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The New York State Insurance Fund regretfully announced the death of NYSIF Chairman Terence L. Morris today at the age 62. Mr. Morris, an upstate auto dealer well known in the Capital Region as a business and civic leader, was in his ninth year as chairman of the NYSIF Board of Commissioners and his 11th year on the board. He had been battling failing health recently.
NYSIF CEO/Executive Director David P. Wehner said: “NYSIF mourns the loss of our chairman, Terry Morris, a friend and a leader who served the Fund as a guiding force through one of its most exciting times of change and growth, and one of the most productive periods in NYSIF’s long history.
“A dedicated businessman and community leader, Chairman Morris unselfishly devoted himself to the betterment of the State Insurance Fund. Through his leadership the Fund implemented many improvements for the benefit of New York businesses and working people of the state.”
Mr. Morris was appointed to the NYSIF Board of Commissioners in 1995 by Governor George E. Pataki and, following election by the board, became NYSIF chairman on April 25, 1997.
In tribute to Chairman Morris, NYSIF announced that it would lower flags to half-staff at all its office locations statewide through the chairman’s interment.
Mr. Morris, of Burnt Hills, Saratoga County, was president of Morris Ford Mercury and Terry Chrysler Jeep in Burnt Hills, NY. He also served as director of the New York State Auto Dealers Workers’ Compensation Board, as chairman of the New York State Automobile Dealers NYPAC, and as director of the New York State Auto Dealers Association, which is the NYSIF Safety Group No. 430 that serves the automobile industry.
As a member of the board, Mr. Morris became extensively involved in issues affecting workers’ compensation and more than 195,000 NYSIF policyholders.
As chairman, he presided over a major re-engineering of NYSIF, the largest writer of workers’ compensation insurance in New York State. During his tenure as chairman, NYSIF introduced new technology, programs and product services designed to increase efficiency, aid business and provide better customer service to its policyholders and claimants.
Among many accomplishments under Chairman Morris, NYSIF refocused energy on workplace safety programs, and dedicated staff and resources to building one of the top anti-fraud units in the country. He also was committed to advancing the knowledge and skills of NYSIF’s workforce by encouraging and supporting professional staff development through ongoing training and various accreditation and certificate programs.
In a 2004 message to staff, he stated, “As chairman of the board of commissioners, I appreciate all your efforts in making NYSIF a model of integrity, consistency, efficiency, excellence and service.”
His guiding philosophy as chairman was that NYSIF “did not have to be the biggest, but we will be the best.” While he served as chairman, NYSIF reached new heights not only in levels of service, but in policyholders, premium, assets and surplus.
Mr. Morris brought a long history of business experience to the chairman’s position. Born in Troy, NY, on July 16, 1943, he had an interest from early on in the automotive field. A self made-man, he began in the auto industry as a bookkeeper in the accounting department of an upstate auto dealership at age 17.
That was the beginning of a career that would span 45 years in the automobile business. In 1972, he opened his first dealership, Morris Ford Mercury. The dealership grew to be one of the best Ford dealerships in New York State, winning many sales and customer service awards including the Ford Quality Dealer Award from 1976 -1991.
In 1986, he opened his second dealership named Terry Chrysler, located directly across Route 50 in Burnt Hills, later adding the Jeep division to that dealership in 1992. Involving his family in the two companies, the business thrived under his leadership. Terry Chrysler earned the Chrysler Five Star Dealer Award and the Chrysler Service Professional Award every year from 1986 -1994.
In 1991, Mr. Morris also received the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award, honoring him for supporting his community as well as being an exceptional dealer, noted for customer satisfaction. In 1992, he was named Businessperson of the Year by the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, and in 1996 was named Citizen of the Year by the Glenville Rotary.
Mr. Morris held several offices and positions in industry and regional councils and associations. He was director of the First National Bank of Scotia; director of the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce; director of the Chrysler Upstate Jeep Eagle Advertising Board; president of the Upstate Ford Advertising Association, and director of Ford Dealer Alliance. He was also a member of the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce and the Siena College Presidents Club.
Mr. Morris also served as Town of Ballston councilman and deputy town supervisor from 1977-1986.
He received community service awards from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts of America, to name a few, and was a consistent supporter of Ballston Lake Youth Baseball and other community organizations. He had donated two trucks each year to Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake High School for the Victor Ferrante Auto Mechanic Award and the Terry Morris Sales Award. Over the years, he won numerous awards for advertising campaigns, including a Silver Microphone Award for a radio campaign on the basis of creativity, talent and humor.
His wife, Noella, three children, Maria, Charlie and Terri Jo, and four grandchildren survive Mr. Morris.
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