Some time ago, Insurance Advocate regularly published a column by Michael Carbajal entitled On the Level. Michael was among our most popular writers for many years largely because of his relationship with Momma Garcia. Momma Garcia was his sage advisor who gave her advice, she said, to the store front broker. Momma Garcia always said to find out whats going on in the insurance industry, just ask the store front broker.

Many of our readers during those years thought that Momma Garcia was actually the voice of Don Gabay because Don is one of the few individuals at the top of the business who had the sense to listen to the people on the front lines of retail insuring. It is no surprise that Don, therefore, was honored for his Lifetime Achievement by the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York at its November 16 reception in Brooklyn. Don is the past president of the association and has kept in constant contact as he has progressed through the ranks of the New York State Insurance Department, and his career as an attorney with Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP.

I have known Don for about 25 years as a friend, as a professional, as a leader of the Insurance Federation of New York, and in many other roles, all of which add up to the singular image of a true and abiding friend to the insurance industry, and, I am happy to say, to this publication and to me.