The latest career and company news from around Massachusetts…
Appointments
MAIA Board Seeks 3 Members
MAIA’s Nominating Committee is seeking three candidates to round out the Board of Directors. We are looking for positive energy, demographic diversity, bold problem-solving, and fresh perspectives to help MAIA fulfill its commitment to our members.
If you are a future-oriented individual who believes deeply in the independent agency system and wants to help move our industry forward amid some steep challenges, we hope you will consider this opportunity. In addition to the privilege of giving back to the industry we love, Board membership offers significant personal and career benefits:
Build industry relationships and expand your professional network
Cultivate a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our industry
Impact legislation that affects our members and their businesses
Strengthen and elevate the independent insurance agency system across Massachusetts.
To be eligible, you must be a licensed insurance agent or broker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and commit to serve a three-year term.
We strongly encourage interested candidates to learn more about the role and the nomination process by contacting Nick Fyntrilakis at nfyntrilakis@massagent.com.
Liberty Mutual Appoints Marc Orloff General Manager of Field Distribution
To help brokers have better access to the full range of commercial and specialty insurance products from Liberty Mutual and Ironshore, Liberty Mutual has appointed Marc Orloff to lead field distribution for Global Risk Solutions (GRS), which focuses on core P&C lines for mid- to large businesses, as well as specialty, excess and reinsurance. This new role will not only be pivotal to increasing success with broker partners, but also in optimizing the complex risk management needs of clients.
Orloff – who will report to Shaun Kelly, President, GRS Distribution – leads a team of six regional executives and a wholesale executive, each with a staff that oversees broker relationships and strategy on a local level.
Awards
Massachusetts named top InsurPac Donor of 2019
Kudos are in order for members of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. This year, Massachusetts was honored with the InsurPac National Championship Award, during the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s Annual Legislative Meeting. According to the Big “I”, the annual award “…goes to the state whose agents contribute the most money for InsurPac in a calendar year.” This year, Massachusetts agents contributions totaled more than $87,000.
For those unfamiliar with InsurPac, it is the Big “I”‘s political action committee.
Patrick Dempsey Named InsurPac Young Agent of the Year
In addition to being the top InsurPac donor state this year, a Massachusetts independent insurance agent also was named the InsurPac Young Agent of the Year. Patrick Dempsey, a Vice President of the family owned an operated Dempsey Insurance Agency in Norwood was named the 2019 InsurPac Young Agent of the Year. Current Big “I” President Joe Leahy was on hand along with National Director and fellow Mass. agent Ray Gallant to present Mr. Dempsey with the award.
As detailed in the most recent issue of the MAIA’s Mass. Agent newsletter, the award recognizes one young agent each year who has exemplified “leadership and commitment to InsurPac.”
In commenting on Mr. Dempsey’s election, Mr. Gallant said during the ceremony (and which was quoted in the MAIA’s newsletter):
Over the past eight years this individual has been instrumental in reigniting his state’s young agent program in many areas. As part of that rebirth, he stressed the importance of being politically active and supporting InsurPac. That groundwork paid off, particularly last year when his state’s young agents contributed $11,560, a $4,000 increase over the previous year. He also put his money where his mouth is and became an InsurPac major donor last year. Please join me in congratulating your 2018 InsurPac Young Agent of the Year: Patrick Dempsey of Massachusetts.”
Retirement
Hospitality Insurance Group Bids Farewell to Retiring Board Member Gerald Cassidy
A founding member of Hospitality Insurance Group’s Board of Directors has retired. Gerald Cassidy, who brought decades of insurance experience and knowledge to the Board, announced his retirement on May 8, 2019.
Cassidy served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospital Underwriters Mutual Insurance Company (HUM) when he was a founding member of the board in 2008, and he delivered valuable guidance throughout his tenure.
“Hospitality Insurance Group is deeply appreciative of Jerry’s commitment to the Board, and his counsel and opinions on a myriad of insurance issues. A board member with Jerry’s expertise and enthusiasm will be greatly missed,” said Richard E. Welch, Jr., President & CEO of Hospitality Insurance Group.
“I have had the privilege of serving on several boards with Jerry over the last four decades. He was a gifted insurance professional and a valued personal friend,” said William T. McGrail, HIG Chairman.
Cassidy’s extensive experience in the insurance industry helped guide important decisions that have expanded the operations of Hospitality Insurance Group. Highlights from Cassidy’s time on the Board include voting on the acquisition of Eastern Casualty and prompting the use of their inactive licenses. He was also involved in transitioning Liquor Liability Joint Underwriting Association of Massachusetts, initially created by legislators in Massachusetts, to Hospitality Mutual Insurance Company and Hospitality Insurance Company — which both co-operate as Hospitality Insurance Group.
A seasoned insurance executive with over 50 years of experience, Cassidy served in managerial roles at St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company and the Phoenix of Hartford Insurance Company.
Cassidy has also lent his expertise to other boards and committees throughout his career. His additional appointments include being on HUM’s Board of Directors and its Executive, Finance, and Employee Benefits Committees, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Child’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y., Chairman of the Hospital Insurance Forum, and Vice Chairman of the Massachusetts Reinsurance Plan.
Cassidy plans to spend his time between Florida and Maine, where he will enjoy spending more time with his grandchildren and playing golf.
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