As many Massachusetts insurance agents and professionals already know, this month Frank Mancini, Esq., long-time President & CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents officially retires from the Association on December 16th. In fact, many of you probably had the chance to wish Mr. Mancini well during the Arbella’s Gourmet luncheon at this year’s Big Event. See Agency Checklists, “A Fond Farewell: Frank Mancini Addresses The Big Event Attendees At The Arbella Gourmet Luncheon.”
During Mr. Mancini’s speech, in which he discussed his career and what working in the Massachusetts insurance industry has meant to him, he also noted that a large part of the reason for his success as well as the success of the MAIA, had to do with the Associations other key players and staff, many of whom he had worked with alongside him for decades.
The MAIA staff is its lifeblood. They make the Association work. No problem that a member has is too small for the MAIA staff to do all it can to solve that problem. Regardless of the time or effort necessary. We call it ‘retail association work.’ They accomplish a great deal more. The tremendous training session, this wonderful convention each year. Legislative and regulatory advocacy among much more. I can’t say enough about the professionalism and dedication of the MAIA staff. I am very proud of what MAIA accomplishes on behalf of our members and the credit goes to the twenty-nine individuals who make the MAIA staff.
As such, Agency Checklists thought it important to note that in addition to Mr. Mancini’s retirement, two other long-time leaders of the MAIA were also retiring this year, Donna McKenna and Daniel Foley, Esq.
As many can attest, both Ms. McKenna and Mr. Foley have been instrumental over the years in the running of the MAIA as well as in helping keep the independent agents of Massachusetts a strong and vital voice in the industry. As such, before they officially retire we thought it appropriate to get a little insight into how they got into the Massachusetts insurance industry and what made them stay so long.
Donna McKenna: 44 years working with the independent agents of Massachusetts
Most know Donna McKenna as the Vice President of Communications for the MAIA. Many may not know, however, that Ms. McKenna has actually spent over four decades in service to the independent insurance agents of Massachusetts.
And while she did have second thoughts about her insurance career after her first day required her mixing Bloody Marys and popping popcorn at 6AM for the Association’s Marathon Day party back in 1972, she persevered and ended up spending the next 44 years helping the independent agents of Massachusetts.
How did you first get started in the Massachusetts insurance industry and in particular the MAIA?
I was living in Killeen, TX, and my husband was due to get out of the Army. Since we planned to move back home (Massachusetts), I was putting out feelers for jobs in the Hopkinton area. I was put in touch with Hap Petrarca by my parents’ insurance agent, Paul Phipps. After a phone interview, Hap told me to report for work the following Monday. I started work on April 11, 1972, and the rest is history. Although I had some doubts when I reported for work, on the second Monday of my insurance career at 6 AM to mix Bloody Marys and pop endless bags of popcorn, for the Association’s Patriots Day Open House at the starting line of the Boston Marathon.
Was the Association called the MAIA then?
When I started, the association was called the Independent Mutual Agents of New England (IMANE). It later became the Professional Insurance Agents of New England (PIA-New England), PIA of Massachusetts until the two agent associations merged to form MAIA in 1992.
Are you surprised by the fact that you have spent the majority of your career at the MAIA?
Time flies when you are having fun. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every day – well, almost every day. I have met so many wonderful people and made so many great friends over the past 44 years. I still love what I do and look forward to coming here every day. I will miss it, but I will cherish the people and the memories.
What do you think has been your greatest challenge?
The greatest challenge of my career has been to keep abreast of the rapidly-changing personal auto marketplace.
In your opinion, what has been your greatest accomplishment during your career?
I think my greatest accomplishment has been to have gained the trust and respect of independent agents. Just this morning, I included a short and sweet farewell in my last issue of Registry News. Within minutes after the emailing was sent, I received close to 200 congratulatory emails. One, in particular, says it all …
I’m so happy for you and want to thank you for your many years of dedication to our industry and to us as agents and to me personally for always being there to help me. Your work has given our industry credibility and respect and you’ve always kept the needs of the insured at the forefront of your work. I wish you joy, good health and relaxation in this next wonderful chapter of your life. All the best!”
What piece of advice do you have for the independent agents in Massachusetts?
Continue to use every opportunity to tell the public what sets the local independent agent apart from the faceless 1-800 and dot com insurance salespeople.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I will definitely miss it, but I am looking forward to spending more time with my family.
Dan Foley: 38 years fighting for the rights of the independent agents of Massachusetts
Daniel J. Foley, Jr., Esq., CAE has been keeping Mass. agents abreast of Legislative laws and government affairs affecting them for over thirty years. As the Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs & General Counsel, he has been the go-to guy for getting things done for Mass. agents on Beacon Hill. As he gets ready to retire, he tells us how he wound up as the MAIA’s advocate on Beacon Hill and why it matters to Mass. agents what goes on in government.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I graduated from St. Anselm College and then earned my J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School. I am a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association. I am admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, as well as before the United States District Court and the United States Supreme Court.
While attending law school, I worked in the Massachusetts Senate Counsel’s Office. Since 1974, I have been a volunteer for the Massachusetts Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, having served as President of the Chapter and then served as a Trustee with the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As an individual with Cystic Fibrosis, I am an advocate as well as a fundraiser for the foundation participating in the annual GREAT STRIDES WALK for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
How did you get into the Massachusetts insurance industry and more specifically the MAIA?
As for my insurance career with the Association, I have been representing and working for the Massachusetts independent insurance agents for the past 38 years. I first got started with PIA of New England, when Ralph “Hap” Petrarca, the Executive Director, hired me as the Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel. And the rest is history as the saying goes.
After the merger of the various state Big “I” associations with PIA of New England, I moved to the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA), where I have served as the Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel.
What do you think has been your greatest challenge?
The greatest challenge during my 38-year career has been to make sure that legislation that would adversely impact the livelihoods of the members of MAIA was defeated. Any time that I have spoken to independent insurance agents, I have told them that “Legislation can put you out of business faster than your competition.” So there are many times that defeating a harmful piece of legislation was more important than getting a bill passed.
In your opinion, what has been your greatest accomplishment during your career?
It is hard to say what my greatest accomplishment has been. Representing independent insurance agents of Massachusetts over the course of 38 years, I believe that there were many significant legislative accomplishments that have helped independent insurance agents survive and thrive in the ever-changing insurance marketplace in Massachusetts. One of my most important accomplishments came with the passage of two bills that protected the independent insurance agent’s automobile insurance commissions both under the prior “fixed and established system” when rates and commissions were set by the state and when the state moved to “managed competition” in 2008.
The other two great accomplishments were the passage of the law that prohibited the use of credit scores in underwriting and rating of private passenger automobile insurance and the passage of the law that required the Mass. Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA) to provide liability coverage on Dwelling Fire policies for 1 to 4 residential units.
What piece of advice do you have for the independent agents in Massachusetts?
Working for and representing MAIA and its members over the years and advocating for them on Beacon Hill is a job that I have truly loved. I am not surprised that I have spent the majority of my career at MAIA because it has been both challenging and rewarding. I have learned a great deal from the members of the MAIA Board and Legislative Committee about the property/casualty insurance business. The insurance industry in Massachusetts is a great industry serving the insurance needs of the consumers with honesty, integrity and compassion. I have been fortunate to be a part of this great industry. It has been truly an honor and privilege to work for such a dedicated group of insurance professionals.
Do you have any parting advice for the independent agents in Massachusetts?
The best piece of advice that I can give to the independent insurance agents is to keep abreast of the ever-changing market place, all the while keep doing what they do best – and that is providing the best person to person service to their clients in meeting their insurance needs.
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Agency Checklists is sure that we are not alone in thanking both Donna and Dan for their years of service to Massachusetts insurance industry and wishing them all the best in their retirement.
