Terrence Theophilus LaPierre is a son of Trinidad and Tobago. He came to the United States in 1969, leaving the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force.
He is a licensed insurance broker, a public accountant (Brooklyn College and College of Insurance, degree in accounting), a New York notary and is the owner of Patriot Agency on Avenue D.
“My friend and ex-policeman Selby encouraged me to pursue the insurance business,” he says. “But I wanted to do more, so I became a tax preparer / consultant. Then I became a ‘one stop shop.’ I wanted to offer everything to my community.”
LaPierre’s multi-service business services the New York, Florida and the Connecticut areas and offers Western Union, money orders and bill payments. His office prepares personal and business taxes, immigration services, and all types of insurances — commercial, homeowner, workers compensation and disability.
He takes particular satisfaction in his work. “I am proud of helping my community in their daily lives. I have had a successful business for the past 30 years where one and all can come in to get information and service on many needs and concerns.”
Additionally, LaPierre is very involved with his community. He is the president of the Avenue D Merchants Association. With the help of other business owners, the association illuminates Avenue D and Utica Avenue with Christmas lights creating a very festive Avenue D business strip.
He is also second vice-president of Community Board 17. He says, “As Chair for CB17 Committee for Sanitation and DEP I am working on quality of life issues — particularly for a cleaner community such as garbage collection and snow removal.”
Concerned about violence in the neighborhood, LaPierre is a member of the 67th Precint Committee, attending meetings with the precinct, the borough president and district elected officials about the use of guns.
He explains, “The commissioner of police instituted a new program called 67 Precint NCO. We meet with officers assigned to different community sectors bringing in residents and youth in order to have a better relationship between the community and the police.”
He has also been appointed to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Advisory and Research Committee, the Selective Service System Board of the U.S. and he has been on the Community Advisory Board to Kings County Hospital for three years.
The recipient of several community service awards, LaPierre also has received two awards from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in appreciation for distinguished service to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
