Merchants Insurance Group Named 2026 Commercial Lines Carrier of the Year by Big I New York

BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2026--

Merchants Insurance Group was honored as the 2026 Outstanding Company Partner – Commercial Lines Carrier of the Year by Big I New York at the GO BIG Event, held May 4-5, 2026 at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

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The award, voted on by independent insurance agents across New York State, recognizes insurance carriers that demonstrate exceptional partnership, service, and commitment to the independent agency system. Merchants was selected based on the strength of its agency partnerships, responsiveness, ongoing efforts to support growth, and its dedication to helping agents win accounts.

“We are incredibly thrilled to receive this distinction from Big I New York and all its members,” said Merchants Insurance Group President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Makey III. “This award reflects the dedication of our entire team and the strong partnerships we’ve built with agents throughout the state.”

The annual GO BIG Event brings together insurance professionals from across New York for educational opportunities, networking, and celebration. During the two-day conference, Merchants representatives in attendance connected with agency partners from around the state and supported the installation of David H. Borg of Borg Insurance Agency as Big I New York’s new Chair of the Board.

“Receiving the Commercial Lines Carrier award is especially meaningful because it is determined directly by agents who work with carriers every day,” said Makey.

Merchants has continued to focus on providing responsive service, underwriting expertise, and collaborative support to help agency partners grow their businesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

In addition to recognition for organizational achievements, Merchants Insurance Group received another notable milestone at the GO BIG Event. Merchants President & CEO Charles Makey III was honored with the prestigious Thom McDaniel Exemplar Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies dedication and steadfast support of independent agencies. Makey was selected for his leadership and advocacy efforts, including his trailblazing work surrounding RICO filings aimed at combating insurance fraud in New York State.

This distinction highlights Merchants Insurance Group’s ongoing commitment to protecting policyholders, supporting agency partners, and strengthening the insurance marketplace under Makey’s leadership. In particular, the company’s recent legal action sought to address widespread fraudulent activity that has impacted consumers and insurers throughout New York.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award from Big I New York,” Makey said. “Supporting independent agents and standing up for the integrity of our industry are priorities that matter tremendously to all of us at Merchants.”

Makey expressed that both the Thom McDaniel Exemplar Award and the company’s 2026 Outstanding Company Partner – Commercial Lines Carrier Award reflect the collective work of the entire Merchants organization and the strength of its agency relationships.

“Our relationships with independent agents are at the center of everything we do,” Makey said. “Big I New York plays an important role in supporting independent agents and fostering strong carrier relationships across the state. We’re grateful for the trust agents place in Merchants and proud to continue building on those connections.”

About Merchants Insurance Group

Founded in downtown Buffalo, New York in 1918, Merchants Insurance Group is a leading regional property and casualty insurance carrier specializing in commercial lines. Merchants partners exclusively with independent insurance agents because they have the expertise to match the company’s portfolio of quality products, and to ensure customers’ assets are properly protected. The large network of Merchants’ independent agent partners spans across Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Visit www.merchantsgroup.com to learn more, and follow Merchants Insurance Group on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Photo courtesy of Big I New York. Pictured from left: David Lavoie, Sr. Territory Manager; Frank Simpson, Regional Vice President; Kelly Gonyo, Chair of Big I New York; Charles Makey III, President & CEO

BOSTON (AP) — A man accused of wounding two drivers when he fired at least 70 rounds from an assault-style weapon on a busy street near Boston pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault and other charges.

Tyler Brown, 46, who appeared in Cambridge District Court via video from a hospital bed, did not speak and appeared to have his eyes closed for most of the brief hearing. He nodded when the judge said not guilty pleas had been entered on his behalf to charges of armed assault with intent to murder and six other charges, including possessing a gun without a license.

Judge David Frank ordered him to remain in custody, either at the hospital or in jail, pending a hearing on May 21. Brown's attorney, Carolyn McGowan, declined to speak at the hearing other than answering the judge's questions about scheduling matters. The Committee for Public Counsel Services/Public Defender Division, where she is listed as a senior trial counsel, did not respond to a request for comment.

Brown is accused of opening fire Monday afternoon on a heavily traveled road along the Charles River in Cambridge. Panicked drivers abandoned their vehicles or hid under them seeking cover.

One man, who was struck in the back of the head, has since been released from the hospital, while another driver who was shot four times in the leg remains hospitalized, Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain said.

About an hour before the shootings, Brown connected with his parole officer via video conference. Armed with a gun, he said on video that he had relapsed and wanted to end his life. The parole officer called police, who began searching for Brown and found him in Cambridge using phone records.

The complaint describes what led up to the shootings. According to investigators, Brown had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression and had been released Friday from a psychiatric hospital.

According to the complaint, Brown is on parole and probation for offenses including armed assault to murder and other gun-related convictions. His parole was set to end this week, though his probation continued.

Meghan Kelly, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, said Brown was not licensed to carry a firearm.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan described Brown’s criminal history going back to 1994, when he was convicted of armed robbery in Michigan. He also was convicted of escape in Michigan in 1997 and drug offenses in New Hampshire in 2007.

In Massachusetts, he has been convicted of multiple assault and gun-related charges, most recently in 2021, when he was convicted of firing at officers.

Prosecutors said then that he should serve at least 10 years in prison, due to the “level of brazen violence” and because he was on probation for a 2014 conviction on assault and witness intimidation charges. A judge instead ordered Brown to serve five to six years in state prison and three years of probation with credit for nearly 18 months spent in custody.

At the time, the judge’s decision sparked outrage and criticism among local officials concerned that violent offenders were not being held accountable — concerns that have resurfaced. “Talk about a ball drop,” said the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association in a statement on social media.

This image provided by Cambridge District Court, Tyler Brown appears in court via zoom from a hospital bed on Thursday, May 14, 2026 in Cambridge, Mass. (Cambridge District Court via AP)