Paul Monacelli, Kimberly Tompkins Named Winners of PIA National Awards

New Jersey’s Paul Monacelli and Connecticut’s Kimberly Tompkins were honored by the National Professional Insurance Agents during an awards luncheon on April 5 in Arlington, Virginia.

Monacelli CIC, CPIA, the CEO of ADP/Statewide Insurance Agencies of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, was named PIA National 2003 Professional Agent of the Year. Tompkins, AIS, PHM, ACSR, CPIW, CPIA was named the recipient of the PIA National 2003 Customer Service Representative (CSR) of the Year, the first time this award, sponsored by Zurich North America Small Business, has been given.

PIA National President Carl G. Stoecklin said Monacelli “embodies the attributes to which all of us aspire. Our winner built an agency the hard way, from scratch. He is a tireless advocate for PIA. He has sponsored many insurance agents as prospective PIA members. But our winner does even more — not just for the neighbors in his town, but also for people across the globe. Paul Monacelli is truly one of PIA’s best.”

Monacelli has been a member of PIANJ since 1991, serving as president-elect in 1998-99 and as president of the state association in 1999-2000. He is active with the association, serving on numerous committees, and is currently Chairman of the PIANJ Auto Insurance Task Force. He also serves on the agent advisory councils of Travelers, Encompass and Selective insurance companies.

As he accepted the award, Monacelli, a retired army colonel and Vietnam Veteran, asked PIA members to remember the American service members who are in Iraq. “Half a world away there are a lot of young men and women who are taking on a much harder task than anything we’re doing here today,” he said. “So I’d ask you to take a moment of your time today, and either give a thought or a prayer for all of our service people who are fighting on our behalf. God bless America.”

Tompkins, who works for Housing Insurance Services of Cheshire, Connecticut, was honored for her professionalism and unique contributions as a customer service representative who works for a PIA member agency. She has been a producer, an underwriter and a CSR — in both commercial and personal lines — during her 15-year career, and has chosen to be a CSR because she loves dealing with people. She also serves as President of the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals, and was named by the PIACT as Connecticut Outstanding CSR and Connecticut Young Insurance Professional of the Year.

“Kimberly has distinguished herself in many ways,” said Stoecklin. “Her devotion to her work is combined with an equal dedication to continuing education — and she has also distinguished herself by giving back to her community through her many charitable works.”

Receiving the award, Tompkins said “We live in a world and work in an industry that requires us to be flexible. In our business and in this current market, it is imperative to have the right contacts. It is nice to know that my involvement in PIA provides me with these opportunities. PIA can help educate, mentor and guide the next generation so they will be prepared for the challenges they will face tomorrow.”

Topics Agencies Connecticut