Acrisure of New Jersey

Michael Iannaconi is the Managing Partner of Acrisure's New Jersey region and is responsible for all aspects of the fintech's operations including total growth, operational excellence and coordination with Business Services provided by Acrisure.

Michael is dedicated to serving clients in New Jersey and beyond with Acrisure's full suite of solutions including insurance, reinsurance, cyber services, and more. He joined Acrisure as the CEO of Chadler Solutions, a division of Acrisure since October 2016. Through organic growth and significant M&A activity, Michael helped grow Chadler to become one of the largest Acrisure Partners in the country. While serving as CEO, Michael also maintained a client base in both Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits. The clients crossed many disciplines including construction, transportation, technology, and manufacturing. Michael began his career at Chadler in 2008 where he served as CFO before becoming CEO in 2012.

Prior to entering the Insurance field, Michael was a CPA at Deloitte where he became an Audit Manager. While at Deloitte, he specialized in the manufacturing and financial industry sectors. Following that, he was a Partner in the Accounting firm Nardi, Iannaconi and Mazzo.

Michael obtained his bachelor's degree at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. He and his family reside in Pottersville, NJ. Michael is an avid sports fan and for over 30 years was a journalist for a New York Giants publication. He enjoys spending time with his family at the Jersey Shore and is involved in several community and philanthropic activities including various thoroughbred retirement programs.

Spiros M. Backos is Managing Member of the Acrisure New Jersey Region, bringing over thirty years of experience in implementing agency growth plans and operational efficiencies.

Prior to this role, Spiros was responsible for agency and producer acquisitions and finance, accounting, human resources operations. He also served as an audit manager at a Big 4 accounting firm, where he gained extensive experience in public accounting and advising on business and financial strategies.

Spiros has a bachelor's degree in accounting and is a New Jersey Certified Public Accountant. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and watching college sports.

Joe Maurillo is a member of the Acrisure Leadership Team for the New Jersey Region with particular expertise in public entity. Prior to this role, Joe was the President of IMAC Insurance Agency. He is one of the leading public sector insurance experts in New Jersey and brings to the team over twenty years of experience servicing municipal, board of education and other governmental entity clients.

Joe is licensed as a health insurance, life insurance, personal lines, and property/casualty producer and has been honored as an Acrisure Top Producer over the last three years. He has extensive experience working with public-sector employers on the design, funding, and administration of innovative and cost-effective medical and workers' compensation programs.

In addition to his current role, Joe is also a dedicated community advocate that supports many local charities, including as a member of the board of directors for the Clara Maass Hospital Foundation. He also founded the Cheer Me Up Foundation, an organization that helps sick children and families in need. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially in the summer on the Jersey Shore.

Patrick Nicholson is the President of Acrisure New Jersey Region Property and Casualty Division. In this role, he is responsible for the sales and underwriting management and successful growth of the commercial and personal lines for all Acrisure offices in New Jersey.

Through Patrick's extensive twenty-five-year insurance industry experience, he held the position of President of Acrisure's Florham Park, New Jersey office. Previously he was President of Waldor and Associates and Vice President of Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company.

Patrick is a native of Illinois and currently resides in Tewksbury, New Jersey, with his family. His lifelong passion is golf, and he actively supports various non-profit organizations throughout the country.

Scott Rappoport is the Managing Director of Acrisure New Jersey Region Employee Benefits Division. Since 1989, he has helped clients control healthcare costs while meeting the needs and expectations of their employees. As Former Chairman of the Board of United Benefit Advisors, Scott has served as an active leader in the employee benefits industry for many years.

Scott earned a bachelor's degree at Rutgers University and a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as numerous professional designations including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Registered Health Underwriter (RHU).

He is an Eagle Scott and continues to support the Boy Scouts of America to this day.

John Scirocco is the President of Acrisure New Jersey Region Property and Casualty Division.

John brings extensive insurance knowledge to this role at Acrisure. He grew up in the insurance industry after his father started his own agency in 1950. Prior to his current role, John served as the President of Scirocco Group, one of the Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies in the U.S., specializing in construction, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing risks.

John received a bachelor's degree from Manhattan College in 1981. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, spending time with his grandchildren, and exploring the Jersey Shore.

Gary Taffet is Managing Member for the Acrisure New Jersey Region bringing extensive experience in employee benefits, insurance programs, and state and local government. He is a dedicated member of the firm's National Healthcare Advisory Board and President's Council and has been named an Acrisure Top Producer for nine consecutive years.

Gary's primary area of expertise is in the design, funding, and administration of large-group employee benefits and health insurance programs. Prior to his current role, he served as a former Governor's Chief of Staff and in various senior executive positions within state and municipal government. He was also previously staff to the Insurance Committee for the State Legislature's New Jersey General Assembly.

Gary is a current New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Member, Vice Chair for Middlesex College Board of Trustees, North Hudson Community Action Foundation Board Member, and Project Smile Board of Trustees Member. He also served as a Commissioner to the New Jersey Legislative Redistricting Commission. Gary received a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and participated in the senior executive management program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He and his family reside in East Brunswick, New Jersey, where he is involved in several philanthropic, community, and athletic activities.

Ryan Tola is the President of Acrisure New Jersey Region Public Sector Division. He brings more than twenty-five years of experience in the employee benefits field to this position, having served both public and private sector employees. Prior to his current role, he served as President of an employee benefits consulting division within a large brokerage firm that specialized in New Jersey public sector clients, where he managed over 125 New Jersey school districts and municipalities.

Ryan's expertise includes collectively bargained plans, financial analysis, legislative compliance and plan design. Ryan has provided expert-witness testimony in both PERC grievance hearings and collective bargaining arbitration. Additionally, his plan management capabilities have extended to performing consulting services on Multiple Employer Trusts, Group Health Insurance Funds, and self-funded, minimum premium and prospective insurance plans.

Ryan received his bachelor's degree from Rowan University in 1998.

As Vice President of Operations, Greg is responsible for managing the operational excellence of Acrisure throughout New Jersey. This includes planning, directing, coordinating and overseeing all operational activities throughout the region, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems are in place to meet current and future needs.

Previously, Greg served as the Vice President of Operations at Chadler Solutions where he oversaw the long-term operational strategy of the company. He started at Chadler first in sales, and progressed his way up in roles including IT and personal lines.

Greg's demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry includes strong skills in in Professional Liability, Health Insurance, Property & Casualty Insurance, Risk Management, and Customer Service. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer & Information Systems from King's College and lives in Essex County, New Jersey.