HARTFORD, Conn.—The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc., elected Nicholas W. Ruickoldt, CISR, CPIA, as president during the association’s annual convention held March 27-28, 2024, at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. Ruickoldt is a broker for The Russell Insurance Agency LLC in Southport, Conn.

As an active member of PIA Connecticut since 2009, Ruickoldt served as president-elect in 2023-24; vice president of the Legislative/Business Issues Committee and a member of the Executive/Budget & Finance Committee.

Active in his community, Ruickoldt has been a member of the New Haven Rotary Club and was a member of the Student Volunteer Association of Bridgeport. He has served as a Commissioner of The West Haven Fire Department from 2014-2019, and he was a member of the West Haven City Council from 2013 -2020. Ruickoldt was on the board of directors for G.R.O.W.E.R.S., an organization that offers a multipath approach to providing horticultural education, employment opportunities and therapy for adults with developmental and physical disabilities, creating a community based horticultural business niche.

Other officers elected

The association also elected a full slate of officers during its Annual Business Meeting. Following are the new officers who will lead PIACT in 2024-25:

• President: Nicholas Ruickoldt, CISR, CPIA, of West Haven Conn. Ruickoldt is a broker for The Russell Insurance Agency LLC in Southport, Conn.
• President-elect: Kevin McKiernan, CIC, CPIA, of Wilton, Conn. McKiernan is president of Abercrombie, Burns, McKiernan Co., in Darien, Conn.
• Vice president: Nathan Shippee of Bolton, Conn. Shippee is vice president of sales & marketing for Workers’ Compensation Trust in Wallingford, Conn.
• Treasurer: Katie Bailey, ACSR, CLCS, CPIA, of Monroe, Conn. Bailey is an agent with The Russell Agency in Southport, Conn.
• Secretary: Kimberly Tompkins, CIC, AIS, AINS, CRIS, ACSR, CPIA, PHM, of Prospect, Conn. Tompkins is an underwriter for Convelo Insurance Group in Middletown Township, N.J.
• Immediate Past President: J. Kyle Dougherty, CIC, of Orange, Conn. Dougherty is president of Dougherty Insurance Agency Inc., in Stratford, Conn.

###

PIA Connecticut is the premier professional association for independent insurance agents, working to advance the needs of its members and be a leading voice in the insurance industry. PIACT agents in the state of Connecticut—providing them with the very best education, information, advocacy, and business tools possible.