WSIA caps 2021 Annual Marketplace by honoring deceased leaders

As the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) 2021 Annual Marketplace begins to wind down, the organization wants to honor longtime supporters who recently died.

In memory of Greg Allgeier

Gregory Allgeier, passed away on March 28, 2021, in Louisville, K. He served as AAMGA President from 1990-1991. Greg was President and COO of Bolton and Company, Inc.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University and, prior to attending college, Greg joined the Navy Reserves and served in the Vietnam War as a corpsman attached to the Marine Corp. Throughout his 48 years at Bolton and Company, Greg set an example for employees and was revered by clients and co-workers alike. He loved the networking aspect of the insurance industry and the opportunities to travel. The relationships that Greg formed with his business partners thrived over the years and lasted until his passing.

In addition to his involvement with the AAMGA, he was an active NAPSLO member and served as the Most Loyal Grand Gander of the Kentucky Chapter of Blue Goose International – a local branch of an international organization of insurance professionals. Greg was also involved with the P.A.C.T. Program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the University of Louisville. As a result, more than a dozen students with disabilities have had the opportunity to learn various vocational skills at Bolton and Company.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sharon Bolton Allgeier; his sons Christopher (Liz), Jeremy (Stephanie), and Shane; grandchildren, Lilly, Ethan, Caleb, Reece, and Reagan; his brothers, Jeffrey (Carole) of Hebron, KY and Robert (Maria) of Palm Coast, FL; two nieces, two great-nephews, and one great-niece.

In memory of Kevin P. Brooks

Kevin Brooks passed away on April 3, 2020 from complications of the COVID-19 virus. He served as NAPSLO President from 1989-1990.

After graduating Manhattan College in 1966 with a degree in psychology, Kevin was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Marine Corps, and he served one tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967-1968 as an Artillery Forward Observer. He continued to serve as a member of the reserves, completing 30 years of service with the USMCR and retiring as a Colonel in 1992. He ended his military career as Battalion Commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines Reserve Unit in Garden City, Long Island.

Upon ending his active duty career with the Marine Corps in 1969, Kevin returned to New York City and joined General Reinsurance. He had a long and very successful career, rising through the ranks and retiring as Chairman, President and CEO of General Star, which he led from its founding. During his years with General Star, in addition to serving as NAPSLO President, he was honored with the Charles McAlear award in 1999, recognizing his substantial contributions to the industry. During Kevin’s professional career he also completed the NYU Graduate School of Business Administration program, and he attended the Executive Program at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.

In addition to his many professional contributions to the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, Kevin was an avid birder and enjoyed basketball and Irish music. When he wasn’t singing or playing his drum, the bodhrán, he could be found playing the bones, which he fit in his pocket, easily accessed whenever an opportunity to play presented itself.

In memory of Louis T. Mastos

Louis T. Mastos passed away on March 21, 2020 in Reno, Nev. He served as AAMGA President from 1985-1986.

After attending Louisiana Tech and Tulane University, he served in the USNR from 1942-1946 during World War II. Mastos moved to Reno in 1956 and served as Nevada Commissioner of Insurance from 1965-1971. During his tenure as commissioner, 40% of Nevada’s insurance regulation was rewritten during one legislative session, and Mastos was instrumental in that process. In 1971, he founded Louis T. Mastos & Associates, Inc. in Reno as a managing general agency and surplus lines broker. He is remembered for recognizing the need for a marketplace for small insurance agencies to sell insurance they couldn’t get anywhere else and giving companies with narrow product lines market penetration. Louis T. Mastos & Associates eventually had offices in Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix, AZ and Santa Rosa, CA.

During his term as AAMGA President, Mastos is credited with introducing more structured financial control and creating the office of Secretary-Treasurer for the association. In addition to AAMGA, he was a member of NAPSLO, the Prospectors Club, the Nevada Surplus Lines Association and served on the Board of Directors of Frontier Adjusters of America, Inc. and was emeritus member of the Insurance Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Mastos remained active in the business, continuing to make agency calls and attend industry meetings until only a few years ago. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.