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New administration
At the celebratory opening gala dinner Monday evening, Immediate past President Christopher C. Wilson, CIC, CLU , CPCU, AAI, had the honor of introducing newly elected PIACT President Michael F. Keating, president of Michael J. Keating Agency Inc., West Hartford. After remarking on the thanks owed to those who have laid the foundation for PIACT since its inception more than 50 years ago, Keating discussed the continued success of professional independent agents as the best distribution source for insurance for companies and consumers. “It has been said that productivity is never an accident,” he said. “It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort. Our success as independent agents has been no accident, as witnessed by our ability to adapt to the ever-changing marketplace.”
 Passing of the gavel: PIACT President Michael F. Keating (right) accepts the gavel from Immediate past President Christoper C. Wilson, CIC, CLU, CPCU, AAI (left). |
The new president also acknowledged the key challenges faced by independent agents that PIACT will focus on addressing in the coming year. “The independent agency system faces a multitude of challenges in the foreseeable future,” he said. “Our association can continue work to address these issues in the coming year and beyond.” Keating named agency perpetuation, technology and competition as the central issues for members.
Keating concluded by noting the importance of PIACT in supporting the perpetuation of the independent agency system, particularly in the face of a weakened economy. “Agents are closing their doors, merging with other agencies and seeing a soft market beyond many recent memories,” he said. “It is good to know that the PIA family is strong. This association brings unparalleled value and services to independent agents, serving as an advocate for the independent agent system and ensuring the voice of our membership is heard in a demanding marketplace.”
 David Woodmansee, CIC, president of the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals, speaks at the gala dinner. |
Keating then announced David Woodmansee, CIC, agency manager and treasurer, Woodmansee Insurance Agency Inc., Wyoming, R.I., the re-elected president of the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals. Woodmansee addressed the audience, discussing the need for more and more young professionals to become involved in CTYIP. “Tomorrow's leaders are out there and we need you to help us find them,” said Woodmansee. “They are the young employees of your organizations who show a spark and are hungry to develop their talents.”
- President: Michael F. Keating—president, Michael J. Keating Agency Inc., West Hartford
- President-elect: James Goodman, CIC—president, Goodman Insurance Inc., Shelton
- Vice president: Howard Olderman—president, The Olderman and Hallihan Agency Inc., Ansonia
- Vice president: James Berliner, CPCU—managing member, Berliner Fitelson Insurance LLC, Bridgeport; president, Berliner-Gelfand & Co. Inc., Bridgeport
- Treasurer: Timothy Russell, CPCU—senior member, The Russell Agency LLC, Southport
- Secretary: Brian Schmitt Sr.—president, Curtiss, Crandon & Moffette Inc., Trumbull
- Immediate past President: Christopher C. Wilson, CIC, CLU, CPCU, AAI—general manager, C.V. Mason & Co., Bristol
- J. Kyle Dougherty, CIC—Dougherty Insurance Agency Inc., Stratford
- Richard A. Epstein—L.H. Brenner Inc., New Haven
- Nicholas Fanelli, CIC, CPCU, CLU—Raynard & Peirce Inc., North Canaan
- Peter Frascarelli—Peter M Bakker Agency Inc., Avon
- Loretta Lesko, CIC—A. A. DiMatteo Insurance Service Center, Shelton
- Gary A. O'Brien, CPCU, AAI—O’Brien Russo Quint Agency, Watertown
- Herbert J. Olson, CIC, CPCU, ARM—Stone Insurance, Marlborough
- Gerard Prast, CPIA—Continental Agency of CT Inc., Hamden
- Augusto Russell, CIC—May Bonee & Walsh Inc., East Berlin
- Robert C. Shanley, CIC—Hamilton Klarman Shanley, Milford
- Nathan L. Shippee—CT Healthcase Insurance Services, Wallingford
- Kimberly Tompkins, CIC, AIS, PHM, ACSR, CPIW, CPIA, DAE—Housing Insurance Services, Cheshire
- President: David Woodmansee, CIC, Woodmansee Insurance, Wyoming, R.I.
- President-elect: Angela Brunetti, The Distel Group, Farmington
- Vice president: Shannon Rabbett Hollman, The Rabbett Insurance Agency in Windsor
- Treasurer: Raymond Snow, General Casualty, Simsbury
- Secretary: Marsha Azukas, Crystal Restoration Services, Southington
