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Richard Loconte is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). He oversees the organization's operations and works directly with the LICONY Board of Directors to develop and guide the strategic mission of the organization. LICONY is the leading life insurance organization in New York, representing more than 70 life insurer member companies and 18 allied professional firm members. Its mission is to create and maintain a legislative and regulatory environment in the State of New York that encourages the members of LICONY to conduct and grow their life insurance businesses.
Prior to joining LICONY, Rich served as a Vice President of Government Affairs at Oscar Health Insurance, where he led the company’s governmental and regulatory engagement at the state and federal levels. At Oscar, he designed and built the company’s government affairs function to meet the demand of a growth stage startup that has expanded across the country to become the third largest individual health insurer in the nation.
Before joining Oscar, Rich served as Executive Deputy Superintendent of Communications and Strategy for the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). At DFS, he led the Department’s external relations functions including legislative affairs, communications, media relations, consumer outreach, education, and complaint processing. In this role, Rich also counseled the Superintendent and other senior staff on the Department’s regulatory and legislative initiatives and enforcement, served as liaison to the Governor’s office, and worked closely with key financial services trade associations, including LICONY. His insurance career also includes working at American International Group, Inc., where he was Deputy Head of Government Affairs and Associate General Counsel. There, Rich represented AIG before regulatory agencies and other government bodies on legislative and regulatory issues related to the insurance industry and the broader financial services sector and was instrumental in reestablishing the company's federal government affairs office in Washington, DC.
A New York City native, Rich is a graduate of Fordham University and Brooklyn Law School. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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Diane Stuto is the Managing Director at the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). She joined the association in 1990 as an Assistant Vice President. She was appointed to Vice President in 1995, Senior Vice President in 1999, and to Executive Vice President in 2003. She was appointed to the new position of Managing Director in 2016, focusing primarily on regulatory issues of importance to the life insurance industry of New York.
Diane is the primary contact for LICONY to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). Diane is principally responsible for most of the regulatory advocacy & compliance issues involving the New York Department of Financial Services, including life insurance and annuity replacements (Regulation 60), life insurance & annuity best interest & suitability (Regulation 187), life insurance & annuity non-guaranteed elements (Regulation 210), actuarial & reserving, risk classification and underwriting, cybersecurity, and holding company matters, including ERM/ORSA and risks related to climate change. Diane is also primarily responsible for matters relating to company examinations and policy form filing matters. Prior to 2016, Diane was principally responsible for LICONY advocacy before the New York legislature.
Before joining LICONY, Diane worked for several years in the New York State Senate, her last position as Legislative Director to the ranking member of the Senate Insurance Committee. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany. Diane and her husband reside in Albany, New York, and have adult children who are triplets.
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Timothy Atkins is the Managing Director for Legislative Affairs and Counsel at LICONY. Tim's primary responsibilities at LICONY include drafting legislation and lobbying support for the bills that make up the organization’s affirmative legislative program; analyzing new bills and regulations for their impact our companies; drafting position memos as needed; and, representing LICONY and its member companies at meetings with legislators, Executive Chamber staff, and the Department of Financial Services. Tim provides general legal counsel to the organization and is also responsible for managing LICONY’s political action committee.
Tim came to LICONY in November of 2019 with more than a decade of experience in positions working in and around the New York State Legislature. Prior to LICONY, he served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Dormitory of the State of New York (DASNY). There he worked directly with the President and senior management to develop DASNY’s legislative agenda including soliciting legislative sponsorship and support. Tim guided DASNY’s proposals through the legislative process and successfully lobbied for the passage of the several pieces of legislation critical to the authority. He has held several positions inside the New York State Senate including Senior Counsel and Parliamentarian where he assisted in developing the daily Senate floor agenda and provided advice to the acting President of the Senate relating to the Senate Rules, parliamentary procedure, and the customs of the house.
Tim is a graduate of the University at Albany Hofstra University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York. Tim and his wife, Babette, reside in Delmar, New York, with their two daughters, London and Lucille.
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Linda Nusbaum is Director, Operations of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). She is responsible for supporting the President & CEO in planning efforts and managing the financial resources necessary for executing LICONY’s mission. She oversees the daily operations of LICONY and is responsible for accounting, bank relations, human resource administration and directing office workflow. Prior to joining LICONY, she worked for the New York State Assembly.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Empire State College. Linda and her husband reside in East Greenbush, New York, with their two children.
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Edward Koller is the Manager of Public & Legislative Affairs at the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). He joined LICONY in April of 2018. Edward manages communication strategies and supports regulatory and legislative efforts by preparing press materials and member publications. He also designs and prepares marketing materials for events and ad placement. On the legislative side, Edward works with staff to track legislation of interest to LICONY members and support lobbying efforts.
Prior to joining LICONY, Edward worked as Communications Director at the Capital Area School Development Association. There he worked with staff and faculty to develop, design and market events and technical assistance services through print and digital media platforms to help improve student outcomes in the Capital Region. Edward also started his career working in the NYS Assembly where he wrote press releases, columns, talking points and other materials for members.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany. Edward and his wife reside in Delmar, NY with their two children.
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Hannah Williams is the Communications Specialist at the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). She joined LICONY in May of 2022. Hannah maintains the organization’s social media and focuses on internal and external communications.
Prior to joining LICONY, Hannah worked as a Press Aide in the Senate Majority Press Office. There she worked as part of a collaborative team to provide public relations for the Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, as well as other Senators in the Democratic Majority Conference. Hannah started her career in the NYS Assembly, where she was a Research Analyst in the Communications and Information Services department. Hannah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from SUNY University at Buffalo in 2019 and moved to Albany the following year.
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Patty Tario is the Executive Assistant for Richard Loconte. She joined the association in September of 2017 as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining LICONY, Patty worked for over 20 years in the New York State Assembly Speakers Office as an Executive Assistant.
Patty resides in Saratoga Springs, NY with her husband, Dennis and has two adult children.
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Liz Maxwell is the Administrative Assistant for LICONY. She joined the association in September 2022 and provides administrative support, as well as prepares and submits New York State Lobbying and Board of Election filings. Prior to joining LICONY, Liz worked over six years at Mount Ida Press.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College. She resides in Guilderland, New York, with her husband, Steve, and their Siberian Husky.