This year’s honoree is Royce Cross of Cross Insurance
Boston, Massachusetts (September 13, 2024)—On October 4, at a luncheon gala at the InterContinental Boston, Sonya M. Ross, CPCU, ARM, president and board chair of the Insurance Library, will present the 2024 Insurance Professional of the Year Award to Royce Cross, Chairman of Cross Insurance.
Sponsorships and individual seats are available for purchase until Noon on Monday, September 23. But potential sponsors wishing to have their logo or name included in the letter of congratulations that will appear in the September 27 print and digital editions of The Standard must purchase a sponsorship by Noon on Monday, September 16.
The Insurance Professional of the Year Award was first made possible by the establishment in 2001 of the Richard B. Simches Fund. Mr. Simches, who founded Safety Insurance Company, believed that it was important to recognize outstanding individuals in the insurance industry. The award was created by the Library’s Board of Trustees in the tradition of an award bestowed annually from the 1950s through 1996 by the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters.
Michael A. Pezza Jr., the Library’s Executive Director, explains that “since 2002, when the Library first presented this award, a broad cross section of members of the insurance, financial security, risk management, and legal communities has gathered to recognize an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and exemplifies qualities that foster commitment to, understanding of, and respect for the insurance industry. This year’s award gala will be an opportunity to celebrate Royce Cross and all he has done for the industry, as well as an opportunity for those attending to connect with colleagues from across New England and beyond.”
“This award is very much about my father and his contribution to the business,” remarked Jonathan Cross, CEO of Cross Insurance. “At the heart of this legendary adventure is a man that loves his business, loves this industry, and is at his best when he’s doing a deal. For several years now I have challenged others in the industry to find me someone else that loves this business more than my father, and so far nobody has yet to find one.”
The October 4 gala will start at 10:30 a.m. with an extended social and networking period, a silent auction, and a luncheon at Noon followed by an award ceremony. Details about purchasing sponsorships or tickets, or donating items for the silent auction, are available on the Library’s website at bit.ly/2024_IPYA.
Those seeking additional information, or wishing to donate items for the silent auction, may contact Michael Pezza at mpezza@insurancelibrary.org or Sarah Hart, the Library’s Education and Event Coordinator, at events@insurancelibrary.org.
About the Insurance Library of Boston
The Insurance Library Association of Boston was founded in 1887. It is the country’s first and only remaining independent library dedicated solely to the subject of insurance. The Library’s mission is to provide members of the insurance, financial security, risk management, and legal communities, and the public, with high-quality educational programming, opportunities for engagement and networking, and unique insurance research resources and services. The Library’s vision is to be recognized as the preeminent nonprofit provider of such educational programs and other services, build upon its unique position as a hub for networking and engagement, and continue to expand its reach nationally.
The Insurance Library is a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service. More information about the Library, including membership, other upcoming events, and educational programs may be found on its website, www.insurancelibrary.org.
