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Returning to the mid-twenties and thirties, we offer insight into
six more very influential leaders, who contributed more than their share to build our
company to the level that it holds today. |
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Holley K. Fisk
After the company was in
operation for four years, Holley Fisk was employed as an office clerk. Prior to his
connection with the company, he spent his first twenty years working on his family's farm
in Colon, Michigan. He then worked one year at Flint's Buick Motors Plant. In 1925 he
became office manager of the insurance company and in 1930 he was elected to the board of
directors. In 1931, Holley became secretary and at the same time was general manager. He
was elevated to the office of presidency in June of 1955 and retired in 1960. Mr. Fisk was
one of the most widely known insurance executives in Michigan.
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Clarence W. Swanebeck
Joined the former
Pioneer Mutual Insurance Company when it was organized in Detroit in 1917. He served for
over forty years as president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer and general manager of
the company. Mr. Swanebeck was elected to many boards of national and state insurance and
agricultural organizations. He was widely known throughout Michigan.
In 1966 Pioneer Mutual celebrated 50 years of service to
their policyholders. Mr. Swanebeck reported it was Pioneer Mutual's best and most
successful year of operation with policyholder surplus climbing to over $1,950,000. At the
time of the merger in 1967, Mr. Swanebeck became a consultant and director of Pioneer
State Mutual and upon retiring in 1968 continued as a director of the company until 1970. |
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Alex Little
He
began his career as an agent in 1936. After three years, he became a full-time company
inspector. Except for his tenure of three years in the army, Mr. Little held that position
until he moved to the home office as chief underwriter in 1952. Alex was elected company
secretary in 1955, and at the same time was the home office manager. In 1960 he was
elected to the board of directors and named general manager. Alex, in 1961, became
vice-president and general manager, then president and general manager in 1962. He held
the title of general manager of the company for twenty-two years.
Alex Little was highly respected for his achievement in insurance
organization and management. He was very active in many insurance organizations, both on
state and national levels.
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Samuel W. Miller
Over a period of 16 years, Samuel Miller was an officer
of five companies serving the automotive-design, model, plastic, tool and die trades. He
joined Pioneer State Mutual in January, 1968 as controller and coordinated the merger of
Pioneer Mutual, located in Lansing, Michigan, until that office closed. Mr. Miller moved
to Flint in 1969 and in 1972 was elected treasurer. In 1978 he was appointed to the board
of directors and later that same year was elected director, vice president-treasurer. He
was elected president in 1982.
Mr. Miller’s sudden death in 1990 came near the end of the
expansion project at Pioneer State Mutual which he dreamed of, initiated and was involved
with first hand.
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Dale W. Little
Dale W. Little was named president of Pioneer State
Mutual by the board of directors on May 30, 1990.
Mr. Little joined the company in 1971 as an inspector and was
appointed field representative in 1973. He was elected secretary in 1979, vice president,
underwriting manager in 1982, and executive vice president in April, 1987. He received his
BA in Business Administration from Bethel College and holds the CIC, LIC designations.
Mr. Little was named CEO in August 1998 and was elected chairman of
the board of directors of Pioneer State Mutual in April 1999.
Mr. Little's untimely death in 2005 came near the end of the best
year in the history of the company.
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Kurt P. Foley
Kurt P. Foley was named president and CEO of Pioneer State Mutual by
the board of directors on December 14, 2005.
Mr. Foley joined Pioneer in 1992 as a field representative. In 1998,
he became agency director and in April 2000 he was appointed vice
president, director of marketing. He was appointed senior vice
president in April 2005. He received his CIC designation in 1994. |
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