(DeWitt, New York, April 3, 2008) — Vincent A. Alba, vice president of MRW Group Inc., in Huntington, is the latest recipient of the Barney Burns Award, presented by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. The award annually recognizes the insurance agent or broker who makes the most significant impact on fund-raising efforts for InsurPac, IIABA’s federal political action committee. The April 2 acknowledgment came during IIABA’s 32nd National Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.

Thomas Minkler, chair of the IIABA Governmental Affairs Committee, presented Alba with the award named after the InsurPac founder. “Vinny embodies the work ethic of independent agents,” said Minkler. According to Minkler, contributions have doubled during Alba’s tenure as New York’s InsurPac Committee Chair for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc.

The Long Island agent is no stranger to awards. The Independent Insurance Agents Association of Suffolk County named a significant honor after him — the Vincent A. Alba Lifetime Achievement Award.

Two years ago, the IIABNY board of directors honored him with a Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation for his leadership efforts in support of InsurPac. Alba is an IIABNY Distinguished Award recipient, recognized in May 2004 for his fund-raising efforts in 2003 that led to New York’s record number of InsurPac contributions. In 2007, Alba received the James R. Sturgeon Award from the Downstate Insurance Association Council for his community involvement and legislative activities. He was the recipient of the Insurance Person of the Year Award, presented also in 2007 by Tri-County Independent Insurance Agents Association, which represents agencies and brokerages in Nassau, Kings, Queens, and Richmond Counties.

Alba, a former Marine and octogenarian, started his insurance career in 1946, working as a marketing representative before opening the doors to his own agency in 1969.

He resides in East Northport with “Teddi,” his wife of 58 years.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,900 agencies and their 18,000 employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, many IIABNY members represent Trusted Choice®, a national consumer brand uniting more than 7,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.

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Contact:
Bruce Barry
IIABNY
(800) 962-7950 ext. 223
bbarry@iiabny.org

Ron Magas
Magas Media Consultants, LLC
(203) 445-8981
rmagas@charter.net