Local resident named ‘Agent of the Year’

Adam Erickson, of Elmont, recently received the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association of New York’s Joel S. Pollack Young Agent of the Year Award, which recognizes “the achievements of an outstanding young agent committed to the independent agency system, active in civic and charitable organizations, professional and of high moral character in all undertakings.”

Erickson, 31, has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 2002, and vice president of the Calstan North Hills Agency in Floral Park since 2008. Additionally, he has been the director of Tri-County Independent Insurance Agents since last May, but served as a board member of the organization for nearly a year prior to becoming director.

The TIIAI is an organization dedicated to the public’s best interest, in regard to property, casualty health and life insurance, Erickson said. In March, the group went to Washington, D.C. to meet with New York state legislators and lobby for insurance reform. This year, the group focused on flood insurance reform, Erickson said. Additionally, the TIIAI takes part in charitable donations, and in June, it will award three separate scholarships to high school students. 

Prior to receiving the Agent of the Year Award, Erickson was cited by his peers as “demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development and industry engagement.” “The award is an absolute honor for me, and is completely unexpected,” Erickson said. “To be recognized on a state level is a very big, personal accomplishment to me, and I am proud of it.”

A Floral Park native, Erickson moved to Hunnewell Avenue in Elmont last July. Although most of Calstan North Hills’ clients are Queens and Nassau County residents, Erickson said, the company has several clients throughout Long Island and New York City, as well as throughout New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The firm has been in business since 1948, and is family owned and operated.

“Our reputation has allowed us to retain relationships with insurance companies who will offer insurance in these communities, while other agencies and brokerage firms simply do not have these markets available for their clients,” Erickson said. “This is where I was born and raised, and I face the same challenges my clients face … to be able to service them is what has kept our agency in business for over 60 years.”

The Joel S. Pollack Award was formed in 1999, in honor of Joel Pollack, who was killed by a drunk driver on Memorial Day weekend in 1998. Pollack, a highly regarded member of IIABA, was only 35 years old. The award is given to one state insurance agent, under the age of 40, annually. Qualifications for the award include being active in the IIABA for at least two years or more, active in a civic organization outside of the agency, and exuding strong character and professionalism.