Lawley Insurance

Author: Lawley

  • Lawley Announces Seasoned Business Insurance Veteran Karen Fenzl to Join Their Buffalo Business Insurance Team

    Lawley Announces Seasoned Business Insurance Veteran Karen Fenzl to Join Their Buffalo Business Insurance Team

    BUFFALO, NY, June 14, 2018 | Lawley, an independent family-owned insurance broker, is proud to announce the addition of Karen Fenzl to their business insurance team.

    Fenzl has over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry working for various independent agencies in WNY. In 1995, Karen was co-founder of Niagara Insurance Group, which was sold to Brown & Brown in 2004. Following the sale, she worked for a few companies in a customer service role, before starting with First Niagara Risk Management, now known as USI Buffalo, in 2007 where she worked as both an Account Executive and an Insurance Advisor. At Lawley, Fenzl will continue to specialize in business insurance, but will now be able to offer her expertise across Lawley’s footprint and service clients to provide the proper protection they need to keep their businesses running smoothly.

    Fenzl has her NYS Insurance Brokers License, and she is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), and a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS). She graduated from the CEL Core Program designed by the University at Buffalo School of Management and has her Associates Degree from Bryant & Stratton College.

    Karen is currently a Board Member of the Mental Health Association of Erie County and Literacy of WNY Tutor Volunteer.  She is also an active alumni member of UB’s School of Management CEL Core program. In the past, she has been a Sisters Hospital Foundation Board Member, WNY Women’s Foundation Committee Member and a Hamburg Bulldog Booster Club Board Member.

    “We are beyond excited to have Karen join our team here at Lawley,” says Bill Lawley, Jr., Principal of Lawley. “Karen is known throughout WNY for her expertise, customer service, and knowledge of the insurance industry. We welcome the opportunity to work with her and learn from her in-depth experience in business insurance.”

    ABOUT LAWLEY

    Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits, and risk management consulting. Lawley is ranked among the 100 Largest Insurance Brokers in the U.S., according to Business Insurance magazine. For over 60 years, Lawley’s team of more than 400 associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes along with personalized protection for individuals and their families.

    Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Lawley has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Dunkirk, Mahopac, Plainview, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Connecticut and Florham Park, New Jersey. To find out more, visit lawleyinsurance.com.

  • Lawley Employee Takes Home ACSR of the Year at the Big I NY Annual Business Meeting in Buffalo, NY

    Lawley Employee Takes Home ACSR of the Year at the Big I NY Annual Business Meeting in Buffalo, NY

    During the second week of May 2018, the Big I NY held their Annual Business Meeting at the Westin in Buffalo, NY.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to connect with peers and company representatives, honor award recipients, and learn more about Big I New York’s progress and goals.

    Many insurance professionals were honored for work in the industry. Lawley’s own Monica Skibickyj was awarded the 2018 ACSR of the Year.  The award acknowledges the crucial value that customer service representatives bring to the independent agency system and the customers they serve.

    The Independent Insurance Agents Association of WNY (IIAAWNY) was also awarded Big I NY’s 2018 Local Association of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding effort and accomplishment in the areas of enhancing the image of independent agents, outstanding local association meetings, legislative advocacy, and public relations.

    Both Ashley Engl and Mark O’Brien from Lawley have served on the board of IIAAWNY since 2015. Engl is the current Treasurer and O’Brien is a Director.

    Pictured Left to Right: Lisa Lounsbury- President and CEO at Big I New York, Louis Atti- Chairman of Big I NY Board of Directors, Doreen DeCarlo- IIAAWNY Director, Tamara Storch – IIAAWNY President, Ashley Engl – IIAAWNY Treasurer, Rob Glenn – IIAAWNY Director, Richard MacDonald – Past Chair of the Big I NY Board of Directors

  • Lawley Rochester: Fundraising for the Seneca Waterways Council, Boy Scouts of America

    Lawley Rochester: Fundraising for the Seneca Waterways Council, Boy Scouts of America

    Is that a bird? A plane? No! It’s some of the employees from Lawley’s Rochester branch rappelling down the side of the Kodak building in downtown Rochester, NY to help raise money for the Seneca Waterways Council with the Boy Scouts of America.

    The Rochester Branch participated in a fundraising event benefiting the Seneca Waterways Council, Boy Scouts of America on Friday 5/18. The idea for Lawley’s involvement began with an email to one of Lawley Rochester’s Branch Partners, Phil Andolina. It was an invite from one of his clients challenging Phil and his wife Melinda to “Go over the Edge.” Ultimately, Phil could not participate in the event, but seized the opportunity to invite other employees at the Rochester branch to participate if they would like. A handful of employees jumped on the chance and Leaping Lawleys was born! Five employees went over the edge of the Kodak building for this great cause – Kathy Swears, Matt Crawford, Hope D’Alessandro, Paul Dreher, and Lisa Schneider. The Leaping Lawleys were able to raise over $5,300.

    Lawley’s time slot began at 10am and everyone was able to have the once in a lifetime experience of rappelling down the building. The Boy Scouts live streamed the event on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/21StoriesForScouts/, for those who are curious and want to take a peak.

    A BIG shout out to everyone that donated to this great cause and ESPECIALLY to Phil and the folks at Lawley for helping the team meet their goal and supporting the Leap!

  • 9 Vital Homeowner Maintenance Tips

    9 Vital Homeowner Maintenance Tips

    Below are home maintenance tips that will keep your family safe, as well as save you money and stress:

    1. Caulk where needed: Caulk is cheap and can help keep moisture out of crevices to avoid water damage and mold. Caulk can help weatherize your home in order to keep cold air out in the winter and keep cool air in during the summer. Go through your house and look for any spots where the caulk could use an update, or a crevice that could use some new caulking.
    2. Clean the clothes dryer lint trap & exhaust duct: A common cause of dryer fires is failure to do a thorough cleaning. Because a lint trap is not a foolproof method for catching all the fuzzy stuff from clothes, lint can gradually build up and catch fire in the heating element or exhaust duct. Between 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving clothes dyers or washing machines each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires resulted in annual losses estimated at 13 deaths, 440 injuries and $238 million in property damage.
    3. Inspect & repair the roof: Check your roof early for signs of wear or damage. Look for missing, damaged and aging shingles. If age or an unresolved maintenance issues are to blame for your leaking roof, insurance likely wont pay to repair the leak or the resulting damage.
    4. Test and clean the sump pump & pit: Sump pumps are often found in basements and are the last line of defense against floods, condensation build-up and water from drains. Water damage due to sewage and drain backups generally require additional insurance coverage beyond a standard policy.
    5. Inspect & clean chimneys yearly: Unclean chimneys are a leading cause of structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. From 2009-2013, chimneys resulted in $25 million in direct property damage each year. Improper cleaning can also lead to other serious issues including potential for carbon monoxide, fumes and possibly soot to enter home living spaces.
    6. Clean & maintain gutters and downspouts: Clogged gutters can cause water to flow down the sides of the home and pool around its foundation, often leading to some major issues like uneven floors, cracks in walls and interior water damage. This type of claim, also known as seepage, is a maintenance issue and often is not covered under your home insurance policy.
    7. Check for termites every couple of years: To prevent termites, get your home inspected by a professional periodically. Once the termites spread, they can cause some major structural damage, and that can cost thousands of dollars to treat and fix. Catch them early, and you can limit the damage.
    8. Regularly maintain pipes & plumbing: Homeowners’ insurance does not cover pipe degradation due to old age or poor care. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have any necessary repairs made immediately. Also, know the location of the main water shut-off valve in your home. A damaged hose or burst pipe can send water racing into your home. Being able to locate and shut off the main water supply quickly will save stress, money and time.
    9. Inspect your deck: There’s been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed, fallen apart or otherwise failed, according to the North American Deck and Railing Association. In most cases, simple upkeep could have prevented these incidents, which tend to happen when decks are packed with people.

    When you own a home, it’s important to understand the main purpose of homeowners’ insurance – to protect you from major risks like fires, hail, explosions, theft and wind storms. What it doesn’t cover is flooding, earthquakes or everyday wear and tear — or poor maintenance.

    It’s crucial for homeowners to learn about proper home maintenance. Not only can regular upkeep on the house help homeowners avoid paying for major repairs out of their own pocket, it can also help deter insurance claims that could bring a spike in premiums.

    Above are nine home maintenance tips that could save you money, future headaches and keep your homes safe.

  • The BREAKDOWN of Equipment Breakdown Coverage

    The BREAKDOWN of Equipment Breakdown Coverage

    Lawley can help you manage unexpected equipment breakdown on your home

    Sudden and accidental breakdowns of your home’s internal systems can disrupt the peace and relaxation you enjoy at home. During the hottest month of the year, imagine coming home from vacation to discover that you have no working air conditioning due to an electrical short that damaged the compressor. However, you can obtain equipment breakdown insurance to help you recover from such an accident.

    Helping to Manage Breakdowns
    Equipment breakdown coverage helps you manage unexpected, sudden and accidental mechanical or electrical breakdowns (wear and tear is not covered) and cover the cost of diagnosing and repairing insured equipment and more:

    • Additional living expense – Make yourself at home when you are displaced with a daily accommodation stipend to cover expenses while you are unable to enjoy your home due to a covered loss
    • Go green – Replace covered equipment that cannot be repaired with comparable equipment that is better for the environment

    Covering a Variety of Equipment
    In addition to heating and cooling systems, you can receive coverage for systems supporting your homes internal environment, including equipment that generates, transmits or utilizes energy: computer equipment, home theater and audio system equipment, wine cooling units, swimming pool equipment, refrigerators and other appliances.

    Covering Other Structures
    Coverage can extend to the equipment used in another structure on your premises, such as a pool house or outbuilding.

    Choosing the Right Protection for You
    Because every home is unique, you should choose from different coverage levels and different deductible amounts for the coverage that’s right for you and your home. At Lawley, our Personal Insurance team can go over the options with you to make sure you get what’s best for you and your family.

  • Do I Need Insurance For My Food Truck?

    Do I Need Insurance For My Food Truck?

    There’s no doubt about it, food trucks are the craze. Who remembers being 16 years old and working a summer job? During lunch, you would make your way over to a food truck for a bologna and cheese or, if you were feeling adventurous, a burrito. These days, you can make your way down to a food truck event and enjoy everything from sushi and Indian curries to vegan delights and Texas Style BBQ. There is no doubt the food truck has come a long way and offers even the most discriminating foodie a variety of gourmet delights.

    As this business segment continues to grow, so will the need for the insurance industry to adapt and offer these modern entrepreneurs advice and protection for their business. Food truck owners and operators have many unique concerns when looking for insurance protection. Since the food truck industry is really a niche all to its own, food truck owners will find themselves best served by aligning with an independent insurance broker like Lawley, that understands and specializes in their business. As with any insurance coverage you can always cut corners to save a few bucks, however the results of doing that can be catastrophic to a small food truck business. Simply put, without the right coverage you may find yourself out of the business pretty fast.

    We want to have a good understanding of your operation so we can help provide the right coverage. Here are few things that may be scrutinized about your food truck operation when determining both your eligibility and pricing for insurance coverage.

    Experience
    In the words of the late great Jimi Hendrix, “are you experienced?” Experience matters a lot to insurance companies. Any company that understands the food truck business also understands this business has a lot of new startup operations and many have been in business less than three years. This does not mean if you’re starting a new operation you won’t be able to find adequate coverage, but it will matter what your prior experience has been. If your background has been several years working in the restaurant or catering industry, then you’re off to a good start but be ready to share your background in detail. If you’re not coming from the food service industry, we will need to understand your career change, business plan, and available resources in much greater detail. If you’re an experienced operator, then a review of your prior loss history, if any, will be conducted.

    Mobility
    It’s a pretty simple theory, but the more you’re on the road the more chance you have for an accident. It’s expected your truck will be on the move but exposure for a truck moving three times a week will differ greatly from one moving three times a day. We will want to have a good understanding of your operation from your preparation practices to hours and locations.

    Your Truck
    We will need to know the condition of, cost of, and special equipment associated with your truck or trailer. Will you be using propane? Do you have a proper ANSUL (fire suppression) system? What other items are permanently attached to your truck?

    Operations
    We will need to know as much as possible about your day-to-day operations to determine whether or not certain coverages are needed. Some questions you may be asked include:

    • Are you operating just as a food truck or are you also catering?
    • Will you be serving alcohol or are you interested in expanding to offer it? You may need liquor liability.
    • Are you accepting cash? Are you protected in the event of a robbery?
    • If you suffer a loss, how long will you be able to last with the loss of your business income? How soon would you be able to be up and running again?
    • Will you have a home office or other location for a business office or commissary to prepare food? What are your exposures at these locations?
    • Will you have staff or bring on extra help as needed, and will that require workers’ compensation insurance?
    • What other requirements or limits will a certain event holder or venue require? Will there be an umbrella, workers’ comp or additional insured requirement that will need to be addressed?
    • How much could you afford to financially deal with a food contamination or spoilage issue?

    Check with us at Lawley to see what services we can offer to you. From quick turn arounds on certificates to exploring all of your needs in detail, we are here for you. Contact us today!

  • Casey Machine Wins Two Wellness Awards as a Member of the Healthy Manufacturers of New York State Insurance Consortium (HMNYS)

    Casey Machine Wins Two Wellness Awards as a Member of the Healthy Manufacturers of New York State Insurance Consortium (HMNYS)

    Lawley is proud to support and congratulate Casey Machine as they accept two corporate wellness awards as part of their participation in a 2017 wellness competition created by the Healthy Manufacturers of New York State Insurance Consortium (HMNYS).

    HMNYS is an insurance purchasing Consortium (a group of allied companies) exclusively established to align manufacturers with 101 or more full time equivalent employees. Their main goal is to provide the best employee benefits for the companies in our group at the most competitive cost while reducing medical claims long term.

    The HMNYS Wellness Committee developed the following annual competitive event aimed at getting covered employees, and their eligible dependents to better utilize the NO COST preventative care services provided by Univera Healthcare.

    The competitive event ran from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. At the end of the wellness event, the HMNYS Company with the highest percentage of participation for one or both of the two categories below were deemed Wellness Winner(s). The categories were as follows:

    • Category 1: Employees with Univera Healthcare coverage through participating HMNYS companies that receive their annual physical with their primary care physician or OBGYN.
    • Category 2: Covered dependents of employees with Univera Healthcare coverage through participating HMNYS companies that receive their annual physical or well child visit with their primary care physician or OBGYN.

    Univera Healthcare was responsible for tracking and reporting the participation rate for all competing companies each month. Companies were responsible for developing their own incentive plans to help generate increased participation among their respective employees and covered dependents. Companies were also responsible for submitting, to the HMNYS Wellness Committee, wellness-related suggestions for how their prize money would be spent at the end of the year. A final year-end report was provided to determine our Wellness Winning organization(s). This report showed that Casey Machine had won in BOTH categories. This means that they were awarded:

    • Category 1: $750
    • Category 2: $750

    Again, we congratulate all participants for encouraging their employees to become healthier by using preventative care. Other companies enrolled in HMNYS and in the competition include:

    • Ascension Industries Inc.
    • Harper International Corporation
    • Polymer Conversions, Inc.
    • Seal & Design Inc
    • Quorum Group LLC
    • Taylor Devices
    • Zehnder Rittling

    The HMNYS is always looking at taking on new, qualified members. Contact us for more information.

  • Lawley’s Fred Holender Takes Part in Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., Visits with Lawmakers

    Lawley’s Fred Holender Takes Part in Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., Visits with Lawmakers

    WASHINGTON — Fred Holender of Amherst joined with hundreds of his fellow agents from across the country as part of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents’ 2018 Federal Legislative Summit. Holender also serves as President of the Professional Insurance Agents of New York.

    Participants spent two days, April 24 – 25, visiting with their U.S. Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill, personally advocating on behalf of Professional Insurance Agents, their clients and the American free enterprise system.

    “Legislative victories on our issues are made possible by the continued commitment and involvement by PIA members. It’s part of our year-round coordinated program of grassroots advocacy,” said Fred Holender of Lawley.

    PIA members advocated for members of Congress and their staffs to defend state regulation of insurance, abolish, or scale back, the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), provide a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, protect a strong and stable crop insurance program as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, and reinstate fair and just compensation in healthcare. The FLS was capped off with a Congressional reception on Capitol Hill with several U.S. Representatives in attendance.

    “Many of the issues of critical importance to local insurance agents and their customers are in play in Congress this year. That’s why it is so important they we connect with our elected representatives on Capitol Hill, up close and personal,” Fred Holender said.

    During the FLS, PIA’s executive committee, led by PIA National President Tim Russell (CT) presented its Legislator of the Year Award to Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), in recognition of his leadership on PIA’s legislative priorities, including supporting the Access to Independent Health Insurance Advisors Act (H.R. 4575), the Middle-Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 173), and the federal crop insurance program.

    ABOUT PIA
    Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America SM. PIA’s web address is www.pia.org

    ABOUT LAWLEY
    Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits, and risk management consulting. Lawley is ranked among the 100 Largest Insurance Brokers in the U.S., according to Business Insurance magazine. For over 60 years, Lawley’s team of more than 400 associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes along with personalized protection for individuals and their families.

    Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Lawley has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Dunkirk, Mahopac, Plainview, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Connecticut and Florham Park, New Jersey. To find out more, visit lawleyinsurance.com.

    ABOUT FRED HOLENDER
    Read Fred’s bio by clicking here.

     

  • CYBER ATTACKS CONSTRUCTION – The NEW Silent Killer of Construction & Contractor Businesses

    CYBER ATTACKS CONSTRUCTION – The NEW Silent Killer of Construction & Contractor Businesses

    From Accessing and Locking your Computer Network to Stealing Private Information, Cyber Hackers are Targeting the Construction Industry

    If at any point during the work day you connect to the internet, you and your company are at risk of a cyber- attack that could destroy your business.

    In a survey by the Ponemon Institute, it was discovered that 55 percent of small businesses, including contractors, have experienced some sort of recent breach. This number is only set to increase in the years to come.

    What Does this Mean for Organizations within the Construction and Contracting world?
    Many people are still under the assumption that the construction industry is not at risk for a cyber-attack because cyber criminals are only looking for personal information, such as credit card data, that construction companies do not usually keep on record. This is no longer the case.

    In regards to the construction industry, hackers can bring projects crashing to a halt by infiltrating computer networks that hold information that is critical to the company’s operations. Examples of the types of information that are attractive to cyber-attackers include:

    • Blueprints and project plans
    • Trade secrets
    • Employee information including benefits packages
    • Financials and payroll
    • Vendor and third-party data

    Previously, members of the construction industry did not believe that a cyber-attack could happen to them. But now it doesn’t matter how valuable their information is for cyber criminals selling on the black market. It now only matters how valuable that information is to the company itself.

    What Happens When You Realize You Have Been Attacked By A Cyber Hacker?
    You turn on your computer to pull up project details and it turns out your network has been shut down by a cyber-criminal who is now holding your data for a ransom that you cannot and do not want to pay. What happens next? There are a couple of things that can happen:

    • OPTION 1: You pay the ransom. There is no guarantee that this will unlock your information. Additionally, it doesn’t reverse the impact of stolen information. You might have your own data back, but you still have to notify everyone who could have been affected about the details surrounding the attack (it is against the law not to notify those affected in 46 states).
    • OPTION 2: You contact a computer information systems technology expert to unlock or regain your data. Sure, this may work to recover your information. But, it is VERY costly. It may be even more expensive than paying the ransom.

      Rob Coppola, Senior Account Executive & Manager at Lawley Construction Insurance, says “In 2017, we had a client get hacked. A local construction company based in Buffalo, NY, found out that they were shut down by a cyber-criminal when suddenly all of the information on their computers was being held at ransom for $15,000. This situation literally stopped all of their ongoing projects and halted the entire company. Because they did not want to pay the ransom, they ended up having to hire an outside IT specialist. Having the specialist come in was even more expensive than the ransom. They got their information back, but suffered a loss of time and revenue because of the attack. Plus, they had to make all affected parties aware of the attack.”

    How Can You Defend Your Company from a Cyber Attack?
    There is no way to completely prevent your network from being compromised. There are certain steps you can implement to help amp up your defense.

    • Keep all of your own technology updated. And, check out your third-party vendor’s software as well. From anti-virus programs to computer servers, all technology and software related to your network should be reviewed annually. This ensures all protections are up to date and doing their job to keep your data safe. In 2013, Target was the victim of a cyber-attack. It was later found that Target’s breach could have been prevented if their HVAC contractor hadn’t let their anti-virus software expire.
    • Educate your employees. Most hackers are able to get into your network because of employee/human error. What is human error? A prime example is clicking a link in an email that turns out to be a “phishing scam.” Emails phishing for information are difficult to spot, so it is important to train and educate anyone working or emailing from your network on how to notice malicious phishing schemes.
    • Protect your company with cybersecurity insurance. Because cyber criminals are relentless and are constantly searching for a weak spot in your defense against them, one of the best defense options is to purchase cybersecurity insurance. Having this coverage can help you recover from an attack in many ways, particularly in regards to your finances and reputation. At Lawley, we have a team of insurance professionals who know how cybersecurity insurance specifically affects the construction industry. By putting coverage in place you can protect your data, projects and reputation.

    Don’t let your company collapse because of a cyber-attack. Put a proactive plan in place to keep you and your assets protected. If you need help, give the team at Lawley a call. Our construction and cyber security professionals know your business inside and out, so we can protect you from every attack, cyber or not. We’ve been able to help clients bolster their defenses and guide them through what needs to happen after a cyber-attack has occurred.

  • Lawley Hosts The Academy of Finance at Lancaster High School for a Unique Job-Shadow Day Experience

    Lawley Hosts The Academy of Finance at Lancaster High School for a Unique Job-Shadow Day Experience

    (May 1, 2018, Buffalo, NY) Lawley partnered with the LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY OF FINANCE to provide 9 sophomores a snapshot into a variety of careers by hosting a job-shadow day.

    A job-shadow day is a four-hour opportunity for students to learn about a variety of career choices at a local business as they engage in Lancaster’s nationally recognized work-based-learning program. Work-based learning connects what students are learning in the classroom with the working world. It’s a continuum of activities which begin with awareness, goes on to exploration and finally transitions to preparation.

    Students enrolled in the Academy of Finance spend time with professional mentors, engage in mock-interviews, spend time researching a variety of careers and then explore those careers through job shadows. Each of these activities is designed to prepare students for a high quality 120-hour paid internship before high school graduation, dramatically increasing their college and career readiness and leading to better decision making about their futures.

    Local, regional and national partners work together in support of students enrolled in Lancaster’s Academy of Finance by sitting on our local advisory board to ensure the classroom matches the needs of today’s workforce while providing students with opportunities and resources necessary to be successful for college and career.

    students listen at Lawley job shadow day

    “When companies take time to provide students with opportunities such as job-shadows they have taken a shared responsibility to ensure our youth has a realistic view of the workplace. Each student is then able to envision him or herself in that workplace,” says Scott Dixon, Academy of Finance director at Lancaster High School.

    “It’s great to see students mature into young adults as these work-based-learning experiences are a vital part of understanding what to expect after high-school graduation and yet cannot be provided within the classroom. Our board works to ensure those experiences happen,” says Marc Rachiele of Crossfuze, the president of Lancaster’s Advisory Board.

    About NAF and the Academy of Finance at Lancaster High School

    The Academy of Finance at Lancaster High School is part of NAF, a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF works with high need communities to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals, culminating in a paid internship. NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2017-18 school year, more than 100,000 students attended 644 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2017, NAF academies reported 97% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates with post-secondary intentions.

    Lancaster’s Academy of Finance has been awarded NAF’s distinguished status for each of the past 7 years and one of only 3 other academies to have reached this highest level of recognition as often. Distinguished academy designation is given to a select few who have exhibited fidelity to an educational design that prepares students for success in college and careers. The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance has graduated over 500 students since 2004.

    ABOUT LAWLEY
    Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits, and risk management consulting. Lawley is ranked among the 100 Largest Insurance Brokers in the U.S., according to Business Insurance magazine. For over 60 years, Lawley’s team of more than 400 associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes along with personalized protection for individuals and their families.

    Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Lawley has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Dunkirk, Mahopac, Plainview, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Connecticut and Florham Park, New Jersey. To find out more, visit lawleyinsurance.com.

    For more information please, please visit: http://naf.org/ and www.lancasterschools.org/finance