TriCounty IIAA Installs Officers and Directors for 2017-2018 Term

Awards and scholarship announcements accompanied the evening’s activities

May 18, 2017, Albertson, New York—New officers and directors took the helm on May 17 during the Long Island-based TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association annual installation dinner and awards ceremony. The gathering, held at Chateau Briand in Carle Place, NY, set the TriCounty leadership for the 2017 through 2018 term. More than 150 agents and brokers, company representatives, vendors, and other members of the insurance community joined the festivities of this special occasion, starting with a bountiful outdoor cocktail reception.

Adam Erickson of Carlstan North Hills Agency, Inc. in Garden City was installed as president of TriCounty by his father, Kenneth Erickson. Additional officers and directors were installed by Kathleen Lawler, AAI, CIC, Assistant Vice President of Education of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. (IIABNY).

Alexander Giraldo of Club Agency Insurance Brokerage in Garden City will assume the position of Vice President, and Ronald Brunell, CIC, of The Signature B&B Companies in Garden City, NY was installed as Treasurer. Andrew Chong, ARC, Underwriting Partners, Inc. of Great Neck will be the group’s Secretary in the new term.

The TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association, Inc. will have the following agents serving on the Board of Directors:

Christopher Dritsas, Advantage Partners, Inc., Port Washington; Frank Elorza, Club Agency Insurance Brokerage, Garden City; Steven Ferrar, Ferrar Insurance Agency, Inc., Franklin Square; Neil Levy, CPA, CFP, CBS Coverage Group, Plainview; Robert E. Mackoul, CLU, New Empire Group, Long Beach; and Christopher Wukovits, AAA, New York Insurance Services, Inc., Garden City.

The prestigious Joe Bonica Award presented to a member of the board of directors for outstanding work and accomplishments went to Peter Phillips, of Phillips Brokerage, Inc. for starting and maintaining the following scholarship program at John’s School of Risk Management eight years ago, and also for enhancing the association’s charity support over the years.

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: Samantha Meneilly, Antonio Perciavalle, and Nicholas Smith. Each student surpassed specified criteria, including insurance-related study requirements, a high GPA average, and service to the community.

The 2017 St. John’s education scholarship program was sponsored by three major insurance carriers: Narragansett Bay Insurance Company, National General Insurance, and Safeco Insurance.

Winners of the two other $1,000 scholarships were announced and certificates will be presented at their school’s awards ceremonies. Madelyn Collins was the Joel S. Pollack Memorial Scholarship award winner for her essay on the pros and cons of driverless cars. Madelyn 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 Madison Cinnamo, a graduating student from West Hempstead 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.

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.