Eastern Shore Associates Insurance (ESA), recently appointed Robert K. Wallace as CEO and chairman of the board. In addition, the agency has promoted Martha Murray to president; Sheila Casper to Small Business Accounts Manager; and Julie Welch to Commercial Lines Supervisor, Wallace said. Both Casper and Welch will report to Murray. Wallace was formerly president and CEO.

“Martha, Sheila and Julie have all performed exemplary service for our clients and have shown excellent leadership among their colleagues,” Wallace said.

Martha J. Murray, President, Eastern Shore Associates Insurance

Murray, who joined the agency in 2009 as vice president, commercial lines, worked for nine years with Main Street America Group insurance, one of the companies ESA represents. She resides in Liverpool and is a Baldwinsville native with more than 35 years experience in the insurance industry. Murray is also a longstanding board member for St. Francis Social Adult Day Care in Syracuse.

“It’s been wonderful being part of the ESA team and, as president, I look forward to working together to help our agency’s continued growth and success,” Murray said.

Casper, who formerly served as Commercial Lines Marketing Manager, resides in Hannibal and was named Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR), of 2007 by the New York State Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. The award can only be earned when an ACSR provides exceptional service, business retention, technical expertise, account rounding, and positive company relations. She also holds the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation. To earn the ARM designation, each participant must pass rigorous courses on risk assessment, risk control and risk financing, Wallace said.

Sheila Casper, Small Business Accounts Manager, Eastern Shore Associates Insurance

Among the subjects covered by these courses are: risk management programs, legal foundations of liability, assessing property liability, intellectual property loss exposures, finite and integrated risk insurance plans, accounting and income tax aspects, and allocating risk management costs.

Welch, a licensed insurance broker for ESA, holds the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) certification and earned the professional insurance designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) by the American institute for CPCU in 2011. The institute is an independent, nonprofit educational organization that confers the CPCU designation on persons who complete eight rigorous courses and national examinations and meet its ethics and experience requirements. All CPCUs are required to maintain and to improve their professional knowledge, skills and competence through their commitment to the American Institute’s Code of Professional Ethics.

Welch and her husband, William, reside in Baldwinsville and she has served a total of 13 years as an insurance professional.

Julie Welch, Commercial Lines Supervisor, Eastern Shore Associates Insurance

Headquartered in Fulton, Eastern Shore Associates is a Trusted Choice® agency and ESOP (employee stock owned) company. ESA offers a full range of business and personal insurance, including property, liability, automobile, boat, farm, recreational vehicle, workers compensation, and bonds. In addition, they offer financial planning and risk management services.

“Our agency roots date back to 1846,” said Wallace. “And we have more than 100 years of continuous representation with some of our insurance companies. 2012 is our 26th year as Eastern Shore Associates Insurance.

“Other services include commercial risk analysis, loss control, and employee benefits. We also meet the insurance needs of many New York

municipalities, schools, and emergency services.”

Eastern Shore Associates Insurance is an independent agency with offices in Fulton, Camillus, Oswego, Pulaski, Hannibal, Phoenix, Camden, Waterloo, Rochester, Walworth and Felt Mills. ESA’s main office is in Fulton at 598-6000 and on-line at   www.esainsurance.com.