Local Associations/Communities

Our local associations and communities across the Metropolitan-Suburban, West-Central, and East-North regions keep our mission strong and people connected.

Rooted in Local. Driven by Community.

Big I NY began as a collaboration among independent insurance agents committed to supporting one another and strengthening the profession. That local spirit remains the core of our association today.

While we champion independent agents across the state through advocacy, resources, and education, our local associations— or “locals”— do the same within their own communities.

Powered by passionate, engaged volunteers, these groups:

  • Address industry challenges
  • Organize educational and legislative initiatives
  • Host networking, social, and fundraising events

Want to get involved?

Find your local association or community below and contact a local leader to be part of the meaningful, energizing work happening right where you are.

Big I Suffolk

President

Marian Farese
Marian Farese Agency
59 Main St., West Sayville, NY 11796

(631) 218-8000
mfarese@mfareseagency.com

Executive Director

Jeanne Abatelli
Big I Suffolk
150 Dartmouth Dr., Hicksville, NY 11801

(516) 681-6265
jeanneabatelli@bigisuffolk.org

Legislative Liaison

Jim Cotgreave

(631) 820-8326
jcotgreave@get-insured.com

Legislative Liaison

Steve Testa

(631) 651-8433
stesta@testabrothers.net


Big I Tri-County

President

Patrick Marlowe
Silvershore Group, LLC
450 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

(516) 259-2500
patrick@silvershoreagency.com

Executive Director

Kathy Lawler
c/o Big I NY
5784 Widewaters Pkwy, 1st Floor, DeWitt, NY 13214

(315) 432-4218
klawler@biginy.org


Big I Westchester

President

Tyler Brown
Assured Partners, A Gallagher Company
445 Hamilton Ave., 10th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601

(914) 220-6840
tyler.brown@assuredpartners.com

Executive Director

Susan Barros
c/o The Beaumont Group
990 Cedar Bridge Ave., Suite B7, PMB 210, Brick, NJ 08723

(973) 941-6024
scb@thebeaumontgroup.com

Legislative Liaison

Adam Antoinette

(914) 881-4839
aantoinette@levittfuirst.com

Kathy Lawler
Big I NY
5784 Widewaters Pkwy, 1st Floor, DeWitt, NY 13214

(315) 432-4218
klawler@biginy.org

Big I Central NY

President

Carrie Shaw
Mirabito-Gresham Insurance & Bonds Agency, LLC.
16 Oswego St., Suite 200, Baldwinsville, NY 13027

(315) 729-0476
carrie.shaw@mirabitogresham.com

Legislative Liaison

Nick Masterpole

(315) 473-9622 x13
nick@masterpolemurphy.com


Big I Western NY

Board meets before/following monthly membership meetings.

President

Patrick Erickson
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
6460 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14221

(716) 627-5400
kathleen.sellers@sellersinsurance.com

Executive Secretary

Jeanne Hellert
4003 North Freeman Rd., Orchard Park, NY 14127

iiaawny@gmail.com

Legislative Liaison

Doug Benz

(716) 332-1570
dbenz@newbuffaloinsurance.com


Big I Southern Tier

Board meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM.

President

Joseph Casiuk
Mirabito-Gresham Insurance & Bonds Agency
423 Commerce Rd., Suite 2, Vestal, NY 13850

(607) 217-4610
jcasiuk@mirabitogresham.com

Legislative Liaison

Tim Cappellett

(800) 822-3747
tcappellett@mcneilandcompany.com


Big I Greater Rochester

Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 12:00 PM at Cerame’s in Winton Plaza, Rochester.

President

Jake Sanabria
Brown & Brown of NY Inc. (Rochester)
45 East Ave., Ste 1, Rochester, NY 14604

(585) 232-4424
jacob.sanabria@bbrochester.com

Executive Director

Diana Barlow
Big I Greater Rochester
54 Woodline Dr., Penfield, NY 14526

(585) 260-6663
connect@bigiroc.com

Legislative Liaison

Cheryl Darling

(585) 473-8000
cheryld@paris-kirwan.com

Independent Insurance Agents Association of Orange County, Inc.

President

Doug Hutchings
Hutchings Agency, Middletown

(845) 343-2148
doug@hutchingsinsurance.com

Independent Insurance Agents Association of the Capital Region

President

Katie Mallia
Sykes-Mallia Associates Inc., Schenectady

(518) 393-3618
kmallia@sykes-mallia.com

Share Your School Outreach: Insurance Career Awareness Efforts

Have you recently spoken at a school, hosted a student, or participated in an outreach event?

We want to hear about it and showcase your impact!

QUESTIONS?