F. Timothy Hegarty, Jr., Chairman of the Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Group was presented with the 2017 Insurance Professional of the Year Award
On Friday, October 6th, 2017 almost 500 members of the Massachusetts insurance industry came together to toast the 16th Annual Insurance Professional of the Year Winner. The annual awards luncheon held in the Imperial Ballroom at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel honored F. Timothy Hegarty, Jr., Chairman of The Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Group.
In commenting on this year’s event, the Insurance Library Association of Boston said,
The 2017 Insurance Professional of the Year Award luncheon honoring F. Timothy Hegarty, Jr., Chairman of Norfolk & Dedham, was a resounding success. The Insurance Library values its unique position in the industry and is proud that the nearly 500 attendees were made up of representatives from across the industry: producers, carriers, risk managers, adjusters, accountants and lawyers.
This broad base of support is what makes the event and The Insurance Library Association of Boston so special. On behalf of all of the attendees, The Library Trustees and staff would once again like to join in offering our sincere congratulations to Tim Hegarty.”
Established in 2002 by the Richard Simches Fund, the Insurance Professional of the Year Award is presented each year by The Insurance Library Association of Boston to “…a person who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender understanding of and respect for the insurance industry.” The selection process is conducted by a cross-section of the insurance industry and as such carries with it that added significance.
The Awards Ceremony
The day began with a cocktail hour and silent auction giving everyone a chance to hobnob and catch up with colleagues old and new from both agencies and insurance carriers alike.
Among those in attendance to honor Mr. Hegarty included past IPYA winners Charles Brophy, President and CEO of Hub International of New England, who was the 2016 IPYA Award Winner, the 2015 IPYA Award Winner John Myers, Chairman of Associated Industries of Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Companies (A.I.M. Mutual). Also in attendance was the 2014 IPYA Award winner and former MAIA President & CEO Francis A. Mancini, the 2013 winner and Vice Chairman of Arbella, Francis X. Bellotti, and 2011 IPYA award winner Sandra G. Parrillo, CPCU, CIC, the President & CEO The Providence Mutual.
A biography of this year’s winner
The following biography of Mr. Hegarty was provided by the Insurance Library Association:
Mr. Hegarty’s career began at Malmart Mortgage Company, the first minority owned mortgage banking company in New England. From there he went on to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, eventually becoming the Chief of the Insurance Division. Mr. Hegarty joined The Norfolk & Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1984 as Vice President of Marketing. He was named President in 1990 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
His dedication to the community is apparent in his work with many civic and non-profit organizations. Perhaps it is because of the years he spend as a public servant, or his time volunteering in the community, but one of the things people comment on most is Mr. Hegarty’s approachability.
His practice of meeting personally with each new employee and his open door policy encouraged employees to embrace change and provide input, not relying on the status quo. Under Mr. Hegarty’s leadership, Norfolk & Dedham Group has become an innovative organization. Norfolk & Dedham Group invested early in technology streamlining their business as well as improving work for their agents.
Mr. Hegarty has also engendered this spirit of community in his agents; urging them to focus on the value add that they bring. Years ago he was quoted as saying: “We don’t dabble in direct writing. We feel agents are our best value to market.”
We think that quote is very telling about the regard that Mr. Hegarty has for people in general and which embodies the criteria for The Insurance Professional of the Year. As he becomes the 16th individual to achieve this elite status, we congratulate Mr. Hegarty on a job well done!
View our slideshow of this year’s event
Thanks to the Insurance Library and its photographer Robert Castagna for once again providing us with such great photos for a recap of this year’s event. Enjoy!
