Terry Dermody graduated from Sidney High School in 1965 and continued his education at Saint Bonaven-ture University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. After college, Terry entered the insurance business as a customer service representa-tive for Reid & Carr Inc., of New York City. In 1973, he moved to Rollins, Burdick & Hunter in New York, as Assistant Vice President/Personal Lines Account Ex-ecutive and remained with the company until 1984, rising to the position of Vice President, Manager of the Property Casualty Unit. In 1984 Terry joined ISU/Gervasio & Seeger of Hamilton, New Jersey, as Vice President, Agency Manager.
From 1987 to 1995 Terry worked in New York City managing and expanding major property/casualty commercial accounts, first at FJ Wilkes & Co. (1987-88); next with KSH Group (1988-1995); and then, from 1995 to 1996, with the Liner Insurance Company, as Vice President and Director of Insurance Oper-ations. Beginning in 1996 until he retired in 2013, he served as the Vice President of Major Accounts for NIP Group/Business & Governmental Insurance Agency in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where he was responsible for all agency operations. Terry's broad skills in management and operations as an insurance professional are well documented.
In addition to his successful business career, Terry Dermody has been one of the driving forces behind the Sidney Central School Alumni Association (SCSAA), which has become a model for other alumni groups. His tireless efforts took an annual barbeque and turned it into an entire weekend of reunion activities. He attracted talented and dedicated people to the organization, and developed a strong Board of Directors. Under his leadership an all-class reunion weekend was created that now includes a very successful golf tournament, a march of the classes, two social gatherings, a memorial service and an all-class luncheon. One of Terry's pet projects was the sponsorship of the alumni scoreboard, and the dedication of the athletic fields to the alumni.
The drive for SCSAA to have a Sports Hall of Fame and a Wall of Fame was initiated by Terry Dermody. His vision of service to school, community and alumni has been achieved with forward-looking planning that included the SCSAA's strong commit-ment to scholarships, the Veterans' Memorial Park, the alumni website, alumni directory and newsletter, the alumni scoreboard and athletic fields. It is not overstated to say that for fourteen years the irresistible force of the Alumni Association was Terry Dermody. Yes, many directors and volunteers contributed in a large and continuous measure to the growth and strength of SCSAA, but the leadership that brought those people, their talents and all those ideas together was his. Terry's credentials and accomplishments are exemplary and his leadership has impacted and touched the lives of alumni, community members, businesses, school administrators, coaches, teachers and students and resulted in a high school alumni association that is a model for thousands of other communities.