral Park will assume the position of vice president and Ron Brunell, CIC of The Signature B&B Companies in Garden City, NY was installed as treasurer. Alex Giraldo of Club Agency Insurance Brokerage, LLC. Garden City, NY will be the group’s secretary for the new term.
The TriCounty IIAA also installed the following directors:
Eileen Black, Abatelli Group, Inc., Whitestone, NY; Andrew Chong, ARC Underwriting Partners, Inc., Great Neck NY; Christopher Dritsas, Phillips General Insurance, Port Washington; Steven Ferrar, Ferrar Insurance Agency, Inc., Franklin Square, NY; Elisa J. Grober-Lewkowocz, Grober Imbey Agency, Inc., Valley Stream, NY; Neil Levy, CPA, CFP of CBS Coverage Group, Plainview, NY; and Christopher Wukovits of AAA of New York Insurance Services, Inc. in Garden City, NY.
TriCounty announced awards totaling $9,500 in scholarships this year—$2,500 went to each of three exceptional students of St. John’s School of Risk Management: Jessia Oliva, James Pappas and Anita Sovasia. Each student surpassed specified criteria, including insurance-related study requirements, a high GPA average and service to the community.
The 2016 St. John’s Education Scholarship Program was sponsored by three major insurance carriers: Narragansett Bay Insurance Company, National General Insurance Company and Safeco Insurance.
Winners of two other $1,000 scholarships were announced and certificates were presented at their school’s awards ceremonies. Blanca Franck of Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, NY was the Joel S. Pollack Memorial Scholarship award winner for her essay on ‘recommended penalties for texting while driving.’ Blanca was chosen from a large number of submissions from high school seniors in the boroughs of Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The Stephen T. Dooley Community Service Award scholarship went to Amanda Cupo, a graduate of Seaford High School for outstanding community service during her high school years. Checks will be mailed to their chosen colleges to be applied towards tuition or allied expenses.
TriCounty paid tribute to Dick Poppa, who is retiring after 20 years of service as president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York with a donation to his favored charity, the Farm Sanctuary.
* * * * * *
The TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association is comprised of more than 300 independent insurance member agencies and brokerages doing business in the counties of Nassau, Queens, Kings and Richmond.
