Howard Siegel
President,
Irwin Siegel Agency, Inc.

Biographical Profile

Howard Siegel became President and CEO of Irwin Siegel Agency (ISA) in June of 2000. Mr. Siegel joined ISA in 1979 as a Personal Lines underwriter after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College and his Property and Casualty License. By 1984 Mr. Siegel had advanced to Commercial Lines underwriting and was instrumental in introducing the first comprehensive insurance package for providers of services to people with developmental disabilities. In 1994 Mr. Siegel was named Executive Vice President and COO.

With experience in all of ISA’s departments including sales, claims, and operations, Mr. Siegel brings extensive knowledge to his current position. ISA’s Developmental Disabilities Program continues to be the cornerstone of the agency’s Human Service programs today. Through Mr. Siegel’s direction, ISA is positioned as a leading provider of insurance and risk management services to the Human Service field. In 2002, Mr. Siegel guided ISA through a transition in becoming a program administrator in the program division of member companies of the American International Group (AIG), an A+ rated carrier. In the past three years he has built a strong relationship with AIG, paving the way for a progressive approach to insurance services and a forward-looking methodology.

As President of a company that shares his vision, Mr. Siegel is ideally placed to address critical issues in the disabilities community and to carry on ISA’s mission to improve the health and safety of its members. Howard has facilitated the development of numerous Risk Management programs and resources that have enhanced the safety and loss control efforts of provider agencies while promoting a more independent lifestyle for persons with disabilities. In 1998, the National Safety Council awarded him their Distinguished Service to Safety Award, recognizing him as a leader of “Best Practices” in safety for people with disabilities.

Personally and professionally, Mr. Siegel is a strong supporter and collaborates with local, state and national organizations, such as New York State Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. and ANCOR, a national provider association, in support of people with disabilities. In this dual role, he listens to their concerns, amplifies their voices and diligently works to achieve their goals. In 1994, Howard developed the Award for Improvement in the Quality of Life for People with Disabilities to honor direct support staff. Howard has also sponsored several other awards, including the American Association on Mental Retardation’s Robert Guthrie Award for Advances in Biochemical and Molecular Genetics, United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s Irv Rutman Award, and the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation – John F. Kennedy, Jr. Award for Excellence as a Direct Support Professional.

In November, 2002, Mr. Siegel accepted a seat as an Advisory Board member of Reaching Up, Inc. This is a not-for-profit organization that helps cultivate future leaders in the field of developmental disabilities by providing a career path through higher learning for direct support professionals (DSP). Reaching Up, Inc. has become a part of the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute for Worker Education within the City University of NY (CUNY). Howard’s support of DSP has helped initiate the creation of a newly formed division within the American Association of Mental Retardation (AAMR) called the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

Mr. Siegel has three teenage sons, Harrison, Zachary and Gregory. He has served his local and professional communities as a member of the Town of Thompson Planning Board, the Partnership for Economic Development, the Holiday Mountain Ski Commission and the Landfield Avenue Synagogue. He is a member and past president of the Monticello Rotary Club. He continues to serve as a board member of Reaching Up, Inc., as an affiliate member of the National Council of Executives, a corporate member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), a corporate member of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers and a trustee of NYSARC Trusts. Additional memberships include: Brain Injury Association of NY, Alliance for Nonprofit Governance, AAMR, and the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.