| I’m
sitting at my desk thinking about what to write for my last
article which I have stopped and started about four times
already. I’ve truly enjoyed my years as a board member
and going through the chairs of the Executive Board. As some
of you know, we have had a difficult time trying to find candidates
for the board over the years and once again this year. If
you are part of the choir you can skip reading over the next
paragraph.
There are many benefits you get from being involved at the
board level from an organization such as this one. First and
foremost is that you meet and make new friends that are in
your industry. These are individuals that truly care about
our industry and are making changes that protect the consumer
and make us, as small businesses, flourish. You hear and gain
knowledge about areas of the insurance business perhaps you
have not been acquainted with before. You have input and you
can see the results of that input. I too at one time stood
on the sidelines and did not get involved with our association.
I can honestly tell you now that it was a huge mistake and
wish that I had joined the board when I was younger. The experience
will help the bottom line of your agency for those of you
interested in economics. Many of you may think that the board
position is only open to agency principles, but this is not
true. You can have a valued employee represent your agency.
So the next time you are contacted by us asking for help please
stop and think a moment and respond with a yes. Thank you.
Now those in the choir can join us once again. At this point
I would be remiss if I did not stop to acknowledge the board.
We really do have a terrific bunch of guys and gals that volunteer
their precious time to our association. First and foremost
is our Executive Director, Pat Calvert, who has been here
for all board members and especially helping myself and all
the past presidents look so good. Jeanne Abatelli, our new
Director of Sales, has done a great job this year. We also
have some newer board members. There is Eric Keifert who took
his Public Relations Committee and got it moving along with
notifying the local media of our accomplishments and issues,
such as the recent coastal meetings we had with Assemblymen
Morelle chairmen of the assembly insurance committee. Dave
Borg has taken over as chair of the Golf Committee and is
well on its way to being a success. George Brooks and Joanne
Bentivegna have one of the tougher jobs of being on the Meetings
and Programs Committee. They stepped up with some great innovative
programs that were very well attended. Then there’s
Aaron Stein, who somehow, finds the time to put together the
Suffolk Eye and is always there helping with automation issues
and the association’s website. Aaron has earned a well
deserved thank you. I then come to Paulette Katz who has stepped
up and taken the Treasurer’s job. The transformation
from John Mulvey to Paulette has virtually been seamless,
which believe me has been no easy task. You can trust that
the association’s funds are being taken care of by a
very competent individual. John, please don’t think
that I’m saying you were not, but she is prettier to
look at than you. I certainly do not want to leave out the
rest of the board members and past presidents whose help and
contributions have been greatly appreciated, Russ Vollmer,
Earl Eaton, Larry Liquori, Rich Delasota, Vinney Alba, Jeff
Rehm, Don Hester, John Stype and Jim Sutton thank you!
So that leaves two men I have not mentioned above. The first,
John Mulvey our associations next President; John has been
a great help to me over the years and especially this year
when I needed to bounce ideas off of someone. John, thanks
again and good luck next year. I know you will have a terrific
one. Finally I need to express my thanks to Tom Crowley. Tom
has gone far and above the call of duty as chair of the Coastal
Committee. As everyone knows coastal concerns have been and
are an ever growing issue for Suffolk and its members. Tom
has represented us at Senate hearings and other industry hearings
on the subject, besides compiling surveys and data on the
subject. He led the recent meeting with Assemblymen Morelle
at Assemblywoman Ginny Field’s office. He represents
Suffolk as a regional Director of IIABNY. A terrific past
president still involved and I can not thank him enough for
all you have done for this association.
So I leave as president knowing that the association is in
very competent hands and hopefully we will have more colleagues
get involved on the board in the future. Thank you all for
a wonderful experience!!
Michael A. Romeo
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