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When he graduated from Lafayette, Tom Ahart '75 took out a loan and bought himself a big present – his father's insurance company. Begun as a part-time operation in Edward Ahart's unfinished basement, the Harmony Township, N.J. business now has 14 employees and 4,300 clients in personal or commercial coverage, generating revenues of $8.5 million with commissions totaling $1.5 million.
In addition to being president of Ahart, Frinzi & Smith Insurance, Ahart recently became president of the Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA), which has 300,000 members. He travels across the country to address the group's state associations and advocate for it on legislative issues involving insurance. He also works with the IIAA board of directors to develop programs such as a marketing brand called Trusted Choice and a virtual university that will provide on-line courses for members.
“My major in government and law has been really helpful in my career because I read a lot of insurance contracts and am involved in a lot of legislation,” he says. “That background has helped me significantly. But even more important is that Lafayette teaches you how to think independently and not to be afraid to take chances, to have confidence in yourself.”
Ahart has been honored as 1982 New Jersey Young Agent of the Year, 1986 and 1987 New Jersey Executive Committee Chairman of the Year, 1992 New Jersey Insurance Person of the Year, and 1994 IIA Agent of the Year for Hunterdon/Warren County.
Although he is now taking a break, Ahart has coached Little League teams for 25 years. He also has served on the Pohatcong Township school board and as an elder and deacon of Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church. He is working with historians from Arlington National Cemetery to restore a nearby historic cemetery.
