Way back when each of the five boroughs of New York City had its own brokers association, there were names such as the Brooklyn Brokers Association, The Metropolitan Brokers Association (Manhattan), the Queens County Association, and so on, all the way out to Richmond County.

I think it was in 1967 that the groups got together and formed an entity known as the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York. Over these years, this entity, which has had several incarnations and affiliations, has served a very useful purpose " most notably with respect to the auto market and the assigned risk. For many years, the assigned risk plan in New York was the territory of the likes of Abe Eisenstein, Stewart Fries, and other exponents of this group.

I was privileged for many years to work with such leaders as Paul Olshen, George Marchetti, Sr. " whose obituary appeared in these pages a few weeks back " his son, George, and others like them in a long list of fine men.

At the head of the list in everyones book was CIBs fourth president, Don Gabay, who will be duly honored at the associations November dinner dance. Don Gabay is simply one of the best known people in the business for his years in the Insurance Department, and as a volunteer in the brokers association, the Insurance Federation of New York, and several other worthwhile trade groups and charities. Don has been ubiquitous for most of his career, and its hard to think of a meeting of NAIC, NCOIL, etc. without him present.

He has told me recently that he is stepping back and will spend a little more time in Florida each winter, but that he was still in the game. This is good news. He has asked that all of his friends put effort into making his Life Time Achievement award dinner this coming November a great success. Watch for news in these pages of this CIB endeavor and let us all show our appreciation for his friendship and service these many years.

Speaking of stepping back, Sal Curiale who is easily one of the nicest people in the business recently left his post with Mutual of America and will find other ways to stay active (which have yet to be announced). We look forward to seeing Sal on the scene and to his ever present good humor and good sense.

The New York Insurance Association is now to be led by Ellen Melchionni, a substantial professional who for many years served with Bernard Bourdeau as his associate. Ellen will now take up the challenge of fighting such things as pre-judgment interest and other topics on the long and important list of NYIA agenda items. This group, of course, has been vigilant in helping the anti-fraud effort in New York State. Ellen Melchionni is exactly the right person at the right time to keep the beat going. Congratulations, Ellen.