As we look back, our forefathers possessed the ingenuity to create the New York Claim Association, Inc. – as a Not for Profit Claim Association established in 1914, we can only begin to understand their purpose. George C. Taft, one of the founders of this Association, was an employee of Employers Liability Insurance Company during his Presidency (1914, 1915 and 1916). It would appear one of the initial purposes of this Association was to institute a forum wherein insurance professionals would gather to exchange ideas involving critical issues on claim matters relating to all lines of coverage. This purpose remains with us today as we embark upon new changes in the laws and procedures that govern our claims processing. Every President of this Association has unswervingly committed themselves to provide their membership with Continuing Education that embraces a variety of influential topics presented by authoritative persons during that time. Our history reflects that Insurance Companies were the main drivers of this Association. As the claims industry evolved, other types of memberships flourished bringing us to where we are today. A culmination involving multiple types of memberships needs to be fostered as we move forward in our development of this Association.
Presidents 2011-Present
- KAREN ALLEN
2015-2017
Special Funds Conservation Committee - MINDY ROLLER
2013-2014
New York City Law Department - GARY ARABIAN
2011-2013
York Risk Services Group
Presidents 2001-2010
- 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.
Presidents 1991-2000
- 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.
Presidents 1981-1990
- 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.
Presidents 1971-1980
- 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.
Presidents 1961-1970
- 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
Presidents 1951-1960
- 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
Presidents 1941-1950
- 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.
Presidents 1931-1940
- 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.
Presidents 1921-1930
- 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.
Presidents 1910-1920
- 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.