Nov 10, 2016

PIANY leaders selected to join new NYSIF Producers' Advisory Council

Glenmont, N.Y.—Representatives of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc. have been selected by the New York State Insurance Fund to be a part of its Producer Advisory Council, which includes eight producer representatives. The representatives from PIANY are President-elect Fred Holender, CLU, CPCU, ChFC, MSFS; Vice President John Tomassi, CPCU; Director Justin Fries, CIC, CPCU, CPIA; and immediate past President Gene Sandy, CIC. They will serve staggered three-year terms and were selected for their strong understanding of New York’s workers’ compensation system.

Recognizing the important role insurance producers play in the placement of State Fund business, NYSIF created the advisory council to allow insurance producers the opportunity to react to and guide the NYSIF’s practices that affect producers.

Holender is director of administration for Lawley Service Inc., in Buffalo, N.Y. He has been a member of the PIANY board of directors since 2013 and served as vice president in 2015-16. He also is chair of the Member, Benefits and Services Committee and is a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance and PIANYPAC Governing committees. He chairs the association’s Buffalo Advisory Council, and is the primary coordinator of PIANY’s Legislative District Office Visits.

Tomassi is president of the Winfield Group in Clifton Park, N.Y. He served as treasurer in 2015-16 and has served on the board of directors since 2013. Currently, he is the chair of the Company/Industry Relations Committee and is budget & finance chair of the Executive/Budget & Finance Committee. Tomassi is a member of the Education/Conference Committee and is chair of PIANY’s Albany Advisory Council and coordinator of PIANY’s Capital Region Legislative District Office Visits.

Fries is principal of Garber Atlas Fries & Associates Inc. in Oceanside, N.Y. He served as chair of the Government Affairs Committee. He also is vice chair of the association’s Long Island Advisory Council and is a member of the Member, Benefits and Services Committee.

Sandy is the director of marketing for the Millennium Alliance Group LLC, in Syosset, N.Y. He served as president in 2015-16; president-elect in 2014-15; first vice president in 2013-14; vice president in 2011-13; treasurer in 2010-11 and as secretary in 2009-10. He serves as vice president of the Nominations Committee and is a member of the Company/Industry Relations, Executive/Budget & Finance and Government Affairs committees. He also is an ex officio member of the Long Island Advisory Council.

PIANY is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout the state.

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