Lawley Insurance

Author: kturner

  • Lawley Welcomes New Hires – July 2024

    Lawley Welcomes New Hires – July 2024

    As we continue to expand throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, Lawley is proud to welcome our newest hires. Adding additional employees in all departments, specifically in employee benefits and business insurance, provides us with more opportunity to deliver quality, personalized service to our clients.

    Read more about our newest hires below:

    Amanda Jagielo, Business Insurance Assistant Account Manager | Brings 5+ years of insurance industry experience and will assist the select team to best serve clients.

    Angel Caselli, Business Insurance Account Manager | Angel understands how to successfully develop relationships with clients to provide them with the best-customized solution for their business insurance needs. She brings 15+ years of experience, holds a Property and Casualty License, and is a Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

    Christopher Burger, Business Insurance Account Manager | Bringing 10+ years of insurance industry experience, Chris will provide clients with the best-customized solution for their business insurance needs. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree from Wells College.

    Dan Kaminski, Surety Bond Manager | Responsible for managing surety bond accounts and serves as an industry resource throughout Lawley’s footprint. He brings 10+ years of experience and earned a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University.

    Emily Murray, Surety Service Representative | Supports the surety team by responding to client inquiries, processing renewals, and issuing performance and bid bonds. Emily brings 5+ years of experience and earned a bachelor’s from the University of Phoenix.

    Jacqueline Casas, Employee Benefits Analyst | Works with clients to ensure they comprehensively understand their coverages, and reviews policy documents to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Jacquie earned a bachelor’s degree from Canisius University.

    Laura Lalonde, Business Insurance Assistant Account Manager | With 5+ years of experience, Laura develops relationships with clients to provide the best possible coverage that meets their needs. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree from Medaille University.

    Laura Williams, Receptionist | Serving as the first point of contact for Lawley’s Batavia office, Laura provides administrative support and direct phone inquiries throughout the office. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport.

    Margarita Ng, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate | Serves as the first point of contact for new claims and conducts claim reviews to ensure proper handling. Margarita brings 15+ years of experience and earned a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College.

    Megan Bollman, Business Insurance Assistant Account Manager | Megan serves as a liaison between carriers and her clients to ensure her clients receive the best possible options. She develops summaries, certificates, policies, proposals, and completes coverage reviews. Megan earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College.

    Nicolas Reed, Loss Control Consultant | With 15+ years of experience, Nicolas performs consultation and evaluation of hazards to ensure occupational health is not compromised and work is being accomplished safe. He earned a master degree in safety sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo State University and specializes in safety, risk management, and employee training.

    Nicole Albano, Client Service Specialist | Ensures successful client relationships and serves as a liaison between clients and carriers within the Lawley Retirement Advisors team. Nicole holds a NYS Life, Accident, and Health License, a Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification, a Real Estate License, and a Securities Industry Essentials (SIE). She earned a bachelor’s degree from University at Buffalo.

    Shannon Middagh, Senior Financial Analyst | Supports audits, helps formulate internal controls, and manages financial reports. Shannon brings 5+ years of experience and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Niagara University.

    We encourage you to stay tuned as we feature new employees every quarter. To learn more about current positions available, including remote and hybrid positions, visit our careers page here.

  • Lawley Celebrates 7th Annual Spotlight Awards to Recognize Partner Excellence

    Lawley Celebrates 7th Annual Spotlight Awards to Recognize Partner Excellence

    Lawley Employee Benefits was honored to host the 7th Annual Spotlight Awards, where associates nominate and honor outstanding individuals from outside our organization.

    Each year, we seize the opportunity to recognize those who excel in their respective fields, spanning carriers, administrators, vendors, and strategic partners.

    For their contributions in 2023, five individuals were selected from numerous nominations.
    All recipients were celebrated at a special event hosted by Lawley.

    2023 Spotlight Award Winners:

    1. Jennifer Young, HealthCheck360
    2. Lindsey Hamric, Independent Health
    3. Darcie Coleman, Excellus
    4. Brandon Palumbo, Business Council
    5. Erin Reszel, Highmark  (not pictured) 

    Congratulations to all! We extend our heartfelt thanks to our invaluable partners and individuals like you, who contribute immensely to our success at Lawley Employee Benefits.

  • Melissa McIsaac Recognized with Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) Designation

    Melissa McIsaac Recognized with Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) Designation

    Georgetown Lawley Group, a financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce Melissa McIsaac, Compliance Coordinator, has attained comprehensive applied knowledge in essential financial planning as a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®).

    The ChFC® designation, conferred by The American College of Financial Services, is an industry-recognized mark of excellence that demonstrates a financial advisor’s breadth and depth of knowledge in the most important areas of financial planning. This includes an education in a number of areas such as insurance, taxation, retirement, estate planning, behavioral finance, non-traditional family structures, small business planning, and more.

    “I believe education is not something you complete, but something that is ongoing. There is always new material to learn, and this industry is certainly no exception. I hope to continue being the best I can for my clients by utilizing what I have learned in the past, while looking forward to new education opportunities in the future. This designation is a testament to that belief,” says McIsaac.

    Within today’s complex financial markets and even more complex familial and individual situations, Americans need comprehensive financial advice applicable to their needs. With the ChFC®, McIsaac has proven a commitment to meeting the needs of all Americans and joins an elite group of financial advisors qualified to assist clients in developing comprehensive financial plans that are suited to their financial and personal needs.

     “Georgetown Lawley is extremely proud of Melissa and all of her accomplishments. This certification is a testament to her dedication to her clients.  She has been with the firm for over 24 years and continues to be a valuable asset to both the firm and her clients throughout her tenure,” says Joseph V. Curatolo, President of Georgetown Lawley Group, LLC.

    A ChFC® has partnered with The American College of Financial Services, an accredited institution committed to meeting the financial needs of all Americans. The College is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals and has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs.

    ABOUT GEORGETOWN LAWLEY

    Georgetown Lawley is a comprehensive financial services firm committed to helping our clients improve their long-term financial success. Our customized programs are designed to help grow and conserve our clients’ wealth as we strive to deliver an unprecedented level of personalized service. The firm, Georgetown Capital, was founded by Joseph V. Curatolo in 1987 to give investors independent financial advice, not part of a national chain-store brokerage firm that often gives cookie cutter recommendations to fulfill their corporate agenda. Georgetown Capital partnered with Lawley in 2022, forming the new division, Georgetown Lawley Group.

    Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

  • Kim Navagh Ranks on 2024 BBF Power 200 Women List

    Kim Navagh Ranks on 2024 BBF Power 200 Women List

    Congratulations Kim!

    We are proud to share that Kim Navagh, Director of People Strategy and Recruitment, has once again ranked on the Buffalo Business First  Power 200 Women List.

    Kim became Lawley’s first recruiter in 2013 and is skilled in human resource management. She oversees all areas of recruitment, compliance, learning and development, and performance management.

    Kim brings 20+ years of expertise and is a member of the Western New York National Human Resource Association, the Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association, and the Society for Human Resource Management.

    We are so grateful for Kim’s expertise for over 10+ years with the agency.

    The full list of the 2024 BBF Power 200 Women can be found here.

  • Lawley Adds Four Employee Business Sales Consultants to Expand Employee Benefits Division

    Lawley Adds Four Employee Business Sales Consultants to Expand Employee Benefits Division

    Buffalo, NY, (May 13th, 2024) | Lawley, an independent family-owned insurance and employee benefits firm, continues to expand their employee benefits division. By recently adding four Employee Business Sales Consultants, Lawley continues to foster business relationships and help companies manage one of their largest expenses – medical insurance.

    Serving as liaisons between clients and carriers and working to provide the best customized plan options, Lawley welcomes Charlie Burt, Jen Desmond, Jeff Morgan, and Kalene Pencek as Employee Business Sales Consultants. These additions aid in several growth initiatives across the agency.

    Burt specializes in group health insurance, dental insurance, medical plans, and benefits technology. He brings expertise from roles in payroll and human resources technology from ADP and Paylocity. Burt is a Qualified Employee Benefits Specialist (QEBS), and earned a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University. He looks to expand Lawley’s employee benefit offerings across Connecticut, where Lawley recently acquired 4 offices with its partnership with the Shoff Darby Agency in October 2023.

    Desmond holds 15+ years of experience and will serve as a trusted advisor to companies in southern-tier communities of Buffalo, NY. Prior to Lawley, Desmond was a director of operations at Top Gun Staffing Inc., a sales and recruiting manager at Kelly Services, and held roles in pharmaceutical sales. Desmond earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo, is a part of the Chautauqua Leadership Network, and supports the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County.

    Bringing business development expertise from M&T Bank and ACV Auctions, Morgan will provide comprehensive solutions and strategic initiatives to enhance employee benefits programs for WNY’s small business segment. He is versed in benefits administration solutions, like Lawley Marketplace, which is exclusively designed for employers with 25-99 employees. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Hilbert College.

    With 20+ years of experience, Pencek specializes in employee benefits, sales, and customer service. Prior to Lawley, Pencek held business-to-business roles at Verizon Wireless and several pharmaceutical sales positions. Pencek also serves as the business development and marketing manager of Sperduti Fitness. Pencek earned a bachelor’s degree from Medaille University, was recognized as WNY Finest Young Professional Rising Star Honoree through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and serves as the 1st Vice President of AMVETS 897 Ladies Auxiliary.

     With 15+ locations and continued growth efforts across the footprint, Lawley has protected assets and minimized risk to help their customers avoid financial hardship. Lawley provides more than 50 specialized services, including business insurance, home and auto insurance, Medicare insurance coverage, retirement, wealth management, and employee benefits administration.

     “We are proud to continue to add skilled individuals to our employee benefits division to provide the best employee benefits for our clients and their employees,” says Chuck Allesi, partner of Lawley.

  • National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is May 6-10!

    National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is May 6-10!

    FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION.

    Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable.

    The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

    Since 2012, OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) – Construction Sector on the Fall Prevention Campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented.

    During National Safety Stand-Down consider reviewing your fall prevention program:

    1. What types of falls could happen:
    • Falls from ladders
    • Falls from a roof
    • Falls from a scaffold
    • Falls down stairs
    • Falls from a structural steel
    • Falls through a floor or roof opening
    • Falls through a fragile roof surface
    1. What needs improvement?Is your program meeting its goals? Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries, or near misses? Are employees aware of the company’s fall protection procedures?
    2. What training have you provided to your employees?Does it need revision?
    3. What equipment have you provided to your employees?Is better equipment available?

    PLAN ahead to get the job done safely

    When working from heights, employers must plan projects to ensure that the job is done safely. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment may be needed to complete each task.

    When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment, and plan to have all the necessary equipment and tools available at the construction site.
    For example, in a roofing job, think about all of the different fall hazards, such as holes or skylights and leading edges, then plan and select fall protection suitable to that work, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).

    PROVIDE the right equipment

    Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.

    Use the right ladder or scaffold to get the job done safely. For roof work, if workers use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to the anchor. Make sure the PFAS fits, and regularly inspect it for safe use.

    TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely

    Every worker should be trained on proper set-up and safe use of equipment they use on the job. Employers must train workers in recognizing hazards on the job.

    At Lawley, we take a very proactive approach to risk management. Our team of professionals is skilled in finance, management and engineering so you can access comprehensive tools to manage your risk.

  • Lawley Welcomes New Hires – April 2024

    Lawley Welcomes New Hires – April 2024

    As we continue to expand across the footprint, Lawley is proud to welcome our newest hires. Adding additional employees in all departments, specifically in employee benefits and business insurance, helps us best assist clients across our footprint.

    Read more about our newest hires below:

    Amanda Pasquarello, Employee Benefits Administrative Assistant | Works to maintain effective working relationships with clients, managers, personnel, community members & vendors. She provides overall support to the Employee Benefits Department.

    Caitlin Rykse, Business Insurance Marketing Assistant | Assists with new business applications and the development of proposals and also reviews all business insurance submissions for accuracy. She brings 10+ years of experience, earned her bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State University, and is an Associate in Insurance (AINS).

    Jeff Morgan, Employee Benefits Consultant | Provides comprehensive solutions and strategic initiatives to enhance a company’s employee benefits program. Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree from Hilbert College.

    Jen Desmond, Employee Benefits Consultant | Serves as a trusted advisor to provide employee benefit needs that align with the goals of the companies we serve. She is a board member of the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County, is a part of the Chautauqua Leadership Network, and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo.

    Kalene Pencek, Employee Benefits Consultant | Brings 20+ years of experience and provides comprehensive solutions and strategic initiatives carriers for employee benefits needs. She was recognized as the WNY Finest Young Professional Rising Star Honoree through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, serves as the 1st Vice President of AMVETS 897 Ladies Auxiliary, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Medaille University.

    Shana Edwards, Business Insurance Account Manager | Shana understands how to successfully develop relationships with clients to provide them with the best-customized solution for their business insurance needs. She acts as a liaison between carriers and clients to ensure successful relationships and has 15+ years of experience.

    Tyler Cummings, Business Insurance Account Manager | Creates effective working relationships with his clients to ensure that they receive the best possible options for business insurance coverage. He serves as a liaison between the carriers and his clients and ensures collaboration throughout the business insurance department. Tyler earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport.

    We encourage you to stay tuned as we feature new employees every quarter. To learn more about current positions available, including remote and hybrid positions, visit our careers page here.

  • LRA Named to 2024 List of Nation’s Top DC Advisor Teams

    LRA Named to 2024 List of Nation’s Top DC Advisor Teams

    An affiliate organization of the American Retirement Association, the National Association of Plan Advisors’ (NAPA) is an advocacy group for retirement industry professionals. Since 2017, NAPA’s list of Top DC Advisor Teams has listed the most prominent retirement plan advisors in the United States.

    Lawley Retirement Advisors continuously ranks on this yearly list, ranking in the top 30% in 2024.

    The 2024 NAPA’s list of Top DC Advisor Teams contains a record 452 teams and continues to guide nearly $2 trillion in defined contribution plan assets belonging to almost 47,000 plans covering more than 21 million participants. The teams listed are located in 43 states, including the District of Columbia, and have more than $100 million in AUA, based on self-reported assets under advisement as of Dec. 31, 2023.

    “Lawley Retirement Advisors is proud to be recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors’ (NAPA) as one of the nation’s top defined contribution (DC) Advisor Teams. Our team is passionate about providing comprehensive retirement plan services to plan sponsors and participants, with the ultimate goal of ensuring successful retirement income outcomes.  We continue to hone our craft, and bring new ideas and solutions to our clients in an ever changing retirement plan landscape,” Todd M. Tevens, AIF, CPFA, Managing Director, Lawley Retirement Advisors

    Click here to view the complete listing of the Top DC Advisor Teams for 2024.

    About Lawley Retirement Advisors

    Formed in 2011, Lawley Retirement Advisors provides independent investment advice and financial counsel to a diverse client base. The team currently has five advisors that work with clients on consulting, employee engagement, guidance, and support in navigating the complexities of retirement plans.

    About the National Association of Plan Advisors
    The National Association of Plan Advisors was created by and for retirement plan advisors. Membership is also open to other retirement industry professionals who support the interests of plan advisors. NAPA is the only advocacy group exclusively focused on the issues that matter to retirement plan advisors. NAPA is part of the American Retirement Association, based in the Washington, D.C. area. More information about NAPA is available at napa-net.org.

  • Understanding Current Market Conditions-Personal Insurance

    Understanding Current Market Conditions-Personal Insurance

    Have you noticed changes to your auto and home insurance policies? From automatic implementation of some new coverages and policies, to higher premiums, many changes have occurred to personal insurance due to the hard market conditions. We want to ensure that you are informed. 

     

    Our Director of Personal Insurance, Paul Dreher, recently discussed some of these major changes on The Mary Cariola Center Radio Show. 

     

    As inflation is affecting all aspects of our lives, this is also the case for personal insurance.


    For homeowners policies, the costs of replacing homes has increased as inflation for building supplies and labor have soared, in turn, increasing the cost of premiums.


    For auto insurance, the increased cost of repairs to vehicles, shortage of labor, and scarcity of auto parts, have increased premiums up to 8% just within the past year, and lower rental reimbursement limits are being offered.


    In addition to increased costs, new policy changes have been implemented, most notably the automatic addition of Supplemental Spousal Liability to all drivers in New York State, as of August 1st, 2023.


    While this policy has been available for many years, it is now an automatic addition to policies upon renewal and affects all drivers, regardless of marital status.


    Supplemental Spousal Liability provides bodily injury liability coverage and the ability to collect compensation in the event that your spouse is responsible for an accident and you, as a passenger, are injured as a result.


    This coverage applies to all drivers in New York State, regardless of if you have a spouse or not. So, it’s critical to reach out to your insurance company if you do not wish to have this coverage and provide, in writing, your request for it to be removed.


    At Lawley, we make sure we’re there for our clients every step of the way. We’ll guide you through the process, clearing any hurdles to make your path easier.

    To discuss your options, call at 800.860.5741.

     Lawley is proud to be a corporate sponsor of the Mary Cariola Center and the support it provides for the Rochester, NY community. 

  • Lawley Partners With Shoff Darby Insurance Agency

    Lawley Partners With Shoff Darby Insurance Agency

    As the largest acquisition to-date, Lawley partners with Shoff Darby Insurance Agency to expand services in Connecticut and throughout the tri-state area.

    This partnership aids in Lawley’s continued efforts to provide the best property and casualty, captive, and employee benefits services to clients in the tri-state area and is the largest merger to date for the agency.

    This partnership was orchestrated by Shoff Darby Companies Chairman William Pierz and President Matthew Roberts and Lawley Principals William J. Lawley, Jr., Christopher D. Ross, and Michael R. Lawley.

    For over 65 years, Lawley has protected assets and minimized risk to help their customers avoid financial hardship. As the largest merger to date, Lawley will add four locations and 75 employees in Connecticut. This expansion will increase services available to clients, providing business insurance, home and auto insurance, Medicare insurance coverage, wealth management, and employee benefits administration.

    Founded in 1887, the Shoff Darby Insurance Agency has assisted their clients with personal insurance, business insurance, and specialized in construction, transportation, and captive insurance. Providing guidance and striving to help clients “make the best decision for themselves, their family, and their business”, the Shoff Darby Insurance Agency holds the focus of “We take care of our customers like family”. Folding into Lawley gives Shoff Darby the ability to use the national resources of a Top 100 Insurance Broker while maintaining independence. The Shoff Darby team will also have access to Lawley’s dedicated practice groups, which offer expertise in high-profile business segments.

    “We were determined to remain part of an independent, community-oriented organization, and we could not be happier for our staff, our clients, and our communities that we were able to forge this partnership with Lawley,” says William Pierz, Chairman of Shoff Darby Companies, Inc.

    “Partnering with Shoff Darby, an agency that holds similar values to Lawley, aids in our continued efforts to expand our footprint throughout the tri-state area,” says Chris Ross, Lawley Principal.

    “We’ve been able to see continued growth through 2023. With our partnership and biggest merger to date with Shoff Darby Companies, we are positioned to continue to offer the best services to our clients throughout our footprint,” says Mike Lawley, Principal.

    “We are passionate about helping one another, working as a team, and growing together while supporting our clients and our communities,” says Lawley Principal, Bill Lawley, Jr. “We hope that individuals, families, and business clients will experience the positive impacts from the expanded services across our footprint and will trust in Lawley for years and even generations to come.”

    “This merger with Lawley creates one of the most dynamic insurance brokerages in the country. I’m extremely excited for our clients, employees, and our communities to reap the benefits from this incredible partnership,” says Matt Roberts, Shoff Darby President.

    Shoff Darby, known locally as Shoff Darby Companies, Inc. has offices in Norwalk, Shelton, Stamford, and North Haven, and is one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Connecticut. As an independent insurance agency with over 194 years of experience in the insurance industry, Shoff Darby has offered personal insurance and business insurance services throughout Connecticut.