Recognizing industry superstars

PIANY presented three prestigious awards during the luncheon ceremony and two scholarship awards to rising stars.

Jim Romanelli, northeastern zone officer for CNA, was presented the Executive of the Year award. An industry veteran, Romanelli joined CNA in 2010 after more than 18 years with the Chubb Group. “Throughout his tenure with both companies, his work has shown his commitment to working with agents and brokers to ensure mutual productivity, profitability and professionalism,” said Conte.

Conte also presented the Industry Professional of the Year award to Steve Sternberg, senior vice president of business development for BankDirect Capital Finance. A longtime partner of PIANY, Sternberg has been a Long Island RAP Committee member for the past 16 years, and a past member and Long Island chair of the New York Young Insurance Professionals,” said Conte.

Lastly, PIANY immediate past President Richard A. Savino, CIC, CPIA, presented a presidential citation to longtime PIANY honorary vice president and former MetroRAP chair, Harvey A. Leff. “I would venture to say there are very few people in this room who don’t know Harvey Leff as the ‘Godfather of MetroRAP,’” Savino said. “In addition to serving PIA for many years on its Membership Programs Committee, this honorary PIANY vice president has served as chair of this Metropolitan Regional Awareness Program for the majority of its existence, and since its inception. His unprecedented and unparalleled work to lay the foundation for this event’s success certainly will remain the hallmark of his work with PIA.”

Keeping with MetroRAP tradition, PIANY past President Shelly Kozel presented the Bernard I. Kozel Memorial scholarship, in memory of his father, and the Arthur I. Moll Memorial scholarship, in memory of the PIANY and PIA National past president, to two PIANY-member employees: Cathy Canady and Kelly Krumpholc, respectively. Each winner received tuition to two Certified Insurance Service Representative seminars conducted by PIANY.

Nominated by her employer, Michael Cracco, Canady, account executive at Completely Covered Insurance Agency of Massapequa, N.Y., accepted the Bernard I. Kozel memorial scholarship. She began her career with completely Covered Insurance as a graduate of C.W. Post College and remains a key employee at the same agency, where she started as a file clerk, moved up to customer service representative, and now runs the agency’s entire renewal department. Kozel complimented her as an “example of perseverance and loyalty” for our industry.

Receiving the Arthur I. Moll scholarship was Kelly Krumpholc, CSR of the Bryan Insurance Agency. Krumpholc began her career recently after attending the State University of New York New Paltz and working in retail until her former employer shut its doors. Since then, she has earned her property/casualty license. Her employer, PIA Secretary Amy Bryan, CIC, said of her that “she goes above and beyond to help the customer with a smile on her face. No matter how tough this industry can be she is always positive and eager to learn more.”

Jim Romanelli, zone officer senior vice president northeastern zone, CNA accepts the 2013 MetroRAP Executive of the Year award.

Steve Sternberg, senior vice president of business development, BankDirect Capital Finance, accepts the 2013 MetroRAP Industry Professional of the Year award.

PIANY Honorary Vice President Harvey Leff accepts a Presidential Citation at PIANY's 2013 MetroRAP Awards Luncheon.