Our Story and What Drives us Daily
Brown & Brown Insurance arrived in the Upstate New York market in 2001 when it purchased The Riedman Corporation, the community’s largest business insurer renowned for innovative solutions and personalized service. Today, Brown & Brown Insurance of New York is one of the largest insurance intermediaries in Upstate New York. Our success is due, in part, to our uncommon blend of national corporate presence and continued local roots. It’s what enables us to provide unique solutions that help our clients thrive.
Throughout our 77-year history, Brown & Brown Insurance of New York has built a strong foundation supported by four pillars essential to success:
- Access to worldwide insurance markets
- Local insurance professionals having the ability and resources to meet their customers’ needs
- Expertise designing plans that protect a client’s bottom line through cost-effective insurance placement and risk management techniques
- A continuous focus on providing attentive customer service and bringing value-added services to our customers
Here’s another reason for our success: our culture of caring. We treat each other, our clients, and our carriers like family, and we’re profoundly dedicated to the Upstate New York community through volunteerism, board membership, and giving back. Read more about our community involvement here.
Our Team
Andy Meloni Executive Vice President
Andy has over 38 years’ experience in the insurance industry including sales and management. He oversees the firm’s largest and most sophisticated accounts. Andy has been involved with countless non-profit and local community organizations including the Boy Scouts, Compeer, The School of the Holy Childhood, Heart Association, and the Rochester Museum and Science Center. He enjoys spending time with his family and spoiling his two grandchildren.
Dan Peck Property & Casualty Practice Leader
Dan has over 28 years experience in the insurance industry. He brings experience in underwriting and management of large commercial accounts and financial institutions. He is able to coordinate the unique insurance needs for banks, stockbrokers, insurance companies and investment advisors. Dan received his BS degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. At Brown & Brown Mentors and assists the development of staff members, coordinates and monitors insurance carrier relations, as well as the development and acquisition of new clients
John Bouchard, Esq Vice President PoleStar
After ten years in private practice specializing in commercial litigation, John has spent the last twenty-two in insurance brokerage. John joined the Riedman Corporation in 1990, specializing in claims consulting, Directors & Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and Professional Liability coverages. When Brown & Brown acquired Riedman in 2000, John was named Head of Polestar Executive Management. John is a frequent lecturer at national and state conferences; as well as, been retained by law firms on a consultative basis to review and advise on policy interpretation involving major litigation (i.e. WorldCom).
Matt Riedinger VP Bond Manager
As the Manager of Brown & Brown’s Surety Department, Matthew Riedinger oversees the placement and servicing of surety business for our customers. A large percentage of our client base is construction companies. We provide bid, payment and performance bonds for these customers. In addition, Matt handles Fidelity, Court, Miscellaneous and License/Permit bonds. Matt has more than 25 years of surety experience including several working directly for insurance companies. This experience provides him with a wealth of knowledge and resources in the Surety Industry. Matt is involved in numerous organizations including United way, Habitat for Humanity, Society for the Protection and Care of Children (SPCC) along with many more.
Chip Strowe Personal Lines Manager
As manager of Brown & Brown’s Personal Lines Department, Chip Strowe oversees a variety of general office activities, organizes operations and procedures, coordinates activities of workers within the department, and maintains contact with customers and outside company representatives. Chip manages a team of dedicated and skilled employees committed to providing a full range of coverage for home, auto, recreational vehicles and personal property. Chip has over 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing and started in the field of personal lines insurance in 1983. He is on the board for the Independent Insurance Agents of Monroe County and actively supports many local charities in the Rochester area.
Michael Faillace Employee Benefits Practice Leader
With over 20 years’ experience, Mike is responsible for management of the Employee Benefits Division for the Rochester/Buffalo NY area. His commitment consists of delivering superior benefit solutions, advice and service to all Brown & Brown’s clients. Mike is a graduate of Radford University. He holds a Certified Healthcare Consultant designation from Purdue University. He is very active in the Western NY community, serving numerous non-profit boards and sits on the advisory boards of local insurance carriers.
Andre Valente Commercial Insurance
Andre has 15 years of commercial insurance experience. He received his BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from Nazareth College. Andre is a member of the “Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Rochester chapter. He also sits on various board and committees, including Heartwalk Grounds Committee Volunteer and Independent Insurance Agents of Monroe County (IIAMC)
Tarek Eldaher Property/Casualty Sales Executive
Tarek has over 9 years’ experience in Property & Casualty, Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Life and Financial lines of insurance. He has is BA in Business Administration from NYS University at Potsdam. He received his MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Tarek is involved in numerous organizations including, RIT Saunders College of Business; Rochester Museum & Science Center; and NextGen Rochester.
Brian Allen Property/Casualty Account Executive
Brian is a NYS Licensed broker and is responsible for territories throughout New York State. Before starting his career at Brown & Brown, he worked as a primary school teacher. Brian received his Bachelors of Arts through Saint Bonaventure University and earned his Masters in Education from Nazareth College. Brian enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and their two children, as well as being an active supporter in the community.
Marc Russo Employee Benefits Consultant
Marc has 10 years of experience in the local insurance market. After 5 years as an underwriter and account manager for a national ancillary insurance carrier, Marc joined Brown & Brown. Marc is responsible for the consultation, service and management to Brown & Brown’s employee benefits clients. Marc is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and resides in Webster, NY with his family.
Jacob Sanabria Personal Lines Manager
As manager of Brown & Brown’s Personal Lines Department, Jacob Sanabria oversees a variety of general office activities, organizes operations and procedures, coordinates activities of workers within the department, and maintains contact with customers and outside company representatives. Jake leads a team of dedicated and skilled employees committed to providing a full range of coverage for home, auto, recreational vehicles and personal property to name a few. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, Jake owned an agency where he managed a team of personal lines professionals. Jake enjoys spending time with family & friends as well as supporting the local community.
Bill Balderston Commercial Insurance
Bill has worked in various capacities within the insurance industry over the past 38 years. He is well versed in large account risk management strategies and has extensive knowledge of commercial insurance, alternative risk transfer strategies and risk financing techniques. Bill has served in various capacities at the following community organizations in Rochester: Seneca Zoo Society, American Red Cross, Genesee Valley Club, Rochester School for the Deaf, Park Ridge Hospital Foundation, Genesee Country Village and Allendale Columbia School.
Tim Pullis Marketing Manager
Tim has over 28 years experience in the commercial insurance industry, with specialized expertise in construction, environmental and products-related insurance placements. As Marketing Leader of the Rochester Profit Center, he is responsible for directing all new business submissions to the commercial insurance marketplace. Tim supports a variety of local charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Isaiah House and Bloomfield Lions Club
Jonathan Winnie, RWCS Director of Risk/Claim Management
Jonathan is responsible for client risk and claim management exposure evaluations and makes recommendations to mitigate claim costs impacting the client’s cost of risk. Jonathan began his career in insurance in 1989 as a medical analyst. He has diverse experience with expertise in NYS WC Law and strong litigation and resolution management skills. He drives significant reserve savings, contains/mitigates costs, and effectively interfaces with medical providers, attorneys, judges, investigators, nurse case managers, supervisors, clients, employers and auditors. He has worked for several major carriers.
Jay Laird Director of Underwriting
Jay has 20 years’ experience as a medical underwriter. After 9 years as a medical underwriter for both regional and national health insurance carriers, Jay joined Brown & Brown. Jay is able to use his familiarity with the intricacies of how quotes and renewals are developed to better explain and advise clients and prospects. Jay is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a BS in Mathematics and currently holds a Life, Accident and Health license.
Joseph Ange Employee Benefits Consultant
Joe has been in the healthcare arena for over 20 years with the experience of working on both sides of the healthcare delivery model. A graduate of SUNY Brockport, he has delivered benefit solutions along with superior advice/service to all Brown & Brown clients throughout the WNY marketplace. . Joe supports many local charities and resides in Penfield, NY.
Jennifer Martin Employee Benefits Consultant
Jennifer Martin is an Employee Benefits Consultant at Brown & Brown of NY. Jennifer joined the Brown & Brown team in June of 2008. She is responsible for servicing and management of employee benefit clients. Jennifer has over 20 years experience in sales and service of benefits for both large and small clients. Jennifer holds a Life Accident & Health license. She is a Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC).
Jason Mull Vice President Employee Benefits
Jason is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, in Rochester, NY and has accrued over 17 years of successful experience in the areas of employee benefits, human resources, payroll, and 401K consultation, serving both small and large employers. Experienced in human resources and benefits management consulting, Jason is familiar with the business challenges that employers face in today’s tough economic climate. Jason is currently on the YMCA Development Committee and Brown & Brown’s National Benefits Committee. Jason and his family reside in Henrietta, New York and have 5 children.
Brian Hart Vice President Employee Benefits
Brian is responsible for the professional delivery of consultation, management and service to Brown & Brown’s Employee Benefit Division clients. In early 2006, he sold his ownership position in a 7 store restaurant chain located in Upstate New York where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer for more than five years. Brian received an MBA from the Jacobs School of Management at the University of Buffalo. For several years, Brian participated in Brown & Brown’s twelve member National Employee Benefits Leadership Committee.
Michael Macklem Employee Benefits
Mike joined Brown & Brown in March, 2017, gained his Health license in April.
Previous to moving to Brown & Brown, Mike spent 19 years in the payroll/HR business having worked with both Paychex and ADP.
Mike lives in the Greece area, near the Lake. When he isn’t working, Mike enjoys spending his time golfing, & competing in BBQ competitions.
Todd Koneski Vice President Employee Benefits
Todd has been involved in the design, implementation and management of employee benefit programs for mid to large sized employers for over 20 years. Todd has been active on several carrier advisory boards and as a board member / secretary for the Fairport/Perinton Dollars for Scholars. Todd resides in Fairport, New York and has three daughters.
Violetta DiClemente Manager of Benefit Operations
Violetta is responsible for the day to day consulting and project management. Violetta works closely with other team members and resources to evaluate and ensure that each project is in compliance with the project specifications. Violetta has been involved in numerous community organizations including the National Human Resource Association, Women’s Council through the Rochester Business Alliance, as well as the American Heart Association.