NU Online News Service, Sept. 12, 2:45 p.m. EDT

Mark J. LaLonde was named president of the PIA Management Services, the umbrella corporation managing the Glenmont, N.Y.-based Professional Insurance Agents Associations of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

LaLonde is an independent insurance agent of 30 years, becoming a PIA member when he established his own independent agency, Upstate Insurance Agency Inc., in 1985.

After several mergers and acquisitions the firm was acquired by Oneida Financial Corp., and operates as Bailey Haskell and LaLonde Agency.

LaLonde has served as president of PIANY and as chairman of the PIA Management Services board.

As part of the organization’s perpetuation plan, Ken Bessette, who has served PIA for 28 years, most recently as president and chief executive officer, will remain as CEO.