NJSLA Announces H. Michael Byrne as its 2019 Person of the Year
The Surplus Lines Association of New Jersey is proud to announce H. Michael Byrne as its 2019 Person of the Year. NJSLA will honor Mike at our annual dinner to be held in the Fall.
Michael (Mike) Byrne has nearly 25 years of experience in complex insurance transactional, regulatory and InsurTech matters. He advises US and international producers, insurers and reinsurers, investors, and technology companies on a broad range of matters, including obtaining regulatory approvals for M&A; change of control and affiliate transactions; forming, licensing and structuring business operations; privacy and data security; drafting and negotiating agreements; legislative and regulatory advocacy; M&A involving producers and service providers; and developing and obtaining approvals for unique products. He delivers practical and business-focused counsel on novel issues.
A Rutgers Law School graduate, Mike has served as the NJSLA’s outside counsel for 20 years, following his colleagues from the LeBoeuf Lamb Law Firm, Jeff Johnson and John Mulhern, both of whom are past POTY honorees. Mike is a past recipient of the NAPSLO/WSIA Richard Bouhan Legislative Advocacy Award, which honors individuals whose advocacy helps advance the legislative interests of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. He was instrumental in the NJSLA’s efforts to achieve freedom of form for the New Jersey surplus lines market and obtain legislative and regulatory approval for an increase in surplus lines policy fees. Mike served for nearly 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Division of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.
On a Personal Note
Mike and his wife Tracey have been married 20 years and live in Westfield, NJ with their three daughters—Macky (12), Emmy (8) and Harper (8). Mike enjoys coaching and watching his daughters in soccer and other activities. He enjoys traveling with family and friends, listening to Howard Stern and sports/gambling radio, reading historical fiction, and watching television, including international soccer and certain reality shows that one might not want to admit watching.
Congratulations to Mike for this honor. The NJSLA is planning to hold a banquet in Mike’s honor in the fall. The date will be announced in the near future.
Former Honorees:
2019 – H. Michael Byrne
2018 – Steven Powell
2017 – Daniel Confalone
2016 – Dennis Pellegrino Jr.
2015 – Justin Raphael
2014 – Frank Seigel, CPCU
2013 – Peter J. Barrett
2012 – Charles T. McCloskey Jr.
2011 – Bernd G. Heinze, Esq.
2010 – Steven R. Gross
2009 – Thomas F. Mulligan
2008 – Francis J. Mastowski
2007 – Steven M. Zalewitz
2006 – Suzette Bishop Mischler
2005 – R. Max Williamson
2004 – John P. Mulhern
2003 –
Andrew S. Frazier
2002 –
Jon Bannett
2001 – Frank Powell, Jr.
2000 – Thomas P. Nerney
1999 – Anthony F. Markel
1998 –
Tom Harbin, Sr.
1997 – Irvin Saltzman
1996 –
William H. Malone, Jr.
1995 – John Topoleski, CPCU
1994 – H. James Griffith
1993 – Richard M. Bouhan
1992 – Mary Ellen Rozzell
1991 – Kevin P. Brooks
1989 –
Michael J. Snead, CPCU CLU
1988 –
Jerry M. Porcelli
1987 –
Jack Neubauer, CPCU
1986 – Charles A. McAlear, CPCU
1985 – Joseph M. Walsh
1984 – James F. Johnson, 4th
1983 –
Frederick H. Brown
1982 – Derek Hughes
1981 – Bernard J. Daenzer
1980 – Maurice H. Saval
1979 – Honorable James W. Bornheimer
1978 – Arnold Chait