Big I New York Honors Industry Role Models
Awards presented at insurance producer organization’s annual meeting
Insurance producer organization Big I New York spotlighted excellent performances over the past twelve months by insurers, a local trade group, volunteers and associates during an annual awards ceremony held. Acting for the final time in his capacity as Big I New York chair of the board, Richard MacDonald, CPCU, ARM, AIM presented the awards at the association’s 2018 Annual Business Meeting, held at the Westin Buffalo.
The Independent Insurance Agents Association of Western New York was honored as the 2018 Local Association of the Year. The award goes to the local association that has shown outstanding effort and accomplishment in local association meetings, legislative advocacy and public relations to enhance independent agents.
The Outstanding Company Partner Awards were presented to those insurers scoring the highest in their responses to a self-evaluation survey. The results were reviewed by representatives from local agent associations in New York affiliated with Big I New York. Survey questions focused on the products and services the insurers provide in areas strategic to supporting the independent agency system. MacDonald presented awards to:
• Merchants Insurance Group: 2018 Top Company Partner (more than $100 million written premium in New York)
• Security Mutual Insurance Co.: 2018 Top Carrier Partner
(less than $100 million written premium in New York – upstate)
• UPC/Interboro Insurance: 2018 Top Carrier Partner (less than $100 million written premium in New York – downstate)
Monica Skibickyj, AAI, AIS, ACSR, of Lawley-Andolina-Verdi in Rochester, New York, will receive the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) of the Year Award in a ceremony at a future date. Skibickyj is an account manager at the agency.
Ashley Smit of Norton and Siegel, Inc. in Babylon was presented with the Young Agent of the Year Award for her involvement in her community, the industry, and in Big I New York›s Next Generation Insurance Professionals Committee.
Lawrence Pistell, ARM of St. John›s University School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science received a Distinguished Service Award. This award goes to an individual who has made a lasting and otstanding contribution to Big I New York. MacDonald praised Pistell for the great insights he provides at board of directors› meetings and for his persistent willingness to volunteer his services to the association.
Allison Just, governance and meeting coordinator for Big I New York, also received a Distinguished Service Award. In presenting the award, MacDonald cited her incredible attention to detail, willingness to assume additional responsibilities, and general positive attitude.
Mark Garvelli of Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. in Buffalo earned the 2018 Vincent Alba Award. This award recognizes an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to IIABNY›s political effectiveness. MacDonald cited Garvelli for his contributions to the success of the organization›s political action committee.
The Thom McDaniel Exemplar Award went to Rosanne Fallon, CPCU. The McDaniel Award recognizes an insurance company executive, manager or employee that demonstrates unwavering support of the independent agency system.
Mark Hagan, CPCU, ARM, retired from Perry & Carroll, Inc. in Elmira, received the 1882 Award, the association’s highest honor. This award recognizes an individual who has most significantly contributed to Big I New York, the insurance industry and his community. It was the first time the association had given the award since 2016. Hagan served as Big I New York chair of the board from 2005 to 2006.
