Agency Checklists’ look at the latest hiring news as well as the awards and accolades achieved this week from both in and around the Massachusetts insurance industry…
A
ppointment – The Norfolk & Dedham Group
Paul DeFronzo Named The New CFO of The Norfolk & Dedham Group
Dedham-based The Norfolk and Dedham Group has announced the hiring of Paul DeFronzo as Chief Financial Officer.
In this newly created role, Paul will provide overall leadership and management on all financial matters involving N&D. As part of the senior leadership team, he will play a key role in company-wide strategic planning and corporate initiatives. His responsibilities will include oversight of Financial Systems and Reporting, Treasury, Reserving, Budgets, Expense Management, Financial Planning and Analysis, Internal Audit, Compliance and Procurement.
Paul has more than 25 years of combined experience in financial services, insurance carrier and insurance broker organizations. Most recently, he served as Vice President Finance and Treasurer at a national medical professional liability insurance carrier.
Paul is a CPA and earned his Master of Business Administration at Suffolk University and his undergraduate degree in accounting at Bentley University.
Appointment – Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company
Four Senior Leadership Team Promotions at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company
As part of its long-term strategic plans, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, has introduced its new executive and enhanced senior leadership teams. The announcement includes executive vice president and vice president promotions, the creation of a new executive team, and an expanded senior leadership team.
Last May, the company announced a reorganization into four strategic business centers to better serve its customer and employee needs, while maintaining competitive market positioning. Building on that move, the talent alignment announced today will be organized into two levels – one team of executive vice presidents, and a broader senior leadership team, including vice presidents – and features executive representation from each of the company’s main business areas.
The introduction of an executive team and expansion of our senior leadership team is a vital step in enhancing our strategic planning process and continuing our positive momentum,” said Paul A. Quaranto, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. “The newly structured teams will better align our organization and talent with our goals, supporting Boston Mutual’s efforts to further deepen our talent development opportunities and achieve greater levels of growth.”
The following individuals have been promoted:
- David C. Mitchell, CLU, MSI – Executive Vice President, External Affairs & Corporate Communications
- Mary T. Tillson, FLMI, ALHC, ACS, HIA, MHP – Executive Vice President, Legacy Operations (Administration and Claims)
- Grant D. Ward, Sr. J.D. – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary – Legal, Compliance and Human Resources
- Susan J. Gardner, CPA, LLIF – Vice President, Controller
Accolades – The Arbella Insurance Foundation
Arbella Insurance Foundation Surpasses $1 Million Raised Over 10 Years for Hunger Relief Programs Across New England
Marking its 10th Anniversary this year, the Arbella Insurance Foundation in conjunction with its independent agent partners has raised $1,070,614 over ten years for its “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” campaign. The Campaign supports hunger relief programs across New England.
Let’s Drive Out Hunger centers on a matching gift program in which Arbella matches donations made by independent agents who represent the insurers within the Arbella Insurance Group, on a two-to-one basis, up to $1,000 per agency. From November 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, a total of $129,670 was raised through the program for local food pantries, soup kitchens and food programs in nearly 100 communities across New England.
In our tenth year of the Let’s Drive Out Hunger campaign, it is truly inspiring to see the continued generosity of Arbella’s independent agents and their dedication to giving back to local food pantries and charities,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group and chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. “We would like to thank our independent agents who have helped us to reach the milestone of $1 million raised over ten years. We are honored to partner with our agents in support of their charitable giving, and we are proud to see the positive impact our commitment to fighting hunger has for thousands of New England families.”
Let’s Drive Out Hunger empowers agents to select food programs in their own communities that they want to support. Nearly one hundred food pantries across New England received donations this year, including ACORD Food Pantry in South Hamilton, MA, Bread & Roses in Lawrence, MA, East Bridgewater Food Pantry in East Bridgewater, MA, Friends of Bourne Council on Aging, Buzzards Bay, MA, Helping Hands Cupboard, Belchertown, MA, Nashua Soup Kitchen, Nashua, NH, Peace of Bread, Whitinsville, MA, Rehoboth Food Pantry, Rehoboth, MA, Salvation Army, Newport, RI, and Worcester County Food Bank, Shrewsbury, MA.
While advocacy for hunger relief has successfully reduced the number of people and communities in need, there is still work to be done. According to a recent study, from The Greater Boston Food Bank, more than nine years after the Great Recession, one out of every 10 households in Massachusetts (about 700,000 people) still lacks the resources necessary to afford enough food for all household members to be healthy.
Awards – Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
MAIA Presented with InsurPac Championship Award
MAIA was recognized as the top-contributing state to InsurPac in 2017 and was presented with the InsurPac National Championship Award by Big “I” Chairman, Vaughn Graham while at the conference.
The MAIA surpassed Texas last year in a spirited campaign, which raised approximately $73,000 and helped to fuel a record setting fundraising effort of over $1.1 Million for InsurPac in 2017.
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline August 1st
Frances R. Soderberg
Reminder – The Frances R. Soderberg Scholarship
Soderberg Insurance Services, Inc. is offering an educational scholarship dedicated in memory of the agency’s co-founder Frances Soderberg. Frances was an active member of the North Shore community for over 50 years. In addition to her commitment to her family, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of those with special needs.
Her youngest daughter Karen was born with Down’s Syndrome. Mrs. Soderberg was instrumental in the integration of recreational and educational programs for children and young adults who are mentally disabled. The co-founder coordinated an instructional tennis program that ran for fifteen years. Mrs. Soderberg, along with the assistance of the special needs participants and North Shore community, organized an annual fundraiser for 25 consecutive years to raise money for the recreational, educational, and social programs for the special needs young adults.
The Frances R. Soderberg Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who shares her same passion to help those with special needs. This scholarship will be awarded to a current college student, or college bound student who shares her commitment for education of individuals with disabilities and improving their overall quality of life. Mrs. Soderberg believed that integration of the handicapped in society is beneficial to all. When a community embraces the disabled, the community evolves into a more passionate, caring place for all residents.
Preferential consideration will be given to North Shore residents. This resident must be a student pursuing a degree or other higher education/vocational career that will help those with disabilities. The selection committee would also like to see evidence of the student’s involvement with the special needs community. Whether it is in a hospital, school, or community event, the selection committee seeks evidence of the applicant’s commitment to this important line of work.
To be considered for the scholarship, please send a personal statement, including personal and professional goals to info@soderbergins.com. Applications will be accepted through August 1st. The award will be made in September 2018.
Kathryn Soderberg, CPCU
800-866-9363
Kathryn@soderbergins.com
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline May 31st
Reminder – The Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award
The Essex Chapter of The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women is now accepting applications for its 2018 Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award. The $500 Scholarship is awarded to an individual for use as a college scholarship or as a reimbursement for those with a passing grade for a licensing course and/or exam of an insurance designation course.
To be eligible applicants must be either in the insurance industry or a family member of someone who is employed in the insurance industry planning on attending college, or attending a higher education/trade school, acquiring a new insurance designation or acquiring a new insurance or work related license.
The submission deadline for this year’s scholarship is May 31, 2018. Applications may be obtained from Scholarship Chair:
Marilyn Michalak
41 Pine Street, #43
Peabody, MA 01960
or by emailing her at: MARILYN.MICHALAK@COMCAST.NET
