Executive Team

Richard A. McGrath
CIC, LIA – President and CEO

A third-generation owner of A.N. McGrath Insurance Agency, Richard McGrath joined the business in 1977 and has been instrumental in making it one of central Massachusetts’ largest and best-known independent insurance agencies.

Richard has developed his business into an agency with more than $20 million in annual premiums and 20 employees, including specialists in personal, commercial and life insurance, and employee benefits.  He also has successfully acquired a half-dozen other agencies.

In addition to overall management of the agency’s multiple-office operations, his responsibilities include business development, and consideration of new products and agency acquisitions.

He is a member of the Personal Lines Advisory Board of Arbella Mutual Insurance Co.  He previously served as a member of the Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Premier Insurance Co., and the Board of Directors of Southbridge Credit Union, serving for more than 20 years.  He is also a director of the New England Service Co. & Valley Water Systems. He is a former director of the New England Cell, Mountain View Indemnity, CT, Chubb Captive Insurance Company.

As a result of his outstanding achievements, Richard has received numerous awards and recognition from many organizations, including achieving Chairman’s Circle status in addition to earning membership in the Admiral’s Table at Arbella Insurance Group.  He has also earned Tower Agents status with Premier Insurance Company and was named a Granite Agent by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.

Richard is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents.  He is also a Massachusetts Certified Insurance Counselor and a Massachusetts Licensed Insurance Advisor.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University, and completed the Executive Leadership and Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Nevanita A. La Vita
Chief Operating Officer

As COO, Nev helps manage all operations of the McGrath Insurance Group.

She began her insurance career in the Miami office of the Travelers in 1973, and became the first woman responsible for profitability and production of a Travelers field office.  In 1976, she became the first woman to become a Managing Marketing Analyst for Travelers, moving to the home office in Hartford, where she managed profitability and production, first for the Southeast Region and later for the North Central Region.

Nev moved to The Hartford Insurance Group in 1982 and established Business Management Group, an independent subsidiary offering management consulting services to independent agents and brokers.  As Executive Vice President, she assured BMG’s “blue ribbon” status by developing, selling and delivering management consulting services; hiring, training and evaluating consultants, and hosting forums to keep senior management abreast of agency trends and issues.  She also implemented and delivered a training program to help marketing representatives understand agency concerns.

She founded Calkins Management Services in 1988, serving as a management process consultant to companies and agencies throughout the country.  In 1995, she accepted a position with The Patrons Group as Vice President of Marketing & Underwriting and Corporate Secretary.  She joined McGrath Insurance Group in 2000.

Her professional affiliations included the Knowles Group, The Planning Forum, IIR/ACORD National Faculty, PIA’s Circle of Consultants and the Association of American Insurance Consultants.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and completed the Executive Leadership Development Program and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

Nancy A. Pierangeli
Administrative Manager

Nancy joined McGrath Insurance Group, Inc. in 1993 as Administrative Assistant to the President and CEO, and quickly advanced to her current position as Administrative Manager, a key member of the management team.

Earning her Massachusetts producer license in 1994, she has expertise in life, health, and property & casualty insurance lines.  She serves as human resources coordinator for the agency, administers employee benefits, serves as agency liaison with marketing and communications vendors, coordinates licensing for the corporation and individual producers, processes agency contracts and agreements with insurance carriers, and coordinates and processes all producer appointments with insurance companies.

She also supervises account executives responsible for customer service of group employee benefit business, as well as quoting and placement of new and renewal business, including group health, dental, life and disability insurance.

Nancy began her career in 1971 with American Optical Corporation, where she held several executive secretarial positions.  In 1980, she became Executive Secretary to the President & CEO of Spectran Corporation.  In 1984, she became Office Manager at Tri-Valley Elder Services, a non-profit organization providing homecare services to the elderly.

Joanne R. Cancelmo
CPA – Accountant

Joanne coordinates financial planning and budget management, and ensures that company accounting practices and procedures conform with generally accepted accounting principles. She monitors, analyzes and compares operating results to budgets each month. In addition, she prepares a financial analysis at least annually for carrier negotiations and to determine the impact of changes made to the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance System.

Joanne joined McGrath Insurance Group in 2003 after serving as an accountant for several accounting firms.

Before joining McGrath, she was a Senior Accountant for Roland A. Gauthier, CPA of Spencer. Previously, she was an accountant with Clune, Chatillier & Morisseau, CPA of Woonsocket, R.I. She began her accounting career at Samuel J. Berman Ltd. of Providence, R.I. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bryant College, Smithfield, RI.