The Insurance Professional of the Year Award

Made possible by the establishment of the Richard B. Simches Fund in 2001, the Insurance Professional of the Year Award is presented each year to a person who demonstrates leadership and exemplifies those qualities that engender understanding of and respect for the insurance industry.

William F. Hofmann, III was the first winner of the Award. Bill was selected to receive this award in recognition of the outstanding services he has provided in promoting the interest of the public and the insurance profession. A full bio is available on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.

John B. Conners was the second winner (his full bio is available on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.) of this award. He was chosen, in part, because of the important work he has done in the auto insurance field, both for consumers and for the industry.

David J. Lane was the third winner of the award. He was selected in recognition of his exemplary service to the public and to the insurance industry, both in his work in the insurance field and in his work as a state representative. For further details you can see his bio on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.

Ralph "Buddy" Iannaco was the fourth winner of the award. Buddy was selected because of his long career in the public sector both at the Division of Insurance and currently with the Commonwealth Auto Reinsurers. For more details about Mr. Iannaco, please see his bio on our Past Insurance Professional winners page.

Daniel J. Johnston was the fifth winner of the award. He was selected because of  his dedicated work for the public and the industry both as president of the Auto Insurers Bureau and Executive Director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau. For a more details, you can see his bio on our  Past Insurance Professional winners page.

John K. Golembeski was the sixth winner of the award. He was selected because of his work in the public sector through his role as president of both the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association. He has been appointed to numerous arson task forces and has been involved with several fire training programs. For a full bio on Mr. Golembeski, please see our Past Insurance Professional winners page.

Ronald Mariano was the seventh winner of the award. He was chosen because of his commitment to the public and the Insurance Industry through his work as a House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. For more information on Mr. Mariano, please see his bio on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.

Richard "Dick" W. Brewer was the eighth winner of the Award. He was chosen because of his impeccable reputation among his peers for his keen insight and his ability to understand the viewpoints of others. Dick’s distinguished career in a variety of roles has meant that he has met and worked with many different people with divergent interests. For more information on his involvement in the insurance industry, please see his bio on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.

Michael J. Sabbagh was the ninth winner of the Award. He was chosen because of outstanding contribution to the many communities in which he is active. His long service with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance in several key roles and as Insurance Commissioner benefited the insurance industry and consumers alike. His membership on numerous boards and board committees is a testament to the respect of his peers. For more information on his involvement in the insurance industry, please see his bio on the Past Insurance Professional winners page.