GOING TO MACKOUL SCHOOL Mackoul recently developed a series of classes for property management firms and boards of co-ops and condos. The classes address the topics Mackoul feels are most confusing about community association insurance, including: Who’s responsible for what when property damage occurs in a condo or co-op organization What should be required each time a contractor is hired The various insurance policies co-ops and condos, and their managers, should have The minimum limits they should maintain The firm, at that point, was becoming well-known in the area of real estate co-ops and condos, and Mackoul really wanted to get involved in that side of the business. So he combed through the office’s file cabinets and computer records. He searched for clients and prospects the firm had lost over the years and started cold-calling them. Eventually, his hard work paid off, and he developed a number of clients.
Home run Over the next decade or so, Mackoul & Associates received more and more recognition for its expertise in the co-op and condo niche. The firm eventually developed a commercial umbrella program that was spun off into a separate venture, New Empire Group. In the meantime, Mackoul took on more and more responsibility. He bought into ownership in 2002 and now leads the organization. He has become a highly respected and sought-after expert on the insurance needs and challenges of co-ops and condos. “I find everything to be interesting, I’ve gotta tell you,” he says. “I love what I do. I love going out and developing the clients, and I love the educational aspect.” Mackoul is proud of how the agency has grown in both size and stature over the past 21 years – from four employees when he got there to an enthusiastic team of 35 or so now. He credits the staff (who call themselves ‘Mackoulies’) and his father’s mentorship for his success. Mackoul occasionally sees a couple of his classmates from umpire school on television, umpiring in the major leagues. Today, they’re living the dream he’d once imagined for himself. But he has no regrets. In his own way, he’s hit the major leagues as well.
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