About Charles

Charles E. Makey, III, is the 10^th President since 1918 for Merchants Insurance Group, headquartered in Buffalo, NY. Mr. Makey began his 25+ year career with Merchants in 1996 as the Director of Sales. He was promoted in 1998 to Assistant Vice President/Regional Manager of the company’s New England regional office in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 2004, he assumed the role of Vice President and Regional Manager of the company’s Central States Strategic Business Center in Dublin, Ohio. In 2009, Mr. Makey was promoted to the Senior Vice President of Insurance Operations in the corporate headquarters. In 2021 Mr. Makey assumed the role of President at Merchants, and was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer in 2024. Prior to Merchants Insurance, he worked for The Hartford.

Education

Daniel Webster College – MBA
St. Bonaventure University – Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Management
University of Michigan Ross School of Business – Degree in Business Acumen

Certifications/Designations

• Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
• Associate in Management (AIM)
• General Insurance (INS)

Businesses and Philanthropic Organizations

Mr. Makey serves as a board member, trustee, or council member for many organizations, including:

• New York Insurance Association (NYIA) Board Member – Past Chair (served as Chair for a two year term, 2022-2023)
• New York Insurance Scholarship Foundation (NYISF) Board Member – Trustee
• Long Island Insurance Education Foundation (LIIEF) Board Member – Director
• Birdsong Association Board Member – Treasurer
• Invest Buffalo – Board Member
• NAMIC PCC – Board Member
• New York Insurance Scholarship Foundation – Chair