Liberty Insurance Associates
525 Route 33Millstone Township, NJ 08535
732-792-7000
Growing along with New Jersey.
In 1934, Lester Heulitt opened an insurance agency in Monmouth County to provide basic fire, life and commercial property protection for dairy and vegetable farmers, the primary residents of the region. Of course, the agency also served clients from New York to Philadelphia. And even then, we were ahead of our time, offering full service by a licensed insurance agent in an era when licensing was a option, not a norm.
As Central Jersey became more populous and industrialized in the past six decades, Liberty Insurance Associates developed and expanded, too. Since the early thirties, the agency changed names (we became Liberty Insurance Associates in 1983), but we've always adhered to the same high standards of service and professionalism.
Today, a staff of 40 experienced, licensed professionals provide comprehensive insurance coverages for the successful businesses and sophisticated homeowners who've joined the farmers of the Garden State.
"We're eager to act as consultants to evaluate your present program or a new proposal. If you prefer, we'll become your risk managers, handling all aspects of your insurance program. Either way, you know you're getting honest advice from seasoned professionals"
Officers: (click on name for complete BIO)
Andrew C. Harris, CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM Gary Rygiel, CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM
Agency Awards Agency Participation & Community Service
Back to TopAndrew C. Harris, CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM
A Professional Biography
Andy Harris has more than thirty years experience in Insurance Sales and Agency Management, including more than twenty 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 has been recognized each of the last three 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. He was recently asked to be 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. In addition, he is actively 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 has served on the Board of Directors of the Monmouth-Ocean County Development Council and was a member of the 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 by the Governor to the Department 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 is 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 of New Jersey (PIA-NJ). He currently represents PIA-NJ as a National Director of PIA and serves on the Government Affairs committee and the Business and Industry committee. Mr. Harris is PIA National’s liaison to ISO. Mr. Harris 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.
Additional Accomplishments
- ANDY IS THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE NEW JERSEY PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE AGENTS ASSOCIATION.
- PAST PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL JERSEY SOCIETY OF CHARTERED PROPERTY AND CASUALTY UNDERWRITERS (CPCU).
- MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION.
- APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR WHITMAN TOTHE WINDSTORM MARKETING ASSISTANCE PLAN.
- ELECTED DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR FOR PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE AGENTS IN 1993.
- ANDY HAS TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE ASSEMBLY ON VARIOUS INSURANCE MATTERS.
- ANDY AND GARY RYGIEL TRAVEL ANNUALLY TO WASHINGTON WITH THEIR ASSOCIATION AND MEET WITH VARIOUS CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS REGARDING INSURANCE AS WELL AS LOCAL ISSUES.
Gary C. Rygiel, CIC, CPCU, ARM, AIS, CRM
A Professional Biography
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
- 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.
Agency Awards
2005 & 2006 Agency Excellence Awards (BS, MS, & PhD) Agency Peak Performance Exchange (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. Liberty Insurance Associates has ranked among the top 10 APPEX agencies nationwide since 2004. APPEX recognizes out-standing achievement by awarding degrees. In 2006, Liberty was awarded the top achievement award: a PhD degree in Agency Management, Operations, and Finance. |
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2004 CPCU Excellence Employer’s Award The Central Jersey Chapter of the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter’s Society presented Liberty Insurance Associates its Circle of Excellence -Employer of the Year Award. Liberty was the first and only Insurance Agency to ever win this award. Members of the CPCU Society have passed a series of rigorous examinations in all aspects of insurance and adhere to a strict set of ethical standards. |
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1998 Circle of Excellence Award – Major Business The Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce awarded Liberty Insurance Associates this prestigious award given to firms of over 25 employees that have demonstrated leadership that enhanced both the business community and the social climate in the Western Monmouth area. |
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Special Recognition for our Agency Principals
President, Andrew C. Harris, CIC, CPCU, ARM, CRM |
Executive VP, Gary C. Rygiel, CIC, CPCU, ARM, CRM |
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Agency Participation & Community Service
- LIBERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES SPONSORED LIBERTY BELL SCHOLARSHIP.
- LIBERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES SPONSORED THE CLASS OF2000.
- LIBERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES SPONSORED EVENTS AT THE COLTS NECK TOWNSHIP FAIR.
- LIBERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES AND ITS EMPLOYEES HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS.
- LIBERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES SPONS0R OR HAS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED THE FOLLOWING LOCAL ACTIVITIES:
- COLTS NECK BASEBALL
- COLTS NECK BASKETBALL
- COLTS NECK SOCCER
- NJ STATE POLICE HOCKEY
- MANALAPAN YOUTH HOCKEY
- MONMOUTH CONSERVATI0N FOUNDATI0N
- SAINT JUDES
- LONG BRANCH SPORTS FOUNDATI0N
- HUDSON MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATI0N
- AMERICAN RED CROSS
- JERSEY SHORE MEDICAL
- BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY
- TWO RIVER THEATER
- SAINT JOHN VIANNEY
- CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY
- MILLSTONE FIRE/FIRST AID
- MONMOUTH COUNTY ZOO CLUB
- SAINTMARYS CATHOLIC CHURCH
- HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (MONMOUTH)
- MILLSTONE FAIR
- SUSAN B. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
- MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION
- MONMOUTH COUNTY BOY SCOUTS