Pinnacle Insurance Associates (PIA) is pleased to announce the addition of seven new team members as the firm continues to expand its commercial insurance and employee benefits services across New York. The new hires bring decades of combined experience across property & casualty insurance, employee benefits, risk management, and client service.
“These additions reflect the continued growth of Pinnacle Insurance Associates and our commitment to delivering thoughtful guidance and strong advocacy for our clients,” said Adam Brown, President of Pinnacle Insurance Associates. “Each of these professionals brings valuable industry experience and a strong commitment to helping businesses better manage risk and protect their operations.”
The newly appointed team members are:
Property & Casualty Division
John Sereno – Director of Sales, Property & Casualty
John Sereno serves as Director of Sales, Property & Casualty at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where he leads sales strategies and works closely with businesses to help protect their operations, employees, and long-term success through comprehensive risk management and insurance solutions. With experience that includes working directly with claims at a national brokerage, John brings a unique perspective to the insurance process, ensuring clients have strong advocacy and guidance when navigating complex situations.
Known for his relationship-driven approach, John believes insurance is about more than policies and coverage. He is deeply committed to building long-term partnerships with clients and helping them feel confident that they have a trusted advisor by their side.
A lifelong member of the Syracuse community, John values loyalty, integrity, and strong personal connections in both business and life. His approach to leadership and client service reflects those values as he works to support businesses across Central New York.
John attended Columbia College and remains actively engaged in the community he proudly calls home.
Pasquale Leone – Senior Account Executive
Pasquale (Pat) Leone serves as a Senior Account Executive at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where he works closely with business owners to identify, evaluate, and manage risk across their organization. With a strong background in accounting and financial analysis, Pat brings a strategic perspective to insurance planning, helping clients understand how risk impacts their operations, assets, and long-term stability.
Pat holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Accounting from Syracuse University, a foundation that allows him to approach insurance through financial and analytical lens. His experience with premium audits and exposure analysis enables him to provide clients with detailed insight into their coverage needs and opportunities for improved risk management.
Business owners rely on Pat not only to help protect their business, but also to guide them through complex insurance decisions with clarity and confidence.
Sara MacDonald – Account Executive
Sara MacDonald, CIC serves as a Commercial Insurance Account Executive at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where she works closely with business clients to support their insurance programs and help ensure their coverage aligns with their operational needs and risk exposure.
With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Sara has extensive expertise in servicing commercial accounts across a variety of industries. She is known for her attentive client service and deep understanding of the day-to-day insurance needs businesses face.
Sara is committed to building strong relationships with clients and providing responsive support that helps organizations navigate the complexities of commercial insurance with confidence.
John Sereno Jr. – Insurance Advisor, Claims & Surety
John Sereno Jr. serves as an Insurance Advisor; Claims & Surety at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where he works with businesses to evaluate risk exposures and implement insurance strategies to help protect their operations and position them for long-term growth.
With experience supporting commercial insurance and risk management programs, John focuses on building strong client relationships and helping organizations better understand how their policies will respond in the event of a loss. He takes a proactive approach to insurance planning, working closely with clients to identify potential risks and ensure their policies are aligned with their evolving business needs.
John attended Le Moyne College and is proud to continue building his career in the Central New York Community.
Employee Benefits Division
Joseph Courcy – Director of Sales, Employee Benefits
Joseph Courcy serves as Director of Sales, Employee Benefits, at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where he leads the strategy and growth of the firm’s employee benefits practice. In this role, Joe works closely with business leaders to design and implement benefits programs that support employees while aligning with each organization’s financial and operational goals.
Joe brings extensive experience in the insurance industry, with a background spanning disability insurance, life insurance, and small business insurance solutions. He is known for his transparent, relationship-driven approach, believing that strong partnerships and open communication are the foundation of effective benefits planning.
Dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of employee benefits, Joe provides thoughtful guidance that allows business owners to make informed decisions for both their companies and their teams.
Joe attended SUNY Oswego, where he began building the foundation for his career in insurance and client service.
Trisha Tyminski – Client Service Advisor, Employee Benefits
Trisha Tyminski serves as a Client Service Advisor, Employee Benefits at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where she works closely with employers and advisors to support the day-to-day administration of employee benefits programs. In this role, she helps clients navigate the complexities of health, life, and ancillary benefits while ensuring their plans run smoothly for both employers and employees.
Trisha brings several years of experience in the health and life insurance industry and has developed a strong reputation for her responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment to client service. She plays an important role in helping organizations manage their benefits programs efficiently while supporting employees with the information they need to make confident coverage decisions.
Dedicated to building strong relationships and delivering dependable support, Trisha is committed to helping businesses provide meaningful benefits to their teams.
Lauren Hanley – Insurance Processor
Lauren Hanley serves as an Insurance Processor at Pinnacle Insurance Associates, where she supports the commercial insurance and employee benefits team and helps ensure clients documentation is processed efficiently and accurately.
Lauren brings more than 22 years of experience as an administrative professional, with extensive knowledge in the health, dental, vision, and employee benefits space. Throughout her career, she has played an important role in supporting benefits teams and assisting employers with the day-to-day administration of their benefits programs.
Known for her organization, reliability, and commitment to client service, Lauren helps ensure that both employers receive the support they need when navigating their benefits.
About Pinnacle Insurance Associates
Pinnacle Insurance Associates is an independent insurance brokerage dedicated to helping businesses and individuals navigate risk with confidence. Through strategic planning, tailored insurance programs, and responsive client service, the firm helps organizations protect their operations, employees, and long-term success.
To learn more visit, PinnacleInsuranceAssociates.com.
About Pinnacle Holding Company
For almost 30 years, Pinnacle Holding Company and its subsidiaries have provided all-inclusive solutions to meet the needs of individuals, businesses, and other organizations in New York and beyond. Pinnacle’s suite of companies includes Pinnacle Investments, an independent broker-dealer; Pinnacle Capital Management, an asset manager firm; Confidential Planning, a 403(b) platform; Pinnacle Employee Services, a professional employer organization; Split14 Creative, a creative marketing firm; Bent Ear Technology Partners, a managed service provider; EverPeak Recruitment, an employee recruitment company; Pinnacle Insurance Associates, an insurance broker; and GuidePost Staffing, an employee staffing service provider. From wealth management to human resources management, no other firm has the resources or provides the one-on-one connection that our advisors and consultants deliver.