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CM&F Group, Inc. was founded in 1919 by Wesley Cotterell and Charles Mitchell as Cotterell and Mitchell. Like many professional firms of the Post-World War I era, the founders established their place in the market by cultivating relationships gained through education, family and business contacts. Cotterell and Mitchell grew as a stable and respected insurance brokerage firm during its first 20 years and was able to flourish despite the Great Depression. Expansion continued following the Second World War and in 1947, building on 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. This coverage was originally written by the St. Paul Insurance Companies and later by the Royal, and since 1976, the program has been underwritten by member companies of the American International Group. After the boom of the Second World War, Cotterell and Mitchell grew beyond its New York City roots; extending its client base to include manufacturers and major retail outlets. CM&F has continued to expand into Personal Insurance products as well as its long term expertise in all forms of Commercial Insurance Coverages. In 1964, Calvin Fifer succeeded Wesley Cotterell as President and in 1965, upon Cotterell's death, he acceded to Chairman as well. At this time, the firm was renamed Cotterell, Mitchell & Fifer, Inc. Under new leadership, CM&F grew aggressively with broadened advertising to the Nursing profession. By the mid 70's, CM&F was among the nation's largest retailers of Nurse's Malpractice Insurance. 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&Fs' Nurse Practitioner Program established the legal precedent for regulatory relations between Risk Purchasing Groups and State regulators. In 1993, CM&F established a Physician's Assistant Product Line. CM&F represents the American International Group, Travelers, St. Paul, Chubb & Son, CNA, The Zurich, The Jefferson-Pilot, Lincoln National and The Hartford. CM&F is also a member and represented on the board of the Insurance Brokers Association of New York and Insurance Federation of New York. We 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 of CM&F and Richard J.J. Sullivan, Jr., CIC was named to succeed him. Mr. Fifer retired from the position of Chairman in November 1997 but still actively counsels and remains as a resource to company leadership. 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 the hallmark of CM&F since 1919, with the integrity and professionalism pioneered by Wesley Cotterell and Calvin Fifer.