Long-time Chairman of the Federated Insurance Companies, Jeffrey E. Fetters, announced his planned retirement at the end of 2024 during the 120^th Annual Policyholders Meeting held in Owatonna on April 16, 2024. Fetters has served as Chairman since 2012 and been with the organization for nearly 45 years.

“My decision to retire comes following a five-year succession planning process in which I worked with our distinguished Board of Directors to ensure that our Executive Staff is extremely well prepared to guide our organization into an even brighter future,” Fetters stated. “It is time for this next generation of leaders to take the reins. I am especially pleased to share that, at my strong recommendation, the Board of Directors of the Federated Insurance Companies has unanimously approved the appointment of Nicholas R. Lower to be the next Chairman of Federated Insurance. Nick will assume his new duties as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer upon my retirement.”

Lower will become only the sixth Chairman in the 120-year history of Federated Insurance. Lower is an Ohio native, joining Federated in 1999 as a marketing representative. He went on to serve in leadership roles in the organization’s marketing management, association risk management services, marketing incentives, and marketing administration departments. He became First Vice President - Director of Marketing in June 2017 and Senior Vice President – Director of Insurance Operations in December 2017. He was named Executive Vice President in 2019 and Chief Operating Officer in 2021. Lower was then named President in 2023 and President – Chief Executive Officer in January 2024.

BLD Connection President Cody Nuernberg said of the announcement “BLD Connection congratulates Mr. Fetters on his well-deserved retirement and on his amazing career and leadership of Federated Insurance. Our 23-year partnership with Federated Insurance could – in many ways – be attributed to Mr. Fetter’s leadership and his commitment to BLD Connection and Federated’s association partners. We also want to congratulate Mr. Lower on being named Chairman. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting our membership under Mr. Lower’s leadership.”

To read the full press release, click HERE.