What would you think about hearing 30 odd years of Insurance experience and insight in about 2 hours?

If you were one of the more than 200 insurance professional who attended the Downstate Conference on November 1, you were able to hear New York State Past Superintendents of Insurance tell of their experiences and how they relate to today’s problems and tomorrow’s solutions.

Albert B. Lewis, Salvatore R. Curiale, James P. Corcoran, Gregory V. Serio and Howard Mills, were both serious and humorous in their description of their jobs and the results therefrom. It was 2 hours of no coughing, no chatter, just rapt attention to each of the speakers as they related their stories. After, there was a Question and Answer session, which because of time restraints did not last as long as it probably should have. Albert J. Beer, FCAS,MAAA moderated the panel and fielded the questions.

The Exhibitors had an open session for 1 1⁄2 hours before the panel discussion and then another hour before the luncheon. Most thought they got good play from the attendees. Everyone received a program book which contained the names and addresses of the advertisers, exhibitors and sponsors, for convenient follow-up after the Conference.
At Lunch, Dr. Steven Weisbart, CLU, Chief Economist for the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) gave a power-point presentation on his favorite subject, economics and statistics about the insurance industry. Our new officers were installed, Bruce Chester, President; Myrtle Andruzzi,CPCU, Incoming President; Earl Eaton, CPCU, CLU, 1st Vice-President; Anthony S. Calafiore, 2nd Vice President, Denese Thompson, AFSB, Treasurer; Justin Fries,CPCU, CIC, Immediate Past President.

In keeping with the theme “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, two James R. Studgeon Awards were made. The Studgeon Award theme is “Coming on Strong” and Lane Rubin won this one hands down with his works at IIABNY and continuing his activities and attendance at the TriCounty local board. But an additional award was given for one of the longest and hardest working volunteers in the Downstate area. Vincent Alba has been coming on strong for the past 40 plus years! Congratulations to these two deserving recipients to this prestigious award.

Kelvin Hazzard , Vice President of CNA Insurance Company and Scott Treiber, CIC, President and CMO of the Treiber Group received recognition as Company Person of the Year and General Agent of the Year. Their many accomplishments over the years in both promoting the Insurance Industry and cooperation with the Insurance Agency system has aided in the close relationships and bonds that exist today.

Looking forward to seeing you all again next year, with another great day of programs!

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Photos by Vinny Alba

Reception table – Evelyn Dauer, Dawn-Marie Palmieri, Ginamarie Palmieri, George Palmieri before it got busy	Conference Chairman, Dan Palmieri opening the 76th Anniversary Conference
Panelists – all New York State Past Superintendents of Insurance – Howard Mills, Gregory V. Serio, Salvatore R. Curiale, James P. Corcoran, Albert B. Lewis and moderator Albert J. Beer	Justin Fries, CPCU, CIC (2006, 2007) opening the afternoon session of the Conference
The dais included our Luncheon Speaker Dr. Steven N. Weisbart , Incoming President Bruce Chester, Outgoing President Justin Fries, Kelvin Hazzard, VP of CNA recipient of the Insurance Company Person of the Year Award and Scott Treiber, Pres. & CMO of the Treiber Group recipient of the Insurance General Agent of the Year	Bruce Chester during his acceptance speech
Kelvin Hazzard and Scott Trieber with their Company and General Agent awards respectively.	Dan Palmieri with Bruce Chester.
Vincent Alba and Lane Rubin display their James R. Studgeon Awards