About LICONY

Richard Loconte is the President/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 19 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 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.

Timothy Atkins is the Managing Director for Legislative Affairs and Counsel at LICONY. Tim's primary responsibilities include drafting legislation and lobbying for the bills that make up LICONY’s affirmative legislative program, analyzing bills and regulations for their impact on our companies, drafting analysis and position memos, 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 with more than a decade of experience in positions working in and around New York State Government. 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 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 counsel 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 and Hofstra University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in New York and has been designated a Chartered Life Underwriter by the American College of Financial Services. Tim and his wife, Babette, reside in Delmar, New York, with their two daughters, London and Lucille.

Laura Evangelista is the Managing Director of Regulatory Affairs. She joined the association in September 2024 and focuses on regulatory issues of importance to the life insurance industry in New York. Laura is principally responsible for regulatory advocacy & compliance issues involving the New York State Department of Financial Services. Laura has had a long relationship with LICONY, having previously served as its outside counsel and worked closely with the association while at the Department.

Prior to joining LICONY, Laura was a Shareholder at the law firm Greenberg Traurig and focused her practice on insurance regulatory matters, serving as Global Co-Chair of its Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice Group.  

Before joining Greenberg Traurig, Laura served as Executive Deputy Superintendent of Insurance at the New York State Department of Financial Services, where she led the Department’s insurance division. In her role at the Department, Laura supervised all substantive insurance matters.  Laura also worked closely with regulated entities, trade associations and consumer groups on policy initiatives, including the formulation of regulations and industry guidance.

 Earlier in her career, Laura was a litigator at national and regional law firms, as well as legal counsel for a boutique international insurance broker. She is a graduate of Trinity College and Hofstra University School of Law.

Tonia Margiotta is the Administrative Assistant for the Life Insurance Council of New York. She joined the association in September 2024 and provides administrative support to LICONY Staff. Tonia is responsible for scheduling meetings, maintaining the calendar, coordinating annual membership updates and maintaining updated information. Prior to joining LICONY, Tonia worked for 10 years as a Patent Legal Assistant at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti.

Tonia lives in Rotterdam Junction with her husband, Tim.

Liz Maxwell is the Legislative & Member Affairs Coordinator for LICONY. She joined the association in September 2022. In her role, she organizes external LICONY events, tracks legislation, maintains LICONY’s PAC, prepares and submits New York State Lobbying and Board of Elections filings, and provides administrative support. Prior to joining LICONY, Liz worked in the publishing industry for six years.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College. She resides in Guilderland, New York, with her husband, Steve, and their Siberian Husky.

Linda Nusbaum is the Director of Operations of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). She is responsible for supporting the President/Chief Executive Officer 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.

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 Speaker's Office as an Executive Assistant.

Patty resides in Saratoga Springs, NY with her husband, Dennis and has two adult children.

Hannah Vattikonda is the Public Affairs Coordinator at LICONY. She joined the organization in May of 2022. Hannah maintains the organization’s social media channels and website and focuses on stakeholder communication.

Before joining LICONY, Hannah worked in the New York State Senate Majority Press Office. Prior to that, she was employed by the State Assembly in the Communications and Information Services department, providing internal communication and working on state campaigns. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BA in Communication and is pursuing an MA in Communication at the University at Albany.

Hannah resides in Wynantskill, New York, with her husband Aditya.