NEWS RELEASE

Warwick, RI (December 2, 2014) – The Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island (IIARI) announced its Board of Directors for 2014-2015. The announcement was made at the association’s 114th annual meeting held on Thursday, October 23rd at The Towers in Narragansett, RI.

Robert Hartnett of Interstate Insurance Agency, Inc. was elected President.  Hartnett was joined by Garry Mansfield of Mansfield Insurance Agency, Inc. as President Elect, and Richard Paquin of Paquin Insurance Agency, Inc. as Vice President.  Robert Slocum of The Slocum Agency, Inc. was elected State National Director.

Directors elected for 2014-2015 will consist of Francis Doyle of Automobile Club Insurance Agency, Inc.; John Kaull of OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc; Thomas Regan of Christopher & Regan Insurance, Inc.; Denise Smith of Smith Insurance Group, Inc.; Kenneth Thompson, Jr. of Lezaola Thompson Insurance; and David Woodmansee of Woodmansee Insurance, Inc.

In attendance was Joseph Torti III, Superintendent of Insurance and Banking for Rhode Island, as well as Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, Chairman of the House Corporations Committee.

State Senator David Bates was honored at the meeting for his 22 years of service to the people of Rhode Island. First elected in 1992, Bates retired from the Rhode Island Senate this year, but will continue to work as president of his company, A.N. Nunes Agency in Bristol, RI.

Bates was awarded the Carleton I. Fisher Outstanding Agent Award at last year’s IIARI meeting and is only the ninth person in the history of the award to become a recipient. Bates served the Association over the years on almost every committee and Board of Directors, as well as President and State National Director to the Board of the Independent Agents & Brokers of America.

About the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island

Founded in 1900, the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island is comprised of independent insurance agents who provide property and casualty insurance solutions to their customers and clients.  Located in Warwick, IIARI participating agencies are independently owned and operated throughout most communities in Rhode Island as Trusted Choice® agents.

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