About CM&F

CM&F Group was founded in New York City in 1919 by Wesley Cotterell and Charles Mitchell as Cotterell and Mitchell. The firm grew as a respected insurance brokerage firm during its first twenty years and was able to flourish despite the Great Depression. Expansion continued following the Second World War and in 1947, building upon its increasing expertise in professional coverages, the firm, in collaboration with associates in the American Nurses Association, developed the first Professional Liability Policy specifically for the Nursing Practice. Prior to that, nurses were treated as an extension of a physicians' practice and coverage.

In 1964, Calvin Fifer succeeded Wesley Cotterell as President, at which time, the firm was renamed Cotterell, Mitchell & Fifer, Inc. Under new leadership, CM&F grew rapidly and by the mid 70's, CM&F had become one of the nation's largest retailers of Malpractice Insurance For healthcare professionals. Expanding the range of malpractice to complement the Nursing line, CM&F established programs for Registered Dental Hygienists, Nurse's Aides, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants and Post Partum Care Providers. CM&F's Nurse Practitioner Program established the legal precedent for regulatory relations between Risk Purchasing Groups and State regulators. In 1993, CM&F established a Physician Assistants Product Line. While maintaining its leading position in professional coverages, CM&F has continued to expand its personal insurance products as well as its long term expertise in all forms of commercial insurance coverages, including manufacturers and retail outlets.

CM&F represents the American International Group (AIG), National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, Lexington Insurance Company, St. Paul Travelers, Chubb, Allianz Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Prudential Life, American General/United States Life, Aetna, Unum, United Health Care, William Penn Life Insurance, Principal Financial, Berkshire Life, Guardian, Genworth Financial, Aflac and XL Capital LTD.

CM&F is a member and represented on the board of the Insurance Brokers Association of New York and Insurance Federation of New York; and in addition, are members of the Professional Insurance Agents, the Independent Insurance Agents and the Council of Agents & Brokers.

In 1995, CM&F's 76th year and the 30th year of his presidency, Calvin Fifer stepped down as President and Richard J.J. Sullivan, Jr., CIC was named to succeed him. As we move into the new century, CM&F looks forward to continued growth and the opportunity to serve the distinguished clientele that have been its hallmark since 1919, with the integrity and professionalism pioneered by Wesley Cotterell and Calvin Fifer.

Executive Team

Richard J.J. Sullivan, Jr., CIC
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Sullivan joined Cotterell, Mitchell & Fifer in 1982 and was named its third president in 1995, at which time the firm became CM&F Group, Inc. Under his leadership CM&F has continued to expand its insurance services and product lines, enhancing its professional liability offerings to encompass most non-physician medical professions. While new personal/commercial lines and healthcare professional liability coverages have expanded the company roster, Mr. Sullivan remains committed to the Nursing community — one of CM&F’s defining speciality markets.

In addition to his leadership at CM&F, Mr. Sullivan has served as Treasurer and President of the Insurance Federation of New York and Director, Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Insurance Brokers Association of New York. He is CM&F's designee to the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers and is a former member of the board of the National Association of Insurance Brokers.

Mr. Sullivan holds the designation of CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriters Association. He has lectured widely on Professional Liability topics to practitioners, healthcare facilities and other insurance professionals.

Outside of CMF and serving his local community on Long Island, New York, Mr. Sullivan is former member of St. Joseph's Parish Council, Chairman of the 450 bed Geriatric Care Center "Our Lady of Consolation" and Governor of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center. Mr. Sullivan presently serves as Chair of Board of the $1.2 billion dollar Catholic Health Services of Long Island. He presides over the Chair Person's Council of Catholic Health Services and is a Director of the Insurance Board of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Together with his wife Gail, Mr. Sullivan is Parish "Pre-Cana" premarriage counseling coordinator.

Rounding out his interests, Mr. Sullivan is a former Governor of the John Street Club (a group of New York Insurance Professionals), a member of the American Foreign Service Association, the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association, The NAACP, The Nature Conservancy, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the city of New York and the Union League Club.

An avid golfer, sailor and the father of three sons, Mr. Sullivan and his wife have made their life long home on Long Island, NY.

Richard J.J. Sullivan, III
President

Richard J.J. Sullivan, III became CM&F Group, Inc.’s fourth president in January 2009, after joining the firm in 2004. Prior to then he spent four years at American International Group’s New York headquarters, specializing in the company’s Domestic Lines Insurance Products. As president, he is focused on new product development for both the Commercial Lines and Professional Liability Departments. He is also the director of several medical malpractice insurance programs and is the firm’s chief marketing contact.

Richard J.J. Sullivan, III is the current president of The John Street Club in New York City, NY — a well respected group of Insurance Industry Professionals.

He is a graduate of Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, New York and Hofstra University; during his time at Hofstra he captained its varsity lacrosse team. He lives with his wife on Long Island, New York and enjoys boating, golf and running.

Calvin E. F. Sullivan
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Calvin Sullivan joined CM&F in 2005 after several years as a professional associate with the American International Group. During his tenure at AIG, he worked as a Healthcare Division underwriter for the Lexington Insurance Company. In addition, he was responsible for developing new programs and oversight of several large insurance programs within the Healthcare Division. At CM&F, he continues his focus on Healthcare within CM&F’s Medical Malpractice Division in addition to senior account management for the Commercial Lines Division.

Mr. Sullivan grew up in Babylon, NY and graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York. He then graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. High amongst his many personal interests is lacrosse. While at the University of Virginia, he helped his team win the Division 1, National Championship.

Donna F. Fogelstrom
Vice President, Professional Liability Practice

Donna is a CM&F Group veteran, having held various administrative and technical positions since 1980. In 1997 Donna was named vice president of the Professional Liability Department and charged with managing CM&F's important portfolio of health care professional liability coverages.

Donna is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS). Donna's personal pursuits include travel and active involvement in her community, where she is a CCD teacher and weekly lector at her parish.

Katherine Nova, CIC
Vice President, Property & Casualty Practice

Katherine joined the CM&F Group in 1995, bringing with her over twenty years of brokerage experience in the insurance industry. She is a Licensed Broker, with a lifetime of continuing education and academic seminars to her credit and has earned the description of Certified Insurance Counselor or “CIC” and was inducted as an active member of the society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC). In 1997 Katherine was named vice president of the Property/Casualty Department and manages all of CM&F's university-related health care clients.

Katherine lives on the North Shore of Suffolk County, New York with her husband Lou and is a past president of her local Civic Association. She is a Girl Scout/Brownie leader in her community and enjoys gardening, collecting antiques and travel in her spare time.

Martin J. Liston, CIC
Vice President, Marketing & Sales

Mr. Liston joined the ranks of Cotterell, Mitchell & Fifer in 1986 to strengthen life insurance expertise within the firm and to develop product specific knowledge in CM&F’s client offerings. Since that time, he has continued to broaden his knowledge and develop strategies for using insurance products to meet individual and commercial requirements, with broad mastery of employee benefits (corporate and individual) as well as traditional property and casualty insurance.

Mr. Liston focuses on account development, design and most importantly, maintaining a high level of detailed service to our CM&F accounts and clients.

In 1997 Mr. Liston earned the description of Certified Insurance Counselor “CIC” and was inducted as an active member of the society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC). He is currently studying to qualify for designation as a Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA).

In his community, Mr. Liston is certified soccer coach and division coordinator for the Babylon, New York Soccer Club. He is also an active fisherman and relaxes with golf and hiking.