Standing Strong

Greater New York Insurance Companies celebrated its
100th anniversary the first week of November in a style
that fit the modest, but unquestionably upbeat swing of this highly successful enterprise. The dinner included 300 elected and regulatory officials, brokers, company executives and industry leaders gathered at New York’s historic Union League Club one block from GNY’s Madison Avenue headquarters. “Since 1914. Standing Strong” was communicated as the theme articulated via a diorama styled work of art that presented the Company’s milestones.

During the program, Senator James L. Seward, Chairman of the New York State Senate Insurance Committee, welcomed guests and presented a proclamation by the New York State Senate and New York Executive Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, Robert Easton, offered the congratulations of the Department of Financial Services on achieving the landmark centenary year and for being “boring” inasmuch as its results and record are predictably uneventful, i.e. problematic. Nice compliment, actually. Ms. Elizabeth Heck, President and COO of the Company, told attendees: “While the Company has evolved over the decades, Greater New York Mutual Insurance Company stayed true to its core beliefs. Those same core competencies provide a strong foundation for moving the Company forward into the next century.” Ms. Heck, who will succeed Warren Heck as CEO, pledged to sustain the high standards that have characterized the Company’s progress to date: “The GNY community thrives on high standards of excellence, efficient service, and, most important, on the expectation of business conducted with honesty and integrity. These characteristics marked our progress since 1914 and will mark it as we advance over the years ahead.”

Mr. Warren Heck, Chairman of GNY, who preceded Ms. Heck as President from March 1983 to March 2001 was honored by the Company and its guests during the evening, as he passed the 52 year mark of service to GNY and its community; he is the fourth Chairman of GNY and was easily able to offer a history and perspective on the founding and development of GNY from its startup days on New York’s lower east side to today’s growing enterprise with 360 employees, 12,000 policyholders and a presence in 15 states. Mr. Heck observed: “If ever there were a company dedicated to New York City, to the well-being of its residents and policyholders, we feel it is GNY Companies. As underwriters of New York Real Estate these many years we have protected our brokers’ and insureds with great dedication and have been rewarded handsomely with the loyalty of so many customers. GNY Companies’ celebration is, in a sense, a celebration of the success of New York insuring in the sectors in which we specialize.” As soon as this well run, reliable, A+ rated New York Real estate engine advises, we will publish the Save the Date for GNY’s 200th. It’s that solid and predictable. Congrats to the Hecks, the Board and the team at GNY, long a friend to independent brokers.