Dedicated volunteer leaders from PIANY met with state lawmakers on May 13, 2025, for the association’s annual Albany Lobby Day. The event was a powerful demonstration of PIANY’s ongoing commitment to creating a fair and responsive insurance marketplace in New York state.
[PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) PIANY Vice President Jorge Hernandez; PIANY President-elect Jason E. Bartow, AAI, CPIA, TRA; Assemblyman Samuel Berger, D-27; PIANY President Richard Andrews, LUTCF; PIANY Secretary Ed Chadwick; and PIANY Past President Fred Holender, CLU, CPCU, ChFC, MSFS.]
Throughout the day, PIANY representatives met with key legislators to discuss the association’s 2025 legislative priorities, advocating for reforms that would benefit agents, consumers and the broader insurance industry.
Policy priorities for 2025
This year’s robust agenda focused on several high-impact issues, including a proposal to modernize the state’s DMV system. PIANY leaders also were able to caution their representatives against legislation that would require insurance carriers to provide coverage for lead paint exposures.
A unified voice at the Capitol
PIANY was represented by a distinguished delegation of volunteer leaders:
- PIANY President Richard Andrews, LUTCF, of Lowville, and president of Andrews Agency Inc., in Ithaca.
- PIANY President-elect Jason Bartow, AAI, CPIA, TRA, of Dix Hills, and executive vice president of Eugene A. Bartow Insurance Agency in Deer Park.
- PIANY Treasurer Jorge Hernandez of Merrick, and president of North Franklin Brokerage Inc., in Hempstead.
- PIANY Secretary Ed Chadwick of Buffalo, and assistant vice president, personal lines lead broker, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services in Buffalo.
- Chairman of PIANY’s Agents Advocacy Coalition Fred Holender, CLU, CPCU, ChFC, MSFS, of Williamsville, and director of administration for Lawley Service Inc., in Buffalo.
These leaders were joined by Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs, and Patrick Zlogar, PIANY lobbyist, who provided legislative strategy and insights throughout the day.
Legislative engagements
The PIANY team had a full schedule, meeting with chairs and ranking members of several committees, as well as with other prominent lawmakers across the legislative spectrum
These discussions provided a platform for PIANY to thank lawmakers for past support, push for final floor votes on pending bills, like PIANY’s anti-arson repeal bill and CE carryover bill.
Strength in numbers and expertise
Lobby Day not only amplifies PIANY’s voice in legislative affairs, but it also strengthens its position as a trusted resource for policymakers navigating complex insurance issues.
PIANY’s volunteer leadership were able to share vital information with elected officials about the capacity and pricing issues in the property/casualty marketplace and what corrective actions might be required by state lawmakers and regulators.
Get involved: Support PIANY’s advocacy
PIANY is actively advocating for final passage of the anti-arson repeal and CE credit carryover bills—two common-sense reforms that will reduce administrative burdens and improve the insurance landscape for both agents and consumers.
Join the effort by contacting your state legislators and urging them to support these important initiatives. Learn more and take action here and here.
For photos of the event, click here.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
