Hall of Presidents

A Lineage of Unwavering Commitment

In 1914, our forefathers possessed the ingenuity to create the New York Claim Association, Inc. as a not-for-profit organization with a clear vision of what the future would hold.

George C. Taft, one of our founders, worked for Employers Liability Insurance Company during his presidency (1914-1916). One of the central purposes of our formation was to institute a forum where insurance professionals could gather to discuss critical issues about claim matters relating to all lines of coverage. This mission remains with us today as we navigate ever-changing laws and procedures that govern our specialty.

Every president has wholeheartedly committed to providing cutting-edge continuing education that embraces a variety of influential topics presented by industry thought leaders. While insurance companies were the initial drivers of NYCA, the claims industry continues to evolve and embrace the diversity of memberships we serve today. This inclusivity will be fostered as we continue growing and developing as an organization

MATTHEW JONES, Esq.
2023-2024
Jones Jones LLC
TYISHA TORRES
2021-2022
Carisk Partners

PATRICK CARROLL
2019-2020
AON
TIMOTHY HOWLIN
2017-2018
Rising Medical Solutions
KAREN ALLEN
2015-2016
Special Funds Conservation Committee
MINDY ROLLER
2013-2014
New York City Law Department
GARY ARABIAN
2011-2012
York Risk Services Group

ANNETTE MALPICA, R.N., Esq.
2009-2010
Con. Edison Co. of New York, Inc.
JOHN SWEENEY, Esq.
2007-2008
New York City Law Department
He continued to build the NYCA web-site on the solid foundation established under the Edward Hiller administration allowing for our history to be illustrated, as well as focusing on those who gave so much to this Association and the Industry by memorializing them.
EDWARD HILLER, Esq.
2005-2006
The State Insurance Fund
Edward L. Hiller continued to build on the solid financial base established under the Steve Scotti administration and launched a new website that, for the first time, gave NYCA E-Commerce and multi-media capability.
STEVEN J. SCOTTI, Esq.
2003-2004
Con Edison
During Steve’s Presidency he expanded the number of professional development programs and reorganized and strengthened NYCA’s financial structure through expanded participation involving the Association’s talented Officers, Board of Directors, and members.
MICHAEL A. KOSS
2001-2002
MTA / New York City Transit
During Michael’s Presidency, he targeted membership by implementing and expanding NYCA’s affiliations with other Associations. He added the positions of Special Counsel to the Board as well as Senior Medical Advisor. Additionally, Michael established the practice of honoring industry leaders at our Annual Dinner Dance.

DEBRA L. SMITH
1999-2000
Artisan/HIP
BRUCE S. GONSKY
1997-1998
The State Insurance Fund
During his presidency, Bruce Gonsky successfully ushered in subtle but invigorating changes: modernizing NYCA in essence, while retaining its proud traditions. Bruce reorganized, produced, and presented many popular seminars and events, not only geared toward Workers’ Compensation claims professionals, but to the Insurance Industry at large. He personally recruited dynamic executives to the NYCA Board, who provided vitality and novel ideas, and who continue to elicit innovative change today.
EDWARD A. GARRETT
1995-1996
The Brooklyn Union Gas Co.
LOUIS F. CERBONE
1993-1994
Associate Safety Management Inc.
STEVEN M. LICHT, Esq.
1991-92
State Insurance Fund
Mr. Licht was the Director of Claims for NYSIF during his presidency. He incorporated his decades of experience in the field of workers’ compensation to keep the NYCA moving forward in his trademark professional manner.

ANTHONY J. ARAGONA
1989-90
Consolidated Edison of NY
MICHAEL J. LYNCH
1988
Port Authority of NY & NJ
KARIN KORBELAK
1987
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Ins. Co.
DONALD G. VASS
1986
The State Insurance Group
MOHAMED NAGI
1985
The Brooklyn Union Gas Co.
VINCENT E. MISTRETTA
1984
State of New York Insurance Dept. Liquidation Bureau
During his Presidency, Vincent was instrumental in establishing other associations to join forces with NYCA. He forged relationships with a variety of Defense Firms, Members of the Plaintiff Bar, the Judiciary and Insurance Carriers. His interfacing with these entities fostered a professional relationship that is shared with our members today.
PETER J. RANDAZZO
1983
The Hartford Insurance Group
ROBERT E. KENNEDY
1982
The Brooklyn Union Gas Co.
BETTY J. O’SHEA
1981
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Ins. Co.

J. ROBERT MORRIS
1980
President Aetna Life & Casualty Co.
WILLIAM J. DONOHUE
1979
The Greater NY Insurance Group
DOMENICK J. PENNACHIO
1978
Fireman’s Fund American Insurance Co.
MRS. VIVAN SCOTT
1977
Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corp.
FREDERICK W. McPHILLIAMY
1976
The Brooklyn Union Gas Co.
W. W. HARRIS
1975
Aetna Life & Casualty Co.
NORMAN PORTNOY
1974
Hartford Insurance Group
HAROLD J. ZINDLE
1973
New York Telephone Co.
WILLIAM C. MORRISON
1971
Interboro Mutual Indemnity Ins. Co.

MELVIN C. HARTMAN
1970
United States Trucking Corp.
ANTHONY J. CICCARELLO
1969
General Fire and Casualty Company
JUSTIN B. HARRIS
1968
General Reinsurance Corp.
KENNETH T. HOEFER
1967
Travelers Insurance Company
THOMAS J. FLOOD
1966
Allstate Insurance Company
JOSEPH M. QUINN
1965
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Companies
WILLIAM F. GILLESPIE
1964
The Port Authority of NY & NJ
THOMAS E. CASSIDY
1963
Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co.
NEIL CARTER
1962-63
Greater New York Mutual Insurance Co.
F. J. McNIFF
1961
Aetna Casualty & Surety Company

BERNARD HELFENSTEIN
1960
Consolidated Mutual Insurance Company
EDWARD G. LISTON
1959
Lumberness Mutual Casualty Co. of IL.
JOHN W. COULTER
1958
Harris Structural Steel Company, Inc.
ALBERT E. SCHOBER
1957
Hanover Insurance Company
ANTHONY M. LUNA
1956
Utica Mutual Insurance Company
ROBERT E. DOOLITTLE
1955
Aetna Casualty & Surety Company
EMANUAL MORGENBESSER
1954
Cosmopolitan Mutual Casualty Company
EDWARD N. MCNAMARA
1953
Security Mutual Casualty Company
MICHAEL R. CONCIALDI
1951-52
The Century Indemnity Company

S. CHANDLER FRASER
1949-50
American Lumberness Mutual Casualty Co. of IL.
JOHN P. KENNEALLY
1947-48
United States Casualty Co.
HOWARD S. BALLANTYNE
1945-46
Continental Casualty Co.
J. SUMNER DRAPER
1943-44
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
OREN HEDBERG
1941-42
United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co.

JOSEPH S. GIFFORD
1939-40
American Lumberness Mutual Casualty Co. of IL.
GEORGE B. WESLEY
1937-38
London Guarantee & Accident Co., Ltd.
HERBERT F. DIMOND
1935-36
Fidelity & Caualty Co. of New York
HARRY SEIDE
1935
Hamlin & Company
SAMUEL KALTMAN
1931-32-33-34
Aetna Casualty & Surety Co.

GEORGE STONE
1929-30
Utilities Mutual Ins. Co.
EDWARD A. WILLOUGHBY
1926-27-28
Travelers Insurance Co.
WILLIAM BUTLER
1923-24-25
United States Casualty Co.
T. CARLYLE JONES
1921-22
Aetna Casualty & Surety Co.

AMOS CHAPMAN
1920
Brewers Mutual Ins. Co.
CLARENCE TIPPET
1919
American Mutual Liability Ins. Co.
H.S. RECKNAGEL
1917-18
Fidelity & Casualty Co. of New York
GEORGE C. TAFT
1914-15-16
Employers Liability Ins. Co.
George was not only one of our forefathers, but also held the position of our first President for this Association. He possessed the ingenuity to establish the New York Claim Association (NYCA) as a Not-for-Profit Corporation. As an Insurance Carrier Professional, he influenced other Insurance Carriers to join him in his plight by fostering a forum in which educational claims related topics were discussed. His vision remains alive with us today.