The stars of the insurance industry were out for the 2024 CTYIP Awards Gala. It was held on Oct. 3, 2024, at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven, Conn. Over 80 people were in attendance. [CAPTION FOR PHOTO TO THE RIGHT: (L-R) CTYIP President Justin Sloan of the Nesco Group; CTYIP Lifetime Achievement Winner Tim Russell of the The Russell Agency; and PIACT past President Michael Keating of Keating Agency Insurance.]
At the event, CTYIP honored the top industry professionals, including:
CTYIP Lifetime Achievement—Tim Russell | The Russell Agency. This is highest award presented by the CTYIP. This award honors an individual of excellence who has served on, and made positive contributions to both the PIACT and CTYIP board of directors. This person exemplifies the mission and pillars of PIA.
CTYIP of the Year—Matt Higgins | HAI Group. This award recognizes the independent agent and CTYIP active member who demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and excellence in the insurance industry, and who values the importance of being an independent agent.
CTYIP Director of the Year—Kieran Buttrick | Hagerty. This award acknowledges a director on the Young Insurance Professionals board who consistently demonstrates outstanding involvement and excellence in CTYIP board meetings, events, activities, and committee work.
CTYIP Supporter of the Year—Atlantic Casualty. This award recognizes the agency or company who goes above and beyond in its support of CTYIP through event sponsorship, active event attendance and promoting its staff membership and engagement with CTYIP.
CTYIP Industry Advocate of the Year—Crystal Restoration Services of CT. This award honors the agency or company that has shown unwavering support of CTYIPs.
In addition to the awards ceremony, this event provided the opportunity for insurance professionals to network and enjoy themselves. There were raffles and prizes, delicious food and beverages, and those in attendance were able to make new connections.
Anthony’s Ocean View was an excellent choice of venue for the event. Attendees had access to Morris Beach and could enjoy the atmosphere of the cove: the weather was perfect for the Cocktail Reception, which happened early in the evening.
Thank you to all the attendees and sponsors that helped make this gala possible.
See photos for the event on Flickr.
Event sponsors:
| Servpro of Milford-Orange-Stratford | Awards |
| Crystal Restoration of NE | Centerpieces |
| R-T Specialty | Centerpieces |
| MJ Keating | Cigar Bar |
| S&H Underwriters | Cigar Bar |
| CHUBB | Desserts |
| Atlantic Restoration | Ice Sculpture |
| Berliner-Gelfand & Co. | Open Bar |
| Olderman & Hallihan | Open Bar |
| RPS/Cowles & Connell | Open Bar |
| The Russell Agency | Open Bar |
| Atlantic Casualty | Place Cards |
| Pro Klean Cleaning & Restoration | PowerPoint Ad |
| Arrow Auto Glass | PowerPoint Ad |
| CRYSTAL Restoration Services of CT | PowerPoint Ad |
| Muni Insurance | Program Ad |
| Hagerty Insurance | Signature Drink |
| United Property Restoration Services | Wine Tumblers |
Matt McDonough is PIA Northeast's writer, editor and content curator. Matt joined PIA Northeast in September 2023. Before that, he had been an editor for the online entertainment magazine Collider from 2021-23 as a copy editor for its lists section. Matt entered the world of journalism at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, writing and reporting for the college's student run newspaper, The New Paltz Oracle. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Creative Writing in 2020.
