Donna M. Cunningham of Florham Park N.J., was elected president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey at the association’s annual business conference in Atlantic City, N.J.
Donna Cunningham
Cunningham, who has served as the trade group’s vice president from 2007 until now, is co-owner and president of ADP/Statewide Insurance Agencies in Cedar Knolls, N.J.
Citing diverse minority populations, often termed “emerging markets,” will account for more than 50% of the U.S. population by 2050, Cunningham said the industry must do more to encourage agents of diverse backgrounds to enter the industry and nurture their success.
“We hear so much about the need to strengthen the existing independent agency system in order to guarantee its perpetuation, yet little is spoken about the diverse communities that are waiting for agents to represent them,” Cunningham said.
To achieve her goal, Cunningham proposed PIA work with its carrier partners to develop a program to help aspiring agents with a fully integrated mentoring program for emerging market producers.
“Having a company appointment is no guarantee of success. Emerging market producers need more than a market or two. They need a vibrant internal infrastructure and lots of training in order to succeed,” Cunningham said. “It is not enough for [new agents] to understand the insurance business; they must also understand the business of insurance.”
A PIANJ member since 1989, Cunningham served treasurer in 2006-2007 and secretary for the 2005-2006 term. She is vice president and chairperson of the PIANJ Women’s Business Forum and vice president of the Government Affairs Committee. She is a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance Committee. Cunningham also is an ex-officio member of the Northwest Advisory Council.
Other officers elected for the 2010-2011 term were Keith Savino, partner and chief operating officer of WRG in Mahwah, N.J., as vice president; Anthony Bavaro, vice president of Jamison Insurance Group in West Orange, N.J., as vice president; and Stephen Tague, principal of van den Heuvel & Fountain in Augusta, N.J., as vice president.
Also, Glenn Tippy, president of Gerrity, Baker and Williams Inc. in Flanders, N.J., as secretary-treasurer and William R. Vowteras, owner of Fraser Brothers Group LLC in Edison, N.J., as immediate past president.
PIANJ is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout the state.
Cunningham, others elected to lead PIA in New Jersey via IFAwebnews .
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