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Local Associations



Big I NY 2023 Local Leaders Summit 
Over 30 Local Association Leaders along with Big I NY Board members gathered in Cazenovia on September 12 for the annual Big I NY Local Leaders Summit.  Big I NY Chair of the Board Ted Walsh welcomed everyone as they introduced themselves and then broke out into smaller groups to discuss issues impacting their local associations and members.  The groups came back into a “Town Hall" to share their perspectives and Ted Walsh facilitated a conversation on what Big I NY can do to help locals grow and increase engagement with members across the state. Obstacles, opportunities, communication and ways to increase member value were hot topics. 

Afternoon round table discussions on Next Gen, PAC toolkit and Do's and Don'ts regarding Anti-Trust issues were well received. 

Special guest Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter (District 128) joined the G100 for a reception and discussion on issues impacting independent insurance agents, consumers and the industry.

The evening was topped off with dinner with the Big I NY Board of Directors and staff at The Cazenovia Club. 

Several local leaders joined the Big I NY Board of Directors meeting on September 13 to learn more about the issues that the board is working on for members and the insurance industry in New York.

One thing is for certain, Big I NY locals are an energetic, dedicated group – connections were made and engagement will continue! 


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

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Media Relations Center

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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

Board meets 2nd Wednesday of every month @ 8:00 a.m. at the Big I New York office

 

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