Avalon Risk Management was proud to be recognized in the November issue of American Agent & Broker magazine as the overall winner of the Commercial Agency Awards for Excellence in 2012.

In addition to being Commercial Agency of the Year, Avalon was also the winner of the Customer Service and Technology categories based on a detailed review by the editorial staff of American Agent & Broker and National Underwriter, as well as a panel of outside judges.

The Agency of the Year award recognizes companies that serve as role models in the insurance industry, in particular, Avalon’s strong core values to support Family and Community. “Our hearts go out to all our East Coast clients that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy,” said Lisa Gelsomino, President/CEO.

“We are thankful that our New York employees are safe, and the entire Avalon team has come together to ensure our East Coast clients can remain fully operational and get back on their feet after the devastation Hurricane Sandy has caused. Our Avalon Compassion Team (A.C.T.) is also supporting the relief efforts by matching any employee or client donations to the American Red Cross as well as partnering with a Chicago-based client to send much needed food and supplies to the East Coast area,” Gelsomino added.

Avalon’s support of family and community is also one of the many reasons the company has been awarded Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance magazine, as well as Best Places to Work in Illinois where Avalon’s headquarters is based.

“We are honored to be selected for these esteemed awards, and we share these designations with our valued employees and clients,” Gelsomino said. “We know that happy and engaged employees provide the best level of service to our clients, especially when they are in need after a catastrophe.”

Bryant Rousseau, group editorial director of National Underwriter, echoed these comments, indicating Avalon is a “true risk manager for their clients.”

Avalon is a premier provider of insurance and surety solutions to the transportation and logistics industries. Local service is provided through eleven offices in major North American port cities. Products include: Surety Bonds, Cargo Insurance, Professional Liability, Property & Casualty, Executive Risk and specialty auto programs including Truck, Courier and Paratransit.