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SHATRAW HONORED BY NEW YORK INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

ALBANY, N.Y.—The New York Insurance Association, Inc. (NYIA) is honored to present Scott Shatraw with the 2025 Chair’s Distinguished Service Award. Shatraw is president and chief executive officer at Utica First Insurance Company. He will be presented with the award at the association’s annual conference being held May 28–30 at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, N.Y.

“NYIA is pleased to present the 2025 Chair’s Distinguished Service Award to Scott Shatraw,” Eddie Harper, NYIA chair and president and CEO of Statewide Underwriting Services, said. “Scott is a dedicated industry partner who has provided years of service to NYIA. We thank him for his commitment to the insurance industry and his ongoing support for our organization.”

Shatraw has been with Utica First Insurance Company for 35 years. Prior to his current position, he held roles as senior vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer, corporate secretary, vice president of finance, assistant vice president of systems and internal planning and controller/assistant treasurer. Shatraw is a graduate of Le Moyne College with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He has also earned the chartered property casualty underwriter (CPCU) designation and his certified public accountant (CPA) license. He has been a member of the NYIA board of directors since 2020, and a member of the New York Insurance Scholarship Foundation (NYISF) board of trustees since 2023. He currently serves as treasurer of the foundation and has also served on a number of NYIA committees, including chairing the nominating committee.

“It is an honor to work alongside Scott as he serves as an exemplary ambassador for the association,” Cassandra Anderson, president of NYIA, said. “The longevity of Scott’s career at Utica First is indicative of the tremendous insights and leadership he provides to NYIA. We thank him for his contributions to the association.”

Utica First Insurance Company was founded by local Utica, New York businessmen in 1903 as Utica Fire Insurance Company of Oneida County, N.Y. to serve the property insurance needs of upstate residents. The insurance company has developed from that small base into a company actively writing a variety of property and casualty business in the states of Conn., Mass., N.J, N.Y., Ohio, Pa. and Va.

The New York Insurance Association­ (NYIA®) is a state trade association that has represented the property and casualty insurance industry for more than 140 years.

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**A headshot of Scott Shatraw is available upon request.

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MELCHIONNI ELECTED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

ALBANY, N.Y.— The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) has elected William Melchionni, vice president and head of U.S. state government affairs at American International Group, Inc. (AIG), to its board of directors for a term ending December 31, 2027. Melchionni has been actively involved with the New York Insurance Association for nearly 30 years. He previously served as chair of the association’s Legislation and Regulation Committee from 2002 to 2024 and has contributed to various other committees during his tenure.

In his current role, Melchionni manages state regulatory and legislative affairs for AIG’s multi-billion-dollar property and casualty business.

Before joining AIG in 2010, Melchionni served as senior director of government relations for Nationwide Insurance, where he managed legislative and regulatory affairs in New York for the company’s property & casualty, financial services and retirement solutions divisions. He was also a member of Nationwide’s Regional Leadership Team.

Prior to joining Nationwide, Melchionni managed the Northeastern New York Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

Melchionni began his career as the legislative director for New York State Senator Kemp Hannon, managing the Senator’s personal legislation and serving as committee director for the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Williams College.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals in approximately 190 countries and jurisdictions protect their assets and manage risks through AIG operations and network partners.

The New York Insurance Association­ (NYIA®) is a state trade association that has represented the property and casualty insurance industry for more than 140 years.

***A headshot of Melchionni is available upon request.

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SANDER ELECTED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

ALBANY, N.Y.— The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) has elected Benedikt Sander, president and chief executive officer of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, to the association’s board of directors for a term ending December 31, 2026. Preferred Mutual has been a member of the New York Insurance Association (NYIA) since 1970, and Sander has been actively involved with the association since joining Preferred Mutual in 2021.

Sander was appointed to the position of president and CEO of Preferred Mutual in 2022. He previously served as the company’s executive vice president of insurance operations where he was responsible for building the vision for and driving execution within underwriting and sales/distribution.

Prior to joining Preferred Mutual, he held multiple leadership roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, based in Boston, Mass. including vice president, agency relationship management, senior vice president underwriting and strategy, and senior vice president product management. Sander began his career at McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, where he supported national and international high-tech, media and telecom clients.

Sander holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a Master of Philosophy in economic theory & econometrics from the University of Cambridge in the U.K. He also holds multiple insurance designations including, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI), Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Personal Insurance (API) and Associate in Claims (AIC). In addition, Sander currently serves on the Board of Directors for Commerce Chenango.

Preferred Mutual Insurance Company provides property and casualty insurance coverage to more than 232,000 individual and business customers through a network of more than 560 independent agents located throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In business since 1896, Preferred Mutual is rated “A” by AM Best Company and is headquartered in New Berlin, New York.

The New York Insurance Association­ (NYIA®) is a state trade association that has represented the property and casualty insurance industry for more than 140 years.

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MELCHIONNI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT; ANDERSON NAMED NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

ALBANY, N.Y., June 20, 2024—The New York Insurance Association, Inc. (NYIA) Board of Directors has announced the following leadership changes.

Ellen Melchionni, current president of NYIA, will retire effective December 31, 2024. Cassandra Anderson will assume the role of president on January 1, 2025. Anderson is currently NYIA’s executive vice president.

Melchionni has served as president of the association for 16 years and the insurance industry for more than 30 years. Prior to being named president of NYIA, Melchionni served as vice president of the association for 13 years and for three years as legislative analyst. During Melchionni’s tenure, NYIA has achieved significant milestones and has been instrumental in advancing the association’s purpose to promote an insurance market that is viable and strong to better serve insurance companies and policyholders.

Before coming to NYIA, Melchionni was employed with both the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly. She worked in leadership offices of both houses for a combined tenure of 10 years.

“It has been a pleasure working with Ellen to advance the association and the property and casualty industry,” Edward Harper, NYIA chair and president and CEO of Statewide Underwriting Services, said. “Ellen has made countless contributions to the industry in New York and will be greatly missed.”

“Cassandra has true enthusiasm and energy for the insurance industry and association management,” Harper said. “I have full confidence that she will excel in her new role and meet the high standards set by prior leaders.”

Anderson was promoted to the position of executive vice president of NYIA in 2024. In her role, she supports the overall operations and strategic plan of the association. She is responsible for public affairs, public relations and serves as public information officer. She also oversees the organization’s communications and education programs. Anderson plays an instrumental role in NYIA’s advocacy as a lobbyist before the legislative and executive branches. She has been with NYIA for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of roles. She currently serves as president of the New York Insurance Scholarship Foundation. Previously, Anderson was director of member services for the Empire State Society of Association Executives.

“I have worked closely with Cassandra since the day she joined the association,” Melchionni said. “I have no doubt she is more than capable of representing the insurance industry, but she will take the association to new heights with her thoughtful stewardship.”

Anderson has attained the certified association executive designation through the American Society of Association Executives. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in public relations and policy studies. She has served in leadership roles with the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation and Syracuse University Alumni Club of the Capital District. She is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives and Empire State Society of Association Executives.

“I greatly value the confidence and support of the NYIA Board of Directors and membership,” Anderson said. “I look forward to building on the success of the association and working to enhance New York’s property and casualty marketplace.”

The New York Insurance Association (NYIA®) is a state trade association that has represented the property and casualty insurance industry for more than 140 years.

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