Pinnacle Insurance Associates Announces Seven Strategic Additions to Support Continued Growth

April 13, 2026 | East Syracuse, NY
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 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-today
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 about Pinnacle Insurance Associates, 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 brokerdealer;
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.
Learn more at PinnacleHoldingCo.com

Media contact:
Elizabeth Bartlett
(315) 295-3826
[email protected]