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Local Associations



Big I NY 2025 Local Leaders Summit 
September 24, 2025
Hampton Inn, Cazenovia

The Local Leaders Summit will start at noon on September 24 with lunch at The Hampton Inn in Cazenovia.  We will kick-off with a Peer-to-Peer exchange where  each local association will share what accomplishment/event/program from the past year they are most proud of and share how they did it.  Each local will also share their challenges and the group will collaborate on ideas/solutions.  Big I NY volunteers and staff will follow with three lightning rounds sharing “play books" for Talent Development, NextGen and Grassroots Advocacy to take back and implement in your region.

We will then gather at 4:30 pm with the Big I NY Board of Directors at Meier's Creek Brewing Company for team building activities, drinks and a casual dinner in a beautiful setting.  For those that are staying overnight, the Summit will wrap up on September 25 with a Town Hall breakfast with the Big I New York Board of Directors from 8:00 am – 9:30 am.  Local Leaders are invited to stop at the Big I NY office on their way home for a casual tour anytime from 10:00 am – noon.

Feedback from last year was very positive, but one thing that we need to improve on is having at least one representative from each of our seven active local associations present.  Sharing ideas and networking with each other is the primary goal and benefit of the Summit and all voices from across the state are needed!  If you have questions or want to discuss anything, please reach out to Kathy Lawler at 315-432-4218 or klawler@biginy.org.


Local leaders are the face of Big I NY!




Insurance in Schools, Internships, Job Shadowing

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 agents, hold 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: Patrick Marlowe
Silvershore Group, LLC
450 Sunrise Highway
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
p: 516.259.2500
e: patrick@silvershoreagency.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: Glenn Binday
Advocate Brokerage Corp.
820 Scarsdale Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
p: 914.713.8112
e: glenn@advocatebrokerage.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


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

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: Joseph Casiuk
Mirabito-Gresham Insurance & Bonds Agency
423 Comerce Road, Suite 2
Vestal, NY 13850
p: 607.217.4610
e: jcasiuk@mirabitogresham.com

Legislative Liaison: Tim Cappellett
p: 800.822.3747
e: tcappellett@mcneilandcompany.com




BIG I WESTERN NEW YORK

Board meets before/following monthly membership meetings

President: Kate Sellers
Charles J. Sellers & Co.
4300 Camp Road
Hamburg, NY 14075
p: 716.627.5400
e: kathleen.sellers@sellersinsurance.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