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Local Associations



Big I NY 2024 Local Leaders Summit 

Local Association leaders from across the state met in Cazenovia this week to connect and exchange ideas and solutions to challenges.  Discussion topics ranged from NextGen in action, attracting diverse members, financial best practices and how to build community in their region of the state.  Local leaders had the opportunity to “speed network" with Big I NY officers and directors and the afternoon was capped off with a great discussion led by IIABA Chair of the Board Todd Jackson. 


The following morning, leaders broke out by regions to focus on what members in their part of the state need and how Big I NY can help.

Local Leaders are the face of Big I NY!  





We're proud of the great work insurance pros across New York are doing in sharing the benefits of a career in our industry.
Please help us understand and highlight the activities you are participating in.



We began as a group of local independent insurance agents working together. 'Local' will always be at the core of our association.

Just as we champion independent insurance agents in all we do and provide the resources they need to be their best across the state, our local associations (aka 'local/s') are doing the same with their communities of agents.  

Built with teams of engaged and passionate volunteers, these groups band together to tackle industry issues, meet with fellow agentshold educational sessions, conduct legislative activities, and sponsor fun events and fundraising activities.

We encourage you to connect with your local and become a part of the fabulous things they are creating.

kathleen.lawler.jpg
Kathleen Lawler, AAI, CIC
AVP Industry & Community Partnerships
klawler@biginy.org 
800.962.7950 EXT: 218




Resource Page

Your source for ideas, templates, meeting summaries, and more!

Media Relations Center

We want to help you develop relationships with your local media outlets so they turn to you for stories with an insurance aspect.

Find an Upcoming Event

Curious how you can interact with your local association? Try attending an event!

Want to Join?

Get involved by contacting the leader of your local association, or by emailing Kathy Lawler!


 

Find your local association below:

We've organized our NYS locals into 3 separate regions: East-North, Metropolitan-Suburban, and West-Central.
Click on your region below to find your nearest local!

 

Independent Insurance Agents Association of Orange County, Inc.

President: Doug Hutchings
Hutchings Agency, Middletown
p: 845.343.2148
e: doug@hutchingsinsurance.com 




Independent Insurance Agents of the Capital Region

President: Katie Mallia
Sykes-Mallia Associates Inc., Schenectady
p: 518.393.3618
e: kmallia@sykes-mallia.com

big i suffolk

President: Jim Cotgreave
Cotgreave Insurance Agency, Inc.
558 Portion Road
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
p: 631.820.8326
e: jcotgreave@get-insured.com

 

Executive Director: Jeanne Abatelli
Big I Suffolk
150 Dartmouth Drive 
Hicksville, NY 11801 
p: 516.681.6265
e: jeanneabatelli@bigisuffolk.org

 

Legislative Liaison: Jim Cotgreave
p: 631.820.8326
e: jcotgreave@get-insured.com

Legislative Liaison: Steve Testa
p: 631.651.8433
e: stesta@testabrothers.net



Big I Tri-County

President: Bob Bleistein
Eastern Classic Coverage Insurance Agency, LLC
1055 Stewart Ave., 2nd Floor, Suite 5
Bethpage, NY 11714
p: 516.320.8120
e: bobb@classiccoverage.com

 

Executive Director: Kathy Lawler
c/o Big I NY
5784 Widewaters Pkwy, 1st Floor
Dewitt, NY 13214
p: 315.432.4218
e: klawler@biginy.org




Independent Insurance Agents of Rockland County

President: Ron Longueira
BNC Insurance Agency
90 S. Ridge St.
Rye Brook, NY 10573
p: 914.937.1230
e: rlongueira@bncagency.com




Big i westchester

President: Adam Antoinette
Levitt - Fuirst Associates, Ltd.
520 White Plains Road, Suite 200
Tarrytown, NY 10591
p: 914.457.4200
e: aantoinette@levittfuirst.com

Executive Director: Susan Barros
c/o The Beaumont Group
990 Cedar Bridge Ave, Suite B7, PMB 210
Brick, NJ 08723
p: 973.941.6024
e: scb@thebeaumontgroup.com


Legislative Liaison: Adam Antoinette
p: 914.881.4839
e: aantoinette@levittfuirst.com

BIG I WESTERN NEW YORK

Board meets before/following monthly membership meetings

President: Lisa Hussainov
Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc.
801 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
p: 716.362.7306
e: lhussainov@walshduffield.com


Executive Secretary: Jeanne Hellert
4003 North Freeman Road
Orchard Park, NY  14127
e: iiaawny@gmail.com

 

Legislative Liaison: Doug Benz
p: 716.332.1570
e: dbenz@newbuffaloinsurance.com





Big i greater rochester

Board meets 2nd Tuesday of every month @ 12:00 p.m. at Cerame's in Winton Plaza, Rochester


President: Jake Sanabria
Brown & Brown of NY Inc (Rochester)
45 East Ave Ste 1
Rochester, NY 14604
p: 585.232.4424
e: jacob.sanabria@bbrochester.com


Executive Director: Diana Barlow

Big I Greater Rochester Office
54 Woodline Drive
Penfield, NY 14526
p: 585.260.6663
e: connect@bigiroc.com

Legislative Liaison: Cheryl Darling

p: 585.473.8000
e: cheryld@paris-kirwan.com


 

Big I Southern Tier

Board meets 2nd Wednesday of every month @ 8:30 a.m.


President: Jared O'Neill
NBT Insurance Agency
3121 Vestal Parkway E.
Vestal, NY 13850
p: 607.221.1919
e: jared.oneill@nbtinsurance.com


Legislative Liaison: Tim Cappellett

p: 800.822.3747
e: tcappellett@mcneilandcompany.com




Big I Central New York

President: Jeff Mirabito

Mirabito-Gresham Insurance & Bonds Agency, LLC
16 Oswego St
Suite 200
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
p: 315.635.7600
e: jeff.mirabito@mirabitogresham.com

 

Legislative Liaison: Nick Masterpole
p: 315.473.9622 x13
e: nick@masterpolemurphy.com