Robert J. Hanafin, Inc.
Key Executives

Martin Hanafin started with Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. as a personal lines producer during the summers while a college student. He graduated from the University Of Notre Dame with a BBA and entered the United States Army. Upon discharge, he reentered the insurance business as a trainee with the Hartord Accident & Indemnity Company where he remained for two years in the contract surety department. Martin became President of Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. in 1972 when he directed the change in the company’s culture to an agency specializing in construction insurance with a major emphasis on contract suretyship.

Marilyn Burns started with Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. in 1968 as a customers’ representative in the Personal Lines Department. During her career development in the company, she became involved in the contract surety business where she now serves as manager in the Endicott office. Marilyn was elected to the office of Corporate Secretary in 1993 and became a director of the company in October of 2008. She has been an assistant to the company’s president, R. Martin Hanafin, for some twenty-five years. She is the glad hand of Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. and our customers will tell you that her service to the company is without parallel.

Thomas Fredenburg graduated from LeMoyne College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science. Upon graduation, he worked at the Hartford Insurance Company as a Marketing Representative from 1970 to 1973, and as a Sales Manager from 1973 to 1975. Tom started with Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. in 1975 when the company opened its Albany office where he served as general manager until 1980. Tom subsequently moved to Syracuse in 1980 where he served as general manager of the newly opened branch office. Tom currently fills the role of First Vice President at Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. Tom’s professional designations include Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).

Richard Nicolella graduated from SUNY at Brockport in 1969. Rich's Insurance career started with The Hartford Ins. Co. in 1970 where he worked as a Casualty Underwriter and later a Multi-line Special Agent. He continued his career at the PIA (Professional Insurance Agents Association) where he worked as a Field Representative. Rich started with Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. in March of 1980 and has continued to be a valuable asset to the Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. team serving as general manager of the company's Clifton Park, NY office. Richard currently holds a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.

Michael Coleman graduated from the University Of Rochester in 1992. Mike began his career as a Paralegal at Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber Law Firm defending construction claims from 1992 to 1996. From 1996 to 2001, Mike managed several attorneys who handled construction claims with a focus on Labor Law 240 and 241(6)claims at Moran & Kufta Law Firm. Mike then worked at Bell Construction from 2001 to 2003 as the Contract Administration Manager and Ethics Manager, including managing all of Bell’s Construction litigation claims in several states. Mike started at Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. in 2003 and currently serves as a vice president, account manager and manager of insurance operations at the Endicott home office. Mike brings a unique perspective to his clients as he has worked in the construction industry, the legal field, and the insurance industry. Mike’s contractual risk transfer knowledge and repeated exposure to the construction industry and construction insurance markets make him a valuable addition to any contractors’ or owners’ risk management team.

Thomas Costello graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science, and from West Virginia University in 1981 with an MBA. Tom began his professional career in 1981 at Reliance Insurance Company where he worked as a Bond Underwriter until 1985.  He then worked at Wausau Insurance Company in their Syracuse office as Regional Bond Manager from 1985 to 1993; then as Divisional Bond Manager in the Syracuse and Boston offices from 1994 to 1998. Tom subsequently became Assistant Vice President of the Wausau’s Eastern Division from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2005 Tom worked as Bond Manager in the Syracuse office of Liberty Mutual Surety. In 2005 Tom joined Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. and is currently Vice President & Bond Manager. Tom brings a wealth of professional industry experience to the table where his quality of work and insight are much sought after.

Pat Burns graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, minors in Business Administration and Mathematics. He currently holds a Property and Casualty Brokers license. Pat’s commercial insurance background is diverse beginning as a Commercial Lines Underwriter with Royal Insurance. He moved within the industry over his career in varying underwriting positions of increasing responsibility with Wausau, Home and Crum & Forster Insurance. This experience brings to the table almost 30 years of carrier relationships coupled with Pat’s strong business sense and technical expertise as Robert J. Hanafin, Inc.’s Vice President, Director of Marketing, a position Pat has held since 2001.

Deborah Blanchard graduated from Broome Community College in 1982 with associates degree in Accounting. She began her Insurance career in 1982 as the bookkeeper for G R Olmstead, Inc. During the 10 years at G R Olmstead, Inc. Deborah became a minority owner and learned many of the facets of insurance agency operations. Deborah has had her property and casualty license since 1986 and her life and heath license since 1997. In February of 1997 Deborah joined Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. as a producer selling and servicing both commercial and personal lines, as well as writing life insurance for businesses and individuals. She has recently become the personal lines manager at Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. Deborah has the ACSR (Accredited Customer Service Representative) designation through IIAABNY, as well as holds a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation.

Diane Hanafin-Cappellett graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Economics in 1982. Diane supports Robert J. Hanafin, Inc.’s clients by offering Life Insurance, Estate Planning, Business Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance and Annuities. She is licensed in NY, PA, FL and TX. Diane earned her Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow, LUTCF, designation in 1991 and her Certification in Long Term Care Insurance designation in 2000. She achieved her Masters in advanced Long Term Care Planning designation in 2006. Diane has lectured at the New York State Bar Association Elder Law Section on many occasions. She writes articles for “The Reporter” Newspaper and is an active member of the “Elder Friendly Association” sponsored by Action for Older Persons. In establishing “DHC Insurance & Financial Services” she was the first woman owned business in New York State to specialize in Long Term Care Insurance. As an independent agent appointed by more than 20 companies, comparing plans and benefits for clients to give the deepest discounts is what Diane does best. She has provided excellent customer service to Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. clients for over 27 years.

Barbara Neville graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1977. Barb began her accounting career that same year with the Binghamton Coca-Cola Bottling Company where she worked as Accountant/Office Manager until 1985. Barb came to Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. from Coca-Cola in 1985. Barb is currently CFO at Robert J. Hanafin, Inc. where her expertise is daily seen in her attention to detail, efficiency, and streamlined business processes, which have contributed to the strong business foundation here at Robert J. Hanafin, Inc.