Our News
OVIA’s Cantwell and Associates Celebrates Grand Opening of New Clayton Office
CLAYTON, New York (January 4, 2012) - Cantwell and Associates, an affiliate of Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA), recently held a grand opening celebration at their new office location at 230 James Street in Clayton, New York, according to OVIA President Chuck Harrington.
Community leaders, business affiliates, and OVIA representatives gathered for refreshments and breakfast snacks to commemorate the official opening of the new office.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, The Hollister Agency, and Cantwell and Associates.
The new office is managed by Licensed Insurance Agent Robert Cantwell.
“We’re very enthusiastic about the growth potential in this market,” said Cantwell. “The extensive products and services that Cantwell and Associates can offer through OVIA are providing a variety of new insurance options for our individuals and families throughout the region.”
Shown pictured at the grand opening ceremony are from left to right: Verner Drohan, OVIA Treasurer; Jim Poindexter, OVIA Vice President; Joseph Navarro, Cantwell & Associates Marketing/Sales Representative; Chuck Harrington, OVIA President; Clark Stanton, OVIA Mexico Licensed Insurance Agent; and Robert Cantwell, Cantwell & Associates Manager and Licensed Insurance Agent.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate six offices in Oswego, Onondaga and Jefferson Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and Clayton. Their offices service over 10,000 clients.
OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information on Cantwell and Associates call (315) 686-3350, or visit www.cantwellandassociates.com.
Dixon Earns NYS Property and Casualty Insurance License
FULTON, New York (January 4, 2012) - Cyndi Dixon has earned her New York State Property and Casualty Insurance License through Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA), according to OVIA President Chuck Harrington. Dixon will provide insurance through OVIA’s Fulton office at 60 South First Street.
Dixon is shown pictured recently at the Fulton location with Jim Poindexter, OVIA Vice President (right); and Verner Drohan, OVIA Treasurer.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, The Hollister Agency, and Cantwell and Associates. Their offices are conveniently located in Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and Clayton.
“Cyndi has been a considerable asset to our team at OVIA over the years,” said Harrington. “We are proud of her accomplishment, and enthusiastic about the benefits it will provide our customers in the Fulton-market.”
Dixon, who resides in Hannibal, is married and has a daughter and son. She has worked for 16 years at OVIA’s Fulton location.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate six offices in Oswego, Onondaga and Jefferson Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and Clayton. Their offices service over 10,000 clients.
OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information call (315) 343-6310, or visit www.insureit.com.
Meyer Named OVIA Mexico Office Manager and Earns NYS Insurance License
MEXICO, New York (January 4, 2012) - Ann Meyer has been promoted to office manager at Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) Mexico Office (The Hollister Agency), and has also earned her New York State Property and Casualty Insurance License, according to OVIA President Chuck Harrington.
Meyer is shown pictured recently with Jim Poindexter, OVIA Vice President (right); and Verner Drohan, OVIA Treasurer.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, The Hollister Agency, and Cantwell and Associates. Their offices are conveniently located in Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and Clayton.
“We are pleased to recognize Ann with this promotion to office manager at our Mexico office, as well as for her NYS insurance license,” said Harrington. “Her leadership, management and customer service skills will be of great benefit to our customers in Mexico and surrounding areas.”
Meyer, who resides in Mexico, has a daughter and son. She has worked for Hollister Agency/OVIA for 23 years.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate six offices in Oswego, Onondaga and Jefferson Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and Clayton. Their offices service over 10,000 clients.
OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information call (315) 343-6310, or visit www.insureit.com.
Joseph Navarra Joins Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies
CLAYTON, New York (October 22, 2011) - Joseph Navarra of Watertown, New York, has joined the office of Cantwell & Associates, an affiliate of Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies, as a Marketing/Sales Representative, according to OVIA President Chuck Harrington.
“We’re very excited to have Joe join our team,” said Harrington. “He has great enthusiasm, passion for the industry, and over 25 years of insurance experience that will enable him to assist our organization in serving clients throughout Northern New York.”
Mr. Navarra will be primarily in the Watertown area with scheduled office hours in Clayton.
Mr. Navarra most recently served as Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Haylor, Freyer, and Coon, Inc., Northern Division.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Oswego, and completed his certification as an insurance counselor with The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. Mr. Navarra is also a member of Certified Insurance Counselors.
Mr. Navarra and his wife Nancy have three children, Sarah, Michael, and Katherine. He may be reached at Cantwell & Associates, 230 James St., Clayton, N.Y., at (315) 686-3350 or (315) 222-5361.
OVIA was founded upon the merger of three longstanding independent insurance agencies that have provided services to their communities since the late 1800’s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc., Streeter & Van Sanford, Inc., and the Hollister Agency merged to form Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies. Today, OVIA operates five offices in Oswego and Onondaga Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and recently opened its first office in Jefferson County located in Clayton.
For more information call (315) 343-6310, or visit www.insureit.com.
Cantwell & Associates and Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) Open New Clayton Office
Licensed Insurance Agent Robert Cantwell III will head New Location
CLAYTON, New York (March 24, 2011) - Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) has announced the opening of a new office location in Clayton, New York, according to OVIA President Chuck Harrington.
The new office, which will be known as Cantwell & Associates, will be operated by Licensed Insurance Agent Robert Cantwell III.
“We are excited about this new partnership with Bobby Cantwell,” said Harrington. “We now have the ability to provide many products, services, and insurance partners to the individuals and families of the North Country and the St. Lawrence River communities.”
Cantwell, a resident of Clayton, has worked previously in insurance, sales and was a former candidate for the 118th New York State Assembly District.
Cantwell earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York College at Canton. He currently serves on the Clayton Town Council and is involved with many community organizations. He and his wife Kelly have two children: Ivey, 11, and Lydia, 8.
“I look forward to partnering with OVIA which has built such a strong reputation over the past 135 years on local, personalized insurance needs,” said Cantwell. “And, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to embark on a sound business venture in a region that continues to flourish despite tough economic times.”
OVIA was founded upon the merger of three longstanding independent insurance agencies that have provided services to their communities since the late 1800’s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc., Streeter & Van Sanford, Inc., and the Hollister Agency merged to form Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies. Today, OVIA operates five offices in Oswego and Onondaga Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, Mexico, and will now open its first office in Jefferson County located in Clayton.
Cantwell & Associates in conjunction with OVIA will offer customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products from over 20 carriers. They will partner with niche markets that include campgrounds, marine and hospitality, various seasonal businesses, and home and leisure stores.
For more information call (315) 686-3350, or visit www.insureit.com.
OVIA’s Carson Awarded Designation of Certified Professional Insurance Agent
OSWEGO, New York (August 25, 2010) - Debra Carson, Personal Lines Supervisor at Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies, was recently awarded the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA), a professional designation conferred by the American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society (the AIMS Society), according to OVIA Vice President Chuck Harrington.
“We’re very proud of Debra’s accomplishment of being awarded the designation of CPIA,” said Harrington. “She is a committed and experienced member of our OVIA team, and is a considerable asset to our staff and customer base.”
Debra successfully completed three Insurance Success Seminars as well as the course review required for each. The CPIA designation stands for professionalism, commitment to sales training and results, and technical knowledge.
Position for Success (CPIA 1) assists participants in implementing risk identification strategies and systems that will prevent errors and omissions during the insurance prospecting process.
Implement for Success (CPIA 2) focuses on the development of the technical knowledge and skills needed to design a complete, yet innovative, insurance program for prospective clients. Participants will leave with detailed information for providing solutions in the complex insurance market.
Sustain Success (CPIA 3) provides participants with specific methods for maintaining high legal and ethical standards of operation while developing the agent-client relationship.
The AIMS Society is the only insurance organization dedicated solely to recognizing training and service quality among property and casualty insurance personnel. The mission of the AIMS Society is to improve the selling skills and insurance knowledge of its members by upgrading professionalism through information and education, which will result in providing better service to the insurance-buying public.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for insurance companies that include: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, and The Hollister Agency. Their offices are conveniently located in Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton and Mexico.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA.
In addition to their niche markets that include campgrounds, various products of the marine and hospitality industry, and home and leisure stores, OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information call (315) 343-6310, or visit www.insureit.com.
Stanton Joins Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies
OSWEGO, New York (May 11, 2010) - Clark E. Stanton, of Sandy Pond, New York, has joined Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) as a licensed insurance agent, according to Chuck Harrington.
“We’re extremely pleased to have Clark join our team,” said Harrington. “He brings with him a ton of enthusiasm, experience and leadership that will help our organization in continuing to service our clients throughout Central New York.”
Stanton will work out of OVIA’s Mexico Office. His primary responsibilities will be the development of new clients for OVIA’s broad range of insurance lines and products.
Stanton worked previously as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Sales Executive for JADAK LLC in North Syracuse. He was also formerly a Branch Manager with E*Trade Financial in San Francisco.
Stanton earned a B.S. in finance at Ithaca College, and a MBA at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. He is a member of the Oswego Masonic District, Amboy Republican Lodge 650. He and his wife Stephanie Stanton have an 18-month-old son named Anderson.
Eastman Earns NYS Insurance License.
FULTON, New York (July 17, 2009) - Tammy Eastman has earned her New York State insurance license through Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA), according to OVIA President Verner M. Drohan. Eastman will provide insurance through OVIA’s Fulton office at 60 South First Street.
Eastman is shown pictured holding her insurance license recently with Drohan at their Fulton office location.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, and The Hollister Agency. Their offices are conveniently located in Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton and Mexico.
“We’re proud of Tammy’s accomplishment for receiving her NYS insurance license,” said Drohan. “As a licensed insurance agent, she will be able to assist our Fulton-market with a variety of insurance options for home, auto, business, health and recreation.
Eastman, who resides in Hannibal, is married and has two daughters. She has worked for 21 years at OVIA’s Fulton location.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate four offices in Oswego and Onondaga Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton, and Mexico. Their offices service over 10,000 clients.
In addition to their niche markets that include campgrounds, various products of the marine and hospitality industry, and home and leisure stores, OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information call (315) 343-6310, or visit www.insureit.com.
Hollister Agency Inc. To Merge With Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA)
OSWEGO, New York (July 22, 2008) - Hollister Agency, Inc., of Mexico, New York, will soon be merging with Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies, LLC (OVIA), and their growing family of insurance agencies.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & VanSanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, and Whorrall Agency. They also recently opened a new office location in Brewerton this past spring.
The merger will take place in January 2009.
Hollister Agency, located at 3382 Main Street in Mexico, will continue to operate under the Hollister name, with the same management and staff, but now under the OVIA umbrella, according to Jerry Hollister, owner of the 100-year-old agency.
“We’re very enthusiastic about our new partnership and merger with OVIA,” said Hollister. “Their rich history, shared customer service philosophies, and similar product lines will be of great benefit to our many customers.”
“In fact, customers will truly see no difference in their level of service, or the products that we’ve offered in the past.”
Family-owned since 1913, and originally established in 1905, Hollister Agency, Inc. provides over 100 years of experience and a staff with an average of more than 23-years each within the industry.
“As the insurance industry has changed over the years, it’s become more challenging for local companies like OVIA to compete with online or national firms,” said Chuck Harrington, Vice President of OVIA. “Our niche as a community insurance provider, however, is something that our customers and others still feel strongly about.”
“People like to know their agents, and the addition of a respected agency like Hollister in the Mexico-market build upon that value of OVIA,” he added.
According to Harrington, both Hollister and OVIA also work with the same insurance providers, making it an easy transition.
“It was a very convenient “marriage” of companies for our customers,” he said. “And, our customers should only expect good things from this.”
According to Hollister, since 2000 both Hollister and OVIA have achieved the honor of being named to Kemper Insurance Company's Top 50 performing personal lines agencies nationwide.
OVIA began expanding a few years ago as larger insurance companies began to compete with the local, smaller firms like Hollister.
“Our competition used to be down the street, now it could be across the country or across the globe,” Harrington said.
“With that kind of competition, it’s comforting to find reputable people to compete with, not against,” Hollister added.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800’s. Dowd & Harrington Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate five offices in Oswego County including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, Brewerton and now Mexico, servicing over 10,000 clients.
OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance including property, liability, automobile, life, health and financial products. For more information call (315) 343-6310 or visit www.insureit.com
For additional information on the Hollister Agency please call (315) 963-7263 or visit www.hollisterinsuranceagency.com.
Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies Celebrates New Brewerton Office with Grand Opening
BREWERTON, New York (May 15, 2008) - Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) recently held a grand opening celebration at their new office location at 9643 Brewerton Road in Brewerton, according to OVIA Vice President Chuck Harrington.
Community leaders, business affiliates, and OVIA representatives gathered for refreshments and breakfast snacks to commemorate the official opening of the new office.
OVIA is the umbrella organization for companies that have included: Streeter & Van Sanford, Dowd & Harrington, The Barrett Agency, and Whorrall Agency.
The new office is managed by Licensed Insurance Agent Jim Poindexter.
“We’re looking forward to the growth opportunities that the Brewerton location will provide OVIA,” said Poindexter. “There is strong commitment on the part of this community’s elected officials and developers to revitalize the Greater Brewerton-Area, and we’re excited to be a part of the renaissance.”
Shown pictured at the grand opening are from left to right: Chuck Harrington, Vice President of OVIA; Ray Brooks, OVIA Brewerton Office Building Owner and President of RB WoodCraft; Jim Poindexter, Licensed Insurance Agent and Manager of the OVIA Brewerton Office; Ann Meyer, Customer Service Representative of the OVIA Brewerton Office; Verner Drohan, President of OVIA; Sheila Fiumara, Marketing Manager at Kemper Insurance; Chet Dudzinski, Jr., Town of Cicero Supervisor; Charles Hinman, Oswego County Mutual Insurance Company; and Fred Gentz of Security Mutual Insurance Company.
OVIA was founded in 1997 upon the merger of two longstanding local insurance agencies that provided service to the community since the late 1800s. Dowd & Harrington, Inc. and Streeter & VanSanford, Inc. merged to form OVIA, and today operate four offices in Oswego and Onondaga Counties including Oswego, Fulton, Phoenix, and now in Brewerton. Their offices service over 10,000 clients.
In addition to their niche markets that include campgrounds, various products of the marine and hospitality industry, and home and leisure stores, OVIA offers customers a broad range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, health and financial products.
For more information call Jim Poindexter at the Brewerton Office at (315) 668-2233, or visit www.insureit.com.
