For immediate release …

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009
Contact: Melissa N. Cibelli
or Mary E. Christiano (800) 424-4244

Rudzitskiy awarded prestigious PIWA scholarship

GLENMONT, N.Y.-The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of New York State Inc. will present the Abe Snyder Memorial Scholarship to Margarita Rudzitskiy, Ridgefield, N.J., at PIWA’s 2009 Annual Conference, Sept. 23-24, at the Hilton Pearl River, Pearl River, N.Y.

“It is my privilege and honor to recognize Margarita on behalf of PIWA,” said PIWA President Gary Ricker. “She is a shining example of a future leader in the industry and we look forward to watching her succeed in the years to come.”

Rudzitskiy is a senior at St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management, New York, studying for her bachelor of science degree in risk management and insurance. She interned for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Garden City, N.Y., where she worked directly with independent insurance agencies and insurance companies. She also worked in the brokerage division working directly with clients. Rudzitskiy also is a member of both the Phi Eta Sigma honor society and Gamma Iota Sigma, an international risk management, insurance and actuarial science fraternity.

The Abe Snyder Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Abe Snyder, a dedicated member and past president of PIWA, who encouraged educational opportunities in the insurance industry for youth so they would seek to become the successful leaders in the insurance field. His son, Lucas Snyder of NIF Group Inc., Manhasset, N.Y., is the incoming PIWA president, and will be the first-ever, second-generation president in PIWA history.

Annually, PIWA bestows a $2,500 academic scholarship toward eligible higher education institutions, including Baruch College, Excelsior College, Pace University, St. John’s University and Temple University. Scholarship winners are chosen based on criteria that include financial need; academic achievement; extracurricular involvement; demonstrated leadership; awards and recognition; and work history.

Established in 1978, the Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of New York State Inc. is a trade association of New York state insurance wholesalers serving retail insurance producers with specialty and excess lines markets.

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