Jun 12, 2013

PIANJ, PIANY name thousands Professional Agent of the Year for 2013

ATLANTIC CITY-Thousands of professional independent insurance agents are receiving awards in the mail this week, after the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey and New York State announced it has named Sandy-affected agents its 2013 Professional Agent of the Year. The award was announced Monday evening at the PIANJ/PIANY Joint Annual Conference gala award dinner at the Trump Taj Mahal Resort Casino, Atlantic City, N.J.

PIANY President Michael J. Skeele, CIC, CPIA, and PIANJ immediate past President Anthony Bavaro, CIC, CRM, announced the unprecedented award, and displayed a permanent plaque commemorating it, which will be displayed at the associations headquarters in Glenmont, N.Y.

From left, PIANY President Michael J. Skeele, CIC, CPIA, and PIANJ immediate past President Anthony Bavaro, CIC, CRM, announce this years Professional Agent of the Year award recipients: all of the agents affected by Sandy.

PIAs Professional Agent of the Year award recognizes excellence and achievement in insurance marketing and service; personal commitment to professionalism and contributions to PIA and the community. The individuals who receive this award are models of professionalism and service.

"This year is unique," Bavaro told the audience of some 400 industry pros who attended Mondays awards dinner. "I dont have to share with the people in this room the extraordinary circumstances our region and our industry have faced since this past fall, when Superstorm Sandy hit our shores. As someone who was without power and Internet in both my home and agency, and who is still dealing with the claims of my clients, I know firsthand just how much of an effect the storm has had on our industry and the public we serve. The response of our industry-the agency CSRs and principals who worked from their cars when their agencies were without power-our carriers who brought in adjusters from throughout the country to make sure they had as many boots on the ground as possible to expedite claims-our own PIA staff who helped provide us with much needed information through Storm Info Central-the last eight months have been extraordinary times for our industry ... times in which we were able to show the public the real value and service independent agencies and the companies we represent provide to our clients.

PIANJ immediate past President Anthony Bavaro, CIC, CRM, holds up the Professional Agent of the Year award plaque, which will be displayed at PIA headquarters in Glenmont, N.Y. Certificates also were sent to this years recipients: all of the agents affected by Sandy.

"Throughout this room, we can all share stories about long hours; forced relocations; creative communications; and extraordinary feats that we and our employees accomplished to make sure the promises our industry made to our insureds were kept, even when we ourselves were affected by the storm. I am proud to have been a part of this amazing effort by our whole industry," Bavaro said.

"This shouldnt be a surprise," Skeele said. "Year after year, we have said on this very stage that professional, independent agents are pillars of their communities-always there to support neighbors, friends and families. We have always been the backbones of our communities, where weve chosen to live. "Sandy was devastating to entire regions-to thousands of families and the communities where they live. Our members played a critical role in helping those they serve to get back on their feet and be restored to as much normalcy as possible ... as quickly as possible. They were among the first responders, often putting their clients needs ahead of their own families For this reason, PIA of New York and PIA of New Jersey are proud this year to recognize every PIA member agency in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy."

A full wrap-up of the event will be available on the PIANJ and PIANY websites at www.pia.org under "Events."

PIANJ and PIANY are trade associations representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout their respective states.

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