The Levitt-Fuirst Leadership Team

Ken Fuirst, Co-President

Ken Furist's linked in page

1-Ken-Fuirst

  • Lehigh University – BS
  • Columbia Business School- MBA
  • College of Insurance – CLU., CAP
  • Employed by International Paper and Johnson & Johnson in sales and marketing positions in NY, Memphis & Dallas prior to joining Levitt-Fuirst in 1993
  • Lives with wife Sue, and their three children in Chappaqua, NY
  • Founding Member of Personal Risk Management Association (PRMA) 
  • Former President of the Lehigh Alumni Club of Westchester
  • Former Board Member Pleasantville Community Synagogue
  • Board Member of UJA Westchester Business and Professional Division
  • Board Member of Independent Insurance Agents of Westchester County
  • NYC Marathon PR 2:49:56
  • Rode bicycle solo from Seattle, WA to Long Beach Island, NJ in 47 Days; Summer 2014

Jason C. Schiciano, Co-President

Jason C. Schiciano Linked in page

2-Jason-C-Schiciano

  • Cornell University – B.S. Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
  • American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society–Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA)
  • Head of TWB Insurance Services (insurance referral services for The Westchester Bank)
  • Managing Member—Risk Reduction Services (www.riskreductionservices.com)
  • Frequent keynote speaker to industry trade groups on real estate and construction insurance topics
  • Provides annual testimony regarding state of insurance industry to the Westchester County Board of Legislators
  • Performed cost-analysis and procurement of insurance policies for a construction equipment supplier, prior to joining Levitt-Fuirst Associates, LTD.
  • Former Procter & Gamble Account Executive, calling on Chicago-based wholesale and retail accounts
  • Co-Chairman—Fairview Country Club (Greenwich, CT) Golf Committee
  • Board Member—New Rochelle YMCA
  • Former President (2001 to 2006)—Phi Sigma Kappa Gamma Chapter (at Cornell) Alumni Association
  • Chairman—2004 Ryder Cup Matches Marshal Committee, Member—Oakland Hills Country Club (Bloomfield Hills, MI).
  • Former High School State Champion and 4-year Varsity Springboard Diver at Cornell.
  • Lives with his wife and two children in Goldens Bridge, NY.

Darryl Friedricks, Vice President

3-Darryl-Friedricks

  • University of Michigan- B.S.
  • C.P.C.U.-College of Insurance
  • Over 20 years experience in the insurance industry performing sales and marketing
  • Book of business consists of over 500 clients
  • Employed by Tanenbaum-Harber Co. Inc. prior to joining Levitt-Fuirst Associates, LTD.
  • Lives with wife, Rebecca, and three children in New York City

Sean Zampino, Vice President – Construction

8-Sean-A-Zampino

  • University of Hartford – Barney School of Business
  • Certified Insurance Counselor
  • 30 years of experience in the insurance industry
  • Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS)
  • Former Captive Program Manager at Frontier Insurance Group, in the Alternative Risk Division
  • Former Vice President at Kerwick & Curran Inc. of NJ, Excess & Surplus Lines Brokerage, heading the Casualty division
  • Former Account Executive at Brown & Brown Inc. and Willis, concentrating on large commercial, construction, real estate, distributors and manufacturing accounts
  • Former President/CEO of Zampino Painting and Decorating, providing painting, drywall and carpentry services throughout Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties
  • Hughsonville Fire Company, Wappinger Falls, NY: NYS Certified Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician and Company Treasurer

Anthony Basciano, Managing Director – Surety

4-Anthony-Basciano

  • Manhattan College School of Business Administration
  • Formerly Employed as Contractor in NYC Construction Market
  • Former Senior Underwriter- Amwest Surety
  • Former Vice President and then Director at two Regional Construction Insurance Agencies
  • Past President of NYC Surety Association

Patrick J Clair, Managing Director – Real Estate

Patrick J Clair Linked in page

Patrick J. Clair

  • University of New Hampshire Business School
  • POHS Insurance Institute graduate
  • Aetna PRIME program graduate
  • Over 27 years’ experience in the Habitational Real Estate market
  • Lives with wife, Virginia, in Walden, NY

Joseph Balaez, Managing Director – Commercial Lines

Joseph Balaez Linked in page

Joe Balaez

  • Studied at SUNY at New Paltz
  • Over 22 years of insurance background
  • Former Account Executive at a top 25 US insurance broker
  • 2002 obtained CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation
  • 2008 joined Levitt-Fuirst Associates as an Account Executive in the Real Estate Division handling primarily habitational risks (condos, cooperatives, apartments and hotels).
  • 2013 promoted to Managing Director and created the new Business Market Segment “BMS”, which has since been expanded by over 40% in volume.
  • Lives with wife Melissa and their two daughters in Danbury, CT
  • Certified NYS Emergency Medical Technician with Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corporation.

Kimberly Vargas, Managing Director – Personal Lines

Kimberly Vargas Linked in page

Kimberly Vargas

  • College of Westchester, Studied Graphic Design.
  • Licensed in Property & Casualty Insurance since 2006.
  • Accredited Customer Service Designation achieved.
  • Specializes in Personal Lines Insurance with over 10 years of experience.
  • Extensive experience placing insurance for high-net-worth clients.
  • Lives in Rockland County with husband and two children.

Michael McLaughlin, Managing Director – Workers Compensation Groups

Michael McLaughlin Linked in page

  • Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI – B.S. Public Relations
  • Selective Insurance School Graduate
  • Specializes in Construction and High- Net Worth Personal Insurance
  • Avid sailboat racer, golfer, and skier
  • Lives in Harrison, NY

Valerie Levitt, CFO

Valerie Levitt Linked in page

5-Valerie-Levitt

  • University of Pennsylvania – BA, Magna Cum Laude
  • Columbia Business School – MBA, Beta Gamma Sigma
  • Completed Chemical Bank Middle Market Credit Training Program
  • Vice President Chemical Bank, Vice President Bank of America – prior to joining Levitt Fuirst
  • Lives with two daughters in Purchase, NY

Ondrea Levitt Schiciano, Managing Director – Special Projects

6-Ondrea-Levitt

  • Cornell University — B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Administration
  • Responsible for Special Projects Development and Administration
  • Former Director of Asset Management for 5,000+ multi-family units
  • Former Vice President of Real Estate Developer, responsible for the development and asset management of a portfolio of lodging properties valued at $100 million
  • Former Director of Development for Hyatt Development Corporation
  • Former Arthur Andersen Senior Consultant of Real Estate Consulting Group

Peter Andersen, Managing Director-Information Technology & Marketing | Managing Director – Risk Reduction Services

Peter Anderson Linked in page

Peter Andersen

  • 25 years of experience in the insurance industry
  • Marketing and Systems Manager for Levitt-Fuirst Associates since 2011, and developer and manager of Risk Reduction Services program for risk transfer and insurance document collection
  • Prior to Levitt-Fuirst, worked with two large regional insurance agencies from 1998 – 2011, focusing on marketing, information systems, and staff training
  • Marketing Representative and Software Training Specialist for Applied Systems, the world leader in insurance agency automation, from 1993 – 1998
  • Florida State University- B.S. Marketing, 1992
  • Avid golfer, cyclist, basketball player, swimmer, and gym goer
  • Lives with his family in Valhalla, NY

Jose Arevalo, Managing Director-Client Services / Producer

9-Jose-Arevalo

  • St Johns University, Computer Science Department
  • Hartford School of Insurance, Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist Designation
  • Selective Insurance Producer Training Graduate
  • Specializes in Commercial Real Estate, Construction and Small Commercial Insurance, along with Personal Insurance
  • Over 15 Years’ experience in the insurance industry performing sales, marketing and client risk management
  • 1st Degree Black Belt in Sang Hwa Soo (Martial Art System)
  • Martial Arts & MMA Instructor for disadvantaged youths and adults, Bronx, NY
  • Lives in Ossining, New York

Winston S. Bragg, Business Development Manager

Winston S. Bragg Linked in page

  • Hobart College – B.A. Political Science. Varsity athlete.
  • Licensed in Property & Casualty Insurance
  • CHUBB PRS Graduate
  • Over 15 years of experience in the private aviation industry performing sales and marketing at Cessna, NetJets and Wheels Up
  • Member of Private Risk Management Association, a group dedicated to serving the complex insurance needs of High Net Worth clients
  • Attaining Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor (CPRIA) Certification
  • Member of XPX Fairfield County, a multidisciplinary association of professional advisors located throughout the NYC Metro region
  • Lives in CT with wife Jennifer and their two children