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Andrew C. Harris CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM
President
Phone: 732-792-7000
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 Andy Harris has more than thirty years experience in Insurance Sales and Agency Management, including more than twenty-five years as the President and CEO of Liberty Insurance Associates. As the majority partner in Liberty Insurance Associates, Mr. Harris has directed the growth of the organization from a small agency handling mostly personal insurance to a multi-lines agency with over forty employees. Today, Liberty’s growth is primarily driven by meeting the property and casualty insurance needs of commercial clients. Mr. Harris is also President of two fully owned subsidiaries: Liberty Consulting Company, a Risk Management consulting firm; and Liberty Life Associates, specialists in life, health and other financial instruments. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Jersey Community Bank, a de novo bank, headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey.
Mr. Harris strongly believes in life-long learning and had demonstrated his commitment to continuing education by earning many insurance designations: Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and Certified Risk Manager (CRM).
Mr. Harris strives for excellence in all aspects of his business. Liberty Insurance Associates became a MarshBerry APPEX agent in 2001. APPEX is comprised of the industry's top performing insurance agencies that have come together to exchange operating strategies, to share strengths and opportunities and to hold each other accountable for success. Liberty was recognized for three consecutive years as one of the ten top APPEX agencies in the country. In addition, Liberty has been awarded a Bachelor’s, a Master’s, and the highest degree, a PhD from MarshBerry. The degrees recognize achievement is Agency Profitability, Agency Growth, and Agency Management and Operations. In 2005, Mr. Harris was asked to join the APPEX Advisory Council, and in 2007 he became the Chair of the APPEX Advisory Council.
Mr. Harris also dedicates himself to improving his local community. For the past four years, he has served on the Financial Committee for the Board of Directors for CentraState Medical Center. In 2006, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Central Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross and continues to serve in that capacity. In addition, he is involved with Brookdale Community College (BCC). He is a Trustee Emeritus for the Brookdale Foundation. He has served as the BCC Insurance Education coordinator with Community Services. He was also elected to the Board of Directors of the Monmouth-Ocean County Development Council and has served on their Executive Committee. He is also a charter member of the Jersey Shore Chapter of Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business owners and their spouses.
At the state level, Mr. Harris continues to be recognized for his professionalism and his leadership abilities. He was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the FBI Newark Division Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association. He was appointed by Governor Corzine to the Department of Banking and Insurance Disaster Response Plan Development Group. Previously, he was appointed by Governor Whitman as a member of the Department of Banking and Insurance Study Commission and to the New Jersey Insurance Commissioner’s Insurance Education Advisory Committee and continues to be an active member of those committees. He also continues to serve on the Commissioner’s Producer’s Advisory Council. He was also on the Board of Governors of the Windstorm Marketing Assistance Plan.
Within the Insurance community, Mr. Harris is active in the Professional Insurance Agents at both the National and the State level (PIA-NJ). Mr. Harris is the current Vice President of the National PIA and will serve as the National President beginning in 2012. Mr. Harris has received many honors from PIA-NJ. He was selected as “Agent of the Year” in 1996 by PIA-NJ and received a joint resolution from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly recognizing this achievement. He served as President of PIA-NJ during 1998-1999. In June of 2006, Mr. Harris was awarded PIA-NJ’s Distinguished Insurance Service Award. Insurance companies have recognized his leadership skills as well. Mr. Harris has chaired the Regional Agents Advisory Boards of many Insurance companies: CNA Pacer, Crum & Forster, Hanover, One Beacon, and Harleysville Producers Councils. Nationally, he has served on the Crum & Forster National Agency Council and Harleysville Insurance Company National Board. From 2003 to 2008 he served as the President of the Proformance Insurance Company.
Prior to forming Liberty Insurance Associates, Mr. Harris earned a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Marietta College. Early in his insurance career he worked for the Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies, attaining the designation of “Liberty Leader” and was a frequent member of their Top Producer’s Club.
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Gary C. Rygiel
CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM
Phone: (732) 792-7000
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Gary has more than 30 years of experience in the Insurance Industry. Since 1984, Gary has been a partner and Executive Vice President of Liberty Insurance Associates, Inc. In addition to his work at Liberty, Gary has continued his professional development by earning numerous Insurance designations. He is a tireless advocate for the Independent Agency System in New Jersey, volunteering for both the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey and the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey. As a respected business leader, he has also worked diligently with both business and community volunteer organizations. Insurance Industry Experience •2010 Appointed member of the Wokers Compensation Governing Committee Past President of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey (PIANJ). Gary is the first to serve as President of both State Insurance Associations. • Past President of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the CPCU Society. (President from 2006-2007) • Director of the Year for the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey (2004) • Chair of the Commissioner's Producer Advisory Council (CPAC) (2000) • Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey (IIANJ) (President -1999-2000) • Chairman of the Year IIANJ (1995),/ • Past President of the Monmouth County Independent Insurance Agents (President in 1991) • Co-Chairman of a Task Force for the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor • Member of the Agent's Task Force for the Worker's Compensation Rating Bureau • Community Service Award from PIANJ in 2001. • Instructor at Brookdale Community College and Liberty Insurance School. Professional Designations • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) earned in 1980 • Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) earned in 1985 • Associate in Risk Management (ARM) earned in 1996 • Certified Risk Manager (CRM) earned in 2001 • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) earned in 2005 • Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology/Geology from Fairleigh Dickinson University - 1975. Community Involvement • Western Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce. Gary served as President from 1991-1992. • Liberty Insurance Associates wins Circle of Excellence Award as a Major Employer -1998. • Workforce Investment Board from 1996 to 2002. Gary was appointed by the Monmouth County Freeholders to serve as a member from the business sector. He also served as a Board Trustee from 2000 - 2002. Awarded the Business Partnership Award in 2005. • Member of Monmouth County Transportation Task Force • Community Playground Partnership. Gary brought together the CNA Foundation, the Western Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, the Freehold Partnership, the Independent Insurance Agents of Monmouth County, the Borough of Freehold, and the Greater Monmouth County YMCA to raise the necessary funds and to build a playground in 2001. |
