Individuals Have Until June 30th To Submit Their Nomination
Each autumn, the 132-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, the award is a current incarnation of the old Boston Board of Fire Underwriters Man of the Year Award. Revived in 2002, the newly named Insurance Professional of the Year Award was made possible through the establishment of the Richard B. Simches Fund.
Over the past 21 years, the award has grown in recognition by being presented each year to “…a person who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender an understanding of and respect for the insurance industry.”
The annual award honors an outstanding professional who has distinguished themselves in their service to the insurance industry
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 allow 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.”
This year, The Insurance Library Association of Boston has modernized the nomination process which can now be done all online via their website. Individuals interested in nominating someone for the award have Friday, June 30th to do so.
Past Winners of the IPYA Award
The following is a list of past winners of the annual award:
| 2002 | William F. Hofmann, III CPCU, CLU, CIC, AAI, LIA | 2012 | Hope A. Aldrich |
| 2003 | John B. Connors | 2013 | Francis X. Bellotti |
| 2004 | David J. Lane | 2014 | Francis A. Mancini |
| 2005 | Ralph “Buddy” Iannaco | 2015 | John A. Myers |
| 2006 | Daniel J. Johnston | 2016 | Charles (Charley) J. Brophy |
| 2007 | John K. Golembeski | 2017 | Timothy Hegarty |
| 2008 | Ronald Mariano | 2018 | J. Bruce Cochrane |
| 2009 | Richard “Dick” W. Brewer | 2019 | Nancy Z. Bender |
| 2010 | Michael J. Sabbagh | 2021 | K. Douglas Briggs |
| 2011 | Sandra G. Parrillo | 2022 | Mary Boyd |
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-section 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, please use the new application form available on the Insurance Library website:
