‘Big I Tri-County’ Installs Officers and Directors for the 2018 – 2019 Term
Awards and scholarship announcements accompanied the evening’s activities
Albertson, N.Y.—New officers and directors took the helm on May 22 during the Long Island-based Big I Tri-County association’s annual installation dinner and awards ceremony. The gathering, held at Chateau Briand in Carle Place, NY, set the leadership for the 2018 through 2019 term. More than 150 agents & brokers, company representatives, vendors and other members of the insurance community joined the festivities of this special occasion which started with a festive cocktail reception.
Andrew Chong, President of ARC Underwriting Partners, Inc., in Great Neck, NY, was installed as president of Big I Tri-County by Peter Phillips, his business associate, friend, and a past president of the association. Additional officers and directors were installed by Lisa Lounsbury, CAE, AAI, AIS, President and CEO of Big I New York.
Neil Levy, CPA, CFP, of Assured Partners Northeast, LLC in Melville, NY, will assume the position of Vice President and Ronald Brunell, CIC, of The Signature B&B Companies in Garden City, NY, remained as the association’s Treasurer. Chris Wukovits, of AAA Northeast Insurance Agency in Garden City, NY, will be the group’s Secretary in the new term.
The following member agents will serve as Directors or Big I Tri-County:
Stephannie Ciantro of Mackoul Risk Solutions in Island Park; Christopher Dritsas, of Advantage Partners, Inc., Port Washington; Frank Elorza, Club Agency Insurance Brokerage, Garden City; Steven Ferrar of Ferrar Insurance Agency, Inc., Franklin Square; Brittany Robotti of Edward B. Robotti, Inc., in Long Island City, and Randi Rosen of The Folan Agency, Ltd. In Port Washington.
The prestigious Joe Bonica Award presented to a member of the board of directors for outstanding drive and accomplishments went to Ronald Brunell, CIC, for his many years of dedication to the Big I and the insurance industry.
James Bastian, a highly admired former president of this association and someone who continues to lead the board of directors for the betterment of the membership, received the Bob Morris Award.
Kathleen Weinheimer, CPCU, AAI, Big I New York’s Senior VP of Industry Relations, added to her array of accolades earned during her long career by receiving the Insurance Person of the Year Award that evening. Ms. Weinheimer, after 30 years of service and retiring soon, is known as a major cornerstone at The Big I New York’s home office in Syracuse. Over the years she has advanced the ‘Big I’ name as a strong and highly respected insurance organization throughout the country.
TriCounty announced awards totaling of $9,500 in scholarships this year. $2,500 went to each of three exceptional students of St. John’s School of Risk Management; Jennie Fortune, Michael Platt, and Nekayle Whitaker. Each student surpassed specified criteria, including insurance related study requirements, a high GPA average and service to the community.
The 2018 St. John’s education scholarship program was sponsored by three major insurance carriers; Narragansett Bay Insurance Company, National General Insurance, and Safeco Insurance.
Two winners of Big I Tri-County’s high school seniors scholarship program were announced this evening and certificates will be presented at their school’s awards ceremonies. Vinny Pagano, a senior from Long Beach High School, was the Joel S. Pollack Memorial Scholarship award winner for his essay on ‘distracted driving’. He was chosen from 78 applicants from high schools in the boroughs of Nassau, Queens, Kings and Staten Island.
The Stephen T. Dooley Community Service Award Scholarship went to Colin Lama Robinson, a graduating student from Baldwin High School, for outstanding community service during his high school years. Checks for $1,000 each will be mailed to their chosen colleges to be applied towards tuition or allied expenses.
