The annual award honors an outstanding professional who has distinguished themselves in their service to the insurance industry
Each autumn, the 131 year-old Insurance Library Association of Boston honors an insurance professional who has distinguished themselves through service to both the insurance industry and their community at large.
Officially known as the Insurance Professional of the Year Award, it is a current incarnation of the old Boston Board of Fire Underwriters Man of the Year Award. Revived in 2002, the Insurance Professional of the Year Award is made possible through the establishment of the Richard B. Simches Fund. Over the past 16 years, the award has grown in recognition by being presented each year to “…a person who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender understanding of and respect for the insurance industry.”
Unlike past years in which the ILAB opened the nominating period in May, this year the Insurance Library Association of Boston has officially opened up the nomination period in January.
ILAB Librarian Sarah Hart, who has organized the Award Ceremony for many years, says the Library welcomes any and all nominations from those that have someone in mind. This year, by opening the nomination process earlier, the goal is to allows as many insurance professionals as possible to participate in the process.
Our luncheon is one of the biggest events of the year on the Boston insurance calendar. Because The Library reaches such a broad array of people from our industry, you have the opportunity to mingle with a very diverse crowd. Public adjusters sit next to agents, company people share wine with lawyers and consultants, while accountants and actuaries share inside jokes. The event represents the very best of our industry.”
Past winners of the award include William F. Hofmann, III; John B. Conners; David J. Lane; Ralph “Buddy” Iannaco; Daniel J. Johnston; John K. Golembeski; Ronald Mariano; Richard W. Brewer; Michael J. Sabbagh; Sandra G. Parrillo; Hope A. Aldrich, Francis X. Bellotti; Francis “Frank” Mancini; John A. Myers; Charles Brophy. and F. Timothy Hegarty and last year’s winner J. Bruce Cochrane.
The 2019 award will again be presented in October during the Library’s annual Award Ceremony Luncheon at the Boston Park Plaza.
The Insurance Professional of the Year Criteria
For those individuals interested in nominating someone for this year’s Insurance Professional of the Year Award, the following is a quick rundown of the main criteria the Insurance Library is looking for when choosing a candidate:
- Has earned the respect and affection of the insurance community; and
- Is recognized as hardworking, public-spirited, and trustworthy.
Ultimately, the Insurance Professional of the Year candidate is selected by a committee composed of a cross-sections of insurance professionals in Massachusetts (and New England). In order to make such a decision, however, the committee relies heavily on the input it receives from those in the insurance industry. So if you know someone who deserves this award, be sure to nominate them by the deadline.
How to nominate someone you know…
To nominate someone who you think should be this year’s Insurance Professional of the Year, send an email with the name of the candidate and a short reason why you think they should be this year’s IPYA to Sarah Hart.
