Activism is essential to the insurance industry, the new chairwoman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York said as she urged more involvement of her fellow agents and brokers.
The remarks came as Manhattan insurance executive Sharon Emek was inducted as the second woman to hold the leadership position of the IIABNY, during the association's annual business meeting held in New York City last week.
“If you don't give, you don't get–and not just time but money,” Ms. Emek said. “We must have access and a seat at the table and find the best solutions to issues we face.”
She added that this would be a key focus for the association during her tenure, “as the industry is facing some very serious issues.”
Among some of the issues facing independent agents are Zurich Financial Services' burdensome requirements on broker disclosure, the recent decisions by Allstate and other insurance companies to restrict business in “hurricane-prone” Long Island and neighboring New York counties, and the New York Property Insurance Underwriters Association's permanence.
Other officers elected to one-year terms included:
o Stephen R. Zogby, executive vice president of Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig in New Hartford, elected chairman-elect.
o Neal L. Sullivan, CPA, president of Sullivan Financial Group in Mahopac, elected secretary-treasurer.
o Steven J. Spiro, president of Spiro Risk Management in Valley Stream, N.Y., will continue to serve as state national director.
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