Ariel Rivera begins term as PIA president

OCTOBER 1, 2024, WASHINGTON D.C. – Ariel Rivera, MBA, CIC, CPIA, was installed as President of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents during the organization’s recent board of directors meeting. Rivera was sworn in along with national officers: Mark A. Suhr, CIC, CPIA, of Seward, Nebraska as President-Elect; David Gorman, CPIA, of Dallas, Texas as Vice President/Treasurer; Vonda Copeland, CPIA, CWCU of Manhattan, Kansas as Secretary/Assistant Treasurer; and Richard Savino, CIC, CPIA, of Warwick, New York, Immediate Past President. The officers will serve one-year terms beginning today through September 30, 2025.

Rivera is the Director of Business Development at RGS Limited, a Cyber Liability Insurance Program Management agency. He is also the founder of FUN Insurance Solutions, which delivers marketing, advisory, and integration services for insurance agencies and companies. Most recently, he was the founder and Agency Principal of Deer Insurance Agency, based in Jacksonville, Florida, an agency he founded in 2019 and sold last year.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Rivera started his journey as an independent agent in 2004. In 2008, he became the founder and President of Ariel Rivera & Associates, an independent agency specializing in commercial property-casualty and life insurance in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He currently teaches a variety of insurance courses for agents and insurance professionals in both English and Spanish for the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance and the Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation program. Before becoming PIA’s National President, he also served as the National Director for PIA of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

“One of the most important things about PIA is our ability to come together in both great times and more difficult times. Today, every one of our members is working in challenging markets. But it’s also clear that there are many ways to drive new insurance opportunities,” said Rivera. “I’ve spent a lot of time with PIA members and Affiliates around the country. They’re creative, practical, and focused and their dedication and passion are unmatched. As president, I’m eager for us to consider new products and services, education and engagement, and ways to keep building more community.”

He explained, “What makes PIA powerful is our collective strength. Under the PIA banner, we are not just individuals or separate entities—we are a united force, insurance professionals working together to inform, educate, advocate, and protect our members. Together, we will accomplish great things.”

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA’s web address is http://www.pianational.org