PIANJ presented a number of awards during the Annual Conference. Beth Starr of Special Olympics New Jersey was presented with the Community Service award. The Company of the Year award was presented to Selective Insurance; Senior Vice President, New Jersey Regional Manager Teresa Caro accepted the award on Selective’s behalf. The Company Person of the Year award was given to Gary Capone, vice president of field services for Franklin Mutual Insurance. The Director of the Year award was presented to Beth Frederickson, CPIA, of Voluntary Risk Managers, for her leadership as Conference & Education Chairperson on the Membership Services & Programs Committee. And finally, the Professional Agent of the Year award was given to Andrew Harris, Jr., CIC, AAI, of Liberty Insurance Associates.

It also was announced that Charlie Caruso, son of Charles Caruso, CIC, CPIA, of Herbert Jamison & Company, was the recipient of the John Laux Memorial Scholarship.

In a special presentation, newly elected President Bruce Blum, CPIA, along with all the PIANJ officers, presented outgoing President Lloyd “Rip” Bush, CPIA, with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.