Longtime MAIA President & CEO, Francis Mancini, Esq, will retire at the end of 2016
Nicholas A. “Nick” Fyntrilakis has been selected as the new President & CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (“MAIA”). Mr. Fyntrilakis will take over the helm of one of the country’s most active state agent associations from retiring President & CEO Francis “Frank” Mancini, Esq., who announced in January that he would be stepping down at the end of the year.
“Throughout an extensive search process, Nick distinguished himself as a leader who can provide value to our members,” said Board Chair G.L. “Lee” Gaudette. “We know that Nick will support the success of our members, and will serve as a positive, dynamic presence on their behalf.”
“As Nick assumes his responsibilities, we also express our deep gratitude to Frank Mancini,” Gaudette continued, noting the accomplishments of MAIA’s retiring CEO, Francis A. Mancini, Esq. “Frank’s vision, energy and skill have been critical to making MAIA the vibrant, respected organization it is today. Frank and Nick will coordinate duties during the transition through Frank’s retirement at year-end. It is upon this strong foundation that Nick will help MAIA continue its success.”
Mr. Fyntrilakis joins the MAIA from the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company where he served as Vice President. Mr. Fyntrilakis first joined the Springfield-based insurer in 2002. In addition to serving as Vice President and a member of the insurer’s marketing senior leadership team, he was also served as President of the MassMutual Foundation, where he was responsible for the company’s $18- million-dollar charitable programming.
Prior to MassMutual, Mr. Fyntrilakis was the President and CEO of Resource Advantages, Inc., a consulting firm focused on government relations, marketing and public affairs strategies for small- to mid-sized companies and professional associations. He was also the Chief of Staff to former State Representative Dennis M. Murphy, then House Chairman of the Committee on Energy.
I am deeply honored to join the MAIA team, and am excited to support the work of our members who are helping protect families and businesses across Massachusetts,” commented incoming CEO Fyntrilakis. “MAIA’s members serve the diverse needs of individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Commonwealth. I look forward to helping drive MAIA’s mission in support of our members’ success, as they support the needs of their customers.”
The MAIA’s search for a successor to Mr. Mancini
In January of this year, the MAIA’s longtime President & CEO, Francis A. Mancini, Esq. announced his decision to retire. Mr. Mancini, who has been the President & CEO of the MAIA since 1994, spent the majority of his career supporting the independent insurance agents of Massachusetts and the America Insurance System in the Commonwealth. As he explained in the announcement of his retirement,
The Massachusetts insurance landscape has changed dramatically since I began my tenure with the association in 1974. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that the independent insurance agency system remains the distribution channel of choice for Massachusetts consumers. Despite the obstacles faced by independent insurance agents over the years, their resilience and professionalism have kept them the dominant leaders in an evolving marketplace.
My career in the insurance industry has been extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. I have made and maintained many wonderful friendships with those I have met through my work with the association. “Professionally, I have had the privilege of representing Massachusetts independent insurance agents for over 36 years. I am a true believer in the men and women I represent and I remain the biggest cheerleader of the American Insurance Agency System in the Commonwealth.”
As a result of that decision, the MAIA formed a new search committee to oversee the selection of a new President & CEO. To that end, the association retained the services of the executive search firm, Vetted Solutions, which supported the Board and search committee during its search for a successor. The firm’s president, Jim Zaniello, spearheaded the search and served as the primary contact for candidates.