Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/201303
"I didn't know a heliodor from a bale of hay." – Jewelers Mutual CEO Darwin Copeman, referring to the gemstone selected for the gallery to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company, talking of his knowledge of jewelry before he joined the company. attended national conventions of the American National Retail Association and within four years won the endorsement of virtually every state jewelers association. By 1923 the company had 2,500 policies in 44 states, with 81 percent from outside Wisconsin. By 1976, Jewelers Mutual was licensed in all 50 states, due in large part to the initiative of Ronald R. Harder, who joined the company just a few years before. Harder, who had held positions as corporate secretary, administrative vice president and chief operating officer, became president of Jewelers Mutual in 1982, and remained until his retirement in 2007. Long-time employees say Harder was instrumental in developing the relationship-driven culture of the company. "One of our mottos was 'insurance isn't enough,'" says Harder, who has become a friend and mentor to the current leader. "You need to understand the people, get to know the people, build those relationships, how they operate and prevent losses. You have to understand their business so you can speak in their terms." Harder helped move the company's emphasis on loss prevention forward, developing a library that included a series of videos and other educational tools for its commercial members. With the purchase of a "very large rock" – a 600-pound malachite specimen – he also established what became the R. Harder Gallery of Gems & w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m Minerals, which has become a popular boutique museum on the premises of the company's headquarters in Jewelers Park. When Harder began his 34-year stint with Jewelers, the company had assets of about $12 million. When he retired, assets were at $200 million. As he approached retirement, Harder advised the company's board of directors to begin a succession plan. Darin Kath was named president in 2005 and CEO in 2007. Kath left to head Integrity Insurance as its CEO in 2008 and the board commenced a national search for a new leader. The culture with Copeman C opeman was on his way to retirement from many years in the property and casualty insurance industry in the Midwest – from his native Iowa to Cincinnati to Kansas City – when a headhunter called. In his first interview he was dead honest about his knowledge of gems and jewelry. "I didn't know a heliodor from a bale of hay," he says with a laugh, referring to the deep yellow variety of golden beryl gemstone selected for the gallery by Harder to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company. "I held up my hands and said, 'I don't have a watch. I have a gold band. I have a chain with a cross on it – [continued] » N o v e m b e r 2 013 • Insight | 27