DeWITT, N.Y. — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association of New York, Inc. (IIABNY) on Thursday will install Richard (Rich) MacDonald as its next board chairman.
He has been serving as the board’s vice chair and secretary/treasurer, according to the IIABNY website.
The IIABNY site lists John Smith, Jr. of William A. Smith & Son Inc. of Newburgh as the current board chairman.
MacDonald currently serves as VP and director of sales at Salina–based Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc.
MacDonald says he “understands the impact the team at IIABNY can have on legislative issues that can help pave the way for better overall insurance solutions for both the personal and commercial marketplace,” according to a news release that Haylor, Freyer & Coon issued Tuesday.
DeWitt–based IIABNY, a nonprofit trade association, represents more than 1,750 agencies and their 13,000 plus employees.
Promoting the industry
Haylor, Freyer & Coon contends that the recruitment and development of employees is “one of the challenges” that the insurance industry is facing.
MacDonald’s goal, according to the firm, is to “promote a more positive view of insurance as a whole and help the next generation understand the value of an insurance career.”
“I am proud to be part of the insurance industry where I work alongside innovative and passionate professionals each and every day. I am hoping to further this discussion so the next generation can see and embrace insurance as a great career choice,” MacDonald said in the release.
MacDonald had worked with C. Bruce Wichmann, who had previously served as president of Haylor, Freyer & Coon and as a IIABNY board chairman.
The incoming chairman called Wichmann “a mentor and a champion for serving the community.”
“His actions strongly influenced my decision to join the IIABNY board,” MacDonald noted.
Wichmann will be returning to the area to participate in the installation ceremony, the Haylor agency said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
